Florida State Seminoles
Overall Rank: #9
Conference Rank: #2 ACC
The 2011 season was another successful one for the Florida State Seminoles. They ended the season one game shy of their 21st appearance at the College World Series with a loss at home to Texas A&M. Head Coach Mike Martin goes into his 33rd campaign as the winningest active D1 baseball coach with a .744 winning percentage. Martin has led his crew to 31 straight regionals and 14 College World Series. The Seminoles bring back 19 players from last season, including six starters and two pitchers.
2011: 46-19, 19-11
2011 Postseason: NCAA eliminated in Tallahassee Super Regional (two losses to Texas A&M)
Coach: Mike Martin, 33rd Season
Field Players:
Senior James Ramsey led Florida State last season in most offensive categories, including hits (91), average (.364), homeruns (10) and RBI (67). Tabbed as an All-American for his productivity in 2011, he returned to Tallahassee though he was drafted last June by the Twins. He’ll start in centerfield this year for the Noles. Second baseman Devon Travis was named All-ACC in 2011, hitting .329, with 26 doubles and six home runs. Junior Jayce Boyd was second behind Ramsey in the same statistical categories last spring, averaging .343. He had 84 hits, eight home runs and he knocked in 60. Senior shortstop Sherman Johnson and junior third baseman Justin Gonzalez return after playing every game for the Noles last season. They hit .256 and .264 respectively.
Pitchers:
Seniors Brian Busch, Hunter Scantling and Gary Merians will fill the void left by Sean Gilmartin on the hill. Left hander Busch made 26 appearances last year and five starts. He finished with a 6-2 record, a 4.29 ERA and 44 strikeouts. Scantling, a right hander, made 12 starts last year and finished 3-3, striking out 48 in 58 innings of work. Merians was also 6-2. He pitched in 13 games, started seven times, posting a 4.02 ERA. Brandon Leibrandt, a 6’4” freshman, joins the Seminole staff. The Marist High grad comes to school even though he was drafted by the Rays after his senior year where he earned High School All-American honors for going a perfect 13-0 with a 0.71 ERA while fanning 120 in just 79 innings. The 2011 Pensacola High School Pitcher of the Year, Cody Alling, joins the Florida State bullpen. The southpaw was named a High School All-American after a senior year where he was 12-2 with a 1.52 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 70 innings.
Who to Watch:
Of Coach Martin’s 17 newcomers, 16 freshmen and one JUCO transfer, there are some notable additions who have a chance to make a splash in their rookie seasons. Ronald Reagan Senior High product Mario Amaral hit .518 as a senior, was selected as a High School All-American and was picked in the 17th round by the Brewers. A three-time All-State pick and two-time state champ at North Florida Christian, John Nogowski provides some flexibility on defense and power on offense. The outfielder, first baseman and left handed pitcher hit .530 with 12HR and 40 RBI as a prep senior. A Reds draftee, Jose Brizuela was also a High School All-American and two-time state champion. He was a career .400 hitter at Archbishop McCarthy High.
Final Projection:
With the large cadre of returners and newcomers, it is likely that veteran Coach Martin will find the right tools to refit the 2012 edition of the Seminoles. Ramsey, Boyd and Travis bring back a significant portion of the team’s production at the plate. With the high profile additions of Amaral and Nogowski, the Noles will surely be a force offensively. If Busch, Scantling and Merians can get the job done on the mound, Coach Martin will vie for the ACC Title and reach his 32nd consecutive NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: James Ramsey, CF, 250
Hits: James Ramsey, CF, 91
Home Runs: James Ramsey, CF, 10
RBIs: James Ramsey, CF, 67
Runs: James Ramsey, CF, 58; Devon Travis, 2B, 58
Stolen Bases: James Ramsey, CF, 11
Wins: Gary Merians, P, 6 and Brian Busch, P, 6
Innings Pitched: Brian Busch, P, 63
Strikeouts: Hunter Scantling, P, 48
Saves: Mack Wough, P, 2
Madness 2012 MLB Draft Rankings:
#86 Jayce Boyd
#122 James Ramsey
