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: Hernando
Head Coach: Tim Sims
Classification: 3A
2025 Record (Finish): 20-16 / Region 2 Champion/Final 4 (Class 3a Region 2 Champion/ Final 4)

 

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS/TRANSFERS

Kaine Ellis (2026)-C (Univ of Richmond)

Austin Knierim (2026)-RHP/OF (Fla Gulf Coast Univ)

Jayden Allen-1B/RHP (2028) transfer

Billy Ward (2027) IF transfer

Cadyn Williams (2026) LHP-multiple offers

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

Brody Hedick- (2028) IF

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Sammy Novick-LHP (JR)
Waylon Williamson-2b (JR)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Projected Pitching Staff: Cadyn Williams (2026) LHP Jayden Allen (2028) RHP Austin Knierim (2026) RHP
Team Strengths: Senior Experience

“Team returns 5 of 8 position starters and 85 percent of inns pitched on a Class 3a final 4 team. ” – Tim Sims, head coach

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Find more information on the 2026 Hernando program below:

+ Follow them on X, Instagram, or Facebook: @hernbaseball
+ 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
Super 60 Pro Showcase	NATIONAL	02/01	The MAX - McCook, IL
Tampa Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	02/16	Berkeley Prep - Tampa, FL
Panhandle Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	03/09	Northwest FL State College - Niceville, FL
South FL Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	03/17	Athletic Angels Field - Boynton Beach, FL
Orlando Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	03/21	TNXL Academy - Ocoee, FL
Florida Rising Stars Games (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	04/04	Jack Russell Stadium - Clearwater, FL
East Florida Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only)	FL	06/02	Cacti Park - West Palm Beach, FL
West Florida Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only)	FL	06/23	IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL