HS Team Rankings: Top 1-20

Casteel enters 2026 with arguably the most star studded roster in Arizona, built on elite senior leadership and nationally ranked underclass talent. Texas A&M commit Ryan Harwood headlines the group as the top ranked player in the state, bringing middle of the order power, athleticism, and frontline upside on the mound. Texas Tech commit Ryne Barker gives them another impact bat in the infield, while Connor Russell, Logan Reber, Jose Bingochea, and Cayden Hokanson round out a deep and experienced 2026 core that has played in big games. The underclass firepower is just as impressive. Oklahoma commit Baylor Denny anchors the 2027 class, joined by BYU commit Blake Gonzales, Utah commit Lincoln Demmons, Army commit Jace Diaz, and a wave of athletic arms and position players that give them depth across the diamond. The 2028 group features Andres Armenta and Evan Hedlund, while nationally ranked 2029 standouts Macgraw VanWormer, Evan Thompson, and Russell Nelson headline one of the top freshman classes in the country. With high end talent at every level of the program, Casteel has the depth, experience, and star power to once again sit squarely in the 6A title conversation.

Defending 6A State Champion Corona del Sol enters 2026 with another roster loaded with college commits and postseason experience. The senior core is anchored by Arizona State commit Kellan Tom, along with Yavapai commit Preston Berg and Central Arizona signees David Moss and Parker Williams, giving them production on both sides of the ball. The 2027 group might be even more impressive, featuring TCU commit Ben Jacobus, Arkansas commit Conor Rae, San Diego commit Maddon DelaCruz, and Texas A&M commit Colton Floyd, a high end transfer with national recognition. With proven seniors and elite underclass talent, Corona once again has the depth and firepower to chase another 6A title.

Brophy Prep enters 2026 as a legitimate 6A contender, returning nine starters from a veteran heavy lineup loaded with college commitments. The infield is anchored by Miami commit Dreson Ethier and Sacramento State signee Ryan Fesperman, while Iowa Western commit Brandon Wirtz and uncommitted standout Isaac Holder add depth and production. Behind the plate, Jonah Castle and Vinny Noble provide leadership, and the outfield features Arizona commit Chris Sinacori and Stanford signee Charlie Borchard. On the mound, Ronan O Brien, Owen McGuire, and Grady Openden headline a strong returning staff. With experience across the diamond, a deep pitching core, and impact underclassmen emerging, Brophy has the roster balance and depth to make a serious run in 6A.

Liberty enters 2026 in the 6A Desert Valley with a strong returning core on both sides of the ball. Arizona commit Abram Sherrin headlines the roster as a true two way presence, while 2028 standout Troy Tewers continues to trend upward with impact ability at the hot corner and on the mound. Marley Chancey and Brock Bowman provide experienced senior depth, and Bryce Wood adds versatility behind the plate and in the outfield. The addition of Alabama commit Bobby Villa strengthens the middle of the field, and a talented wave of 2028 and 2029 prospects gives Liberty plenty of upside. With five returning starters and arms, the Lions have the depth and firepower to compete in one of the toughest regions in the state.

Queen Creek enters 2026 in the 6A Fiesta with one of the most star studded senior cores in the state. Arizona State commits Jet Berry and Jordan Ransom headline the infield, while Southern Miss signee Grady Pratt and Grand Canyon commit Emmanuel Hoyos give them physical presence in the middle of the order. On the mound, southpaw Brody Cox (Campbell signee), Tyke Daniels and Kobe Gomez provide experienced arms, and CSUN transfer Frank Gearhart adds another impact bat. With five returning starters and a roster loaded with Division One level talent, Queen Creek has the experience and firepower to once again be a major player in 6A.

Millennium returns six starters and eight arms in the 6A Central, giving them one of the deeper pitching staffs in the region. The rotation is anchored by Cal State Bakersfield commit Noah Smith, while Brady Perrin provides experience and versatility as a two way senior. The future of the program is especially exciting, led by 2028 standouts Chase Fillman and Peyton Burgess, along with strong arms in '27 Matthew Nevarez and '26 Felix Santana. With depth on the mound, impact underclass bats, and a competitive core that has logged meaningful innings, Millennium has the pieces to be a tough matchup all spring in 6A.

