High school baseball: Best team in every state heading into the 2022 season

Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville), 28-6
The Huskies reached the Class 7A quarterfinals last year before losing to Hoover. Riley Wayne Quick returns after earning Class 7A pitcher of the year honors. He went 9-2 last year with 116 strikeouts in 70.2 innings pitched and a 0.99 ERA. Five of the top nine hitters return as well.

Alaska
South Anchorage (Anchorage), 17-0
The Wolverines went undefeated last year after not playing at all in 2020. South returns its top three pitchers from last year, including all-state selections Curtis Hebert, Oliver Brown and Issac Johnson.

Arizona
Hamilton (Chandler), 20-3
The Huskies were among the top-ranked teams in the nation all season long but lost in the Class 6A semifinals. A deep pitching staff returns, including Area Code participants Logan Saloman, Josh Tiedemann and Kole Klecker. Coach Mike Wood also has one of the state's best hitters and a potential high draft pick in outfielder Gavin Turley.

Arkansas
Har-Ber (Springdale), 25-9
Consistency is the theme for the Wildcats, who have reached the Class 6A state finals the past four seasons and the semifinals eight years in a row. Eight varsity starters return, including the three top hurlers. Five players have committed to play college ball next year, led by senior power pitcher Cooper Dossett and third baseman Ethan Fender.

California
Harvard-Westlake (Studio City), 29-4
The Southern Section Division I champions lose All-American Christian Becerra to graduation but the Wolverines return MaxPreps Freshman of the Year Bryce Rainer and Mission League MVP Toussaint Bythewood.

Colorado
Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch), 18-5
The Eagles reached the Class 5A championship game last year and return catcher Carson Tinney, the state's top-ranked junior by Perfect Game. Brant Kragel, an all-state honorable mention pitcher also returns.

Connecticut
Fairfield Prep (Fairfield), 18-4
The Jesuits reached the second round of the Class LL playoffs last year, but they return a loaded junior class that features six of the state's top 30 players according to Perfect Game.

Delaware
Sussex Tech (Georgetown), 15-4
The Ravens return the state's top outfielder in all-state pick Jonathan Stokley along with one of the state's top pitchers in second team all-state selection Grant Allen.

Florida
Stoneman Douglas (Parkland), 28-2
The Eagles won the Class 7A championship last year and have a tremendous pitching staff returning in Christian Rodriguez (8-0) and Chris Arroyo (9-0). MaxPreps Underclass All-American outfielder Roman Anthony also returns.

Georgia
Buford, 32-2
The Wolves suffered a stunning upset in the postseason as they suffered a pair of late-inning losses to Pope to end an undefeated season and a National No. 1 ranking. But it will be hard to pick against Buford in 2022. MaxPreps Junior All-American Player of the Year Dylan Lesko returns along with three other all-state players.

Hawaii
Kamehameha Kapalama (Honolulu), 2-0
It's been over two years since the state held a full season and postseason. The Warriors won the consolation bracket in the 2019 state playoffs and they have two of the state's top six players, including the No. 1-ranked player in catcher Beau Sylvester.

Idaho
Timberline (Boise), 24–3
Four of the top six hitters return for a team that won the Class 5A state championship. The Wolves also return three first team all-league players in pitchers Kailer Saunders, Garrett Miller and Logan Miller.

Illinois
Plainfield East (Plainfield), 18-15
The Bengals overcame a losing record in the regular season to win the Class 4A state championship. Six of the top eight hitters return from last year along with the bulk of the pitching staff.

Indiana
Fishers, 23-13
The Tigers reached the Class 4A final with 17 underclassmen and just four seniors on the roster. Eight starters return including one of the state's top sophomores in pitcher Jack Brown.

Iowa
Wahlert (Dubuque), 32-11
Wahlert is home to the top prospect in Iowa in outfielder Tommy Specht, but he likely won't play for the Golden Eagles this year since he is a high draft prospect. Nevertheless, Wahlert figures to be the team to beat in Iowa with returning all-state pitcher Aaron Savary.

Kansas
Blue Valley Southwest (Overland Park), 22-3
The Timberwolves won the Class 5A state championship and they return two of the state's top five-ranked players by Perfect Game in pitcher Ben Bybee and shortstop Cooper Kelly.

