Way-too-early MaxPreps Top 25 high school baseball rankings for 2026

A school known more for its national championship-contending football team will also be contending for a national championship in baseball in 2026 based on our way-too-early MaxPreps Top 25 high school baseball rankings.

St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) has won multiple national championships on the gridiron and it came close to doing so on the diamond in 2025, finishing No. 3 in the final rankings. The 2026 version of the Braves figures to have all of the ingredients necessary to stake a claim as the nation's top team to begin the season.



1. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 30-4
The Braves are ranked No. 2 by MaxPreps to start the 2025 high school football season, but they could do one better to start the 2026 baseball season. After finishing No. 3 in the nation last year with a Southern Section Division 1 championship and a Southern California Division 1 crown, the Braves return six of their top seven offensive players and 25 pitching wins. MaxPreps All-American James Clark returns at shortstop while three pitchers who made the Long Beach Press Telegram Dream Team - Gavin Cervantes, Jack Champlin and freshman Brayden Krakowski - return. Also back are starters Noah Everly and Miles Clark in the outfield, Moises Razo at first base, Jaden Jackson at designated hitter and Aaron Garcia in the infield. Will have to get through a rugged Trinity League schedule but the Braves lost only one league game last year.

2. Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.), 31-2
The Eagles have finished in the top 10 of the MaxPreps Top 25 each of the past five seasons while winning five straight Class 7A state championships. Three times the Eagles have finished No. 2. MaxPreps National Player of the Year Gio Rojas is back along with Jake Rizzo (.356) and Lorenzo Laurel (.299, 5 HR).

3. Calallen (Corpus Christi, Texas), 35-2
After winning the program's fourth state championship, coach Steve Chapman, the winningest coach in Texas history, could add a fifth in 2026. The Wildcats return seven players with at least 100 at-bats from last year, all of whom batted .350 or better. Leading the way are Blake Quinn (.582) and Reese Rusher (.465). A total of 20 pitching wins return in Drayton Mitchell (10-0) and Collier Carroll (8-1).

4. Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.), 30-5
The Class 2A and NHSI runner-up returns a strong pitching staff and a veteran starting lineup. Tyler Ellis (6-1) and Ethan Wheeler (8-2) give the Conquerors a potent 1-2 punch on the mound. Brady Harris (.400) gives them one of the top outfield prospects in the country. All-First Coast picks Jordan Martinez (.347, 5 HR) and Parker Loew (.327) are back in the infield.

5. Venice (Fla.), 29-5
The winners of the National High School Invitational suffered an upset loss in the Class 7A state playoffs in 2025 but three rising juniors will have the Indians back in the hunt next year. MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Graham Houston (.391) returns in the infield along with August Backman (.340) and Jonathan Mauro (.296). The pitching staff returns Kasen Poplin and Kohen Poplin along with Carter Cox (11-3).

6. Grapevine (Texas), 36-3
The Mustangs won a state championship with a freshman leading the way. Luke Esquivel batted .434 and had 11 pitching wins. Brother Lale Esquivel also returns for his senior year after going 6-1 on the mound and batting .418. A total of five starters return for Grapevine.

7. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 29-4
The Spartans won the Northern California Division 1 championship last year and return the leading candidate for 2026 state player of the year in Tyler Spangler (.430, 10 HR). The pitching staff returns almost entirely intact, led by rising seniors Graham Schlicht (11-0), Roman Bartosh (8-1) and junior Cooper Barnes (5-1).

8. Tomball (Texas), 34-7-1
The Cougars won a state championship in 2024 and finished as runner-up in 2025. They have the pitching staff necessary to add a second title in 2026. MaxPreps Junior All-Americans Karson Reeder and C.J. Sampson return next year after winning 12 games each. They could be the top two pitchers in the state next year. They form a battery with appropriately named Catcher Hopkins, who earned All-Greater Houston honors last year.

9. Etowah (Woodstock, Ga.), 34-4
An upset loss to defending state champion Lowndes in the semifinals brought an early end to Etowah's season but the bulk of last year's team returns led by MaxPreps Junior All-American Matt Sharman (.467, 13-1). Also back are all-state picks Caden Borcherding at catcher and Deion Cole in the infield.

10. Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.), 23-7
The Lancers figure to have two of the top position players in the state in catcher Brady Murrietta (.315) and infielder Hamilton Friedberg (.341) along with rising junior Ricardo Hurtado (.299). The pitching staff has one of the best in the state in MaxPreps Junior All-American Gary Morse (8-2) on the mound.

11. Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), 38-3
The Shamrocks won the state championship in 2025 and return six everyday starters, including Nolan Hosking (.392), Zach Floyd (.417), Harper Haywood (.389), and Grayson Willoughby (.500). The pitching staff returns 31 wins, led by Grayson Davis (11-0) and Hudson Meredith (9-0).

