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: St John Neumann
Head Coach: Charles Maurer
Classification: 1A
2025 Record (Finish): 20-13. Lost in the regional championship in game 3 to eventual state Champion Canterbury (Finishing 1 win away from another trip to the state final four)

 

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS/TRANSFERS

Cole Travers
MJ Hough
OB Osceola
Gus Fusco
Darien Kester
Luke Parrish
Taylor Reidy

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

Vance Tate, Erik Parker, Shaun Maradona, Taylor Reidy

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Cole Travers-Ss
OB Osceola- LHP
MJ Hough- RHP
Gus Fusco-OF
Darien Kester-1B/OF
Rowen Lee- RHP/IF
Roman Howery-OF
Anthony Kanellos-LHP/ OF

Luke Parrish CF/RHP
Jack Rexwinkle RHP
Anthony Holloway- OF

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Projected Starting 9: LF Gus Fusco, CF Luke Parrish, RF Roman Howery, 1B Darien Kester, 2B Shaun Maradona, SS Cole Travers, 3B Rowen Lee, C Taylor Reidy
Projected Pitching Staff: OB Osceola, MJ Hough, Luke Parrish
Team Strengths: Pitching depth and versatility

“The 2026 St John Neumann Celtics look to get back to the State Final Four and compete for a state championship after falling one game short to eventual state champion Canterbury. The Celtics have a nice blend of returning experience, depth, and some transfers and will be ready to compete once again this spring.” – Charles Maurer, head coach

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Find more information on the 2026 St John Neumann program below:

+ Follow them on X, Instagram, or Facebook: Sjn_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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