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Seminole Sunday Summary: Seven Noles Go in 2021 MLB Draft
Although it did reach the NCAA Tournament, Florida State baseball did not have the greatest of seasons. Still, a number of FSU players were able to achieve their dreams this past week.
Over the 3-day 2021 Major League Baseball Draft, seven Seminoles were selected.
The first off the board came in the compensatory round between the first and second when catcher Matheu Nelson was selected 35th overall by the Cincinnati Reds. Nelson won the Buster Posey Award as the nation's best catcher this past season. Nelson led the Seminoles in most major offensive categories, including batting average (.330), home runs (23) and RBIs (66).
On the second day of the draft, outfielder Robby Martin and relief pitcher Hunter Perdue were each selected. Martin was selected in the eighth round by the Colorado Rockies with the No. 230 overall pick. Martin hit .260 this past season with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs.
Perdue was 1-3 in 2021 with a 3.27 ERA. A hard-throwing right-hander, Perdue struck out 28 batters in 22 innings pitched.
The second FSU pitcher off the board came in Round 16 as Jack Anderson was selected by the Detroit Tigers with the 465th overall pick. Anderson was 2-0 last season with a 2.47 ERA and a team-high five saves.
Outfielder Elijah Cabell was taken a round later by the St. Louis Cardinals with pick No. 511. After a slow start to the 2021 season, Cabell hit .264 with 15 home runs — good for second on the team — and 40 RBIs.
After Anderson went in the 16th round and Cabell in the 17th, pitcher Conor Grady was selected in the 18th round by the Baltimore Orioles. The No. 527 overall pick, Grady finished 5-2 with a 4.05 ERA. Grady ranked second on the team with 99 strikeouts in 73.1 innings.
The final FSU player selected went in the 20th round and like Perdue, was selected by Colorado. Tyler Ahearn was taken with the 590th overall pick. Ahearn was 2-1 last season with a 3.48 ERA in 15 appearances.
As for Nelson, he becomes the highest FSU player selected since DJ Stewart was taken by the Baltimore Orioles with the 25th overall pick. The seven players selected is the most for FSU since 2018.
Big Picture: FSU hasn't had a commitment in a couple weeks, but continues to make headway with key prospects.
Big Picture: FSU is in the market for some highly-touted transfers.
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