St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) emerged as one of the nation’s fastest-rising programs in 2025, capturing a Southern California championship and finishing No. 3 in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school baseball rankings. All signs point to that momentum carrying into 2026.
With most of its offense and pitching staff returning, the Braves are well positioned to build on last season's remarkable run through the Trinity League — widely regarded as the toughest league in the country — and the Southern Section playoffs, often considered the nation’s most demanding postseason bracket. That ascent, however, came after years of struggle.
For much of the past two decades, St. John Bosco occupied the lower rungs of the Trinity League standings, winning just one league game in both 2021 and 2023 and finishing above .500 in league play only twice during that span. Given the competition — annual three-game series against Southern California powers Orange Lutheran (Orange), Mater Dei (Santa Ana), JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), Servite (Anaheim) and Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) — those results were hardly surprising.
The program’s trajectory shifted dramatically with the hiring of Andy Rojo in 2024. In his first season, Rojo guided the Braves to 23 victories — the program's second-highest total this century — and a berth in the Southern Section Division III championship game. One year later, Bosco went 14-1 in Trinity League play, claimed the school's first Southern Section title and capped the season with a Southern California championship.
A potential encore awaits in Rojo’s third season with the possibility of an even bigger prize. St. John Bosco opens the year ranked No. 1 in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25, buoyed by an experienced roster and a schedule that may be the most challenging in the nation.
That path includes 15 Trinity League games, a trip to North Carolina for the National High School Invitational, a four-game gauntlet at the Southern California Boras Classic and a postseason run as the defending Southern Section champions. Navigating that slate will be anything but easy — but doing so could culminate in a national championship.
Should the Braves stumble, there is no shortage of contenders ready to step in. Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.) opens at No. 2 after finishing in that spot three times this decade and chasing a sixth consecutive state title. Etowah (Woodstock, Ga.) looms as another threat, returning at least three potential MLB Draft picks in the lineup. Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.), ranked No. 4, may again pose Bosco's stiffest Trinity League challenge, while Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.) boasts what could be the nation’s deepest pitching staff.
Read on for a complete look at the 2026 Preseason MaxPreps Top 25, plus 75 more programs who could make a push to join the nation's elite this spring.
2025 record: 30-4, Southern California Division 1 champion, No. 3 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Coach: Andy Rojo
2025 record: 31-2, Florida Class 7A state champion, No. 2
Coach: Todd Fitz-Gerald
A fixture in the MaxPreps Top 25, the Eagles have finished in the
top 10 in each of the past five seasons while capturing five
consecutive state championships. They have ended the year
ranked No. 2 three times during that span. MaxPreps National Player of
the Year
Gio Rojas returns joined by
Jake Rizzo, who hit .356, and
Lorenzo Laurel, who batted .299 with five home runs.
3. Etowah (Woodstock, Ga.)2025 record: 34-4
Coach: Greg Robinson
Etowah’s
season ended sooner than expected with a semifinal loss to defending
state champion Lowndes, but much of last year’s roster returns. Leading
the way is MaxPreps Junior All-American
Matthew Sharman, who hit .467 and
went 13-1 on the mound. Also back are all-state selections
Caden Borcherding at catcher and
Deion Cole in the infield. Add in outfielder
Trevor Condon, a Tennessee commit who could be a first-day pick in the
Major League Baseball Draft in July.
4. Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)2025 record: 23-7
Coach: R.J. Farrell
The
Lancers boast three of the state’s top position players in catcher
Brady Murrietta, who hit .315, and outfielders
Hamilton Freidberg (.341)
and
Eric Zdunek, a transfer from Maranatha. On the mound,
Gary Morse
anchors the pitching staff after earning Junior All-American honors last
year with an 8-2 record. Transfer
Cooper Sides from Red Bluff joins him
after twice earning All-Northern Section honors.
C.J. Weinstein has
transferred from Huntington Beach and will solidify the infield at
shortstop. Another transfer,
Bear Calvo from La Mirada, could join
Weinstein in the infield. The Lancers also return to the National High School Invitational, where they
are former three-time champions.
5. Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.)2025 record: 25-10
Coach: Miguel Menendez
Jesuit's
pitching staff figures to be among the best in the state, if not the
nation, led by MaxPreps Junior All-American
Wilson Andersen, who went 9–3
last season. The Tigers also return
Kaden Waechter (4–1), who is ranked
as the No. 1 player in Florida by Perfect Game, and
Samir Mohammed (3–2), who is ranked by Perfect Game as the state's top junior.
The starting lineup features
Christian Sheffield, son of former MLB
All-Star Gary Sheffield, along with rising junior
Bryce Besece, who hit
.342. The Tigers have a pair of games against IMG Academy this year and
will also head to the National High School Invitational.
6. South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.)2025 record: 31-4, Class 3A state runner-up, No. 25
Coach: Nick Borthwick
The
Seahawks reached the Class 3A final and return a potential first-round
draft pick in pitcher
Coleman Borthwick. Pitcher
Denton Lord
also returns along with first baseman
Jace Cunningham. South Walton will
benefit from a number of impact transfers, including
Lyndan Flanary (RHP) from Holmes County,
Parker Granse (LHP) from Pensacola Catholic,
Vaughn Howard (3B) from Gulf Breeze,
Griffin Loiy (RHP) from Somerset and
Vance Kirby (P) from Destin.
7. Calallen (Corpus Christi, Texas)2025 record: 35-2, Conference 4A Division 1 state champion, No. 4
Coach: Steve Chapman
Fresh
off the program's fourth state championship, legendary coach Steve
Chapman—the winningest coach in Texas history—could be eyeing a fifth in
2026. The Wildcats return seven hitters with at least 100 at-bats from
last season, all of whom hit .350 or better, led by
Blake Quinn (.582)
and
Reese Rusher (.465). On the mound, 20 pitching wins are back with
Drayton Mitchell (10–0) and
Collier Carroll (8–1). All-state sophomore
outfielder
Wyatt Duke also returns along with district defensive player
of the year
Drayson Gamez at shortstop.
8. Grapevine (Texas)2025 record: 36-3, Conference 5A Division 2 state champion, No. 6
Coach: Jimmy Webster
The
Mustangs captured a state championship behind a breakout freshman
season from
Luke Esquivel, who hit .434 and recorded 11 pitching wins.
His brother,
Lale Esquivel, returns for his senior year after going 6-1
on the mound and batting .418. In all, five starters are back for
Grapevine. The Mustangs also added transfer
Jorvorskie Lane Jr., one of
the top catching prospects in the nation who also has 181 career stolen
bases – a Texas state record.
9. Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.)2025 record: 30-5, Class 2A state runner-up
Coach: Jonathan Murphy
The
Class 2A and National High School Invitational runner-up brings back a strong pitching staff and an
experienced lineup.
Tyler Ellis (6-1) and
Ethan Wheeler (8-2) form a
formidable one-two punch on the mound. In the outfield,
Brady Harris,
who hit .400, ranks among the top prospects in the country. The infield
also returns All–First Coast selections
Jordan Martinez (.347, five home
runs) at shortstop and
Parker Loew (.327) at second base.
10. Blessed Trinity (Roswell, Ga.)2025 record: 32-9, Class AAAA state champion, No. 19
Coach: Jamie Wagner
The
Titans bring back five all-region players from last season's championship team, highlighted by Region Pitcher of the Year
Joseph Contreras, who is the son of MLB All-Star pitcher Jose Contreras. Also
returning are Region Defensive Player of the Year
Gavin Greene (C), MaxPreps Sophomore All-American
Caden Dawson (OF),
Ryder Register (SS) and
Aiden Pack (OF).
11. Venice (Fla.)2025 record: 29-5, No. 24
Coach: Craig Faulkner
The
National High School Invitational champions were knocked out by an
upset in the state playoffs in 2025 but three juniors
should have the Indians back in contention next season. MaxPreps
Sophomore All-American shortstop
Graham Houston (.391) returns along
with outfielder
August Backman (.340), outfielder
R.J. Shields (.333)
and catcher
Jonathan Mauro (.296). On the mound, the pitching staff
brings back
Kasen Poplin,
Kohen Poplin and
Carter Cox, who went 11–3.
12. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)2025 record: 24-1, MaxPreps National Champion
Coach: Dave Turgeon
The
Ascenders have captured two national championships in
the past three seasons but they must replace three MLB draft picks. IMG
boasts two of the nation’s top rising juniors in
Kyler Meccage (.333)
and
Max Hemenway (.339). Standouts from IMG Black —
Frankie Thomas (.544),
son of MLB Hall of Famer Frank Thomas, and
Sebastian Wilson (.526) — are
expected to join the national team. Pitching could be a challenge as
the program returns just three wins from last season. A prominent
transfer is
Cy Chrisman from Utah, who was one of the leading home run
hitters in the nation last year with 19. Expect sophomore
Aiden Choo,
who batted .430 for IMG Academy Black last year, to also make an impact
in the infield.
13. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)2025 record: 29-4, Northern California Division 1 champion, No. 11
Coach: David Jeans
California POY contender
Tyler Spangler (.430, 10 HR) headlines the returners for the Spartans. Their pitching staff is nearly intact,
led by seniors
Graham Schlicht (11–0) and
Roman Bartosh (8–1) along with junior
Cooper Barnes (5–1). The Spartans have won nine section titles since 2012.
14. Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)2025 record: 38-3, state champion
Coach: Rick Arnold
The
Shamrocks captured the state championship in 2025 and bring back six
everyday starters, highlighted by first baseman
Nolan Hosking (.392),
outfielder
Zach Floyd (.417), catcher
Harper Haywood.389) and pitcher
Grayson Willoughby (.500). The pitching staff, which accounted for 31
wins last season, is led by
Grayson Davis (11–0),
Hudson Meredith (9–0)
and Willoughby.
15. Basic (Henderson, Nev.)2025 record: 25-7, Class 5A state champion, No. 20
Coach: Gino DeMaria
Although
first-round draft pick Tate Southisene has graduated, seven starters
return for the Wolves, who won a state championship last spring and notched a
victory over St. John Bosco. Among those back is shortstop
Troy Southisene (.346), the last of the four Southisene brothers. Also
returning are pitcher
Lincoln Evans (8–0), third baseman
Matthew Kelley (.393),
outfielder
Andruw Giles (.381), pitcher
Johnny Villarreal (6–0) and
infielder
Lyndon Lee (.340).
16. St. Laurence (Burbank, Ill.)2025 record: 37-5, Class 3A state champion
Coach: Pete Lotus
17. Pleasant Grove (Texarkana, Texas)2025 record: 36-6, Conference 4A Division 1 state runner-up
Coach: Riley Fincher
Runner-up to Calallen, the Hawks return two of the state's best players in pitcher
Hunter Rose and shortstop
Spencer Browning. Rose went 10-2 and batted .430 while Browning went .347 and went 6-0 on the mound. All-tournament selection
Jace Elrod
(.385) also returns to the outfield. Also back are all-district picks
Buck Anderson at catcher,
Walker Wright in the infield and
Blue Rose in
the outfield.
18. Corona (Calif.)2025 record: 28-3, No. 17
Coach: Andy Wise
Four MLB draft picks have moved on but the Panthers still boast plenty of
talent. MaxPreps All-American
Anthony Murphy (11 HR) returns in the
outfield, joined by shortstop
Trey Ebel (.314) and catcher
Jesiah Andrade (.330). Rising junior
Mason Sims (4–0) leads the pitching staff.
19. Gloucester Catholic (Gloucester City, N.J.)2025 record: 24-3, Non-Public B champion
Coach: Dennis Barth
The
Rams captured the Non-Public B championship for a second consecutive
season and return six of last year's top seven players. Leading the
group is catcher
Braeden Lipoff (.474), who is expected to be one of the
state’s top players. The top returning pitcher is
Jude Morgan
(6–0).
20. Brother Rice (Chicago, Ill.)2025 record: 36-5
Coach: Sean McBride
The
Crusaders finished fourth in Class 4A and bring back several key
starters led by MaxPreps Sophomore All-American pitcher
Brady Cunningham (.407). Outfielder
Anthony Cartolano (.373), infielder
Colin Campbell (.341) and third baseman
Gavin Stanislawski (.282), all juniors, also return, along with All-Catholic pick
Brayden McKendrick
(10-0). Slowed by a leg injury much of last year limiting him to DH
duty,
Nolan Ramoley (.294) returns injury free for his senior year and
is ranked by Perfect Game as the state's top outfielder.
