Pro Raider Tracker: 19 Former Players Currently Playing Professional Baseball
NICEVILLE, Fla. – Over the years, Doug Martin and his staff have solidified Northwest Florida State College as a premier destination for collegiate baseball talent and a perennial powerhouse in two-year athletics. The Raiders not only consistently contend for state and national championships but also produce some of the finest talent in the sport.
Currently, dozens of former Raiders are playing at four-year institutions, from smaller NAIA schools to dominant NCAA Division I programs. Since 1992, Northwest Florida has produced 62 MLB draft picks along with numerous other professional athletes. As of now, 19 former Raiders are playing professional baseball, including two players from the 2024 season.
Below is a list of former Raiders currently signed and playing professionally. From unsigned free agents to College World Series MVPs, and top 100 MLB draft picks, Northwest Florida has paved the way for these athletes to achieve their professional dreams.
COLBY JONES - INF
Current Organization: Atlanta Braves
Drafted: 2024, Round 13 #401 (ATL)
NWF 2023-24
Colby Jones was drafted by the Atlanta Braves with the 401st pick in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft after an exceptional two-season career at Northwest Florida State. During his time with the Raiders, Jones posted an impressive slash line of .358/.442/.521, recording 134 hits, 103 RBIs, 33 extra-base hits, 13 home runs, and 36 stolen bases. His contributions were key in helping the Raiders secure back-to-back Conference Championships, an FCSAA/NJCAA Region VIII Championship, and their second NJCAA National Championship appearance since 2015.
Following the draft, Jones quickly made an impact in the Braves' farm system. He began with the Augusta Green Jackets (Single-A), playing in 28 games and slashing .281/.343/.328. He was then promoted to the Rome Emperors (Single-A+) for seven games before closing out the 2024 season with the Double-A Mississippi Braves. In his first minor league season, Jones collected 22 hits across 97 plate appearances, finishing with a .227/.279/.258 slash line.
MACK ESTRADA - RHP
Current Organization: New York Yankees
Drafted: 2024, Round 10 #331 (NYY)
NWF 2023
Mack Estrada was chosen by the New York Yankees with the 331st pick in the 10th round of the 2024 MLB Draft. In his one season with the Raiders, Estrada made 17 appearances, pitching 79.1 innings with a 4.20 ERA. He led the team with 94 strikeouts and posted an impressive 9-1 record.
Estrada's dominant season earned him the Panhandle Conference Pitcher of the Year award, along with FCSAA First-Team honors. His highlight came during the National Championship game, where he struck out nine consecutive batters over four innings, allowing only two earned runs. Although Estrada has yet to make his professional debut, he is anticipated to take the mound during the 2025 minor-league season.
RAMSEY DAVID - RHP
Current Organization: Houston Astros
Drafted: 2024, Round 10 #313 (HOU)
NWF 2023, Southeastern U. 2024
Ramsey David was selected 313th overall in the tenth round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros. In 2023, David made 16 appearances for the Raiders, including 13 starts, recording a 5-2 record with a 4.09 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He struck out 84 batters and earned one save during the season. After that, David transferred to Southeastern University (NAIA), where he compiled a 6-2 record with a 2.79 ERA over 22 appearances, including 10 starts, tallying 87 strikeouts in 61.1 innings.
After the draft, David joined the Astros' Single-A affiliate, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. In his first season, he made two starts and four total appearances, posting a 3.68 ERA with ten strikeouts, while holding opposing hitters to a .192 batting average.
WILL CANNON - RHP
Current Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Drafted: 2024, Round 12 #359 (CIN)
NWF 2022, Auburn 2023-24
Will Cannon was selected by the Cincinnati Reds with the 359th pick in the 12th round. Cannon played one season at Northwest Florida (2022), making 14 appearances, including one start, with a 3-2 record, 3.10 ERA, 30 strikeouts and five saves in 29.0 innings of work before transferring to Auburn University. In two seasons with the Tigers, Cannon made 40 appearances, featured a 3-3 record, 5.57 ERA with 70 strikeouts and seven saves in his 72.2 innings.
Cannon has yet to make his professional debut but is expected to do so at some point during the 2025 season.
JAKE MADDEN - RHP
Current Organization: Colorado Rockies
Drafted:2022, Round 4 #118 (LAA)
NWF 2022
Currently the Raiders' third-highest draft pick in program history, Madden was selected 118th overall in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Angels. He played for the Raiders during the 2022 season, appearing in 12 games, including 11 starts, and posting a 4.53 ERA with 76 strikeouts over 47.2 innings.
