The race for MaxPreps National Player of the Year is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, fueled by a remarkable group of high school baseball stars putting together historic seasons across the country.
From dominant two-way stars who control games both on the mound and at the plate to pure hitters delivering eye-popping power numbers, this year's candidates showcase the full spectrum of elite talent.
Read on for a look at past winners as well as 10 leading candidates for the 2026 honor.
Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year2008 — Jake Odorizzi,
Highland (Ill.)2009 — Matt Hobgood,
Norco (Calif.)2010 — Stetson Allie,
St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)2011 — Dylan Bundy,
Owasso (Okla.)2012 — Joey Gallo,
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)2013 — Jack Flaherty,
Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.)2014 — Jack Flaherty, Harvard-Westlake
2015 — Joe DeMers,
College Park (Pleasant Hill, Calif.)2016 — Kyle Muller,
Dallas Jesuit (Dallas, Texas)2017 — Jordan Adell,
Ballard (Louisville, Ky.)2018 — Nolan Gorman,
O'Connor (Phoenix, Ariz.)2019 — Bobby Witt Jr.,
Colleyville Heritage (Colleyville, Texas)2021 — Jack Walker,
Barbe (Lake Charles, La.)2022 — Brock Porter,
St. Mary's Prep (Orchard Lake, Mich.)2023 — Christian Rodriguez,
Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.)2024 — Konnor Griffin,
Jackson Prep (Jackson, Miss.) 2025 — Gio Rojas, Stoneman Douglas
Listed alphabetically
Carson Bolemon, Southside Christian (Simpsonville, S.C.)Bolemon still hasn't lost a high school game as a pitcher, running his career record to 31-0
with a 3-0 mark this year. He has a 0.14 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 18
innings. For his career, he has 394 strikeouts with just 36 walks. He has already thrown a no-hitter this spring to give him seven in his career. At
the plate, Bolemon is batting .409 with a pair of home runs.
Ranked as the No. 1 player in the nation by Perfect Game and likely the top high schooler to be selected in the 2026 MLB Draft, Emerson is batting .549 with 39 RBI, seven home runs, seven doubles and four triples.
Jorvorskie Lane Jr., Grapevine (Texas)A
transfer from Wyatt, Lane has become a catalyst on offense since moving
to the No. 4 slot in the lineup. He is batting .380 with 41 runs,
33 RBI, eight doubles, five triples and two home runs. He also has 15
stolen bases to give him 196 for his career. That total is easily a
Texas state record and it ranks No. 10 all-time in high school baseball
history.
Cory Les, St. Laurence (Burbank, Ill.)The
powerhitting shortstop hit for the cycle in March and blasted three home runs in an April game. Les is batting .500 with 39 runs,
34 RBI, eight home runs, seven triples and five doubles.
C.J. Sampson, Tomball (Texas)The
MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year in 2024 when he was Tomball's
top pitcher, Sampson has emerged as more of a hitting threat this
spring. He is batting .462 at the leadoff spot with 30 runs, 22 RBI, 15
doubles and five home runs. Still dominant on the mound, Sampson is 8-0
with a 1.10 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched.
C.J. Weinstein, Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)A transfer from Huntington Beach, Weinstein is batting .422 with 21 RBI, 16 runs, nine doubles and a home run for one of the nation's top teams.
Grayson Willoughby, Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)Willoughby has been arguably the best hitter
and pitcher for the nationally-ranked Shamrocks. He is batting .500 with 25 RBI, nine doubles and two home runs while compiling a 5-0 pitching record with a 1.33 ERA and 43 strikeouts.
