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 Santa Margarita Eagles

High School: Santa Margarita Eagles
Head Coach: Chris Malec
CIF Section: Southern
Team Strengths: Veteran experience, consistent offense, and defense.
2025 Record: 20-14
Returning Starters: 6

 

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TOP RETURNING UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS

• OF Luke Blanchard (2026)
• INF/RHP Nick Gifoli (2026)

• INF/RHP Brayden Stewart (2027)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• INF Tyler George (2028)
• INF Warren Wulfemeyer (2028)
• INF Griffin Doane (2028)
• LHP Beck Lee (2028)
• INF Cooper Holland (2029)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The Santa Margarita Eagles enter 2026 coming off a 20–14 campaign with a roster built on veteran experience, consistent offense, and reliable defense. Head coach Chris Malec returns six of nine regulars from last year’s CIF Southern Section Division 1 Playoff runner-up squad, giving this group a strong leadership core and a clear identity at the plate. The Eagles will look to rely on taking tough, quality at-bats and playing clean defense, and that foundation should keep them competitive every night as they look to build on last spring.

Uncommitted returners like OF Luke Blanchard (2026), INF/RHP Nick Gifoli (2026), and INF/RHP Bradyen Stewart (2027) provide versatility and depth, while a young infield group led by INF Tyler George (2028), INF Warren Wulfemeyer (2028), and INF Griffin Doane (2028) adds upside moving forward. LHP Beck Lee (2028) headlines the underclass arms and INF Cooper Holland (2029) gives the program another promising piece coming up through the system. With six returning starters and a lineup full of experienced bats, Santa Margarita expects to continue pushing across runs and controlling games defensively.

The Eagles also boast an impressive committed senior class, highlighted by INF/RHP Tyler Unter (2026) to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, LHP Noah Darnell (2026) to Harvard, C/1B/RHP Warren Gravely (2026) to Notre Dame, UTIL Andre Owens (2026) to Oklahoma State, C/OF Chase Marlow (2026) to University of San Diego, INF Brody Schumaker (2026) to TCU, INF/RHP Adam Cypriano (2026) and OF/RHP Vincent Milo (2026) to Trinity University, and 1B/LHP Zack Stein (2026) to Whittier College. With proven leadership, a disciplined offensive approach, and a steady defensive presence, Santa Margarita heads into 2026 positioned to be a tough out throughout the spring season.

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Quote from the Coach

“We are excited about this team. It's a great blend of experienced / inexperienced as well as old and young. It will be an exciting team with half players who have proven to succeed at this level, and a young group ready to prove themselves.”

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Find more information on the 2026 Santa Margarita Eagles program below:

+ @SMCHSBaseball
+ High School Previews

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