Florida State’s fall baseball practice began on Monday, with scrimmages on Tuesday and Thursday inside Dick Howser Stadium.

Link Jarrett discussed a number of topics prior to Thursday’s scrimmage. We’ll have more later in the day, but here are a few notes:

FSU is implementing the ABS challenge system and Jarrett wants hitters and catchers to get used to it in fall ball. The coaches have brought in a volunteer umpire to help call balls and strikes. Jarrett joked that the Seminoles will be making a number of appeals in practices and scrimmages. Players were measured, so the strike zone is accurate for each hitter. The ABS challenge system will be in use for ACC games in 2027. It will be fun to see how it’s used in the fall exhibitions, too.

Of the 39 players on the fall baseball roster, 24 are newcomers (high school, junior college and transfers).

Jarrett thinks they have a good variety of right-handers and left-handers in the rotation and bullpen. We asked specifically about UConn left-hander Caden Suchy, who was the Big East pitcher of the year this spring and was considered one of the top pitchers available in the transfer portal (if not the best option). Jarrett said Suchy, who is likely FSU’s ace, is a “student of the craft” and is a smart baseball player who has a feel for what he’s doing. “The bullpen stuff is so enjoyable,” Jarrett said.

He’s excited for the exhibition games and loves that minor league teams have embraced college baseball in the fall. FSU will play Auburn in Pensacola on Oct. 10 before hosting Jacksonville on Oct. 16 and North Florida on Oct. 17. There will also be an intrasquad all-star game on Oct. 30. He noted that FSU is working on a fourth fall game, with an opponent to be announced.

Jarrett loves the five-for-five eligibility rules that the NCAA implemented. “it just cleans everything up,” Jarrett said. He notes the inequity of football players that could play up to four regular-season games but a baseball player would compete in a half inning and that’s counted as a full season.

The interview Thursday was less about specific roles for players. Jarrett was asked about Cal Fisher, and it sounds like the senior is settled in at third base. Fisher said he did not play summer ball but instead focused on his swing and mechanics at a Driveline facility in Tampa.

Right-hander John Abraham said he attended the MLB draft combine but felt disrespected by some of the financial offers from pro teams. He’s happy to be back and working with pitching coach Micah Posey. Abraham offers a potential right-handed starter. But Jarrett also noted that he doesn’t ever want to lose sight of high-leverage relief outings.

It feels like FSU has a wealth of options for the rotation, from Suchy and Abraham to left-handers like Payton Manca and Cooper Whited to Cal transfer right-hander Otto Espinoza and FGCU right-hander Sebastian Lippman.

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