Sandra Day O Connor enters 2026 as a perennial 6A contender, once again built around depth and high end talent. Arizona commit Thomas Pascanu anchors the staff with frontline presence, while Colorado Mesa commit Brent Sollars provides impact from the outfield. The 2027 class brings another wave of upside, led by Ayden McGinnis, one of the top ranked players in the state, along with Erick Jaylen Jimenez who is set to return to the mound this season, Hunter Day, and Jacoby Noble adding strength throughout the roster. With proven arms and physical bats, the Eagles remain a major factor in the Desert Valley.

Hamilton returns four starting position players and six arms in the 6A Premier, giving them a strong foundation despite key graduation losses. Arizona commit Ben Ball headlines the lineup with impact tools, while Michigan signee Kris DeSantiago anchors things behind the plate. On the mound, Brady Wise leads a deep returning staff, and seniors Parker Rahn and Tyler Nelson add experience to the middle of the order. The intriguing piece is the young talent, with 2028 standout Sammy Garcia and lefty Ryder Bell bringing upside, along with a wave of 2029 prospects already pushing for innings. With established seniors and emerging underclass firepower, Hamilton has the depth to compete in one of the toughest regions in the state.

Desert Mountain enters 2026 with a mix of high end talent and experienced leadership in the 5A East Sky. Brody James headlines the roster as one of the premier prospects in the class, while Zach Durben, Pepperdine commit, gives them another two way option with impact ability on both sides of the ball. Senior Aidan Cronican anchors the pitching staff and Everett Hagen adds veteran presence to the lineup. An intriguing piece for the future is freshman Max Nibarger, whose early tools and physical projection have already turned heads. With established leaders and young upside, Desert Mountain looks poised to take a step forward this spring.

Fresh off a dominant 3A State Championship run, Valley Christian enters 2026 as one of the clear teams to beat in the classification. The Trojans return a strong core that understands how to win in May, led by infield anchor Nate Danzeisen and two way contributor Jaxen Maxey, who impacts the game on both sides of the ball. Behind the plate, Cody Broek provides leadership and stability, while Kellan Landers headlines a pitching staff that once again looks to be the foundation of this group. Built on depth, execution, and a team first culture, Valley Christian does not rely on flash. They rely on toughness and arms. With key pieces back from a title team, the Trojans have the experience and identity to make another deep postseason push in 3A.

Red Mountain enters 2026 coming off a 6A State Semifinal run with the same hard nosed, grinder mentality that has defined the program. This is a deep, balanced group built around experienced seniors like Carter Macanas and Kale Thorson, whose steady infield presence set the tone, along with battle tested arm Dylan Keith. The supporting cast is strong, with Luke Ritchie adding physicality and a talented 2027 core that includes Derek Wilson, Tristan Talbert, and Boston Bair bringing athleticism across the field. They may not rely on one single superstar, but with depth, toughness, and collective leadership, Red Mountain will once again be a difficult out in 6A.

Perry enters the 2026 season in the 6A Premier Region with as much high end underclass talent as anyone in the state. The headliner is 2028 right hander Cooper LeRoy, one of the top ranked player in Arizona’s 2028 class, who pairs a mid 90s fastball with real two way impact and loud offensive metrics. Fellow 2028 standout Adrian Sisco anchors things behind the plate while Dillon Mendoza and Tyler Miller provide senior stability. On the mound, Pittsburg commit Brock Reichwein headlines a deep 2027 group that includes Blake Middleton and Colton Johnston, giving Perry multiple options with upside. With explosive young talent and proven arms already in place, the Pumas have the firepower to compete in one of the toughest regions in Arizona and push for another postseason run.

Desert Vista brings back a senior heavy core with real experience in 6A, led by Baylor commit Brock MacDonald on the mound and left handed bat Ben Romaine in the middle of the lineup. Luke Hutton and Michael Hallenbeck add senior depth, while the junior class is loaded with upside in arms like Hagen Haefs and Seth Skinner, along with athletic position players Hudson Droz and George Garvy. With proven seniors and a talented 2027 group ready to take on bigger roles, Desert Vista has the pieces to be competitive all spring.

