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: Manatee
Head Coach: Nolan Neiman
Classification: 5A
2025 Record (Finish): 18-13, Sweet 16 loss

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

Ashton Hovda SR - CF - West Fl commit, Jordan Roberts SR OF, Bryan Rodriguez SR SS, Cooper Richardson SR P/1b, Xander Arias SR C, Peyton Hovda SO INF, Laurie Edwards SR 1b/of

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

Bam Gartman - FR - INF, Matt Fonseca -FR 1b/p, Peyton Hovda -So INF, Carson Clover - SO RHP

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Ashton Hovda, Cooper Richardson, Bryan Rodriguez, Jordan Roberts, Xander Arias

Jayden McKenzie, Chase Mundy

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Projected Starting 9: 1b - Cooper Richardson, 2b - Bam Gartman, SS - Bryan Rodriguez, 3b - Peyton Hovda, C - Xander Arias, LF Jayden McKenzie, CF - Ashton Hovda, RF- Jordan Roberts
Projected Pitching Staff: Cooper Richardson, Malachi Cleto, Carson Clover
Team Strengths: Team Athleticism and Speed

“Look for the Canes to build off of a sweet 16 appearance last year. If the Canes can stay healthy, their core 9 have a chance to do something special together.” – Nolan Neiman, head coach

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Find more information on the 2026 Manatee program below:

+ Follow them on X, Instagram, or Facebook: manatee_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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Related Content

Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
South FL Preseason ID	FL	12/22	Athletic Angels Field - Boynton Beach, FL
South FL Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	12/22	Athletic Angels Field - Boynton Beach, FL
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