With the No. 11 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Athletics selected Jamie Arnold. Here are a few things to know about the newest member of the Athletics organization:
Florida State’s Funky Lefty Joins the Pros
Jamie Arnold, the Florida State University ace, boasts one of the most entertaining arms in college baseball, with a delivery as memorable as his strikeout totals. Considered by some to be the most polished pitcher in the draft class, Arnold is a 21-year-old left-handed pitcher out of Tampa, Florida, listed at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. A three-year member of the FSU baseball team, Arnold blossomed into one of the ACC’s most dominant and reliable starters. Now, he’s stepping into pro ball with a reputation for missing bats, working fast, and keeping hitters off balance in ways they rarely see.
A Delivery Hitters Hate
Arnold doesn’t just throw pitches — he hides them. Often compared to Chris Sale, Arnold’s delivery is funky, deceptive, and loaded with movement, making his 92–95 mph fastball play like it’s much harder. Hitters say the ball just appears on them, and his tempo adds another layer of discomfort. The result? He piled up 119 strikeouts in 84.2 innings this season while posting a sub-3.00 ERA against a stacked ACC slate for the second straight spring. His mid-80s slider, possibly the best in the draft class, is the wipeout piece — late bite, tight spin — and he shows feel for a changeup that gives him a legitimate three-pitch mix. For a lefty who thrives on timing disruption, that’s a recipe to frustrate pro hitters the same way he did in college.
Poise Under Pressure
Arnold made his mark in big moments, and he was nearly untouchable in conference play when FSU needed him most. His bulldog mentality shows up when he’s pitching out of jams — the funky mechanics never waver, the pace stays quick, and he attacks. Coaches rave about his mound presence and how Arnold, a semifinalist for the 2025 Golden Spikes Award, doesn’t back down when his command slips. He’s not just an innings-eater — he’s a competitor who wants the ball when the game is on the line. That’s the kind of heartbeat teams bet on when they spend a first-round pick on a college arm.
Still Room to Grow
One reason scouts liked Arnold so much is that he’s not a finished product — and that’s exciting. His delivery creates some natural control challenges, but when he’s locked in, he can pepper the zone and force swings. The next step will be tightening his command and continuing to refine that third pitch to keep righties honest. He’s already proven he can adjust, so there’s quiet optimism that he’ll keep evolving now that he’s in a pro system.
A Heart Bigger Than His Fastball
Off the mound, Arnold brings more than just strikeouts. He’s turned his on-field success into a platform, raising money for cystic fibrosis research through a “K-Time for Cystic Fibrosis” strikeout campaign that’s rallied the Seminoles community around a cause close to his heart. Coaches and teammates describe him as relentlessly positive, approachable, and the type of player who leads by example more than noise. For fans, he’s an easy guy to root for: a hard worker who made good, helped his team win big, and gave back while doing it.
Bottom Line
Jamie Arnold isn’t your typical lefty. He’s deceptive, unpredictable, and absolutely fearless on the mound — the kind of pitcher who can rack up double-digit strikeouts on any given night. If he keeps tightening his command, there’s mid-rotation starter upside here, with flashes that hint at even more when he’s at his nastiest. One thing’s for sure: he’s going to be fun to watch. For fans looking for a new arm to believe in, Arnold’s got the talent, the funk, and the fight to be worth every pitch.
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