Kentucky
Trinity (Louisville), 41-2
The Shamrocks will miss MaxPreps All-American Daylen Lile, but the team's second-best hitter Korbyn Dickerson (.440, 12 HR) is back and he could be a high draft choice this summer. Trinity also returns one of the state's top catchers in Matt Klein, who won the Johnny Bench Award last year.

Louisiana
Barbe (Lake Charles), 39-2
There will be little drop off for the defending MaxPreps National Champions. While National Player of the Year Jack Walker has graduated, the state's top ranked player by Perfect Game, Gavin Guidry, returns to lead the pitching staff. Five other players who earned all-state honors also return.

Maine
Thornton Academy (Saco), 15-4
The Trojans lost to South Portland in the semifinals, but they have one of the state's top pitchers returning in Cody Bowker, who won a pair of playoff games and was 7-1 on the season. He was one of the team's top hitters as well with a .448 average. The team's top nine hitters and every pitching win returns from last year.

Maryland
Archbishop Spalding (Severn), 21-5-1
The Cavaliers fell just short of an MIAA Class A championship last year, falling to Gilman in the final. Four Archbishop Spalding players made the Maryland Baseball Coaches Preseason All-State Team, which is double any other team in the state. Top players include infielder Caleb Estes and pitcher Eddie Sargent.

Massachusetts
Xaverian Brothers (Westwood), 18-1
In winning the Division I state championship, the Hawks finished No. 1 in the MaxPreps National Computer Rankings for 2021. Matt Brinker, the Boston Globe All-Scholastics Player of the Year, returns at catcher for the Hawks.

Michigan
St. Mary Prep (Orchard Lake), 43-1
Even though the Eaglets had a 43-1 record last year and a Division 2 championship, they figure to be even better in 2022. According to Perfect Game, St. Mary Prep has five of the top nine players in the state in the senior class including the top three in Brock Porter (P), Ike Irish ( C) and Nolan Schubart (OF). The Eaglets also have three of the top eight juniors.

Minnesota
Mahtomedi, 20-5
The Zephyrs claimed the Class AAA championship with a dominating 20-3 win over Grand Rapids in the finals. Mahtomedi returns a pair of all-section players in outfielders Ethan Loss and Jordan Hull.

Mississippi
Madison Central (Madison), 34-2
MaxPreps All-American Braden Montgomery has graduated, but there's still plenty of talent left for the defending Class 6A state champions. Three of the team's top hitters, Ross Highfill (.400), Gatlin Sanders (.433) and Jake Cook (.477) along with pitcher Austin Tommasini (6-1).

Missouri
Liberty, 32-9
The Blue Jays won the Class 6 championship and return four all-state players from that team, including Karson Millbrandt, the state's top-ranked pitcher by Perfect Game, and shortstop Addison Smith, the top-ranked junior middle infielder in the state.

Nebraska
Millard South (Omaha), 35-5
The Patriots won the Class A state championship and return three of the team's top hitters in Brayden Smith (.333), junior Camden Kozeal (.376) and Braden Cannon (.314). The pitching staff also returns 23 wins, topped by Nate Moquin with nine.

Nevada
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 19-1
The Silver State held a shortened season last year due to COVID and the Gaels won the state championship over McQueen. A total of 16 pitching wins returns along with four of the team's top hitters. Shortstop Justin Crawford begins the season ranked as the state's top player by Perfect Game
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New Hampshire
Winnacunnet (Hampton), 11-2
The Warriors reached the Division I state final last year, losing to Concord. The pitching staff should be outstanding this year with the state's top-ranked player by Perfect Game, Joe Allen, leading the way.

New Jersey
Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey), 19-5
The Ironmen have the top two right-handed pitchers from the state of New Jersey in Caden Dana and Kevin Jaxel, according to Perfect Game. Don Bosco Prep fell one game short of the semifinals, losing to eventual Group champion St. Joseph.

New Mexico
La Cueva (Albuquerque), 18-3
The Bears won the Class 5A state championship and return 14 letterwinners from that team. The Bears have won 11 of the last 19 Class 5A state championships.

New York
Poly Prep Country Day (Brooklyn), 11-4-1
The Blue Devils did not compete in postseason play the past two seasons but they should have one of the best rosters in the state this year. Givoanni Colasante leads the defense at shortstop while sophomore Calder Glassman is one of the top pitchers in the country for the Class of 2024.

