The early returns this fall indicate the Florida State baseball team has hit on a trio of freshmen batters. Finding roles and positions in the field is an offseason discussion for coach Link Jarrett and the staff.

Outfielders John Stuetzer and Kelvyn Paulino Jr. as well as shortstop Will Bavaro were consistently impressive in FSU’s three exhibition events.

“Stuetzer, Paulino and Bavaro, that is impressive work by three freshmen,” Jarrett said. “That's fun to watch, and you have those players in your program for a while. You need the balance of those good young athletes and then obviously at times you have to acquire some older players and plug and go.”

The focus is often on transfers, and outfielder Brayden Dowd (Southern Cal) has shown he could have an immediate impact. But the fall exhibitions, also showed the coaches’ evaluations of prep prospects is beginning to come to fruition as they start to develop at FSU.

A top 150 prospect in the class of 2025 by Perfect Game, Stuetzer went 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBI as the Seminoles wrapped up the fall with the Garnet and Gold All-Star Game on Friday night. Stuetzer (pictured at top) delivered a single and a walk in FSU’s games against Mississippi State in Pensacola. He also went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI against UAB.

A shortstop in high school, the Seminoles are mixing him in at center and the corner outfield spots. Stuetzer thinks center is ideal for him to accentuate his speed and athleticism.

“Coming in as a freshman, you don’t really know what to expect,” Stuetzer said. “I came in, trusted the coaches and trusted what they’re doing. … It’s top ball all around. This is the best competition in the country. Always competing against the best guys.”

Paulino, ranked 53rd in the 2025 class by Perfect Game, went 2 for 5 with an RBI and two runs scored. The left fielder also went 2 for 3 against Mississippi State and 2 for 3 with a pair of RBI and a run scored vs. UAB.

“We're trying to find the correct position for him to keep working at,” Jarrett said. “We've moved him around all fall. That's what the fall is for.”

Bavaro was a designated hitter on Friday but also played shortstop this fall. He had three doubles on Friday, with Jarrett saying he did a good job of spraying the ball to all fields and that it had been one of the best games of his fall.

“Bavaro has been really solid at all three infield positions — not first base, but third, short and second,” Jarrett said.

Myles Bailey, professional hitter

Enjoy the Myles Bailey show while the first baseman is on campus. A draft-eligible sophomore, Bailey was a tough out throughout the fall.

While there was discussion of playing Bailey in the outfield, he was at first base for FSU’s three exhibitions. Bailey went 4 for 4 with a pair of home runs, four RBI and four runs scored.

“Myles, that ball probably went 470 feet to right field,” Jarrett said.

Bailey also went 1 for 2 with a walk against Mississippi State, and 3 for 3 with a home run vs. UAB.

BJ Gibson’ baseball focus

BJ Gibson opted to halt his football career so that he could focus on baseball. The rising sophomore often struggled at the plate, but he also just needs more at-bats ahead of the 2026 season.

He went 1 for 4 on Friday night with three strikeouts. But when Gibson reached base, on a single, he quickly stole second base. After stealing third, coupled with an errant throw from home plate, Gibson scored.

Gibson had a walk against Mississippi State and went 0 for 3 in a game vs. UAB. In the other game vs. the Blazers, he scored a run after entering as a pinch runner.

Pitching notes

Jarrett and pitching coach Micah Posey opted not to throw left-hander Wes Mendes in any of the three exhibitions. The rising junior instead pitched in practices or simulated games.

A number of FSU’s top arms did not pitch in FSU’s exhibition on Friday.

One who impressed was right-hander Brodie Purcell. The Southern Cal transfer pitched two hitless innings, recording three strikeouts without issuing a walk. Purcell had struggled with walks in his outings against Mississippi State and UAB.

“He was one of the most effective pitchers out of the bullpen in the country last year,” Jarrett said.

Right-hander Cade O’Leary also tossed two no-hit innings on Friday, striking out two and issuing a pair of walks.

We had more observations about the pitchers from the FSU-UAB exhibition and the FSU-Mississippi State exhibition.

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