Wes Mendes has been making a name for himself as the ace pitcher for the Florida State Seminoles, showcasing impressive skills as the MLB Draft approaches. His fastball, clocking in at 92-95 mph, has been particularly effective, posting a whiff rate exceeding 40% while also demonstrating over 18 inches of vertical rise. Mendes has honed his command, successfully landing the pitch in the strike zone more than 75% of the time.
In addition to his fastball, Mendes employs a low-80s changeup, primarily against right-handed hitters, achieving over a 50% whiff rate and nearly 40% chase rate, leaving opponents struggling to make contact. He rounds out his arsenal with a cutter, slider, and curveball, creating a formidable five-pitch mix.
His 87-89 mph cutter, with its notable lift, can be effectively used in any count, while his low-80s slider complements the cutter effectively, inducing ground balls with its late downward action. Mendes occasionally incorporates a mid-70s curveball that offers elite vertical separation from his four-seamer, further complicating matters for hitters.
With his consistency and command, Mendes has posted an impressive 10.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two walks and racking up 14 strikeouts. Fans can look forward to seeing him take the mound again this coming Friday at home against The Citadel, as he continues to shine on the field. As a testament to his potential, Mendes is currently ranked #74 on the Top 100 College Prospect Board.
Meanwhile, Joey Volchko, also making waves as a right-handed pitcher for the Bulldogs, delivered a standout performance in his second start. Facing Samford, Volchko exhibited a powerful pitching repertoire, with a fastball reaching mid-90s (hitting up to 97 mph) and generating over 2,700 revolutions per minute (RPM) for significant swing-and-miss action.
His off-speed pitches also made a strong impact, particularly his slider, which was the highlight of his outing, sitting at 86-88 mph with over 3,000 RPM and achieving a 50% whiff rate. With both Mendes and Volchko raising their profiles in college baseball, fans and scouts alike are eagerly watching their progress and the potential they hold for the future.