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 #18 Winter Park Wildcats (Class 7A, Region 1) enter the Preseason Power 25 as a Central Florida staple coming off a stellar 25-6 campaign in 2025 that included a #5 ranking in Class 7A, district dominance, and a deep postseason run before elimination in the Regional Semifinal best-of-three series against Hagerty (won Game 1 2-1, lost Games 2-3 by 0-4 and 2-5). With awards like Isaac Incinelli earning 7A District 11 FACA Player of the Year, five players on the All-Metro team, and six in the Orange County All-Star Game, the Wildcats return a solid core of arms and position players to build on that success amid a typically brutal schedule.

Head Coach: Sid Cash

Follow Them: @WinterParkCats Wphsbaseball

2025 Recap: Finished 25-6 overall (strong late surge with 15 wins in last 17 games), placing high statewide in 7A. Advanced through regionals but fell to Hagerty in the semis (tight series decided by pitching and timely hits).

Key Departures: Skyler Jersey (OF), Isaac Incinelli (SS), Hayden Montanez (2B), Davis Peters (C), Palmer Edwards (P), Chase Carney (P), Jacob Butts (CF)—eight starters lost to graduation, creating big holes to fill.

Top Returners and Newcomers:

A good core returns with pitching depth and committed talent leading the way.

• Top Returning Players:
• (2026) Pietro Pugliese - OF (Barry commit)
• (2026) Matthew Logan - 1B (UCF commit)
• (2026) Brendan Carbery - P (Montevallo commit)
• (2026) Miles Gotlib - P
• (2027) Ryder Simon - RHP/1B (Miami commit)
• (2027) Jackson Fleming - OF
• (2027) Jackson Carney - P
• (2027) Taiki Nikkuni - P (Santa Fe College)

Projected Starting Pitchers: Ryder Simon, Miles Gotlib, Brendan Carbery, Jackson Carney, Taiki Nikkuni (strong staff with upside from commits and two-way potential).

Projected Starting Lineup: C - Dylan Malave, 1B - Matt Logan, P/Ryder Simon (two-way), 2B - Rafael Gonzalez, SS - Massimo Mena, 3B - Bobby Welker, CF - Jackson Fleming, RF - Javier Carson, LF - Pietro Pugliese (with infield depth from Mena, Welker, Trey Hodges).

Impact Underclassmen: Massimo Mena (INF), Bobby Welker (INF), Trey Hodges (INF/OF/P)—young pieces expected to step up in competitive spots.

Team Outlook:

Strengths: Good core of players and a solid pitching staff to anchor the reload.

Coach's Quote: "The 2026 Wildcats hope to build on the success of the 2025 team. Winter Park always plays one of the toughest schedules in the state, and this year is no exception. The 2026 schedule features 17 games against 2025 playoff teams."

Standout Players:

• Top Seniors (2026): Matt Logan (1B, UCF commit), Pietro Pugliese (OF, Barry commit), Brendan Carbery (P, Montevallo commit), Miles Gotlib (P), Taiki Nikkuni (P, Santa Fe College).
• Top Juniors (2027): Ryder Simon (RHP/1B, Miami commit), Jackson Fleming (OF).

Key Games to Watch: One of the state's toughest slates with 17 matchups vs. 2025 playoff teams, highlighted by the South Walton Showdown in March (annual big event featuring top national programs). Other early tests include vs. Lyman (Feb 5 away), Lake Mary (Feb 11 home), Dwyer (Feb 13 home), and Community School of Naples (Feb 18 home). Full schedule on MaxPreps/GameChanger.

At #18 in the Preseason Power 25, Winter Park is reloading with pitching talent and a punishing schedule that should sharpen them early—expect the Wildcats to contend in Class 7A once the new lineup gels.

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