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.

+ Interested in attending a Prep Baseball event? CLICK HERE for the event schedule.
+ To stay updated on news around the Sunshine State, CLICK HERE.
+ Follow us on X, @PrepBaseballFL.

The #16 Lincoln Trojans (Class 5A, Region 1) enter the Preseason Power 25 as a North Florida staple with back-to-back Final Four appearances in 2024 and 2025, including a gritty run last spring where they captured Region 1 Champions honors with a decisive 12-3 win over Niceville in Game 3 of the regional finals. They advanced to the state semifinals but fell to Wesley Chapel.

Head Coach: Mike Gauger

Follow Them: @lincoln_trojans

2025 Recap: Finished 24-11 overall, winning Region 1 and advancing to the Class 5A Final Four for the second straight year (semifinal loss to eventual state contenders Wesley Chapel). Key Departures: Tyler Anderson, Brennan Baisden, Neal Porter, TJ Harley, Beau Woodson, Nate Dietz, Cole Annin, Austin Kobetitsch, Caleb Thomas—a massive senior class exodus that includes top performers in batting, pitching, and leadership.

Top Returners and Newcomers:

A young but promising core with high-upside commits and underclassmen ready to step up.

• Top Returning Players:
• (2026) Lucas Cannady - IF/OF (Clemson signee)
• (2027) Chase Fuller - IF/RHP (FSU commit)
• (2027) Jayson Parker - RHP/IF (Baylor commit)
• (2028) Bennet Malone - C (started as a freshman in 2025)
• Others: Ethan LaFuria (RHP), Gavin Harper, Zach Burch

Projected Starting Pitchers: Jayson Parker, Gavin Harper, Zach Burch, Ethan LaFuria (capable arms with potential; will need to step up to fill the voids left by the last four years' depth).

Projected Starting Lineup: SS - Chase Fuller, LF - Cody Garber, 2B/CF - Lucas Cannady, 1B/DH - Jayson Parker, C - Bennet Malone, 3B/2B - Carson Koch (with depth from young talents like Luke Thomas).

Impact Underclassmen: Bennet Malone (2028, C—starter as freshman), Luke Thomas (2028, RHP/OF)—poised for big roles in a transitioning lineup.

Team Outlook:

Strengths: Strong physical group from the weight room—fast, athletic, and capable of competing with top area teams.

Coach's Quote: "We are very excited to kick off the 2026 season. We have high expectations for the year with some very solid returners and proven players. However, we will need some newcomers to step up and fill some very big shoes."

Standout Players:

• Top Seniors (2026): Lucas Cannady (IF/OF, Clemson), Gavin Harper, Jacob Knowles, Cody Garber, Ethan LaFuria.
• Top Juniors (2027): Chase Fuller (IF/RHP, FSU), Jayson Parker (RHP/IF, Baylor), Carson Koch, Zach Burch, Tyson Bailey, Manny Hernandez.

Key Games to Watch: Loaded with elite competition: preseason trip to IMG, South Walton Tournament (March), vs. Bishop Snyder, Niceville (2x), South Walton (2x), Trinity in Jax, Clay, Chiles, St. Johns Country Day, and others. Early notables include @ South Walton (Feb 19, 6:30pm), vs. Clay (Feb 21, 3:00pm), @ Leon (Feb 24, 4:30pm), @ St. Johns Country Day (Feb 27, 7:00pm). Full schedule on MaxPreps and GameChanger.

At #16 in the Preseason Power 25, Lincoln is transitioning with commits like Cannady (Clemson), Fuller (FSU), and Parker (Baylor), plus young talent like Malone—expect the Trojans to stay battle-tested on a tough slate and contend for another Final Four push in Class 5A if the arms develop.

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
East Florida Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only)	FL	06/02	Cacti Park - West Palm Beach, FL
West Florida Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only)	FL	06/23	IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL