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: Merritt Island
Head Coach: Jason Arnold
Classification: 4A
2025 Record (Finish): 24-8, lost in the region semifinals in 3 (The 2025 surprised everyone, having returned only 2 consistent contributors from the 2024 final 4 team and going 24-8 winning the district title and Cape Coast Conference Championship.)

 

---

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS/TRANSFERS

Grant Arnold - C/OF/RHP, 2028
Liam Miller - 1B/3B, 2027
Ty Brandes - 2B/SS, 2028
Gabriel Norman - LHP, 2027
Brady Jensen - C, 2027
Ryder Widick - LHP/1B, 2027
Brody Vogel - OF, 2027
Jesse Decter - RHP/CIF, 2027

---

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

Grant Arnold 2028
Ty Brandes 2028
Charlie Blalock 2029

---

OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Benjamin Hettinger
Nick Cunningham
Liam Miller
Gabriel Norman
Ryder Widick
Brady Jensen
Jesse Decter
Brody Vogel

---

TEAM OUTLOOK

Projected Starting 9: Ty Brandes, Grant Arnold, Brody Vogel, Liam Miller, Ryder Widick, Brady Jensen, Jesse Decter, Charlie Blalock, Nick Cunningham/Wes Lawrence
Projected Pitching Staff: Ryder Widick, Grant Arnold, Jesse Decter
Team Strengths: This year's team should be tough on offense and defense with lots of big game experience, even without many seniors.

“The 2026 team has a unique blend of returning impact players and some class of 2027 transfers. If we can come together as one group and endure a difficult schedule, we should be able to make a run in the playoffs late this spring.” – Jason Arnold, head coach

---

Find more information on the 2026 Merritt Island program below:

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

---

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL FLORIDA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

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

 

---

Related Content

Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
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
Panhandle Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	03/09	Panhandle, 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