Top contenders for the 2014 high school baseball season

The 2013 baseball season has barely concluded, but we here at MaxPreps are already looking forward to the 2014 season.

While MaxPreps has not yet identified its preseason No. 1 team for next year, here's a list of 10 teams that could be in the mix.

Archbishop McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
It didn't look good for the Mavericks (25-5) when they lost five games in a 12-game stretch heading into the playoffs in early April, but Archbishop McCarthy pulled it together in the postseason and captured its fourth-straight Florida state championship. The Mavericks are well-stocked to make it five in a row as All-Broward County selections Brian Gonzalez (P, 10-0, 1.50 ERA), Brandon Vicens (OF, .412, 10 HR), and Aaron Soto (Util, .368, 4 HR) all return along with second-team picks Andres Nunez and Michael Gigliotti and third-team selection Blade Bielski.

Milton (Ga.)
The Georgia Class 6A state champion went 31-9-1 and returns eight players who saw action in at least 20 games this past season, including region MVP Dylan Cease (.358, 28 RBI, 9-0 record), Alex Schnell (7-0 record), Jack Thompson (.345), Dalon Farkas (.284) and Ryan Gridley (.258).



Barbe (Lake Charles, La.)
The heavy favorite in the Louisiana Class 5A state playoffs, the Buccaneers had one misstep against West Monroe and it cost them a chance at a state title. However, Barbe has seven all-district players returning from last year's 36-4 team, including all-state outfielder Beau Jordan and first team all-district second baseman Braden Comeaux. Second team all-district players include pitcher Erin Baldwin, third baseman Braedon Barrett, shortstop Kennon Fontenot, utility player Nick Abshire and pitcher Gunner Leger.

Cypress Ranch (Houston)
The Texas 5A state champion in 2012, Cypress Ranch (31-6) was in the mix again in 2013 before falling to eventual state runnerup Fort Bend Dulles in the regional semifinals. The Mustangs return eight players who earned some type of all-district honors including district MVP Corbin Martin and first-team picks Derek Dickerson (C), Bryce Johnson (OF) and Chase Spears (DH). Dalton Stark was a second team all-district selection in the outfield while Tyler Deleon, Riley Gossett and Ryan Leftwich were honorable mention selections.

Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.)
The Wolverines (28-4) won the Southern Section Division 1 championship and finished the year ranked No. 3 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 50. Besides returning the MaxPreps National Player of the Year Jack Flaherty (13-0 record, 112 strikeouts), the Wolverines also return rising junior Ezra Steinberg (.376) in the infield along with Brian Ginsberg (.337). All total, the Wolverines return seven players who saw action in at least 20 games in 2013.

Owasso (Okla.)
The perennial favorite in Oklahoma, the Rams have not lost since 2012 after concluding the best season in Owasso history with a 36-0 record. The title is the 10th under coach Larry Turner, who enters the 2014 season just 31 wins short of 1,000 (969-221). The Rams return two of their top pitchers from 2013 in Jeb Bargfeldt and Braden Webb. While all-state players Austin O'Brien and Trae Bobo are gone, Mason O'Brien, one of the team's top hitters from 2013, returns. Other returning starters include Jonah Bride at second place, Bryce Colt in the outfield and Garrett Hall at catcher.

Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
The Gaels did not win a state championship for the first time in seven seasons, but coach Nick Day returns eight players with at least 20 games experience for next year, including All-American candidate Michael Blasko at catcher. The Gaels also have 20 wins returning from the pitching staff including six from freshman Jack Little. Others to watch include Cadyn Grenier (.579), Matt Hudgins (.485), Cole Krzmarzick (.451), Alex Perron (5-0 record) and Nick Gates (.370).

Venice (Fla.)
The Indians (29-3) will be working toward a third-straight Florida Class 7A state title and have a core of four outstanding players capable of making that happen. All-American candidate Michael Rivera (.528) returns at catcher while shortstop Dalton Guthrie (.298) also returns. Brandon Elmy (5-2) is the team's top returning pitcher while Ryan Miller (.337) is one of the team's top returning hitters.

Roberson (Asheville, N.C.)

Dominick Cammarata, Roberson

Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode

The Rams (23-9) were considered the favorites in North Carolina heading into the 2013 season, but losses early in the season dropped them out of the national rankings. Roberson made a run in the state playoffs, but lost to eventual state champion South Mecklenburg in the semifinals. Nevertheless, Roberson could be the team to beat in 2014. All-American candidate Braxton Davidson returns in the outfield while all-area selection Dominick Cammarata is back behind the plate. Connor Lind, a stalwart in the infield, also returns.

Regis Jesuit (Aurora, Colo.)

Max George, Regis Jesuit

File photo by Tim Visser

The Raiders only went 14-6 last year and did not advance to the state tournament, but nine of the team's top 11 players return from last year including All-American candidate Max George in the infield and all-state honorable mention pitchers David Peterson and Reagan Todd.