FORT MYERS, Fla.- Dreams came true for five Florida Gulf Coast Eagles Baseball players earlier this month, hearing their names called during the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft. They have now all put the pen to paper, finalizing their deals with their respective clubs, signing for just under $2 million combined.

Leading the group is Evan Dempsey, who became the second-highest pick in program history after going 69^th overall in the Competitive Balance Round B to the Detroit Tigers. Dempsey was a consensus All-American this season and in June became just the second player in history to win the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award in back-to-back years. MLB Network analyst Carlos Collazo had high praise for Dempsey saying "I think he does a good job throwing his fastball 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 3,000-rpm range, which is an elite mark for spin. He's got a slider as well. A good athlete, as you would expect." Dempsey will likely give up the bat as a professional and will begin his career with the Florida Complex League Tigers.

The Eagles next selection was lefty Hunter Possehl who was an eighth-round selection by the Kansas City Royals. Possehl made 14 starts for the Eagles as a draft-eligible sophomore, striking out nearly a batter an inning in his 67 1/3 innings pitched. He will begin his professional career with the Royals Arizona Complex League team. "I am beyond excited for this opportunity and I am super grateful! I can't wait to start this new journey. I want to thank God for allowing to have this journey and the coaching staff at FGCU for always believing in me" Possehl said.

Six rounds later the next Eagle came off the board as Chris Diaz went to the Seattle Mariners with their 14^th round selection. Diaz was a Second Team All-ASUN pick as a junior, tying for the team lead with 15 starts on the year. He struck out 74 in his 72 1/3 innings pitched and allowed opponents to hit just .217 on the year. His first assignment will be with the Mariners Arizona Complex League team in Peoria.

Ashton Pocol was the fourth Eagle to hear his name called when he went in the 16^th round to the Chicago Cubs. Pocol was a workhorse at the back end of the FGCU bullpen as a senior, seeing action in a team high 21 games while nailing down six saves on the year. He racked up 50 strikeouts in 33 1/3 innings pitched while holding opponents to a team best .198 batting average against. He will also start in the Arizona Complex League with the Cubs.

The Eagles final pick was Javier Gorostola who went in the 17^th round to the Athletics. Gorostola was the Eagles' leading hitter as a redshirt sophomore, hitting .370 with 14 doubles and 13 home runs while driving in 57. He recorded a hit in 45 straight games split between the 2025 and 2026 seasons, marking the sixth longest hitting streak in NCAA Division I history. Along with Possehl, Diaz, and Pocol, he will begin his professional career in the Arizona Complex League with the Athletics.

The Eagles five picks were second most in program history, behind only the 2013 class that had seven (40-round draft).