​The Florida State bullpen just saw its first pitcher taken in the 2026 Major League Draft on Sunday, as reliever Cole Stokes was selected in the 12th round (pick 353) by the Tampa Bay Rays. At 6-foot-6 and 229 pounds, Stokes presents an imposing mound presence. He appeared in 18 games, posting a 1-2 record with a 5.60 ERA. Over 17.2 innings, he struck out 25 and walked 20, while limiting opponents to a .164 average and compiling a WHIP of 1.70. In the victory over Bethune-Cookman, Stokes contributed two hitless innings in the combined no-hitter, recording two strikeouts and issuing one walk. Against in-state rival Florida, he notched a career-high four strikeouts.
Before joining Florida State, Stokes spent two seasons with the Oregon Ducks, where he totaled 46 strikeouts and 26 walks in 28 innings pitched. The California native was ranked as the No. 5 right-hander in the state and the No. 19 right-handed pitcher nationally by Perfect Game. Stokes becomes the third consecutive Florida State pitcher drafted on Sunday, following Trey Beard and Bryson Moore, who were selected by the Marlins and Pirates, respectively, earlier in the day, with ace Wes Mendes chosen in the second round on Saturday by the Astros.
This run of Seminoles pitching success underscores the talent and development fostered under Florida State pitching coach Micah Posey. The Seminoles posted a team ERA of 3.97, the best in the ACC, and held opponents to a .222 batting average. Behind that sturdy rotation, Florida State finished 40-19 overall and 19-11 in the ACC, earning the 10th national seed in the NCAA tournament and hosting a regional for the 38th time in program history. However, their postseason run was brief, as the Seminoles were eliminated from the Tallahassee regional by St. John’s. Stokes is the sixth Seminole to be drafted thus far, with the school record for draft picks reaching 11 set in 2025. He is the third Florida State player in school history to be drafted by Tampa Bay, and the first in a decade.
With eight rounds remaining, it will be interesting to see whether any more Florida State players hear their names called to continue their baseball careers at the Major League level. How is Stokes’s new team faring this season? The Rays currently hold first place in the AL East with a 56-37 record. Join our ROUNDTABLE community to share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. The free Roundtable app makes connection easier and can enhance your experience, including for those who want to discuss how Stokes and other Seminoles are shaping the landscape of college-to-pro transitions.