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 Royal Highlanders.

High School: Royal Highlanders
Head Coach: Daniel Maye
CIF Section: SS
Team Strengths: Pitching
2025 Record: 22-7
Returning Starters: 6

 

---

TOP RETURNING UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS

• SS Matt Stout (2026)
• C Peyton Visage (2026)

• OF Ethan Hall (2026)
• OF Tristen Hogan (2027)

---

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• RHP/INF Colton Dunwoody (2028)

• LHP/OF Cameron Sramek (2028)

---

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Highlanders march into 2026 off the backs of a strong 2025 season, with reason to believe there is room to improve upon last year’s playoff finish. After a 22–7 campaign, Head Coach Daniel Maye brings back six starters and a pitching core that remains the strength of this Highlanders team. With a committed 2026 group of RHP Dustin Dunwoody (Arizona), LHP Dean Barkman (UCSB), RHP Colten Rainer (UCLA), and LHP/OF Isaiah Tillman (USF) headlining the pitching staff, runs may come few and far between for opponents.

In the lineup, the Highlanders return a strong core up the middle. SS Matt Stout (2026) anchors the infield, while C Peyton Visage (2026) will handle the experienced pitching staff. OF Ethan Hall (2026) and OF Tristen Hogan (2027) round out the position player group, looking to set the tone for the pitching staff.

The future is already pressing at the door for Royal, thanks to promising underclassmen RHP/INF Colton Dunwoody (2028) and LHP/OF Cameron Sramek (2028), each offering two-way upside and a sense that Royal’s competitive window is wide open. With promising arms, strong returning leadership, and solid depth, the Highlanders enter 2026 as a team built for a meaningful postseason run.

---

Quote from the Coach

“With the strength of our pitching staff, we expect a first or second place finish in the Coastal Canyon League.”

---

Find more information on the 2026 Highlanders program below:

+ @baseball_royal
+ Prep Baseball California, Power 25 Homepage

---

FOLLOW US THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball California on X
+ Prep Baseball California on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball California on Facebook
+ Prep Baseball California on YouTube

---

Related Content