High school baseball: Best team in every state

St. Mary's Prep (Orchard Lake, Mich.) was the MaxPreps National Champion last year, going wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team and winning the Michigan Division 1 state championship with a 44-0 record. While the Eaglets are in the running for the No. 1 spot in the preseason rankings, they are also the No. 1 in Michigan as part of MaxPreps' look at the best high school baseball team in every state.

MaxPreps will release its preseason Top 25 national high school baseball rankings on Feb. 9. St. Mary's Prep is in the running for the top spot, but so too are teams like Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.), JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) and Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.) — all of which start the season as the best team in their state.

The best high school baseball team in every state is part of the MaxPreps preseason coverage that began with the preseason All-American team and the Best Player in Every State. Also on tap is a look at the Top 10 MLB Draft prospects on Feb. 1.
Best high school baseball team in every state

Alabama
Hartselle, 39-4
The Tigers won the Class 6A state championship last year and return Alabama Sports Writers Association Hitter of the Year Coleman Mizell along with all-state players Jo Williamson (Jr., IF), and Peyton Steele (Jr., DH). They will have to find a replacement for state player of the year Elliott Bray.

Alaska
South Anchorage (Anchorage), 19-0
The Wolverines have one of the longest win streaks in the nation at 44, which also stands as a state record. Ben Neuberger (1B) returns after leading the team in batting average (.416). Gavin Partch is the top returning pitcher (3-0) while Carson Maltby is back after leading the team in stolen bases.

Arizona
Hamilton (Chandler), 29-4
The Huskies benefited from a pitch-count violation forfeit win over Queen Creek in the playoffs and went on to beat Chandler for the Class 6A state championship. The eight-time state champion figures to be among the top teams in the nation with seven returning starters. Among the top players are all-conference selections and All-America candidates Roch Cholowsky (.357) at shortstop and Josh Tiedemann (7-0) at pitcher.
 
Arkansas
Har-Ber (Springdale), 26-8
The Wildcats have reached the state championship game four of the past five seasons with a state title in 2018. Junior pitcher Ross Felder leads the team after posting an 8-1 record last year. Perfect Game has Felder as the top player in the state for the Class of 2024. Senior pitcher Tyler Ridley also returns after going 7-0 last year.

California
JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 25-11
The Lions return 20 players from last year's team that won the Southern Section Division 1 championship. Coach Brett Kay notes his team hasn't gotten off to a strong start the past two seasons, but each year has had a strong finish. Pitching staff looks strong with J.J. Hollis (UC Santa Barbara), Matthew Champion (LSU), Benjamin Reimers (Stanford), Brodie Purcell (USC) and Dominic Smaldino (Cal-Berkeley) all heading to Division I programs.

Colorado
Legacy (Broomfield), 27-4
The Lightning lost to Broomfield by one run in the Class 5A state championship game and should be competitive in all three phases of the game, according to coach Ty Giordano. Middle Infielder Brandon Sanchez returns as the top player after knocking in 42 runs and batting .523.

Connecticut
Warde (Fairfield), 25-3
The Mustangs won the Class LL championship last year and won back-to-back FCIAC championships. According to coach Brett Conner, the team has 10 players committed to play at the college level, led by pitcher Griffin Polley, who is headed to James Madison.

Delaware
Cape Henlopen (Lewes), 21-2
The defending state champions return their top pitcher in Nick Cox, who went 8-1 with 68 strikeouts last year. He's one of six returning pitchers with quality innings and six defensive players back from last year.

Florida
Calvary Christian (Clearwater), 26-2
The Warriors have one of the top pitching staffs in the nation with three possible first-day MLB Draft selections in Landen Maroudis, Liam Peterson and Hunter Dietz back on the mound. A total of 13 Warriors will play at the next level next year and coach Greg Olsen says this could be the best team in Calvary Christian's history.

Georgia
Parkview (Lilburn), 30-8
The early favorite to start the season as MaxPreps No. 1 team in the preseason 2023 rankings, Parkview has four starting pitchers and two relievers back from last year's team that reached the Class AAAAAAA semifinals. A total of six starters return in the field as well, including shortstop Colin Houck, who was among the national leaders in home runs last year with 15. A total of four Parkview players could go in the 2023 MLB draft.

Hawaii
Kamehameha Kapalama (Honolulu), 12-8-1
The Warriors will miss all-state catcher Beau Sylvester, but all-state outfielder Ayden Lobetos returns along with second tam all-state third baseman Aukai Kea. Honorable mention all-state shortstop Elijah Ickes also returns for the Warriors who finished in second place in the ILH last year.

