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: Evangelical Christian
Head Coach: Derrik Lutz
Classification: 1A
2025 Record (Finish): 13-15 District Championship Loss vs. Canterbury (Played for District Championship vs 1A state champion Canterbury, played with 0 seniors, had 6 preseason honorable mention underclass all-americans, finished 18th in class 1A in FL)

 

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS/TRANSFERS

Anthony Cabrera CF/MIF 2027
Ryder Lutz MIF 2027
Slater Smith OF 2026
Harrison Martin RHP 2026
Gavin Teeter OF 2029
Transfers - Jackson Perkins RHP/3B 2027, Leonard Smith RHP/3B 2027

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

Gavin Teeter OF 2029, Easton Mauler OF 2030

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Harlan Haugen C/1B 2026, Harrison Martin RHP 2026, Slater Smith OF 2026, Nick Tobia C/1B 2026

Ryder Lutz SS 2027 All-Area, Anthony Cabrera CF/MIF 2027 All-Area, Jackson Perkins RHP 2027, Leonardo Smith RHP 2027, Joey Karth RHP 2027

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Projected Starting 9: Anthony Cabrera IF/OF, Ryder Lutz MIF, Gavin Teeter OF, Slater Smith OF, Jackson Perkins 3B, Leonardo Smith 3B, Easton Mauler OF, Harlan Haugen C/1B, Nick Tobia C/1B
Projected Pitching Staff: Harrison Martin, Jackson Perkins, Leonardo Smith, Joey Karth
Team Strengths: Returning all starters with added pitching depth. Team will have a solid pitching rotation with solid strength up the middle of the field.

“ECS is looking to continue building off of a 13-15 season that took them to the District Championship in 2025 with 0 seniors on the roster. The pitching depth has improved a great deal as pitching and defense look to carry the Sentinels in 2026. We expect to see big gains from the Sentinels as the program continues to climb. ” – Derrik Lutz, head coach

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Find more information on the 2026 Evangelical Christian program below:

+ Follow them on X, Instagram, or Facebook: IG: ecs_baseball
+ 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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Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
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