The 2026 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds 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 Florida.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the FHSAA state championships, 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 individual teams across Florida. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and releasing our preseason top-25 rankings in the state.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state.

Each week, we will be releasing our Players of the Week, as well as updating our Power 25 overall rankings.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: Columbia
Head Coach: Chris Howard
Classification: 5A
2025 Record (Finish): 17-12 (Lost to Niceville in regional semifinal)

 

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS/TRANSFERS

Tison McCray RHP/OF (26) Nolan Slaymaker RHP/Inf (28) Kyler Keen LHP/Utility (27) Madden Mann Inf (28) Casen Maddox C/Inf (26) Casae Bennett Inf/Of (26) Colton Mote Of/RHP (26) Dustin Lord Inf/RHP (27)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

Madden Mann, Nolan Slaymaker

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Tison McCray RHP/Of, Casen Maddox C/Inf, Case Bennett Of/Inf, Colton Mote Of/RHP

Kyler Keen LHP/Uty, Dustin Lord Inf/RHP

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Projected Starting 9: N/A
Projected Pitching Staff: Nolan Slaymaker, Tison McCray, Kyler Keen
Team Strengths: Pitching

“Offense will be the deciding factor for this team, if we can generate some runs we should be solid.” – Chris Howard, head coach

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Find more information on the 2026 Columbia program below:

+ Follow them on X, Instagram, or Facebook: @_CHSBASEBALL_
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Florida, 2026 HS Team Previews

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FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL FLORIDA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Florida on X
+ Prep Baseball Florida on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Florida on Facebook

 

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Related Content

Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
Tampa Preseason ID	FL	12/23	Carrollwood Day - Tampa, FL
Tampa Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	12/23	Carrollwood Day - Tampa, FL
Orlando Preseason ID	FL	12/29	Lake Brantley - Altamonte Springs, FL
Orlando Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	12/29	Lake Brantley - Altamonte Springs, FL
Jacksonville Preseason ID	FL	12/30	Bolles - Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	12/30	Bolles - Jacksonville, FL
Florida Preseason All-State (Invite-Only)	FL	01/04	IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL
Super 60 Pro Showcase	NATIONAL	02/01	The MAX - McCook, IL
Bradenton Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	02/08	IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL
Tampa Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	02/16	Berkeley Prep - Tampa, FL
South FL Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	03/17	Athletic Angels Field - Boynton Beach, FL
Florida Rising Stars Games (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	04/04	Jack Russell Stadium - Clearwater, FL