Idaho
Middleton, 26-4
Seven of the top nine offensive players return from last year, including Class 4A state MVP Robert Orloski, who batted .488 and also went 9-1 on the mound. Also back are all-conference players Treyton Swygart (P), Isaiah Anzaldua (IF), Caden Recia (C) and Micah Mendiola Jr. (OF).

Illinois
Edwardsville, 36-4
The Class 4A state champions last year return a number of players, including Riley Iffrig, who batted .433 and was 10-3 on the mound. Pitcher Alex Marchetto (6-1, 0.99 ERA) also returns along with pitcher Jake Holder (4-1). A challenging pair of tournaments in the preseason should toughen up Edwardsville for a rugged conference slate.

Indiana
Andrean (Merrillville), 31-4
Longtime coach Dave Pishkur says the offense should be as good as last year's state championship team although it might not be quite as athletic. Pishkur, the state's all-time leader in wins with over 1,000, says there is loads of talent with plenty of good arms, including Garrett Benko.

Iowa
Ankeny Centennial (Ankeny), 25-14
The Jaguars finished second in conference play last year, but reached the state finals before falling to Johnston. Four all-district players return including catcher Nick Severson (.434), second baseman Damin Churchman(.444), third baseman Kyle Miller (.392) and utlity Joey Oakie (.356). 

Kansas
Blue Valley West (Stilwell), 23-2
Two of the top three pitchers from last year return from last year's state championship team, including Austin Young (8-1) and Ari Shafton (2-1). All-state players Barrett Donaldson (C) and Zach Darche (3B) also return.

Kentucky
St. Xavier (Louisville), 34-10
With a young lineup, the Rebels captured the Class 5A championship last year. According to coach Wade Simoneaux, the Rebels have a pitching staff that's eight deep and there are six players committed to Division 1 colleges with two or three possibly going in the MLB Draft. Four returning players earned all-state honors last year, including Brennan Eager (9-1), Trey Hawsey (.407), John Pearson (.370) and Hayden Federico (.333).

Maine
Thornton Academy (Saco), 24-1
The Golden Trojans won a state championship last year and are the favorites again in 2023. Pitcher Joshua Kopetski is back after posting a 9-0 record last year. Senior captain Brayden Williams (.300) also returns. Catcher Nicholas Frink, perhaps the state's best player, is still waiting for eligibility for a fifth year of eligibility due to COVID.

Maryland
Archbishop Spalding (Severn), 29-4
Pitching will be a strength for the Cavaliers, who won the MIAA last year. Parker Thomas (8-0) is back to lead the pitching staff and is joined by Cody Sharman (5-0) and Jake Yeager.

Massachusetts
Austin Prep (Reading), 25-0
The Cougars went undefeated last year in winning a state championship. It will be new territory in 2023, however, as Austin Prep joins the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council. Catholic Central League Rookie of the Year Jake Zawatsky is back along with two-time all-star Dom Gabardi.

Michigan
St. Mary's Prep (Orchard Lake), 44-0
The cupboard is not bare for the Eaglets, who were wire-to-wire national champions last year. Six of the top 10 offensive players return in 2023, led by Blake Grimmer (.343), Ryan McKay (.361), Jasen Oliver (.368) and Parker Brzustewicz (.355).

Minnesota
Chanhassen, 18-10
The Storm lost 10 games last year, but they had a strong postseason run and finished third in the state. Four all-section players return in pitchers Josh Och, Johnny Checheris and Sam Marek and outfielder Carson Pollman.

Mississippi
Jackson Prep (Jackson), 31-7
The Patriots claimed the MAIS 6A state championship last year and return several key players from that group, including shortstop Konnor Griffin (.476), Duncan Mathews (.407) and Graham Busbea (6-0).

Missouri
Howell (St. Charles), 31-10
Only one player had graduated from last year's team that lost in the Class 6 semifinals. Among the top players back include all-state picks Brett Norfleet (9 home runs), and Brysen Nepute (P). Four other all-conference players also return.

Nebraska
Millard South (Omaha), 26-10
The captain of the Omaha and Lincoln newspapers all-state teams, Camden Kozeal heads a Millard South lineup that includes fellow all-state player Conlin Grady (P).

Nevada
Basic (Henderson), 30-10
The Wolves knocked off Bishop Gorman for the state championship last year and return three of the top hitters from that team in brothers Ty Southisene (.374) and Tate Southisene (.456) along with Cooper Sheff (.506).

New Hampshire
Hollis-Brookline (Hollis), 18-1
The Division II state champions return all-state first team pick Charles Hale along with second team selection Alex Razzaboni and third team choices Jack Lager and Zakery Lussier.

New Jersey
Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey), 24-5
Winner of the Non-Public A championship last year, the Ironmen are favored again this year with at least six players headed to play college ball next season. Topping the list is all-state shortstop Eric Becker (.370).

New Mexico
New York
Walter Panas (Cortlandt Manor), 19-3
The Panthers were one of the top teams in Section 1 last year and return three of the top players from that team, including the state's top-ranked player by Perfect Game in shortstop Sam Stafura. Also back are pitcher Jackson DiLorenzo and catcher Dan Witters.

North Carolina
Charlotte Christian (Charlotte), 30-3
The Deacons surprised in the state tournament last year, reaching the championship game before falling to Cheyenne. A pair of all-state players return in juniors Jordan Leininger and Tommy Simon.
 
Ohio
Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati), 29-3
The Fighting Crusaders have six Division 1 commits on the mound this year to go with strong defense up the middle. Charlie Niehaus(.397) returns along with C.J. Richard (.329) and Conner Christenson (.319).

Oklahoma
Silo, 30-0
Playing under the nation's all-time winningest coach in Billy Jack Bowen, Silo is going for its sixth straight Class 2A state championship. Silo has two of the state's top players in Kyle Proctor (.542, 16 HR), and Easton Ford (.568).

Oregon
Jesuit (Portland), 20-4
The Crusaders have the top player in the state in pitcher Noble Meyer, but they also have the third best player, according to Perfect Game, in third baseman Levi Jones as well as the fifth best in shortstop Ryan Cooney.

Pennsylvania
Malvern Prep (Malvern), 26-4
Last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year, according to coach Freddy Hilliard, yet the Friars managed to finish first in the PAISAA standings and lost four games on the season. Returning pitcher Charlie Oschell (6-2) leads the team along with infielders Trey Tiffan (.437) and Tim Dickinson (.309).
 
Rhode Island
Bishop Hendricken (Warwick), 20-7
Besides having the top player in the state in pitcher Alexander Clemmey, the Hawks have a loaded junior class that includes the state's top two members of the Class of 2024 in outfielder Griffin Crain and shortstop Jack LaRose.

South Carolina
Summerville, 10-10
The Green Wave will be young this year, but very talented. Junior outfielder P.J. Morlando is ranked No. 3 in the Class of 2024 by Perfect Game while pitcher Carson Messina is ranked No. 54 in the class and No. 2 in South Carolina behind Morlando.

South Dakota
Roosevelt (Sioux Falls), 23-2
All-state pitcher Jack Radel returns along with all-region outfielder Jaxsen Grevengoed. Will have to replace state player of the year Ben Irsfeld.

Tennessee
Goodpasture Christian (Madison), 41-5
Tennessee Baseball Report picked the Cougars as the state's top overall team last year. Mr. Tennessee Carson Rucker (.541) returns along with pitcher Logan Harrell (10-0), and two-way threat Tanner Lane (.409, 5-1 record).

Texas
Sinton, 36-1
The Class 4A state champions last year might be the best overall team in the state in 2023. Nine of the top 12 offensive players return from last year, including catcher Blake Mitchell who could be the top Texas player chosen in the MLB Draft. A total of 25 pitching wins return, topped by Jaquae Stewart (8-0, 0.17 ERA).

Utah
American Fork, 25-8
The Cavemen reached the Class 6A championship game last year, but fell short of a title. They have, perhaps, the state's top player in Ryder Robinson (.456, 9 HR) and also have two of their top pitchers returning in Austin Laycock (5-2) and Dax Watts (7-2).

Vermont
Champlain Valley Union (Hinesburg), 25-5
The Redhawks have been the team to beat in Vermont for most of the past decade, winning state titles in 2021, 2019, 2013 and 2012.

Virginia
Freeman (Richmond), 23-4
Coach Ray Moore feels his team should be battle tested this year after having a number of young players lead the way to a Class 5 state championship last year. Three all-state players return in Ryan Bland (RHP), Michael Warren (OF) and Lee Sowers (SS).

Washington
Puyallup, 23-3
Although a young team in 2022, Puyallup still reached the Class 4A state championship game before falling by one run. The Vikings return several of their top pitchers from last year in Brett Ellingson (3-0) and Hunter Grasser (7-1). Puyallup also has two of the state's top sophomores in Mason Pike and Gage Thompson.

West Virginia
Hurricane, 32-4
The Redskins won the Class AAA state championship last year and return three all-state players in pitcher Reece Sutphin, outfielder Damian Witty and catcher Caden Johnson.

Wisconsin
St. Croix Falls, 24-2
Although a Division III school, St. Croix Falls had one of the state's top pitchers last year in Brayden Olson(10-0, 0.00 ERA) along with fellow all-district players Tyler Olson (.366), Dylan Smith (P), and Brady Belisle (IF).

Note: Montana and Wyoming do not sanction high school baseball.