Madden made his professional debut in 2023 with the Inland Empire 66ers, a Single-A affiliate of the Angels. There, he started 14 games, pitching 64.1 innings with a 5.46 ERA. After a few months in the Angels' farm system, Madden was traded to the Colorado Rockies in a deadline deal that also involved C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk. He was then assigned to the Rockies' Single-A affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies, where he made six more starts and posted a 7.80 ERA.
The 2024 season was much more successful for Madden. With a full season behind him, the right-hander delivered a 3.71 ERA with 43 strikeouts across 51 innings of relief work in 33 appearances. He limited opponents to a .233 batting average and gave up only two home runs.
DYLAN ROSS - RHP
Current Organization: New York Mets
Drafted: 2022, Round 13 #389 (NYM)
NWF 2021, Georgia 2022
Dylan Ross was selected by the New York Mets in the 13th round of the 2022 MLB Draft. During his 2022 season with the Raiders, he put up an impressive 6-2 record and a 3.88 ERA over 12 starts, amassing 77 strikeouts and 28 walks across 60.1 innings. After his freshman season, Ross transferred to the University of Georgia, but an unfortunate season-ending injury limited him to just two starts.
Despite the injury, Ross's potential remained evident, drawing attention from his time at Northwest Florida, where he was once projected as a top 200 pick. The Mets still saw promise in Ross and selected him in 2022.
Ross made his professional debut on September 7, 2024, against the Clearwater Threshers. In this debut, he threw one inning, striking out all the batters he faced and earning his first career win.
DYLAN DELUCIA - RHP
Current Organization: Cleveland Guardians
Drafted: 2022, Round 6 #181 (CLE)
NWF 2020-21, Ole Miss. 2022
One of the most accomplished pitchers in Northwest Florida State history, Delucia played two seasons with the Raiders (2020-21) before transferring to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) for the 2022 season. He was later selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft.
During his time with the Raiders, Delucia made 23 appearances, posting a remarkable 15-2 record and a 1.91 ERA. He struck out 163 batters and issued 32 walks over 127 innings, earning All-Panhandle and FCSAA/NJCAA Region VIII honors.
At Ole Miss, Delucia quickly made his mark, becoming one of the top pitchers in both the SEC and the nation. In 2022, he went 8-2 with a 3.68 ERA, leading the team with 105 strikeouts over 21 appearances, including 12 starts and 95.1 innings. His dominant performances were key in the Rebels' run to the College World Series. In four postseason starts, Delucia went 4-0 with 38 strikeouts and allowed only five earned runs.
His standout moments came during the College World Series in Omaha. First, he pitched 7.2 innings against Auburn in the Rebels' opening game on June 18, 2022, allowing just one run and striking out 10. Then, in the semifinals against Arkansas, Delucia threw a complete game shutout, helping Ole Miss advance to the CWS Finals, which they eventually won. He was named CWS MVP and earned third-team All-American honors from Baseball America.
Due to elbow surgery, Delucia didn't make his professional debut until 2024. In his first season, he posted a 2.55 ERA over 13 starts, striking out 52 batters in 49.1 innings at the Single-A level.
JUSTICE THOMPSON – OF
Current Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Drafted: 2021, Round 6 #180 (CIN)
NWF 2019-20, North Carolina 2021
Justice Thompson was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft after spending two years at Northwest Florida State and one year at the University of North Carolina (UNC). During his time with the Raiders, Thompson posted a .340/.404/.629 slash line, with 54 hits, 25 extra-base hits, seven home runs, 38 RBIs, 17 walks, and seven stolen bases. At UNC, he maintained a strong .337 average, with five home runs, 24 RBIs, 24 runs, and three stolen bases in 42 games.
Thompson made his professional debut in 2021, playing in 28 games where he hit .239/.362/.375 with two home runs and 12 RBIs. In the following season, he played for the Chattanooga Lookouts at the double-A level, slashing .202/.278/.307 with seven doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 18 RBIs across 69 games.
BECK WAY - RHP
Current Organization: Kansas City Royals
Drafted: 2020, Round4 #129 (NYY)
NWF 2020
Beck Way was drafted by the New York Yankees in the fourth round with the 129th pick after one season with the Raiders in 2020, making him the fourth highest draft pick in Northwest Florida history. During his time with the Raiders, Way made six starts out of seven games before the season was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He recorded a stellar 5-0 record with a 0.67 ERA, racking up 58 strikeouts, allowing no home runs, and posting an impressive 13.1 K/9 in 40.0 innings.
In 2021, Way made his professional debut, finishing with a 4-3 record, a 3.98 ERA, and 83 strikeouts in 18 starts at the single-A level. In the following season, Way was traded to the Kansas City Royals as part of a deal involving All-Star Andrew Benintendi. Since the trade, Way has spent most of his time at the double-A level but also made his triple-A debut last season.
