Florida State’s polished Friday-night lefty with ace upside
In the 2026 season, Wes Mendes emerged as a frontline starter for Florida State, going 9-3 with a 2.90 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 93 innings while holding opponents to a .207 average, then earning ACC Pitcher of the Year honors and second-team All-America recognition. He’s a 6-foot-1, athletic left-hander with a deep five-pitch mix, a fastball that can reach 96 mph, and the kind of competitiveness that shows up in big moments. If you want a high-strikeout, high-floor starter with swing-and-miss stuff and proven Friday-night pedigree, he’s a very loud yes.
