Florida Gulf Coast University finished the 2026 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft with five players chosen — the second-highest number in program history.
Evan Dempsey became the second-highest pick in FGCU history when the Detroit Tigers selected the Unanimous All-American as the 69th overall pick as part of Competitive Balance Round B.
“I am super excited to be with the Tigers,” Dempsey said after hearing of his selection. “I already know they are a great organization, and I am really fired up to work with them.”
Only Chris Sale, chosen by the Chicago White Sox with the 13th overall pick in the 2010 draft, has been selected higher than Dempsey. In June, Dempsey became just the second player to win the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award in back-to-back years.
FGCU also had four players selected in the draft on the final day of the event, more than the three picks other Atlantic Sun Conference programs had throughout the entire draft combined.
Hunter Possehl, an All-ASUN Second Team selection, was chosen by the Kansas City Royals in the eighth round with the No. 239 pick overall. The Royals picked up the southpaw using their ninth pick of the draft.
The Seattle Mariners used their 14th selection to pick up another second team All-ASUN honoree in Chris Diaz. Selected in the 14th round with the 430th pick overall, Diaz was the sixth pitcher selected by Seattle.
In the 16th round, the Chicago Cubs used the 487th overall pick to select Ashton Pocol, a third team All-ASUN relief pitcher.
Rounding out the quartet of Eagles selected, Javier Gorostola was chosen by the Athletics. An All-ASUN first team selection who matched the sixth-longest hitting streak in NCAA Division I history, the third baseman was chosen in the 17th round with the No. 501 pick overall.
Eagles baseball has now had 44 players drafted in the program’s 24 years. This year’s picks represent the second-most in school history. Only the 2013 draft of seven players had more.