High school baseball rankings: St. John Bosco opens at No. 1 in Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

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: 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

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.)

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.)
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.)

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.)

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.)

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