2028 Outfielder Jakob Groeschel Commits to Florida State Baseball

Florida State baseball has landed a verbal commitment from Jakob Groeschel, a 2028 outfielder from Kenton Ridge High School in Springfield, Ohio. The right-handed hitter gives Link Jarrett’s recruiting class a center-field prospect who has already shown he can hit for power and make an impact on the bases.

Groeschel’s power took a jump as a sophomore

Groeschel hit .394 with nine home runs, 39 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 24 games in 2026, according to the Central Buckeye Conference. He posted a .556 on-base percentage and slugged .901, drawing 21 walks against 10 strikeouts.

The biggest change came in his home run production. As a freshman, Groeschel hit .452 with 13 doubles and no home runs in 26 games. A year later, he hit nine homers in two fewer games while still reaching base in more than half of his plate appearances.

What Florida State is getting

Prep Baseball recorded Groeschel at 6.30 seconds in the 60-yard dash, with a 91 mph throw from the outfield and a maximum exit velocity of 106.8 mph. His speed gives him the range to stay in center field and puts pressure on defenses once he reaches base. He stole 25 bases across his first two high school seasons.

Baseball America ranks Groeschel No. 18 among its 2028 MLB Draft prospects. That’s an early ranking, but it shows why his recruitment stands out. Florida State has a commitment from a player who already brings the speed to play a premium defensive position and whose bat took a noticeable step forward as a sophomore.