Florida State SS Alex Lodise Leads Midseason Player of the Year Predictions

Alex Lodise’s transformation into one of college baseball’s most potent hitters has fueled Florida State’s impressive surge this season. The Seminoles’ team captain’s offensive explosion has garnered national attention and positioned Florida State as a serious contender.

Alex Lodise Key to Noles’ Success

When you think of college baseball, the SEC dominates. However, for the best part of a quarter-century, Florida State perennially churns out a successful team.

With a lineage of pitchers and power hitters, Lodise started to make a name for himself. The ninth-ranked ‘Noles field a team that looks balanced, plays hard to the end, and possesses confidence.

In the middle of this tremendous season, Lodise leads the charge. Hitting .448, Lodise ranks sixth in batting average in all of Division I.

As a result, Baseball America awarded him the Midseason Player of the Year distinction. The writers Jacob Rudner and Peter Flaherty detailed their reasoning:

“Lodise has exploded onto the national stage in 2025, transforming from a solid contributor into one of college baseball’s most dangerous bats. After hitting .288 with nine homers as a sophomore, he’s slashing an eye-popping .448/.500/.821 with 12 home runs, 40 RBIs, 10 doubles and two triples—and even hit for the cycle.

“Lodise still chases out of the zone at a 34% clip, but he’s significantly cut his strikeout rate while nudging his walk rate upward. The result? A more complete hitter who’s more than doubled his ISO and become a cornerstone of the 13th-ranked Seminoles’ success.”

Strategy Change

As mentioned above, Lodise eclipsed last year’s modest totals when he profiled as a solid role player without superlative traits.

However, he burst onto the scene with not only improved power but also discipline. That takes a serious commitment to not only changing your approach but making the adjustment habitual.

The Florida State team captain came a long way from the unsure University of North Florida transfer. The approach also provided Lodise and the Seminoles one of the most memorable moments of the year.

On March 26, in a 4-4 tie heading into the ninth, facing despised rival Florida, Lodise entered Seminole lore. First, the walkoff grand slam defeated a rival. Next, the home run completed a cycle for the junior.

Literally, that night, the shortstop did everything he could to help deliver a victory. After the game, he reflected upon it to SB Nation’s Jordan Silversmith, stating:

“I’ve got so many people that I grew up with over in the stands,” he said. “For me to do that here just adds another level to it. It makes it that much more important to me that they were able to be here and experience it.”

In a way, Lodise’s breakout could remind some of Seminole legend Tony Thomas Jr. Thomas, a speedy second baseman, like Lodise broke through during his junior season.

While Thomas used a high batting average buttressed with speed, the current team captain favors extra base hits with a power element.

When Thomas broke onto the scene, won the Rivals.com National Player of the Year, and finished in the running for the Dick Howser Trophy? Will Lodise’s season end in a similar fashion?

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With the toughest part of the schedule gone, Lodise can really clean up against opposing pitchers. Granted, the end goal for Florida State remains a deep playoff run.

Yet, along the way, the junior shortstop can open more eyes, help his team win, and improve his draft stock.

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