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 #20 Winter Springs Bears (Class 5A, Region 2) enter the Preseason Power 25 riding high after one of the best seasons in program history, boasting a 26-6 overall record (21-4 regular season) that ranks as the second-most wins ever for the school. They captured the district championship and advanced to the state Sweet 16, falling in a best-of-three series to Wesley Chapel (won Game 1 2-1, but dropped Games 2-3). The Bears return heavy experience with 8 of 9 starters back, a deep pitching staff, and multiple college-committed standouts—positioning them as the top team in their Class 5A area with revenge on their minds.

Head Coach: Mike Bradley

Follow Them: @springsbaseba11

2025 Recap: Dominated with 26-6 overall (including district title), marking the fourth Sweet 16 appearance in school history. Highlights included strong pitching (sub-1.00 ERAs from key arms), all-state performances, and a balanced lineup that powered through tough competition before the playoff exit.

Key Departures: Aiden Smarrito (RHP), Ben Filler (RHP)—solid arms lost to graduation.

Top Returners and Newcomers:

Loaded with experience, college talent, and young upside—three-year varsity starters and all-state honorees lead the way.

• Top Returning Players:
• (2026) Tyler Kenast - Two-Way 1B/LHP (Texas Tech signee, 3-year varsity starter)
• (2026) Tripp Rosenberger - RHP (up to 93 mph, Northwest Florida State signee)
• (2026) Robert Mungovan - RHP (sub-1.00 ERA in 30 IP last year, New College of Florida commit)
• (2026) Luke Walters - OF (All-State, 5A District 2 Player of the Year, Daytona State commit)
• (2026) Owen Swanson - INF (Daytona State commit)
• (2026) Edward Risano - C (All-State, Daytona State commit)
• (2026) Brandon Curl - INF (Thomas University commit)
• (2026) Jackson Swann - OF (All-County)
• (2026) Xavier Rodriguez - Two-Way 1B/LHP (returning 3-hole hitter, big power bat)
• (2027) Manny Sanchez - SS (2-year varsity starter, one of the best in Central Florida)
• Others: Chance Baisden (2028, 1B/3B—60+ PA as freshman, big cleanup threat)

Projected Starting Pitchers: Tyler Kenast (LHP, Texas Tech), Tripp Rosenberger (RHP, NWF State), Robert Mungovan (RHP, New College)—backed by depth from last year's staff plus newcomers like Michael Bradley (LHP), Harper Costello (LHP), Connor Sines (RHP), Ryland Sander (two-way RHP/OF), Ethan Rice (RHP).

Projected Starting Lineup: C - Ed Risano, DH - Xavier Rodriguez, 1B - Tyler Kenast/Chance Baisden, 2B - Owen Swanson, SS - Manny Sanchez, 3B - Brandon Curl/Travis Baillio, LF - Jackson Swann/Ryland Sander, CF - Luke Walters, RF - Jackson Resnick/Grayson DeGraff.

Impact Underclassmen: Manny Sanchez (2027, SS—elite defender/hitter), Chance Baisden (2028, 1B/3B—offensive threat), plus new varsity contributors: Michael Bradley (2027, LHP), Harper Costello (2027, LHP), Connor Sines (2027, RHP), Travis Baillio (2027, 3B), Ryland Sander (2028 two-way), Jackson Resnick (OF), Ethan Rice (RHP).

Team Outlook:

Strengths: Depth & experience (8/9 starters returning, 5 arms from last year), talent across pitching/offense, and underclassmen ready to contribute.

Coach's Quote: "We had one of the best seasons in school history last year, and we feel like we gave away what should have been the best season ever! We have been working hard on and off the field to be the most prepared we can be to put ourselves in a position to make a historical run in 2026!"

Standout Players:

• Top Seniors (2026): Tyler Kenast (1B/LHP, Texas Tech), Tripp Rosenberger (RHP, NWF State), Robert Mungovan (RHP, New College of Florida), Luke Walters (OF, Daytona State), Owen Swanson (INF, Daytona State), Edward Risano (C, Daytona State), Brandon Curl (INF, Thomas U), Jackson Swann (OF), Xavier Rodriguez (1B/LHP).
• Top Juniors/Underclassmen: Manny Sanchez (SS, 2027), Chance Baisden (1B/3B, 2028), Michael Bradley (LHP, 2027), Harper Costello (LHP, 2027), Connor Sines (RHP, 2027), Travis Baillio (3B, 2027).

Key Games to Watch: Brutal early slate includes Windermere and potentially Bishop Moore in the Big Blue Bonanza (Week 1), vs. Hagerty (2x), Lake Mary (2x), Lake Brantley (2x), Spruce Creek, Timber Creek, and Tocoi Creek in the Spruce Creek Spring Break Tournament. Full schedule on MaxPreps/GameChanger.

At #20 in the Preseason Power 25, Winter Springs returns a veteran, college-loaded core with unfinished business from 2025—depth, power, and prep work could make them a serious threat to go further in Class 5A this time around.

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