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 #13 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (Class 6A, District 15, Region 4) enter the Preseason Power 25 as the reigning FHSAA Class 6A state champions, capping a dominant 29-6-1 season in 2025 with an 8-3 victory over Buchholz in the state final at Hammond Stadium on May 17, 2025. This marked the program's fourth state title (first since 2018) and included a powerful offensive showcase with 68 team home runs, elite defense (highlighted by Nico Sabatino's "Catch of the Year" in the title game).

Head Coach: Joey Wardlow

Follow Them: @stthomasaquinasbaseball

2025 Recap: Finished 29-6-1 overall (3-0 in district), powering to the Class 6A state championship with explosive offense and timely pitching.

Key Departures: Jonathan Lopez, Zach Malvasio, Andrew Alvarez, Cole Lasher, Joshua Jennings.

Top Returners and Newcomers:

Depth is the hallmark, with versatile athletes and power threats ready to step in seamlessly.

• Top Returning Players:
• Nico Sabatino - CF (.432 BA/1.285 OPS/8 HR in 2025, All-County honors)
• Brady Buxbaum - 1B/3B (power/average threat, .539 OBP leader)
• Jaden Doverspike - SS (three-year starter, infield captain/leader)
• Julian Diaz - P (led in wins, returns stronger/bigger)
• Yuniel Paredes - 2B (.450 hitter, plus infielder)
• Jake Carruthers - INF (6.4 speed)
• Trace Zalman - OF (base stealer/run producer)
• Nicholas Fernandez - LHP (returned from shutdown innings)
• Others: Hayden Robinson

Projected Starting Pitchers: Julian Diaz (lead arm), Nicholas Fernandez (LHP depth), with rotation supported by program depth.

Projected Starting Lineup: TBD

Impact Underclassmen: Hunter Mercer, Tyler Burpee, Brady Gollan—young talents poised to contribute in a deep lineup.

Team Outlook:

Strengths: Exceptional depth (anyone can step in and perform), athleticism, power potential, and championship experience.

Coach's Quote: "We have a group who will compete, with depth enough for anyone in the lineup to step in and do the job."

Standout Players:

• Top Seniors: Brady Buxbaum (1B/3B), Nico Sabatino (CF), Jaden Doverspike (SS), Julian Diaz (P), Hayden Robinson, Yuniel Paredes (2B).
• Top Juniors: Hunter Mercer, Tyler Burpee, Brady Gollan (emerging contributors).

At #13 in the Preseason Power 25, the defending Class 6A champs boast talent like Sabatino and Buxbaum, plus unmatched depth—St. Thomas Aquinas is primed to make another run at glory and defend their title in a stacked class.

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