North Carolina
Combine Academy (Lincolnton), 31-8
Combine posted wins over some of the top teams in the country a year ago, including Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.). The Goats return a number of the top players in North Carolina, according to Perfect Game, including pitchers Isaiah Lowe and Austin Williamson.

North Dakota
Dickinson, 28-6
The Midgets won the Western Dakota Association championship last year (16-2) and it finished third in the state tournament. Dickinson returns every pitcher who threw in the postseason along with all-state selection Troy Berg at third base.

Ohio
Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls), 23-5
The Division I semifinalists return four all-state players, including Henry Kaczmar, son of coach Chris Kaczmar, who batted .568 last year. The Warriors also return MaxPreps Sophomore All-American pitcher Ryan Piech.

Oklahoma
Owasso, 27-4
Always one of the top contenders in the Sooner State, the Rams have one of the top returning pitchers in Brennan Phillips (144 strikeouts). Also back is pitcher/first baseman Nolan Ackenhausen.

Oregon
Jesuit (Portland), 0-0
The Crusaders haven't played a game in two years but should be the team to beat for the foreseeable future. The junior class has three of the state's top six players according to Perfect Game, including pitcher Noble Meyer and shortstop Ryan Cooney.

Pennsylvania
Central (Martinsburg), 22-3
The Dragons reached the 6A quarterfinals and return two of the top players in the state in MaxPreps Junior All-American Paxton Kling (.482) and pitcher Jonah Snowberger (10-1).

Rhode Island
Bishop Hendricken (Warwick), 11-4
The Hawks lost in the first round of the playoffs last year but have the state's top junior, according to Perfect Game, in pitcher Alex Clemmey. Bishop Hendricken also has three of the state's top four sophomores along with Kentucky-bound catcher Brandyn Durand from Massachusetts.

South Carolina
Boiling Springs (Spartanburg), 16-11
The Bulldogs lost to eventual state champion Hillcrest in the district final but return the state's top player, according to Perfect Game, in pitcher Tristan Smith. Boiling Springs should have a strong pitching staff with Tristan's twin brother Ashton Smith joining him in the rotation.

South Dakota
Harrisburg, 30-6
Although the SDHSAA does not sponsor baseball, the state still plays a championship through the South Dakota High School Baseball Association. Harrisburg is the defending Class A champion and returns two all-state players, including state player of the year Will Simmons.

Tennessee
Baylor (Chattanooga), 27-4
The Red Raiders won the Division II Class AA state championship last year and had two players selected in the MLB Draft. However, six players with at least 45 at-bats return, topped by Henry Godbout (.366). Patrick Johnson, the team's winningest pitcher (8-1), also returns.

Texas
Southlake Carroll (Southlake), 29-18
The Dragons won state championships in 2018 and 2019 and made a strong run in 2021. A total of eight all-district players return from last year, including pitching MVP Griffin Herring.

Utah
American Fork, 30-1
Eight of the top 10 hitters return for the Cavemen, who finished in the top 10 nationally in the MaxPreps computer rankings. Among the returning players are Gatorade State Player of the Year Fisher Ingersoll.

Vermont
Champlain Valley Union (Hinesburg), 16-3
The Redhawks captured the Division 1 championship last year with a 13-0 win over Brattleboro in the championship game. Metro Division Pitcher of the Year Oliver Pudvar returns after striking out 18 in the title game.

Virginia
Hanover (Mechanicsville), 13-3
Levi Huesman is one of four Hanover players ranked among the top 360 in the country.

Washington
Puyallup, 16-0
Washington did not hold state playoffs last year but the Vikings finished undefeated. Eight all-league players return, including league most valuable pitcher Wyatt Jones and all-state centerfielder Donte Grant.

West Virginia
Hurricane, 33-2
The Redskins fell just short of a state championship, losing to Bridgeport in the Class AAA final. However three all-state players return, including first team pitcher Ismael Borrero, outfielder Ethan Spolarich and infielder Bryson Rigney.

Wisconsin
Pewaukee, 27-3
The Pirates reached the Division I quarterfinals last year and return three players that made all-state, including outfielders Carson Hansen (.484) and Nick Doubek (.510) and district player of the year Logan Dobberstein (6-1, 2.00 ERA).