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: Lakeland Christian
Head Coach: Matt Diaz
Classification: 2A
2025 Record (Finish): 23-10 Lost in regional finals (We had a decent playoff run)

 

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS/TRANSFERS

Gavin Byrd SS 2026 signed at University of South Carolina
Nathan Diaz P/INF 2026 signed at North Greenville University,
Fin Donay P 2026 signed at Pensacola State College
Brody Brenneman, Center Field

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

Max Merryman, Kole Walker

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Gavin Byrd, SS
Nathan Diaz, P/2B
Fin Donay, P
Alex Arthur, P
Bryndon Barton, UTL
MacLain Irby, DH

Parker Kant, 1b
Austin McCormick, C
Brooks Blankenship, OF

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Projected Starting 9: C Austin McCormick, 1b Parker Kant, 2B Nathan Diaz, 3b Bryn Barton, SS, Gavin Byrd, LF Brooks Blankenship, CF Brody Brenneman, RF MacLain Irby
Projected Pitching Staff: Fin Donay, Nathan Diaz, Alex Arthur
Team Strengths: Top end has really high upside

“This team could easily compete for a state championship if everything goes well. The Vikings learned last year, heading into the playoffs that key injuries really hurt a deep run, and that could be tested this year. While returning a lot of players, the Vikings will rely on young and new players to provide depth.” – Matt Diaz, head coach

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Find more information on the 2026 Lakeland Christian program below:

+ Follow them on X, Instagram, or Facebook: @lcs__baseball (X and instagram)
+ 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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