🏹 July 15th - The Chief Brief 🏹

From Draft Boards to Record Books

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The Chief
July 15, 2025

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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Tuesday, Seminole!

Florida State athletes and alumni are stepping up.

⚾ History in the MLB Draft – A record-setting 11 Seminoles were selected over two days, with Jamie Arnold (No. 11 overall) leading a haul that proves FSU is back as a true MLB pipeline.

⛳ Golf Greatness Overseas – Tyler Weaver shattered records at the European Team Championships, shooting a 9-under 63 with a hole-in-one to lead England to a bronze medal.

🏃 XC Season Locked In – FSU Cross Country unveiled a competitive 2025 schedule as the team eyes even bigger NCAA success this fall.

🏀 Hoops on Display – Seminole men’s and women’s basketball are set for an October exhibition doubleheader against Alabama in Birmingham.

💣 Raleigh’s Power Show – Former FSU star Cal Raleigh launched his way into MLB history, winning the 2025 Home Run Derby and earning a starting spot in the All-Star Game.

From record-breaking drafts to championship runs and All-Star moments, this edition is packed with Seminole excellence. Let’s dive in.

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⚾🔥 Record-Breaking MLB Draft: 11 ‘Noles Selected Over Two Days 🔥⚾

Florida State baseball just made program history. A school-record 11 Seminoles were drafted over two days in the 2025 MLB Draft, tied for the most of any NCAA program this year.

📈 Why It’s Historic:
• 11 total selections – breaking FSU’s previous record of 10 (1995)
• 4 players taken in the top 80 picks – most in ACC & in team history
• 309 all-time draft picks since 1966

Here’s how it all went down ⬇️

Day 1: Four Seminoles Go in the First Three Rounds

• Jamie Arnold (No. 11 – Athletics)
 The ace lefty became FSU’s first first-round pitcher since 2014, with a dominant career (3.61 ERA, 327 Ks). He’s now FSU’s 13th first-round arm.

• Alex Lodise (No. 60 – Braves)
 The ACC Player of the Year and Dick Howser Trophy winner went in Round 2 after hitting .394 with 17 HR, 68 RBI, and elite defense at shortstop. Highest-drafted FSU infielder since 2004.

• Cam Leiter (No. 65 – Dodgers)
 The Friday-night starter in 2024 battled back from injury to regain his draft stock. Leiter struck out 56 in just 35 innings two seasons ago and impressed scouts late this spring.

• Max Williams (No. 78 – Marlins)
 The slugging outfielder hit .321 with a team-high 19 HR in 2025. Over two years at FSU, Williams launched 33 homers and drove in 99 runs.

Day 2: Seven More Noles Hear Their Names Called

• Drew Faurot (4th Round, No. 108 – Marlins)
 First Team All-ACC second baseman who hit .307 with 16 HR, 51 RBI, and 51 runs in 2025. Known for clutch hitting and versatility in the field.

• Peyton Prescott (5th Round, No. 163 – Mets)
 The former ASUN Freshman of the Year transferred to FSU and went 5-0 with 3 saves in 24 appearances this season, striking out 46 in 36.2 innings.

• Joey Volini (6th Round, No. 168 – Marlins)
 A breakout lefty who was a Dick Howser Semifinalist, Volini posted an 8-5 record, 3.50 ERA, and 105 Ks in 87.1 IP. He was also National Pitcher of the Month in March.

• Evan Chrest (15th Round, No. 462 – Guardians)
 The former ASUN Freshman of the Year transferred in and posted a 2.70 ERA in limited innings this year.

• Gage Harrelson (16th Round, No. 469 – Angels)
 Third Team All-ACC outfielder who hit .339 with 80 hits, 43 RBI, and 15 steals. Transferred from Texas Tech and made an immediate impact.

• Jaxson West (16th Round, No. 472 – Blue Jays)
 Veteran catcher from Tallahassee who played 97 games over two seasons with FSU, known for his leadership and on-base ability (.384 OBP).

• Maison Martinez (16th Round, No. 474 – Reds)
 Right-handed reliever who joined FSU from VCU, posting a .244 opponent average with 33 Ks in 24.1 innings this year.

🏟️ Why It Matters:
This record haul reflects FSU’s resurgence under head coach Link Jarrett, who guided the ‘Noles to a College World Series berth in 2024 and a Super Regional run this past season. MLB teams clearly took notice of the program’s turnaround.

