​Sunshine State or Peach State? That question hovered over Bishop Snyder High School as senior pitcher Cole Dennis faced a defining choice after the Atlanta Braves selected him in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on July 11 in Philadelphia. The Braves selected Dennis in the fourth round, 112th overall, a slot valued at $697,700 under MLB’s draft slot structure. Now Dennis must decide whether to sign with Atlanta or continue his collegiate career at Jacksonville University, where he signed in November 2025.
Dennis, a right-hander from Jacksonville, exploded onto the scene during his senior year at Bishop Snyder. He finished the season with a sparkling 10-1 record on the mound, posting a 2.01 earned run average, 101 strikeouts, and an impressive 0.926 WHIP. At the plate, he distinguished himself as a two-way threat, batting .432 with seven doubles, 12 home runs, and 31 RBIs, contributing to Bishop Snyder’s deep run as Florida High School Athletic Association Region 1-2A finalists. His all-around production extended beyond statistics, reflecting the skill and versatility that made him a compelling pick for the Braves.
Dennis was among three Jacksonville-area high school players invited to MLB Draft Combine, underscoring his status as one of the region’s top talents. ESPN ranked him among the top 120 draft-eligible prospects, highlighting the high expectations that accompanied his draft journey. He joins a growing list of Jacksonville area products who have been selected early in recent drafts, continuing a trend of local talent catching the eye of major league clubs. In the 2025 draft, six local players went within the first 80 picks, signaling a robust pipeline of high school talent from the Jacksonville region.
The 2024-25 cycle also produced other notable Florida selections. Wessley Roberson, a Glynn Academy outfielder, was picked by the Miami Marlins at No. 115 overall. Three Florida high school players landed in the first round: Jacob Lombard, a Gulliver Prep shortstop, chosen by the Marlins at No. 14; Gio Rojas, a Parkland Douglas pitcher, selected by the Texas Rangers at No. 16; and Coleman Borthwick, a South Walton pitcher, taken by the San Diego Padres at No. 21. The national spotlight also shone on UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, who went No. 1 overall to the Chicago White Sox.
Dennis now faces a pivotal decision that could shape the next chapter of his baseball career. Signing with the Braves would launch him into professional baseball, as he joins the organization that identified his talents during the draft. Alternatively, returning to Jacksonville University would allow him to continue developing against college competition, honing his craft and pursuing a potential future in professional baseball with more college seasoning under his belt. Either path offers its own set of opportunities and challenges, and the choice will likely hinge on Dennis’s readiness for pro ball, the Braves’ development plan for him, and his personal goals for his athletic and educational journey.
As the community and fans in Northeast Florida watch closely, Dennis’s draft selection highlights both his personal achievement and the broader strength of Florida’s high school and college baseball talent pipeline. The Braves’ decision to select him in the 112th slot marks a milestone, but the next steps will determine how quickly and in what capacity Dennis will transition to the professional ranks. For Bishop Snyder, the focus now shifts to ensuring that their standout pitcher continues to develop, whether he remains in college or begins a pro career, keeping alive a growing tradition of producing impact players who can compete at the highest levels.
What’s next for Bishop Snyder’s Cole Dennis remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his draft selection has put a spotlight on his capabilities, his potential for growth, and the strength of the Jacksonville area’s baseball programs. The Braves will soon learn whether Dennis chooses the professional route immediately or opts to complete his college commitment before entering organized baseball at the next level. In any case, his journey from Bishop Snyder High School to the major leagues is a narrative worth watching for fans of Florida baseball and aspiring players alike.