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 Kingsburg Vikings.

High School: Kingsburg Vikings
Head Coach: Jim Cranford
CIF Section: Central
Team Strengths: Pitching, defense, and speed.
2025 Record: 21-11
Returning Starters: 7

 

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TOP RETURNING UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS

• RHP Travis Clifton (2026)
• C Jonah Lopez (2026)
• C Vaughn Dill (2026)
• UTIL Drew Lunde (2026)
• OF Kingston Rodriguez (2027)
• INF Elijah Duarte (2027)
• INF Dylan Darling (2027)
• INF Adam Villagomez (2027)
• OF Aiden Fuentes (2027)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• RHP/1B JT Sanchez (2028)
• OF Walter Unruh (2028)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Kingsburg heads into the 2026 season with plenty of momentum after a 21–11 campaign, a CIF Central Section Division 2 championship game appearance, and a roster built around pitching, defense, and speed. Head coach Jim Cranford welcomes back seven starters and five pitchers, giving the Vikings a veteran foundation and continuity in all three phases of the game. With that level of experience returning, Kingsburg projects as a team capable of controlling tempo, shortening games with its pitching staff, and consistently pressuring opponents with athleticism on the bases and clean defense behind it.

The senior class provides stability at key spots. RHP Travis Clifton (2026) anchors the staff as a right-handed arm who will log meaningful innings, while the catching duo of C Jonah Lopez (2026) and C Vaughn Dill (2026) gives Kingsburg leadership and flexibility behind the plate. UTIL Drew Lunde (2026) adds valuable versatility across the diamond, and LSU commit RHP/INF Jensen Hirschkorn (2026) brings high-end talent as a two-way presence who can impact games both on the mound and in the box. The junior class is deep, highlighted by a strong infield group that includes INF Elijah Duarte (2027), INF Dylan Darling (2027), and INF Adam Villagomez (2027), along with OF Aiden Fuentes (2027) and OF Kingston Rodriguez (2027)in the outfield.

Looking ahead, underclassmen RHP/1B JT Sanchez (2028) and OF Walter Unruh (2028) add upside and depth, with Sanchez projecting as a two-way contributor and Unruh bringing athleticism to the outfield. With a strong returning core, a proven arm in Hirschkorn, and depth across the roster, Kingsburg has the pieces to build on last season’s success. If the Vikings continue to leverage their pitching depth, speed, and defensive consistency, they should be firmly in the mix for another strong postseason run in 2026.

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Quote from the Coach

“We started five sophomores and a freshman last year and made it to the D2 Central Section Championship game. With our roster gaining more experience and maturity, our expectations are high for this year's group.”

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Find more information on the 2026 Kingsburg Vikings program below:

+ @KHSBaseball_1
+ High School Previews

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