📅 Next Steps:
• MLB teams have until July 28 at 5 PM ET to sign their draftees.
• Expect big bonus deals for the early picks (Arnold: $5.98M slot, Lodise: $1.52M).

🔑 Bottom Line:
From elite arms like Arnold and Volini to high-impact bats like Lodise, Williams, and Faurot, this draft class shows FSU is officially back as an MLB pipeline.

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⛳🇬🇧 Tyler Weaver Sets Amateur Course Record at European Team Championships 🇬🇧⛳

Florida State standout Tyler Weaver made history overseas while representing Team England at the 2025 European Team Championships in Ireland.

🏆 The Performance:
• Shot a record-breaking 9-under 63 in Round 2, including a hole-in-one on the third hole
• Finished at 12-under (132) to top the individual stroke-play leaderboard
• Led England to a team-record 44-under (676), winning stroke play by 19 shots over Ireland

🎯 Match Play Impact:
• Quarterfinals: Won both matches, including a 1-up singles victory vs. Finland
• Semifinals: Added a point in morning foursomes, but England fell to Italy
• Bronze Match: Contributed two points in a 4–3 win over Ireland

📊 FSU Resume:
• 6 Top-10 finishes in 2025, including a win at the Cabo Collegiate
• Runner-up at the 2025 ACC Championship
• 2025 All-ACC & All-America Honorable Mention
• Currently ranked No. 14 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, 2nd among European players

🔑 Big Picture:
Weaver’s dominance continues to grow on the international stage, further cementing his status as one of Europe’s top amateur golfers — and a key piece of FSU’s golf legacy.

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ FSU Cross Country Releases 2025 Schedule 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Florida State cross country is set for another competitive slate, featuring four regular-season meets and three postseason championships.

📅 Key Dates:
• Aug. 29 – Florida Intercollegiate Invitational (Jacksonville, FL)
• Sept. 13 – Southern Showcase (Huntsville, AL, site of NCAA South Regionals)
• Sept. 26 – Seminole Invite (Apalachee Regional Park, Tallahassee)
• Oct. 17 – Pre-Nationals (Columbia, MO)
• Oct. 31 – ACC Championships (Louisville, KY)
• Nov. 14 – NCAA South Regionals (Huntsville, AL)
• Nov. 22 – NCAA Championships (Columbia, MO)

🗣️ Coach Matt Kane:
“This schedule gives us the best chance to develop talent and prepare for ACC and NCAA success.”

🔑 Why It Matters:
After a standout 2024 season with multiple all-region performers and the women’s team earning an NCAA at-large bid, the Noles are aiming even higher in 2025.

🏀✨ FSU Hoops to Face Alabama in Birmingham Exhibition Doubleheader ✨🏀

Florida State men’s and women’s basketball will take on Alabama in a preseason showcase at Boutwell Auditorium (Birmingham, AL) on Thursday, Oct. 16.

📅 Game Times:
• Women’s: FSU vs. Alabama – 1:00 PM ET
• Men’s: FSU vs. Alabama – 8:00 PM ET

🎟 Tickets: Available now at ballininboutwell.com.

🔑 Why It Matters:
Both programs are reloading after NCAA Tournament runs, with the women returning Amaya Bonner, Sydney Bowles, and Avery Treadwell while welcoming seven new faces.

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💣⚾ Cal Raleigh Wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby ⚾💣

Former Seminole Cal Raleigh continues to dominate Major League Baseball — claiming the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby crown at Truist Field in Atlanta.

🏆 The Run to the Title:
• Finals: Beat Junior Caminero (TB) 18–15
• Semis: Beat Oneil Cruz (PIT) 19–13
• First Round: Advanced on a tiebreaker with 17 HRs

🎯 Historic Feats:
• First catcher ever to win the Derby
• Second Mariner to take the crown (joining Ken Griffey Jr.)
• Showcased switch-hitting power with blasts up to 471 ft

🗣️ Raleigh: “It means the world… I just can’t believe I won.”

Raleigh will also start at catcher for the American League in Tuesday’s All-Star Game, marking his first All-Star appearance.

And that’s a wrap!

That’s a wrap for today’s edition!

From Jamie Arnold leading a record MLB Draft haul, to Tyler Weaver rewriting the European golf record books, to Cal Raleigh’s Derby crown—FSU athletes are making their mark everywhere you look.

Stay locked in for more recruiting updates, pro highlights, and fall sports previews in the days ahead.

Until next time,
Go Noles! 🏹

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