​Brayden Dowd has been chosen by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 88th overall pick in the 2026 MLB draft. He becomes Florida State University’s second position player selected and the third Seminole drafted overall in this year’s draft cycle. Dowd’s selection continues the narrative of success under Florida State head coach Link Jarrett, who has leveraged the transfer portal to build winning rosters. In his lone season with the Seminoles, Dowd earned a spot on the All-ACC Third Team after transferring from the USC Trojans, continuing FSU’s track record of developing and highlighting talented players.
During his time in Tallahassee, Dowd appeared in 43 games, with 37 of those starts coming at center field and six in left field. He posted a .293 batting average, contributing 13 doubles, 10 home runs, 36 RBIs, and 52 runs scored. Dowd also drew 51 walks, finishing the year with a .527 slugging percentage and a .456 on-base percentage. He ranked among Florida State’s top five hitters in every major offensive category and was perfect on the basepaths, going 10-for-10 on stolen bases.
Prior to his stint with the Seminoles, Dowd played in 101 games for USC, earning 97 starts. He hit .325 for the Trojans, collecting 21 doubles, 11 home runs, and 62 RBIs. His versatility and consistency have been a hallmark of his college career, and he has committed just four errors across his collegiate tenure, underscoring his defensive reliability.
Dowd isn’t the only Florida State product drawing MLB interest this year. Former FSU first baseman Myles Bailey and pitcher Wes Mendes were also selected in the draft, adding to the Seminoles’ growing pipeline of professional-ready talent. In addition, high-level recruits Landon Thome and Kaden Waetcher were taken, signaling that Florida State remains well represented at the professional level.
For readers following Florida State baseball and related news, updates, and viewpoints, stay connected with FSU Wire on X (formerly Twitter) at @FSUWire and through our Facebook page for ongoing Florida State coverage. This report on Brayden Dowd’s selection by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2026 MLB draft originally appeared on FSU Wire, offering a detailed look at Dowd’s journey from the transfer portal to the professional ranks and how his performance aligns with the Seminoles’ broader program trajectory.