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. Today, we will continue to release our 2026 Preseason Power 25 Team Rankings. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with a new team each day.

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.

*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.

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The #1 Stoneman Douglas Eagles (Class 7A, Region 4) enter the Preseason Power 25 as the undisputed top team in Florida and a national juggernaut, riding a historic five-peat of FHSAA Class 7A state championships after a perfect postseason in 2025. The Eagles finished 31-2 overall, claiming their record fifth straight title with a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Jupiter in the state final. This dynasty, now chasing a potential sixth straight crown, returns a loaded senior class of D1 commits and transfers to keep the reign going.

Head Coach: Todd Fitz-Gerald

Follow Them: @SDEagleBaseball

2025 Recap: Finished 31-2 overall (undefeated in playoffs), capturing a historic fifth consecutive Class 7A state championship (first program in FHSAA history to achieve five straight). Highlights include being named the 2025 Prep Baseball National Champions.

Key Departures: Bennett Gary (OF), Nick Diaz (OF), Breylan Courtney (LHP), Danny Tartaglia (LHP), Chase Wildrout (RHP), Drew Freeman (C), Michael Ossenfort (1B)—standouts from the five-peat run.

Top Returners and Newcomers:

A veteran-laden senior class with high-major commits and impact transfers, featuring elite arms and position players.

• Top Returning Players and Impact Transfers:
• (2026) Lorenzo Laurel - OF (Florida commit)
• (2026) Gio Rojas - LHP (Miami commit, National Player of the Year candidate)
• (2026) Randy Ruiz - OF (transfer from Windermere)
• (2026) Drew Boivan - RHP (transfer from Pennsylvania, Northwest Florida State)
• (2026) Cade Raley - INF (LHH, TCC commit)
• (2027) Jackson Taylor - C (NC State commit, transfer from CS Charter)
• (2026) Reid Dadic - RHP (transfer from CS Charter, Daytona State)
• (2028) Tyler Stertzbach - RHP (transfer from CS Charter)
• (2027) Ben Bianchi - RHP (UCF commit)
• (2026) Jake Rizzo - 3B (Dayton commit),
• (2026) Matt Toback - 1B (Daytona State commit),
• (2026) Abe Haloui - SS (Daytona State commit)

Projected Starting Pitchers: Gio Rojas (ace, Miami commit), Jacob Hernandez (LHP), Drew Boivan (RHP), Tyler Stertzbach (Soph. RHP), Reid Dadic (RHP), Ben Bianchi (RHP)

Projected Starting Lineup: TBD (expect a mix of players like Laurel in OF, Ruiz in OF, Taylor at C, Raley in the infield, with transfers filling gaps for balance).

Impact Underclassmen: Tyler Stertzbach (Soph. RHP)—high-upside young arm expected to contribute early.

Team Outlook:

Strengths: Team defense and offense, pitching depth, and experience from a dynasty.

Coach's Quote: "If our pitching comes together and we hit at the bottom of the order, we will be extremely good."

Standout Players:

• Top Seniors: Gio Rojas (LHP, Miami), Lorenzo Laurel (OF, Florida), Jake Rizzo (3B, Dayton), Cade Raley (INF, TCC), Drew Boivan (RHP, NWF State), Matt Toback (1B, Daytona State), Abe Haloui (SS, Daytona State), Reid Dadic (RHP, Daytona State), Randy Ruiz (OF, Hillsborough).
• Top Juniors: Josh Jacubowicz (LHP), Jacob Hernandez (LHP), Ben Bianchi (RHP, UCF), Jackson Taylor (C, NC State).

Key Games to Watch: Loaded slate includes the Bishop Gorman Classic in Nevada (Mar 15-20). Full schedule on MaxPreps.

At #1 in the Preseason Power 25, Stoneman Douglas returns a D1-loaded senior class anchored by the top high school pitching prospect in the country, Gio Rojas—poised to chase a historic sixth straight state title and extend their dynasty in Class 7A.

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