12. Blessed Trinity (Roswell, Ga.), 32-9
The Titans return five all-region players from a team that won the Class 4A championship last year, including Region Pitcher of the Year Joseph Contreras. Also back are Region Defensive Player of the Year Gavin Greene, MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Caden Dawson, Ryder Register and Aidan Pack.

13. Basic (Henderson, Nev.), 25-7
While first round draft pick Tate Southisene has graduated, seven other starters return for the Wolves, who won a state championship and had a win over St. John Bosco. Among those back is Troy Southisene (.346), the last of the fourth Southisene brothers. Also back are five players who made the All-Southern Nevada team by the Las Vegas Review Journal: Lincoln Evans (8-0), Matthew Kelley (.393), Andruw Giles (.381), Johnny Villareal (6-0), and Lyndon Lee (.340).

14. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 24-1
The Ascenders won two MaxPreps Top 25 national championships over the past three seasons but they will have to replace three MLB draft picks. IMG has two of the top rising juniors in the nation in Kyler Meccage (.333) and Max Hemenway (.339). IMG Black standouts Frankie Thomas (.544), son of MLB Hall of Famer Frank Thomas, and Sebastian Wilson (.526) likely move over to join the national team. Pitching will be an issue as IMG returns only three wins from last year.

15. St. Laurence (Burbank, Ill.), 37-5
The Class 3A state champions return four All-Catholic League players in rising junior Jimmy Benson (11-1) and seniors Mickey Lotus (.514), Adrian Perez (.373), Cory Les (.348) and John Strzechowski (8-2).

16. Pleasant Grove (Texarkana, Texas), 36-6
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. A total of 15 players return next year.

17. Corona (Calif.), 28-3
While four MLB draft picks have graduated, there is still a lot of talent left for the Panthers. MaxPreps All-American Anthony Murphy (11 HR) returns in the outfield while shortstop Trey Ebel (.314) and catcher Jesiah Andrade (.330) also return. Rising junior Mason Sims (4-0) heads the pitching staff.

18. Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.), 25-10
The pitching staff at Jesuit should be one of the best in the state with MaxPreps Junior All-American Will Andersen (9-3) leading the way. He is joined by Kaden Waechter (4-1) and rising junior Samir Mohammed (3-2). The starting lineup includes Christian Sheffield, son of former MLB All-Star Gary Sheffield, along with rising junior Bryce Besece (.342).

19. Gloucester Catholic (Gloucester City, N.J.), 24-3
The Rams won the Non-Public B championship for the second straight season and return six of the top seven players from last year's squad. Tops on that list is catcher Braeden Lipoff (.474), who figures to be among the top players in the state in 2026. Top returning pitcher is Jude Morgan (6-0).

20. Hartselle (Ala.), 35-8
Four all-state players return for the Tigers, who won the Class 6A state championship. First team utility Asher Doepel and designated hitter Cruise Baker return along with second team picks Connor Stiles at pitcher and Cole Miles in the outfield.

21. Brother Rice (Chicago, Ill.), 36-5
The Crusaders finished fourth in Class 4A and return a number of starters from that team, including MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Brady Cunningham. Also back are rising juniors Anthony Catolano, Colin Campbell and Gavin Stanislawski. All-Catholic selection Brayden McKendrick also returns.

22. Catholic (Baton Rouge, La.), 37-5
While all-state pick Andrew Clapinski and Jack Ruckert have graduated, the Bears still have enough to make a run at a third straight state championship. Coach Brad Bass returns his top two pitchers in Lucas Lawrence (9-2) and Mills Richardson (8-1).

23. Teurlings Catholic (Lafayette, La.), 36-5
The Rebels won the state championship behind the play of Class 4A Player of the Year Evan Vincent, who returns for his senior year. Also back is all-state first baseman Will Power along with pitchers Issac Boudreaux and Lincoln Guillory.

24. Magnolia Heights (Senatobia, Miss.), 39-5
The Chiefs return Class 5A MVP in shortstop Cole Prosek along with all-state selections Tre Miller at second base and rising junior Quincy Pratt at catcher. A total of 12 lettermen return from the Class 5A state champions.

25. Governor Livingston (Berkeley Heights, N.J.), 28-0
Winners of two straight Group 2 state championships, the Highlanders return six of the top offensive players from last year led by MaxPreps New Jersey Player of the Year Zach Geertsma (.453) at shortstop. Also back are outfielder Ryan Pappas (.429), catcher Michael Basile (.400) and first baseman Michael Novotny (.378). Top pitcher Keith Mann (58 Ks) also returns.