KADEN POLCOVICH - OF
Current Organization: Seattle Mariners
Drafted: 2020, Round 3 #78 (KC)
NWF 2018-19, Oklahoma State 2020
Kaden Polcovich is the highest-drafted player in Northwest Florida State's program history, selected 78th overall by the Seattle Mariners in the 2020 MLB Draft. Polcovich spent two seasons at Northwest Florida, slashing .276/.452/.472 with 15 home runs, 56 RBI, 86 walks, and 29 stolen bases before transferring to Oklahoma State. At OSU, he posted a stellar .344/.494/.578 line with 21 RBIs, 9 extra-base hits, and 10 stolen bases before the season ended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Polcovich made his professional debut in 2021 for the Mariners' Single-A affiliate, the Everett AquaSox, hitting .271/.415/.505 with 10 homers, 47 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases in 58 games. Quickly promoted to Double-A, Polcovich continued to perform at a high level, amassing 20 home runs, 71 extra-base hits, 120 RBIs, 134 walks, and 45 stolen bases with the Arkansas Travelers.
THOMAS FARR - RHP
Current Organization: Cincinnati Reds
Drafted: 2021, Round 5 #158 (CIN)
NWF 2018-19, South Carolina 2020-21
Thomas Farr was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB Draft after pitching two seasons at Northwest Florida State and two seasons at South Carolina. During his time with the Raiders, Farr pitched 80.2 innings, recording an 8-7 record with 70 strikeouts, 26 walks, and a 4.24 ERA. At South Carolina, he compiled a 3.53 ERA in 99.1 innings, striking out 103 batters across 18 starts.
Farr made his minor league debut in 2021, impressing with a 0.90 ERA and 14 strikeouts across three starts at various levels (rookie, Single-A, and Single-A+). In 2023, he was promoted to Double-A with the Chattanooga Lookouts, where he has since made 37 starts, posting a 6.13 ERA and 109 strikeouts.
CAM SANDERS - RHP
Current Organization: Chicago Cubs
Drafted: 2018, Round 12 #158 (CHC)
NWF 2017, LSU 2018
Cam Sanders was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 12th round of the 2018 MLB Draft after playing one season at Northwest Florida State and one season at LSU. During his time with the Raiders, Sanders pitched 43.2 innings across nine starts, compiling a 6-3 record with a 2.89 ERA, 59 strikeouts, and 50 walks. At LSU, he made 18 appearances, posting a 5.59 ERA with 48 strikeouts and 24 walks.
Since being drafted, Sanders has worked his way through all levels of the Cubs' minor league system. Most recently, he played for their Triple-A team, the Iowa Cubs, where he appeared in 30 games out of the bullpen and struck out 50 batters. Over his six-year professional career, Sanders has maintained a 4.67 ERA across 190 games, totaling 500 strikeouts and 288 walks while holding opposing hitters to a .205 batting average.
ERIC ORZE - RHP
Current Organization: New York Mets
Drafted: 2020, Round 5 #150 (NYM)
NWF 2017, University of New Orleans 2018-20
Eric Orze was drafted by the New York Mets in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB Draft after spending one season at Northwest Florida, and two at the University of New Orleans. In his one year with the Raiders, Orze appeared in 15 games, making 12 starts, featuring a 4-4 record with 61 strikeouts and 16 walks. After the 2017 season, Orze transferred to UNO but didn't get the chance to play very much early after being diagnosed with cancer, requiring him to miss the entire 2019 season. After overcoming his battle with cancer, Orze returned to the mound in 2020 where he appeared in four games, featured a 3-0 record with a 2.75 ERA, 29 strikeouts and five walks before Covid-19 ended the season.
After being selected by the Mets, Orze has spent four seasons in the Mets farm system, seeing time at the single, double and triple-A levels. In his four seasons in the minors, Orze has a 17-10 record with nine saves and a 4.04 ERA, 301 strikeouts and 100 walks. On July 6, 2024, the New York Mets called up Orze from triple-A where he would make his MLB debut two days later on July 8 against the Pittsburgh
Pirates.
GRAHAM FIROVED - RHP
Current Organization: Baltimore Orioles
Drafted: 2022, Round 16 #467 (BAL)
NWF 2020, Virginia Tech 2021-22
After spending one season at Northwest Florida and two seasons at Virginia Tech, Graham Firoved was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 16th round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Although Firoved's time with the Raiders was cut short due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, he left a strong impression on Division I scouts, earning him a transfer to Virginia Tech the following season. While at Virginia Tech, Firoved compiled an 8-0 record across 48 appearances, maintaining a 4.40 ERA, five saves, and racking up 108 strikeouts against 45 walks.
