Link Jarrett mentioned the “ebbs and flows” that baseball teams navigate over the course of a long season. But after 20 games, which includes a weekend sweep at Wake, Florida State is in many ways taking on a shape that he pictured in the preseason and one that is exceeding expectations in others.
When asked by the Osceola on Thursday to reflect on the first 20 games, a significant sample size for the 2026 team, Jarrett began with a weekend rotation that has featured left-handers Wes Mendes (5-0, 0.63 ERA) and Trey Beard (2-0, 1.89 ERA) as well as right-hander Bryson Moore (3-0, 3.57 ERA).
“We knew the starting pitching needed to be a substantial strength here,” Jarrett said. “When you’re looking at building the team and putting it together, that clearly stood out.”
Mendes and Beard shared various national player of the week awards after their outings at Wake. FSU secured back-to-back shutouts for the first time in ACC play since 2000, and they did it against a top-15 team in Wake Forest.
No. 11 FSU (17-3, 3-0 ACC) prepares for another weekend series that feels like a Super Regional in the coach’s view, with the Seminoles playing host to No. 10 NC State (17-4, 2-1) in a three-game series that begins on Friday at 6 p.m. (all three games on ACC Network Extra).
Jarrett then discussed a large group of relievers who have not just eaten up innings but been effective, beginning with right-hander John Abraham (0.50 ERA in eight appearances).
“John Abraham has been a standout for us,” Jarrett said. “We’ve used him a lot. We’ve found periods in the last 10-12 days where we’ve been able to let him recover a little bit. He was on call Tuesday. But his navigation and advancement in the execution of the stuff has been not really a surprise but it’s on schedule. It’s not easy to get to the point where it’s that crisp. The repeatability of the consistency of the outing has been really good.”
Jarrett mentioned some transfer pitchers that have been up and down in their first relief outings, noting Brodie Purcell, Cole Stokes and Cade O’Leary (Purcell was part of FSU’s seven-inning no-hitter on Tuesday).
At the plate
Through the first weeks of the season, Jarrett has frequently adjusted the lineup. Some of that was a result of injuries but at times performance. But of late, the Seminoles have featured third baseman Will Bavaro, shortstop Cal Fisher, second baseman Eli Putnam and Myles Bailey along with outfielders like Brayden Dowd, John Stuetzer, Brody DeLamielleure (and at times Noah Sheffield, when he’s not been a designated hitter). Nathan Cmeyla caught all three games at Wake with Hunter Carns battling an injury, and Kelvyn Paulino has been the DH, too.
“Positionally, I’m finding a lineup that seems to work. I can’t say I’ve settled on a batting order,” Jarrett said. “There are guys that are champing at the bit to play. I get that. That’s part of the game. When your team is performing and you have some talented athletes, you’re going to have depth and decisions to make.”
One freshman who has emerged is Bavaro at third, allowing Fisher to settle in at shortstop. Bavaro does not have an error in nine games (eight starts), while Fisher has two errors in 20 starts.
“Bavaro, that’s been nice to see,” Jarrett said. “We saw glimpses of it in the preseason and fall. But until you get into the heat of battle and look at the games he’s played at third base as a freshman, it’s been pretty good.”
In the field
Jarrett said he feels the defense has been “sound” but is looking for improvement, which shows his expectations for the Seminoles. Myles Bailey is hitting .344 and has nine home runs, but Jarrett took time to praise his defensive play (no errors in 20 games at first base).
“It seems like every game Myles does something at first base to make a really nice play that seems to either keep the momentum, change the momentum, help us escape from something,” Jarrett said. “… It looks easy but at that position when it kind of blends in and looks easy that tells you how talented and skilled a first baseman that is.”
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