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 #2 South Walton Seahawks (Class 3A, Region 1) enter the Preseason Power 25 as a national-caliber contender and defending state runner-up, coming off a powerhouse 31-4 season in 2025 that ended with a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Miami Springs in the FHSAA Class 3A state championship game.

Head Coach: Nick Borthwick

Follow Them: @SWseahawks

2025 Recap: Dominated with 31-4 overall (most wins in program history), advancing to the Class 3A state final after a deep postseason run.

Key Departures: Charlie Willcox, Braxton Varnes, Frank Wells, Jackson Perkins

Top Returners and Newcomers:

A physical, size-heavy roster with D1 arms and impact transfers, led by senior star Coleman Borthwick.

• Top Returning Players and Impact Transfers:
• (2026) Coleman Borthwick - P/SS/3B (returning senior, massive power/arms potential)
• (2026) Denton Lord - P (returning starting pitcher)
• (2026) Jace Cunningham - 1B/P (returning senior starter)
• (2027) Jayden Cunningham - OF/1B (Jr.)
• (2027) Justin Didier - P/IF (Jr.)
• (2026) Declan Fowler - OF (returning senior)
• (2028) Clayton Gerrell - C/UTL (Soph.)
• Impact Transfers: Lyndan Flanary (OF/P), Parker Granse (OF/LHP), Vaughn Howard (IF), Vance Kirby (P), Griffin Loy (P)

Projected Starting Pitchers: Denton Lord, Coleman Borthwick, Griffin Loy, Parker Granse.

Projected Starting Lineup: Borthwick, Granse, Whitney, Howard, Quinn, Cunningham, Cunningham, Fowler, Gerrell

Impact Underclassmen: Clayton Gerrell (2028, C/UTL), Carter Hawk (2028, 3B)

Team Outlook:

Strengths: Physicality and size (led by four D1 signees/power arms), pitching depth, and returning starters with big-season experience.

Coach's Quote: "This bunch is led by four Division 1 signees/ Power arms."

Standout Players:

• Top Seniors (2026): Coleman Borthwick (P/SS/3B), Denton Lord (RHP), Jace Cunningham (1B/P), Declan Fowler (OF), Hudson Quinn (C), Nathan Whitney (OF), Parker Granse (OF/P), Griffin Loy (P), Lyndan Flanary (P), Vance Kirby (P)..
• Top Juniors (2027): Jayden Cunningham (OF/1B), Justin Didier (P/IF), Peyton Norwood (OF/3B), Vaughn Howard (IF).

Key Games to Watch: Tough schedule includes the SW Showdown (Mar 11-14, home event with elite competition). Full details on MaxPreps

At #2 in the Preseason Power 25, South Walton returns a physical, D1-loaded core with power arms and returning stars like Borthwick, Lord—poised to avenge last year's 2-1 state final loss and chase the Class 3A crown on a competitive slate.

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