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 #12 St. Johns Country Day Spartans (Class 1A, Region 1) enter the Preseason Power 25 with high expectations after a strong 26-9 campaign in 2025 that ended as Class 1A state runners-up. The Spartans advanced through districts, regionals, and semifinals (including a 2-0 shutout over Brito Miami behind Brayden Harris's eight strikeouts) but fell 6-2 to Canterbury in the state championship game.

Head Coach: Tom Lucas

Follow Them: @sjcdbaseball

2025 Recap: Finished 26-9 overall, reaching the Class 1A state final after a deep postseason run. Key strengths were elite pitching (team 2.12 ERA) and timely hitting, with Harris earning statewide acclaim for his two-way dominance.

Key Departures: Austin Stratmann (LHP, UNF—missed playoffs due to injury), TJ Sunderhaus (CF, leadoff hitter .394 BA, signed Georgia Highlands).

Top Returners and Newcomers:

A pitching-rich roster headlined by FSU signee Brayden Harris, plus strong defenders and young arms ready to contribute.

• Top Returning Players:
• (2026) Brayden Harris - RHP/OF (FSU signee, one of the top RHP in the country; 11-0, 149 K, 0.550 ERA, .394 BA in 2025)
• (2026) Hunter Rodgers - C (JU signee, switch-hitter, .324 BA/5 HR)
• (2027) Preston Cole - SS (East Carolina commit, .386 BA/15 XBH/6 HR, strong defender)
• (2027) Madden Williams - RHP/INF (.310 BA/2 HR, 90 mph arm)
• (2027) Gavin Coffey - RHP (winning pitcher in prior title game, dominant after big summer)
• (2027) Ethan Bissell - RHP (4-1 as sophomore)
• Others: Mason Jones (OF, Central Florida commit—returning from ACL), Kaeson Johns (OF, St. Johns River), Jonas Wells (2B, Georgia Highlands), Hudson Dantzler (1B), Chandler Dantzler (OF)

Projected Starting Pitchers: Brayden Harris (ace), Madden Williams, Ethan Bissell, Gavin Coffey (depth with multiple arms like Devon Hebner; staff posted 2.12 ERA last year).

Projected Starting Lineup: SS - Preston Cole, C - Hunter Rodgers, P/DH - Brayden Harris, OF - Mason Jones, OF - Kaeson Johns, 3B - Madden Williams, 2B - Jonas Wells, 1B - Hudson Dantzler, OF - Chandler Dantzler.

Impact Underclassmen: Evan Sproull (2029, INF), Hudson Oakley-Doran (2029, RHP)—watch these young talents for future varsity impact.

Team Outlook:

Strengths: Pitching depth (Harris headlines, but juniors like Coffey, Williams, Hebner, Bissell provide quality).

Coach's Quote: "This year’s Spartans team is looking to get back to the Final Four and finish with a state title. SJ returns almost every pitcher from last year’s staff who had a 2.12 ERA with 1A player of the year Brayden Harris. Defensively, we are as good as anyone up the middle with catcher Hunter Rodgers, shortstop Preston Cole, and centerfielder Kaeson Johns. Offense gets back Mason Jones from ACL injury, and him hitting behind Cole, Rodgers, and Harris will be a huge impact bat for us."

Standout Players:

• Top Seniors (2026): Brayden Harris (RHP/OF, FSU), Hunter Rodgers (C, JU), Mason Jones (OF, Central Florida), Kaeson Johns (OF, St. Johns River), Jonas Wells (2B, Georgia Highlands).
• Top Juniors (2027): Preston Cole (SS, ECU), Gavin Coffey (RHP), Ethan Bissell (RHP), Madden Williams (3B/RHP), Devon Hebner (RHP).

Key Games to Watch: Tough slate includes DH vs. Trinity (Mar 5-6), South Walton Tournament (facing IMG, Bennett School, Magnolia Heights, Hartselle AL), plus other notables like vs. Providence School (Feb 19, 6:30pm), @ Islands (Feb 20, 6:00pm), vs. Lincoln (Feb 27, 7:00pm), vs. Oakleaf (Mar 2, 7:00pm). Full schedule on MaxPreps.

At #12 in the Preseason Power 25, St. Johns Country Day returns ace Brayden Harris, a lockdown defense, and pitching depth—poised to avenge last year's 6-2 title-game loss and chase the Class 1A crown in a competitive region.

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