Mountain Ridge returns seven starters and four arms from a 6A Desert Valley group that is built heavily around a talented 2027 core. Carter Neville headlines the roster as a true two way presence up the middle, while Tank Castillo and Andrew Hohman provide physicality and run production in the lineup. On the mound, Jagger Wethington anchors the staff, and the addition of transfers Griffin Gregory and Chase Heid adds even more depth and versatility. What makes this group especially intriguing is the wave of young talent behind them, with multiple 2028 and 2029 prospects already pushing for roles. With experience returning and upside throughout the roster, Mountain Ridge has the pieces to be a tough matchup all spring in 6A.

Chaparral may return just three starters and three arms on paper, but the front end talent immediately keeps them in the conversation in 5A. The rotation is headlined by Ole Miss signee Devin Long and Indiana signee Will Gnirk, giving them two proven left and right handed options that can anchor any series, while Arizona commit Grafton Marshall Inman adds another high end arm to the mix. Behind the plate, William and Mary signee Tanner Anderson brings leadership and experience, and bats like Bo Shuba, Reece Solar, and Jahir Jensen will be counted on to replace key production lost to graduation. With a new wave of underclassmen stepping into bigger roles, Chaparral has the pitching to compete every week and the upside to develop into a dangerous group as the season progresses.

Saguaro enters the spring with one of the more experienced cores in the 4A landscape, returning six starters and six arms from last year’s group. The senior leadership is anchored by South Carolina signee Alain Gomez Gudino behind the plate and Kansas State signee Zander Bratspis up the middle, giving them stability at premium positions. On the mound, Kyle Miiller and Jake Claver provide versatility and experience, while 2028 lefty Nate Wachinski adds upside to the staff. With impact newcomer Max Pena and a wave of talented underclassmen pushing for roles, this is a team that has more depth than their number 20 spot might suggest and could be a tough out all spring in the Desert Sky.

Canyon View brings back six starters and five arms from a competitive Desert West squad, and there is real upside on this roster heading into the spring. The offense is anchored by 2027 infielder Ricardo Yuriar, one of the more dynamic young bats in the state, alongside experienced seniors Cason Hagerman and Brody Meyer who provide stability and versatility. Behind the plate, Eli Mcbryde adds leadership, while 2028 talents Max King and Mattox Murray inject athleticism into the lineup. With lefty newcomer Colin Mecca and a strong wave of underclass arms like Oliver Higgins and Josiah Rodriguez, this group has the depth and projection to climb as the season unfolds.

Desert Ridge returns eight starters and an impressive thirteen arms from a 6A Fiesta group that believes it has the depth to contend. The senior presence of Kelton Floan and Max Abalos anchors the roster, while Nick Snider and Kane Dobson give them experienced production in the lineup. What makes this team especially intriguing is the wave of young talent, with Bryant Provencio and Max Gamboa already seasoned varsity contributors and Tre Hallberg and Dylan Taylor continuing to trend upward. With impact freshmen and sophomores who have already logged meaningful innings, Desert Ridge has both depth and upside, making them a dangerous club in a loaded 6A field.

Horizon returns seven starters from a veteran group that brings experience and leadership into the 5A East Sky race. The senior core is deep, highlighted by Jackson Weber, a true presence behind the plate and Arizona State commit, along with Kanon Faseler and Ryan Tomey who give them two way production and stability on both sides of the ball. Preston Burke and Hunter Walker add more senior experience, while 2027 arms like Rio Ryu and impact underclass pieces such as Maverick Bolen and Hudson Grainger provide upside. With a balanced lineup and enough competitive pieces to win tight games, Horizon has the makeup of a team that can hang around all spring and push toward the top of the conference.

Flagstaff brings back seven starters and five arms from a competitive 4A Grand Canyon squad, giving them one of the more experienced groups in the region. The senior core is anchored by Will Carpenter and Cullen Callander, two steady presences who set the tone on both sides of the ball, while Christian Welker and Brody Johnson add versatility and depth. Arizona State commit Jace Adams is a major piece with impact ability as a two way contributor, and under the radar arms like Tobyn Phillips give them additional upside on the mound. With a strong returning nucleus and a handful of intriguing newcomers, this is a Flagstaff team built to contend deep into the spring.123456