The 2026 California high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across California.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in their respective CIF Section Championship Game, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview these individual programs across California. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across California. Each week we will be releasing our Power 25, Players of the Week, Diamond Notes, podcasts, and much more.

Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today with the Highland Bulldogs.

High School: Highland Bulldogs
Head Coach: Travis Studt
CIF Section: Southern
Team Strengths: Starting pitching and the lineup.
2025 Record: 18-10-1
Returning Starters: 8

 

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TOP RETURNING UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS

• OF Colton Booterbaugh (2026)

• 3B/RHP Hudson Harding (2026)
• LHP/OF Nic Leon (2026)
• RHP/OF Landon Manzano (2026)
• INF Josiah Rodriguez (2026)
• INF/RHP Ruben Cabrera (2027)
• OF Arturo Carrillo (2027)
• OF Mateo Dominguez (2027)
• RHP/OF Victor Hernandez (2027)
• 1B/3B/OF Ryder Smith (2027)

• 1B Jake Wilson (2027)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• RHP/1B Issac Torres (2028)
• RHP/3B/OF Andre Castillo
• RHP/INF Nate Quijas (2029)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Highland enters 2026 with the look of a team built to contend again after an 18–10–1 season, returning eight starters and seven pitchers under head coach Travis Studt and looking to build off of a CIF Southern Section Division 5 Playoff appearance. With starting pitching and a deep, productive lineup, the Bulldogs bring back a roster that knows how to win in league play and has the pieces to do it again.

The heart of the team is a loaded group of returning varsity standouts. OF Colton Booterbaugh (2026), 3B/RHP Hudson Harding (2026), and RHP/OF Landon Manzano (2026) all earned All Golden League First Team honors last year and again figure to be central figures on both sides of the ball. LHP/OF Nic Leon adds left-handed balance, both in the lineup and on the mound, as a two-way player, while INF Josiah Rodriguez (2026) will maintain a steady presence in the infield. The junior class is just as impactful, led by INF/RHP Ruben Cabrera (2027), OF Arturo Carrillo (2027), OF Mateo Dominguez (2027), RHP/OF Victor Hernandez (2027), 1B/3B/OF Ryder Smith (2027), and 1B Jake Wilson (2027), giving Highland length throughout the lineup and depth among the pitching staff

The Bulldogs also feature high-end committed talent, with C Cole Studt (2026), the reigning Golden League Player of the Year and a Trinity University commit, anchoring the roster, and RHP/3B/OF Jacob Aragon (2027), a Northwestern College commit and First Team All-League selection, adding two-way impact. Underclassmen RHP/1B Issac Torres (2028), RHP/3B/OF Andre Castillo, and RHP/INF Nate Quijas (2029) further deepen the pitching staff and lineup with upside and projectability. With a veteran core, a deep rotation, and an offense that can score in multiple ways, Highland looks poised to make another strong run in 2026.

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Quote from the Coach

“I think we’re going to have a solid team this year. We’re returning the majority of our pitching staff, and we have all but one starting defensive position coming back. We also have several players who are ready to step up and fill the roles of our graduating seniors. Overall, things are looking promising.”

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Find more information on the 2026 Highland Bulldogs program below:

+ @HHS_Bulldogs1
+ Prep Baseball California, Power 25 Homepage

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