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 Huntington Beach Oilers.

High School: Huntington Beach Oilers
Head Coach: Benji Medure
CIF Section: Southern Section
Team Strengths: Pitching with solid defense. A top-to-bottom lineup full of tough outs.
2025 Record: 24-5
Returning Starters: 3

 

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TOP RETURNING UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS

• INF Sol Moriyama (2026)

• LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger (2027)

• LHP Duncan Mcleod (2027)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• C/UTIL Mason Doan (2029)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The Huntington Beach Oilers enter 2026 with one of the more balanced rosters in the state, built around a deep pitching staff, a clean defensive unit, and a lineup that rarely gives away at-bats. Coming off a CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoff appearance, head coach Benji Medure returns a team that went 24–5 in 2025, and while only three starters are back, the group is reinforced by an impressive crop of committed upperclassmen and emerging underclass talent. The staff should again anchor the group, with four returning pitchers and multiple two-way standouts capable of covering significant innings.

A deep list of college-bound players headlines the roster, including 2026 commits in INF/RHP Jason Dunham (Long Beach State), RHP Jared Marchbank (New Mexico State), OF/RHP Owen Bone (California Baptist), INF/RHP Dane Cunningham (Cal Poly), and RHP/OF Cayden Hammond (BYU), along with 2027 commits in INF Parker Leoff (UCLA), LHP/OF Tanner Brown (TCU), LHP Christian Haupt (Cal State Fullerton), and INF/OF Elyjah Mason (Oklahoma State). Returning uncommitted standouts such as INF Sol Moriyama, LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger, and LHP Duncan McLeod will play critical roles in stabilizing both the rotation and lineup. The program also features some up and coming talent in C/UTIL Mason Doan (2029), who is expected to grow into a key piece moving forward.

With a combination of high-level pitching depth, strong fundamentals, and a lineup capable of grinding out quality plate appearances, Huntington Beach is once again built for a strong 2026 season. Even with substantial turnover from last season, the Oilers have the talent and competitive identity to remain among Southern California’s toughest teams.

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Quote from the Coach

“We should play with a tough mentality. Several guys who want to play for each other and don't care who gets the credit.”

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Find more information on the 2026 Huntington Beach Oilers program below:

+ @HBHS_basebll
+ Prep Baseball California, Power 25 Homepage

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