PHILADELPHIA – Evan Dempsey has always been associated with some of the best that Florida Gulf Coast University's baseball program has ever produced. On Saturday, the Detroit Tigers confirmed that association by making him the second-highest pick in FGCU history.

The Tigers selected the two-time Unanimous All-American with the 69^th overall pick in the 2026 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft as part of Competitive Balance Round B. He becomes the 40^th Eagle to be selected in the MLB Amateur Draft.

"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 13^th overall pick in the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft, has been selected higher than Dempsey.



"Evan Dempsey was a legitimate two-way player in college," said analyst Carlos Collazo on MLB Network. "Outfielder, right-handed pitcher, hit 20 home runs. But I think they're more excited about him on the mound ... He had a significant jump in velocity. He added almost three ticks to his fastball in 2026. He sits around 92 and he will touch 95.

"I think he does a good job throwing this pitch in the zone. He's got a great feel to spin the ball as well. He attacks hitters with the mid 70s curveball that has huge two-plane depth spin above the 3000-rpm range, which is an elite mark for spin. He's got a slider as well. A good athlete, as you would expect. To me, I thought his profile was similar to 2025 two-way player in Royals' second-rounder Michael Lombardi, so that's the player I thought of a little bit with him."

Dempsey concluded his FGCU career by becoming the program's first two-time Unanimous All-American. In June, he became just the second player to win the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award in back-to-back years.

He now awaits word on when and where he will report, a decision that should come in the next few days.
 
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