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 Maranatha Minutemen.

High School: Maranatha Minutemen
Head Coach: Matt Shupper
CIF Section: Southern
Team Strengths: Pitching depth, defense, and some very strong hitters.
2025 Record: 18-10-1
Returning Starters: 5

 

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TOP RETURNING UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS

• RHP Bradley Loiacono (2026)
• OF Noe Zavala (2026)
• 3B/RHP Gabe Barragan (2026)
• C Yaya Treto (2027)
• 1B Lukus Perez (2027)

• RHP Kaden Lai (2027)

• LHP/OF Mikey Herman (2027)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• 3B/RHP Jayden Morales (2028)
• INF Bryce Geeting (2028)
• C Moses Alvarez (2028)
• RHP/SS Dre Murakami (2029)
• RHP Roman Hurtado (2029)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The Maranatha Minutemen enter 2026 with momentum after an 18–10–1 campaign, returning a roster built on pitching depth, strong defense, and several impact bats. Head coach Matt Shupper brings back five starters and four pitchers, giving the Minutemen continuity off of a CIF Southern Section Division 2 Playoff appearance, while still leaving room for a new wave of players to step into larger roles. Emphasizing run prevention and timely offense, Maranatha looks equipped to remain a tough out throughout league play.

The core of the team is anchored by a strong mix of upperclassmen. Seniors RHP Bradley Loiacono (2026) and 3B/RHP Gabe Barragan (2026) will look to stabilize the pitching staff, with Barragan also getting time at the hot corner. Offensively, OF Noe Zavala (2026), C Yaya Treto (2027), and 1B Lukus Perez (2027) will look to provide quality at-bats throughout the lineup. RHP Kaden Lai (2027) and LHP/OF Mikey Herman (2027) add further depth and will help round out the pitching staff.

Maranatha’s ceiling is raised by a strong committed group, led by Villanova commit RHP Dylan Hoang (2026), NYU Commit OF Will Suslow (2026), UC Irvine commit INF/OF/RHP Kaleb Derosier (UC Irvine), and Cal commit SS Trevor Rivas (2027). A talented crop of underclassmen—3B/RHP Jayden Morales (2028), INF Bryce Geeting (2028), C Moses Alvarez (2028), RHP/SS Dre Murakami (2029), and RHP Roman Hurtado (2029)—adds upside and depth for both the present and future seasons. With a balanced roster and strengths on both sides of the ball, the Minutemen enter 2026 positioned for another strong season.

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Quote from the Coach

“We have a strong team, top to bottom. We’re well balanced and are anchored by a group of great seniors and very talented underclassmen.”

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Find more information on the 2026 Maranatha Minutemen program below:

+ @mhsbaseballfam
+ High School Previews

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