2026 AIA Baseball Playoff Picks: AZ Staff Predictions
May 1, 2026
The 2026 AIA Baseball Playoffs are here, and the road to a state championship is officially set. With brackets loaded across every classification, Arizona’s postseason brings a mix of powerhouse programs, senior led rosters, frontline arms, and dangerous lower seeds capable of making a run. Our Prep Baseball Arizona staff takes a look at each conference and makes its picks for the Final Four and state champion.
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2026 AIA Baseball State Championship Picks
6A Final Four
#1 Queen Creek
#5 Brophy Prep
#2 Casteel
#3 Hamilton
The 6A field is loaded with high end talent, and this Final Four reflects the top tier of the classification. Queen Creek has been one of the most complete teams in the state all spring, while Casteel and Hamilton both bring balanced rosters with the ability to win in multiple ways. Brophy Prep slides in as a battle tested group that has the experience and toughness to navigate a difficult path and challenge any of the top seeds.
6A State Champion
#1 Queen Creek
Queen Creek gets the edge because of its ability to control games in multiple ways, backed by one of the more productive offenses in the state. The Bulldogs feature legitimate impact bats in Frank Gearhart, Tyke Daniels, Grady Pratt, and Jet Berry, who have all shown the ability to leave the yard, while Berry adds another dimension with his ability to create pressure on the bases. Frank Gearhart anchors the middle of the order with a .902 SLG, giving them a true run producer in the heart of the lineup. On the mound, Daniels has been a go to arm all spring, and with Brody Cox back in the roation that combination of frontline pitching with an offense that can score in bunches makes Queen Creek the most complete team in 6A.
5A Final Four
#1 Canyon Del Oro
#5 Canyon View
#2 Catalina Foothills
#14 Chaparral
5A has the feel of a wide open bracket, with multiple teams capable of making a deep run. Canyon Del Oro has been steady all year and brings a complete roster into the postseason, while Canyon View’s pitching and defense make them a tough matchup. Catalina Foothills has the talent to hold serve as a top seed, and Chaparral enters as a dangerous lower seed with arguabbly the best starting pitching roation in the state and the ability to get hot at the right time and disrupt the bracket.
5A State Champion
#1 Canyon Del Oro
Canyon Del Oro brings one of the most complete resumes in the state, led by a dominant presence on the mound in Regen Mazura, who owns a 0.70 ERA with 79 strikeouts. The Dorados have multiple arms they can rely on, including David Adams, who has also won eight games and shown the ability to go deep into outings. Offensively, they are just as dangerous, with Peyton Carson driving in 43 runs and Francisco Rivero hitting .488 with power. With production throughout the lineup and proven arms to control games, Canyon Del Oro has the balance and depth to navigate a tough 5A bracket.
4A Final Four
#1 Crismon
#4 Saguaro
#2 Salpointe Catholic
#3 ALA Gilbert North
4A presents a strong mix of top end consistency and playoff ready groups. Crismon has earned the top seed with its steady play all year, while Saguaro has shown flashes of being able to compete with anyone when things are clicking. ALA Gilbert North brings a talented roster capable of making a push, and Salpointe Catholic continues to stand out as a team built for postseason baseball with its ability to win tight, competitive games.
4A State Champion
#2 Salpointe Catholic
Salpointe Catholic gets the nod because of its postseason profile and ability to win tight games. The Lancers are anchored by Victor Corella on the mound, who carries a 1.02 ERA and gives them a reliable option in big moments, while Jacob Badilla provides additional stability in the rotation. Offensively, David Driskill has been one of the most consistent bats in the state, hitting .556 with a .634 OBP, giving them a true table setter at the top. In a bracket where margins will be thin, Salpointe’s pitching depth, defensive consistency, and ability to execute situationally gives them the edge.
3A Final Four
#1 Valley Christian
#4 Gilbert Christian
#3 Northwest Christian
#2 Yuma Catholic
3A once again features a group of teams with strong playoff pedigrees. Valley Christian leads the way with a deep and experienced roster, while Gilbert Christian and Northwest Christian both have the ability to compete in tight games. Yuma Catholic rounds out the group as a team that has been consistent enough all year to make a legitimate push toward the final rounds.