21. Catholic (Baton Rouge, La.)2025 record: 37-5, Select Division 1 state champion, No. 9
Coach: Brad Bass
All-state picks Andrew Clapinski and Jack Ruckert have graduated but the
Bears still have the talent to contend for a third consecutive state
championship. Bass returns his top two pitchers in
Lucas Lawrence (9–2) and
Mills Richardson (8–1).
22. Tomball (Texas)2025 record: 34-7-1, Conference 6A Division 2 state runner-up, No. 22
Coach: Doug Rush
Tomball has played for the state championship in each of the past two seasons, winning it all in 2024. The
Cougars return the pitching talent needed to contend for another title in 2026. MaxPreps Junior All-American
C.J. Sampson is back after
winning 12 games last season. The Cougars will have to replace
12 wins from Karson Reeder, who has transferred to The Bennett School.
23. Teurlings Catholic (Lafayette, La.)2025 record: 36-5, Class 4A state champion, No. 16
Coach: Brooks Badeaux
The
Rebels captured the state championship behind Class 4A Player of the
Year
Evan Vincent, who returns for his senior season. Also back are
all-state first baseman
Will Power and pitchers
Issac Boudreaux and
Lincoln Guillory.
24. Magnolia Heights (Senatobia, Miss.)2025 record: 39-5, MAIS Class 5A state champion, No. 21
Coach: Chris McMinn
Bring back Class 5A MVP
Cole Prosek at shortstop along with
all-state second baseman
Tre Miller,
Christian Doty (IF) and rising junior catcher
Quincy Pratt. In all, 12 lettermen return from last year's state
championship team.
25. Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.)2025 record: 22-8
Coach: Greg Elie
The
Red Raiders went undefeated in conference play last year but missed
out on a run through the state playoffs after falling to Christian
Brothers. The good news is that Baylor returns 16 pitching wins and 30
home runs from last year's lineup, led by MaxPreps Tennessee Player of the Year
Blake Lundy, who had 16 home runs. The catcher also earned MaxPreps National Sophomore
of the Year honors and ranks as one of the top backstops in the
country.
Mac Morris also returns in the infield while
Wells Grisham
(6-2) and
Henry Allen (5-1) both return on the mound.
Next 75
26. Huntington Beach (Calif.)2025 record: 24-5
27. Governor Livingston (Berkeley Heights, N.J.)2025 record: 28-0, Group 2A champion
28. Valley View (Jonesboro, Ark.)2025 record: 29-5, Class 5A state champion
29. Stony Brook (N.Y.)2025 record: 19-5-1
30. Nolensville (Tenn.)2025 record: 20-14
31. Queen Creek (Ariz.)2025 record: 18-13
32. Casteel (Queen Creek, Ariz.)2025 record: 23-10, Class 6A state runner-up
33. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)2025 record: 29-6, Class 4A state champion, No. 13
34. Hoover (Ala.)2025 record: 22-20
35. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)2025 record: 25-9
36. James Island (Charleston, S.C.)2025 record: 30-4, Class 5A Division 1 state champion
37. Southside Christian (Simpsonville, S.C.)2025 record: 33-2-1, Class 3A state champion
38. Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio)2025 record: 25-4-1
39. Rogers (Ark.)2025 record: 26-4, Class 6A state champion
40. Edmond Memorial (Edmond, Okla.)2025 record: 30-8
41. Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas)2025 record: 25-5, TAPPS Division 1 runner-up
42. Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, Calif.)2025 record: 21-13, San Diego Section Division 1 runner-up
43. Bishop Verot (Fort Myers, Fla.)2025 record: 32-3
44. Newnan (Ga.)2025 record: 32-5, Class AAAAA state champion
45. Metrolina Christian Academy (Indian Trail, N.C.)2025 record: 28-3, NCISAA Class 4A runner-up
46. Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.)2025 record: 25-5
47. Barbe (Lake Charles, La.)2025 record: 35-7
48. Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.)2025 record: 23-12-1
49. Archbishop Spalding (Severn, Md.)2025 record: 22-16
50. Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.)2025 record: 27-5
51. Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.)2025 record: 26-11
52. Regis Jesuit (Aurora, Colo.)2025 record: 22-9, Class 5A state runner-up
53. Harrison (Kennesaw, Ga.)2025 record: 23-14
54. Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park, Ill.)2025 record: 31-7
55. Delbarton (Morristown, N.J.)2025 record: 24-5
56. Atascocita (Humble, Texas)2025 record: 33-12-2, Conference 6A Division 1 state runner-up
57. Malvern Prep (Malvern, Pa.)2025 record: 32-5
58. Saint Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.)2025 record: 27-4, Class 5A state champion
59. Franklin (Elk Grove, Calif.)2025 record: 26-8, Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 champion
60. Hartselle (Ala.)2025 record: 35-8, Class 6A state champion
61. Puyallup (Wash.)2025 record: 28-1, No. 23
62. Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.)2025 record: 32-11, Class 4A state champion
63. The First Academy (Orlando, Fla.)2025 record: 30-4, Class 2A state champion, No. 8
64. Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.)2025 record: 22-11, Northern California Division 2 runner-up
65. Owasso (Okla.)2025 record: 40-3
66. Millard North (Omaha, Neb.)2025 record: 23-13, Class A state runner-up
67. Catawba Ridge (Fort Mill, S.C.)2025 record: 23-11-1, Class 5A Division II state runner-up
68. Charlotte Catholic (Charlotte, N.C.)
2025 record: 22-6-1
69. Buford (Ga.)2025 record: 25-9
70. Walton (Marietta, Ga.)2025 record: 34-8, Class AAAAAA state champion, No. 12
71. Normal Community (Normal, Ill.)2025 record: 37-6
72. Crown Point (Ind.)2025 record: 27-5
73. Lawrence Free State (Lawrence, Kan.)2025 record: 28-2, Class 6A state champion
74. St. Mary's Prep (Orchard Lake, Mich.)2025 record: 26-14
75. T.C. Roberson (Asheville, N.C.)2025 record: 27-6, Class 4A state champion
76. Clinton (Miss.)2025 record: 21-9
77. Platte County (Platte City, Mo.)2025 record: 29-8, Class 5 state champion
78. Fort Zumwalt West (O'Fallon, Mo.)2025 record: 33-10
79. St. John's (Washington, D.C.)2025 record: 30-1, WCAC champion, No. 5
80. Cleveland (Rio Rancho, N.M.)2025 record: 20-10
81. Poly Prep Country Day (Brooklyn, N.Y.)2025 record: 17-9
82. Ganesha (Pomona, Calif.)
2025 record: 23-3, Southern Section Division 4 champion
83. West Forsyth (Clemmons, N.C.)
2025 record: 23-5
84. Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.)2025 record: 19-10
85. Battlefield (Haymarket, Va.)2025 record: 23-3, Class 6 state runner-up
86. Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.)
2025 record: 27-6, Class 6A state champion
87. Buchholz (Gainesville, Fla.)2025 record: 33-3, Class 6A state runner-up
88. Wesley Chapel (Fla.)2025 record: 19-15, Class 5A state runner-up
89. South Salem (Salem, Ore.)2025 record: 30-2
90. Smithson Valley (Spring Branch, Texas)2025 record: 27-13, Conference 5A Division 1 state runner-up
91. Spanish Fork (Utah)2025 record: 18-17, Class 5A state champion
92. Muskego (Wis.)2025 record: 27-10, Division 1 state champion
93. Miller School of Albemarle (Charlottesville, Va.)2025 record: 34-6, VISAA Division 1 state champion
94. Steele (Amherst, Ohio)2025 record: 24-3, Division 2 state runner-up
95. American Fork (Utah)2025 record: 28-4, Class 6A state champion
96. Cedar Cliff (Camp Hill, Pa.)2025 record: 21-6, Class 6A state champion
97. Aquinas (San Bernardino, Calif.)2025 record: 25-3
98. Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)2025 record: 17-8-1
99. Forest Hills Eastern (Ada, Mich.)2025 record: 42-1, Division 2 state champion
100. Fairfield Prep (Conn.)2025 record: 18-12