Nine months ago, Florida State’s Max Williams, Drew Faurot and Joey Volini were part of a historic fall baseball exhibition at Blue Wahoos Stadium against Auburn.
At some point, perhaps sooner than later, the trio could return to the ballpark playing in Blue Wahoos uniforms.
The three Seminoles’ players were chosen among the Miami Marlins’ top seven picks in the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft, part of a school-record 11 FSU players drafted in the two-day MLB Draft selection process, which ended on July 14.
That Oct. 12 event in Pensacola, which sold out the stadium in less than 12 hours, featured 18 players from the two dugouts chosen in the MLB Draft. It was the first time the Seminoles played in Pensacola and first time a college “Fall Ball” exhibition set of games, both seven-innings, were staged at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Auburn won both games that day. The Tigers wound up with seven players drafted, third most overall in program history, including five players in that twinbill against FSU taken in the top 10 rounds – most in program history,
FSU pitcher Jamie Arnold, who did not throw in the exhibition games, became the Athletics’ first-round pick (No. 11 overall). Auburn catcher Ike Irish, who did play that day, was a first-round selection by the Baltimore Orioles, chosen No. 19 overall in the draft.
The exhibition in October attracted more than 30 MLB scouts from 17 different teams, including the Marlins, to watch a rare display of talent on the same field.
The Marlins wound up drafting all college players with their 21 picks – a first in franchise history. They chose FSU’s Williams, an outfielder, in the third round, then followed that up by choosing the Seminoles’ infielder Faurot in the fourth round.
The Marlins then chose FSU’s Volini, a pitcher who started the second game on Oct. 12 against Auburn, in the sixth round of Monday’s draft.
“I’ve made the comment a number of times — (FSU Baseball) does a great job there,” said Frankie Piliere, the Marlins’ director of scouting, speaking on a conference call with media members. “And we tend to be scouting there a lot because they have deep lineups and they have guys who perform, good athletes.”
MLB teams have until July 28 at 4 p.m. CT to sign their draft picks. Assuming the Marlins sign all 21 of their players, they will likely be assigned across both levels of Class A, and potentially some players leaping straight to Double-A with the Blue Wahoos.
The Marlins chose Oregon State shortstop Aiva Arquette, rated the best college position player in the draft, with their first pick (No. 7 overall in the draft). Arquette played a big role in leading Oregon State to the Men’s College World Series in a three-game showdown against FSU in the NCAA Super Regionals.
“He’s quick on his feet, he has power, he can move well at shortstop, and he’s extremely physical while doing it,” Piliere said. “That’s a rare combo. I’ll probably end up saying that a lot over the next few days, few weeks here, but it’s rare, and that’s why we’re so excited.”
The Marlins followed that by choosing outfielders Cam Canarella from Clemson and Brandon Compton from Arizona State with their next picks.
From that point the selection of FSU players began.
“They just tend to have a lot of hitters that we like,” Piliere said. “You try to get the college bats early because they do tend to go fast.
“History would tell you that if you draft those players early, you can put yourself in position for pitchers later,” he continued. “If you look up and down our list right now, It does particularly skew that way.”
Faurot’s father, Adam, was a three-position infielder at FSU in the mid-1990s under legendary coach Mike Martin Sr. and was drafted in 1996 by the Milwaukee Brewers. Both father and son grew up in Tallahassee.
“There were some stretches this year where (Drew Faurot) was as hot as anyone in the country, and that’s what he’s capable of,” Piliere said. “We think he’s capable of those flashes over longer periods of time.”
In addition to players that day at Blue Wahoos Stadium, another college player at the ballpark this year, University of West Florida pitcher Dalton Neuschwander, a righthander, was chosen by the Orioles in the 10th round.
Though he didn’t pitch, Neuschwander was part of the Argos’ team that played in Blue Wahoos Stadium on March 4 in a win against North Georgia. He became the second-highest draft selection in UWF history at No. 304 overall.
The MLB draft ending on Monday led into another big moment for FSU’s baseball program. Former Seminoles’ catcher Cal Raleigh, who has captivated the baseball world this season with the Seattle Mariners as the top home run hitter (38) in MLB, won the All-Star Home Run Derby competition Monday night in Atlanta during a riveting final round duel against Tampa Bay Rays rapid-rising, star third baseman Junior Caminero.
Blue Wahoos fans watched Caminero’s skills numerous times in 2023 when he played for the Montgomery Biscuits in games at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos entered the All-Star Break in first place in the Southern League South Division second-half race. They will resume their schedule on Friday at home in a three-game series against the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Cincinnati Reds affiliate.
Florida State Draft Selections
(Players were part of team roster Oct. 12 at Blue Wahoos Stadium)
Jamie Arnold, pitcher, 1st round, Oakland AthleticsAlex Lodise, shortstop, 2nd round, Atlanta BravesCam Leiter, pitcher, 2nd round, Los Angeles DodgersMax Williams, outfielder, 3rd round, Miami MarlinsDrew Faurot, shortstop, 4th round, Miami MarlinsPeyton Prescott, pitcher, 5th round, New York MetsJoey Volini, pitcher, 6th round, Miami MarlinsEvan Chrest, pitcher, 15th round, Cleveland GuardiansGage Harrelson, outfielder, 16th round, Los Angeles AngelsJaxson West, catcher, 16th round, Toronto Blue JaysMason Martin, pitcher, 16th round, Cincinnati Reds
Auburn Tigers Draft Selections
(Players were part of team roster Oct. 12 at Blue Wahoos Stadium)
Ike Irish, catcher, 1st round, Baltimore OriolesEric Snow, shortstop, 6th round, Toronto Blue JaysDylan Watts, pitcher, 7th round, Toronto Blue JaysCam Tilly, pitcher, 7th round, New York MetsSamuel Dutton, pitcher, 10th round Oakland AthleticsHayden Murphy, pitcher, 15th round, Arizona DiamondbacksCade Fisher, pitcher, 18th round, Boston Red Sox
Bill Vilona is a retired Pensacola News Journal sports columnist and now senior writer for Pensacola Blue Wahoos. He can be reached at bvilona@bluewahoos.com
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: FSU, Auburn baseball see 18 players drafted after Blue Wahoos exibition