​FSU reliever Cole Stokes has been selected by the Tampa Bay Rays with the 353rd overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. He becomes Florida State’s first draft pick of the evening. Stokes showed up in 18 games for the Seminoles, posting a 1-2 record with a 5.60 ERA over 17 2/3 innings. Opponents hit only .164 against him, yet he issued 20 walks and never quite found consistent command. The right-hander struck out 25 hitters and allowed six wild pitches as part of a challenging season.
Despite the uneven results, there remains excitement about Stokes’ potential. If the Rays can help him refine his control, his raw materials could translate into significant value. He brings plentiful velocity and a tall, sturdy frame at 6-foot-6 and 229 pounds, which could be ideal for development on the mound. Stokes spent just one season at Florida State after beginning his college career with the Oregon Ducks. The Redondo Beach, California, product appeared in 32 games for Oregon, finishing 1-2 with two saves over 29 innings. He posted a 3.10 ERA and limited opponents to a .130 batting average, though he walked 26 and struck out 46 during his Ducks tenure.
Stokes becomes the fifth pitcher from Florida State to be selected in this drafts cycle, joining fellow Seminoles Wes Mendes, Bryson Moore, Trey Beard, and Brodie Purcell as early selections. Fans and followers of Florida State baseball can stay connected with the latest developments by following FSU coverage on X (formerly Twitter) at @FSUWire and by liking the page on Facebook for ongoing updates, notes, and opinions related to Florida State sports. This information originally appeared on FSU Wire as part of coverage titled: “FSU’s Cole Stokes Selected by Tampa Bay Rays in the 2026 MLB Draft,” and has been expanded to provide broader context and SEO-value for readers seeking in-depth news about Florida State’s baseball program.