Since being drafted by the Orioles in 2022, Firoved has played in 69 games over two and a half seasons in single-A. In 2023 and 2024, he recorded back-to-back 40-strikeout seasons, holding opponents to a .219 batting average in the most recent season at single-A+.
CHRISTIAN MRACNA - RHP
Current Organization: Toronto Blue Jays
Singed Free Agent Contract with Toronto
NWF 2021, George Mason 2022-23, Georgia 2024
Christian Mracna played one season at Northwest Florida in 2021, making nine relief appearances with 15 strikeouts and a 5.40 ERA before transferring to George Mason University. At GMU, he pitched 63.2 innings, recording a 6.50 ERA with 70 strikeouts over two seasons. Following his time with the Patriots, Mracna transferred again to the University of Georgia, where he made 20 appearances, posted a 5.32 ERA, and tallied 73 strikeouts for the Bulldogs.
This past summer, Mracna signed a free agent deal with the Toronto Blue Jays and was soon assigned to their single-A team. In his first professional season, he appeared in six games, achieving an impressive 1.35 ERA while striking out eight batters.
ETHAN ROUTZAHN - RHP
Current Organization: San Diego Padres
Singed Free Agent Contract with San Diego
NWF 2018, St. Johns 2019-21
Ethan Routzahn spent one season at Northwest Florida State and three at St. John's before signing a free agent contract with the San Diego Padres in 2021. During his time with the Raiders, Routzahn made 21 appearances, recording a 2-1 record with two saves and a 3.68 ERA over 22 innings. He struck out 23 batters while allowing just nine walks, averaging 9.41 strikeouts per nine innings. At St. John's, he pitched in 38 games, earning a 2-2 record with seven saves, a 2.48 ERA, and 44 strikeouts.
Since joining the Padres, Routzahn has spent three and a half seasons across various minor league levels. Last season, he played at all three levels, receiving a call-up to triple-A El Paso on August 8. In 118 minor league games, Routzahn has compiled a 15-7 record with nine saves, a 3.49 ERA, and has struck out 172 batters.
MIGUEL CIENFUEGOS- LHP
Current Organization: San Diego Padres
Singed Free Agent Contract with San Diego
NWF 2018
Miguel Cienfuegos, who played for Northwest Florida in 2018, signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Padres in 2023 after several years in the Frontier League. During his time with the Raiders, Cienfuegos showcased his versatility, appearing in 47 games as both a hitter and pitcher. Offensively, he posted a strong .360/.412/.527 slash line, with five home runs, 29 RBIs, and eight stolen bases. On the mound, he threw 23.1 innings, compiling a 3-0 record, a 1.54 ERA, and an impressive 10.41 strikeouts per nine innings.
Following his stint with the Raiders, Cienfuegos went on to play professionally in the Frontier and Australian Baseball Leagues before joining the Padres in 2023. Since signing, he's amassed a 12-15 record across over 200 innings, with a 4.85 ERA and 146 strikeouts over two seasons, playing at single-A, double-A, and triple-A levels.
AJ FRITZ – INF/RHP
Current Team: Great Falls Voyagers (Pioneer League)
NWF 2021
Fritz spent the 2021 season with the Raiders, playing in 45 games as both a hitter and pitcher. At the plate, he slashed .232/.351/.338 with two home runs and 14 RBIs. On the mound, Fritz pitched nine innings, earning one save with 14 strikeouts and a 5.00 ERA.
In 2024, Fritz took the field for the Great Falls Voyagers in the Pioneer Baseball League (Ind.). He played in 41 games as a hitter and made four appearances as a pitcher. As a hitter, he posted an impressive .341/.391/.463 slash line with one home run and eight RBIs. On the mound, he threw 22.2 innings, recording a 5.16 ERA with 21 strikeouts.
DANTE CHIRICO- RHP
Current Team: Florence Yall's (Frontier League)
NWF 2021-22, Appalachian State 2022-23
Dante Chirico played two seasons for the Raiders before transferring to Appalachian State in 2022, where he continued for another two seasons. During his time with the Raiders, Chirico appeared in 10 games, throwing 77.1 innings and recording a 5-2 record with one save and a 4.54 ERA. At Appalachian State, he pitched in 36 games, logging 113.0 innings with a 6-3 record, a 6.37 ERA, and 102 strikeouts.
After the 2023 season, Chirico signed with the Florence Y'alls, where he made six appearances, tallying a 3-1 record, a 7.33 ERA, and 17 strikeouts.