High school baseball rankings: California section champs Corona headline way-too-early MaxPreps Top 25 for 2025 season

1. Corona (Calif.), 28-3
The Southern Section Division 1 champions and the No. 3 overall team in the MaxPreps Top 25 will be the clear choice for No. 1 when the 2025 season begins. In addition to returning National Junior of the Year Seth Hernandez at pitcher, the Panthers have three-fourths of the infield returning in shortstop Billy Carlson, third-baseman Brady Ebel and second baseman Trey Ebel. When Hernandez isn't pitching, Corona has one of the nation's top outfielders with Hernandez joining Sophomore All-American Anthony Murphy in the outfield. Hernandez, Carlson and Brady Ebel are all ranked among the nation's top 10 players for the Class of 2025 by Perfect Game while Murphy is ranked No. 14 for 2026.

2. Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio), 29-3
The 2024 season was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Crusaders, who lost nearly every starter from the 2023 team. Instead, Moeller was ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25 for the entire season, even after suffering an upset loss to eventual state champion Mason in the Division 1 playoffs. Moeller returns Greater Catholic League Player of the Year Conner Cuozzo and Pitcher of the Year Zion Theophilus. Both Cuozzo and Theophilus earned all-state honors. The Crusaders also return All-League first team picks Luke Pappano (DH), Matt Ponatoski (P), and Charlie Valencic (IF). Second team picks Jovan Love (OF) and Carter Christeson (IF) also return.

3. Huntington Beach (Calif.), 24-10
The Oilers return their top seven RBI producers from last year, including All-American Trevor Goldenetz (OF) and Surf League MVP Ethan Porter (OF). Also back are the Grindlinger brothers, Trent and Jared. Trent had a team-best 30 RBI and 13 doubles as a junior last year while Jared saw spot duty on the mound as a freshman. Jared is ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 2 player in the nation by Perfect Game. Other key returning players include C.J. Weinstein (IF), Cole Clark (SS) and Tanner Brown (P).

4. Tomball (Texas), 41-3
The Cougars won their first Class 6A state championship in 2024 and hope to add another in 2025. The return of their top two pitchers from last year will help. C.J. Sampson was the MaxPreps Sophomore of the Year after posting a 14-0 record. Sophomore teammate Karson Reeder was close behind with a 13-1 record. Tomball will have to find a replacement for MaxPreps Texas Player of the Year Cade Arrambide and the Cougars have a capable candidate in the form of appropriately-named Catcher Hopkins, a junior ranked No. 4 in the state among catchers in the Class of 2026 by Perfect Game.



5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 19-6
The Ascenders stumbled down the stretch to overshadow what started out as a very promising season. IMG generally picks up some solid transfers over the summer so it's sometimes hard to gauge how competitive they will be at the national level. However, they return two of the top-ranked members of the Class of 2025 in Sean Gamble and Dean Moss. Dillon Moss, meanwhile, is one of the top-ranked players in the Class of 2026. The Ascenders have a total of 16 players ranked by Perfect Game with Gamble and Dean Moss both in the top 10.

6. Catholic (Baton Rouge, La.), 38-2
National Coach of the Year Brad Bass returns three of his top hitters from last year in MaxPreps Junior All-American Jack Ruckert (IF, .456), Noah Lewis (OF, .421) and Andrew Clapinski (C, .396). The pitching staff will miss pitcher and state POY William Schmidt, who was rated as a possible first-round draft pick, but will instead head to play at LSU.

7. Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.), 24-7
The Conquerors were sophomore-dominated in 2024 and still resided in the MaxPreps Top 25 for much of the season, reaching the Class 3A semifinals. TCA will still be young in 2025 but those rising juniors are ranked among the top players in the Class of 2025 with three earning MaxPreps Sophomore All-American honors. They include pitchers Ethan Wheeler (5-0) and Brayden Harris (4-0) and outfielder Brady Harris (.375). The Conquerors graduate only two seniors from 2024 and return all but one pitching win and eight players with at least 50 at-bats.

8. Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), 43-2
The Warriors came within a game of winning the Division 1 state championship and return three of the team's top pitchers, including Underclass All-Americans Blake Ilitch (9-0) and Aiden Pack (7-0). Rising junior Cole Duhaime (10-0) also returns, giving Brother Rice close to 30 returning wins. Twins Cole Van Ameyde (.318) and Cash Van Ameyde (.362) also return to lead the offense.

9. Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.), 26-5
With four straight Class 7A state championships, it's hard to put together a national top 25 without including the Eagles. In addition to having one of the nation's top coaches in the dugout in Todd Fitz-Gerald, the Eagles have an All-American candidate at first base in Nick Diaz. Rising juniors Gio Rojas (LHP) and Lorenzo Laurel (OF) rank among the top 60 players in the Class of 2026 by Perfect Game.

10. Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.), 28-7
The Lancers did not win the Southern Section Division 1 championship but rebounded to claim the Southern California Division 1 title. Head coach Eric Borba resigned shortly after but R.J. Farrell, an assistant for the past five seasons, will take his place. Outfielder Josiah Hartshorn, junior catcher Brady Murrietta, junior pitcher Gary Morse and sophomore shortstop Gavin Hottle all rank among the top 100 players in the nation by Perfect Game.



11. Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.), 26-6
Coach Miguel Menendez has led the Tigers to three state titles since 2019, including the 2024 season with a 5-2 win over American Heritage. The pitching staff returns two of its best from last year in juniors Kaden Waechter and Wilson Andersen while rising senior Vincent DeCarlo is back at catcher.

12. Queen Creek (Ariz.), 25-7
Could there be a new sheriff in town? Although Hamilton (Chandler) has dominated Class 6A in Arizona for the past 15 years, it was Queen Creek that captured the title in 2024. The Bulldogs return conference offensive player of the year Tait Reynolds and defensive player of the year Ryker Waite. Junior all-conference outfielder Jet Berry also returns.

13. Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.), 27-5-1
The Wolverines simply reload every year and 2025 should be no different. While first-round draft pick Bryce Rainer is gone, Harvard-Westlake still returns 19 lettermen from last year. Outfielder James Tronstein, shortstop Cade Goldstein, outfielder Ira Rootman and catcher Drew Rico are all ranked by Perfect Game.

14. Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.), 24-4
The Firebirds were stung early in postseason play and didn't challenge for a state title but they were ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25 for much of the early part of the season. Doral returns its top pitcher from last year in Marcelo Rodriquez (8-2) and top hitter in Jaydn Nunez (7 HR). Third baseman Gabriel Milano (.329) also returns along with outfielder George Pardo (.369).

15. Bob Jones (Madison, Ala.), 44-9
Alabama POY Braden Booth is gone but the Patriots have seven of the top 10 offensive players returning from last year, including state hitter of the year Zack Johnson. Bob Jones also has 26 returning wins from 2024, including Jack Shaw (9-0) and Tanner Hermesch (7-0).

16. Pensacola Catholic (Pensacola, Fla.), 27-2
An early exit from the postseason might have been due to inexperience since the team had just two seniors who played on a regular basis. That won't be the case in 2025. Pensacola Catholic returns seven players with at least 70 at-bats next year, including Vaughn Howard (.357), Gavin Howard (.353) and Colton Guillot (.325). The pitching staff returns 17 wins, including a 10-0 effort by Parker Granse.

17. La Mirada (Calif.), 25-8
The Matadores were the last team to defeat Corona last year and that win essentially kept the Panthers from finishing No. 1 nationally. Six of the team's top offensive players all return, including All-American candidate Maverek Russell (.402). The pitching staff returns seven arms, including rising sophomore Luke Armijo, who defeated Corona.



18. Puyallup (Wash.), 25-6
The Vikings finished one run away from a Class 4A state championship and return, arguably, the top player in the state and one of the best in the nation in MaxPreps Junior All-American Mason Pike (P, IF). Two of the top sophomores in the nation in infielders Brayden Landry (IF) and Maxwell Hemenway (IF) are back and the program will welcome in highly-touted freshman catcher Madden Pike.

19. Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.), 23-7
The Trojans feature two of the top 30 players in the nation from the Class of 2025 in pitchers Josh Hammond (6-1) and Sam Cozart (5-0). Additionally, Wesleyan returns Nick Papciak (3B), who was one of the top hitters on the team last year with a .368 batting average.

20. Gloucester Catholic (Gloucester City, N.J.), 27-3
Six of the top eight offensive players for the Rams return, including Guy Lynam (.413), Noah Danza (.436), Jack Mustaro (.346), Jason Bogart (.329) and Braeden Lipoff (.398). A total of 14 wins also return, including seven by Joe Vaccarella (7-0). Gloucester Catholic won the Non-Public B championship last season and had a 28-game win streak.

21. Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.), 25-8
Twenty-two players return including Jack Schuman (.365), Zach Morrison (.271), Blake Lundy (.265) and Matt Dill (.258). A total of 14 pitching wins are back, including Jax Bishop (.5-0) and Henry Allen (4-1).

22. Sumrall (Miss.), 34-5
The Bobcats finished No. 1 in the Small Town Top 25 and could be even better next year. National champions in 2009 and 2010, Sumrall could challenge again thanks to the return 29 pitching wins, including Leo Odom (9-0) and MaxPreps Freshman of the Year Drew Davis (8-3). The offense also returns Landon Hawkins (.347) and Cadyn Williamson (.292).

23. Jackson Prep (Jackson, Miss.), 39-4
MaxPreps National Player of the Year Konnor Griffin is gone but there's a lot left to like for the Patriots. After batting .333 as a sophomore, Kevin Roberts is back and ranks as the No. 5 player in the Class of 2026 by Perfect Game. Tre' Bryant (.383), Cole Gideon (.304), Chris Maddux (.343), Matthew McKinley (.336) and Gardner Young (.333) also return.

24. Providence Catholic (New Lenox, Ill.), 33-8
The Celtics came on strong last year to win the Division 1 championship in Illinois. Most of the top players on the team were underclassmen, including Nate O'Donnell (.434, 11 HR), Cooper Eggert (.443), and Enzo Infelise (.347, 7 HR). The top pitcher from last year, Kasten Goebbert (6-0) also returns.



25. Pleasure Ridge Park (Louisville, Ky.), 40-3
Top hitters Kobie Howard (.447), Hank Burns (353), Brayden Bruner (.400) and Gevar Harris (.389) all return. The three winningest pitchers also return, including sophomore Joey Dudeck (11-0), Grayson Roll (6-0) and Tanor Fentress (.7-1).