3A State Champion
#1 Valley Christian
Valley Christian enters the postseason looking to go back to back as state champions and once again has the pieces to do it. The Trojans bring a deep and explosive lineup, led by Brock Jackson, who is hitting .500 with a .953 SLG, along with multiple bats capable of leaving the yard throughout the order. On the mound, Cameron Bergloff leads the staff with a 1.35 ERA and over 60 strikeouts, giving them a dependable arm in key spots who has been there before. With a balanced roster, proven playoff experience, and the ability to produce in high leverage moments, Valley Christian remains the team to beat in 3A.
2A Final Four
#1 Scottsdale Christian
#5 Horizon Honors
#3 San Tan Charter
#7 Benson
2A is built around execution, and this Final Four features teams that have shown the ability to play clean baseball. Scottsdale Christian enters as the top seed behind strong pitching and overall consistency, while Horizon Honors and San Tan Charter both bring competitive lineups and capable arms. Benson has the look of a team that can make noise if it continues to get quality outings on the mound.
2A State Champion
#1 Scottsdale Christian
Scottsdale Christian is powered by one of the most dominant two way players in the state in Owen Kendrick, who impacts the game on both sides at an elite level. Kendrick owns a 0.30 ERA with 92 strikeouts on the mound while also hitting .550 with a .697 OBP, making him a true difference maker every time he takes the field. Alongside him, Dylan Tims provides another reliable arm with eight wins, giving Scottsdale Christian multiple options on the mound. With top end talent, strong pitching, and the ability to control the game defensively, Scottsdale Christian has the formula to come out on top in 2A.
1A Final Four
#1 Hayden
#4 Williams
#6 Bagdad
#2 Mogollon
1A features a competitive group with several teams capable of making a run. Hayden leads the way as the top seed with consistent production on both sides of the ball, while Williams and Mogollon have shown they can compete in tight contests. Bagdad enters as a lower seed with enough talent to challenge anyone if it finds momentum early in the bracket.
1A State Champion
#1 Hayden
Hayden’s path to a title is built on execution and consistency, led by one of the most productive hitters in the classification in Tyler Garner. Garner is hitting .542 with a 1.000 SLG and .656 OBP, providing constant offensive production at the top of the lineup, while Javier Ortega adds additional power behind him. On the mound, Kino Lorona anchors the staff with a 0.85 ERA, giving Hayden a reliable option in big games. Combine that with a defense that has played clean all season, and Hayden has the complete profile needed to finish the job in 1A.
Upcoming Events
| Showcase | State | Date | Location |
| Canes West Scout Day | AZ | 05/23 | Indian School Park - Scottsdale, AZ |
| Arizona Rising Stars Games (Invite-Only) | AZ | 05/26 | Desert Ridge HS - Mesa, AZ |
| 2026 Four Corners ProCase (Invite-Only) | AZ | 06/02 | Phoenix, AZ |
| East Valley Summer ID | AZ | 06/09 | Arizona Athletic Grounds - Mesa, AZ |
| East Valley Rising Stars ID (Session 2) | AZ | 06/09 | Arizona Athletic Grounds - Mesa, AZ |
| Thunderbird HS Scout Day | AZ | 06/13 | Thunderbird High School - Phoenix, AZ |
| Southern Arizona Summer ID | AZ | 06/16 | Tucson, AZ |
| Southern Arizona Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | AZ | 06/16 | Tucson, AZ |
| West Valley Summer ID | AZ | 06/23 | Canyon View HS - Buckeye, AZ |
| Northern Arizona Summer ID | AZ | 06/30 | Flagstaff, AZ |
| East Valley Summer ID (Session 2) | AZ | 07/07 | Desert Ridge HS - Mesa, AZ |
| Southern Arizona Summer ID (Session 2) | AZ | 07/14 | Tucson, AZ |
| Senior Future Games (Class of 2027) | NATIONAL | 07/21 | LakePoint Sports |
| Future Games (Class of 2028) | NATIONAL | 07/22 | LakePoint Sports |
| Junior Future Games (Class of 2030/31) | NATIONAL | 07/23 | LakePoint Sports |
| Baseline Games | NATIONAL | 07/30 | Grand Park Sports Campus - Westfield, IN |
| Arizona State Games (Invite-Only) | AZ | 08/07 | Arizona Athletic Grounds - Mesa, AZ |
| SABA Scout Day | AZ | 08/15 | Reid Park - Tucson, AZ |
| 2026 West Coast Super Sophomore Games (Invite-Only) | AZ | 09/11 | University of Oregon / Bushnell University |
| Trosky Arizona Scout Day | AZ | 11/14 | TBD |