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 begin 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 Berkeley Prep Buccaneers enter the Preseason Power 25 at #24 as a Tampa staple with one of the deepest pitching staffs in the state, a veteran 2026 senior core full of college commits, and unfinished business after a gritty 2025 run to the Class 2A Final Four.

Head Coach: Richie Warren

Follow Them: IG: @berkeleybaseball, X: @BPBucBaseball

2025 Recap: Finished 25-10 overall (4-2 in district, 2nd place), advancing deep into the postseason with Coach Warren earning his 400th career victory (a 2-1 win over Wesley Chapel in March). The season peaked in the FHSAA Class 2A Final Four, where they fell 1-0 to Trinity Christian in the semifinals—a pitcher's duel decided by a first-inning run, with the Buccaneers' ace limiting the Conquerors but unable to break through offensively.

Key Departures: Rivers Kurland (LHP, standout ace with a sub-1.00 ERA in 2025), Joe Troupe (key contributors lost to graduation).

Top Returners and Newcomers:

A loaded group returns, featuring multiple D1 commits and high-upside arms/position players.

• Top Returning Players:
• (2026) Ben O'Brien - RHP (Wofford commit)
• (2026) Parker Mitzel - RHP/OF (Rice commit)
• (2026) Carson Binder - C (Holy Cross commit)
• (2026) Josh Herrmann - OF (Wake Forest commit)
• (2026) George Cook - 3B/RHP
• (2026) LJ Ulmer - C/1B (Tampa commit)
• (2027) Lucas Farrar - SS/RHP
• (2027) Jett Walters - OF/RHP
• (2027) Nolan Parmer - RHP
• (2027) JD Haughey - OF
• (2028) Mason Warren - INF

Projected Starting Pitchers: Ben O'Brien, Parker Mitzel, Nolan Parmer, Jett Walters (elite depth with five arms 90+ mph and Parmer in the mid-80s)

Projected Starting Lineup: C - Carson Binder, 1B - LJ Ulmer, 2B - Mason Warren, SS - Lucas Farrar, 3B - George Cook, LF - Jett Walters, CF - Josh Herrmann, RF - Parker Mitzel, DH/SP - Ben O'Brien (JD Haughey adds OF depth and versatility as well).

Impact Underclassmen: Mason Warren (INF) and Owen Schmitt—young pieces expected to contribute in a talent-rich lineup.

Team Outlook:

Strengths: Outstanding pitching depth/velocity and strong senior leadership with a true competitive edge.

Coach's Quote: "This year’s group has strong leadership and a real love for competing. If we keep growing and stay connected throughout the season, this team has a chance to do something special in May."

Standout Players:

• Top Seniors (2026): Ben O'Brien (RHP, Wofford), Parker Mitzel (RHP/OF, Rice), Carson Binder (C, Holy Cross), Josh Herrmann (OF, Wake Forest), George Cook (3B/RHP), LJ Ulmer (C/1B, Tampa).
• Top Juniors (2027): Lucas Farrar (SS/RHP), Jett Walters (OF/RHP), Nolan Parmer (RHP), JD Haughey (OF).

Key Games to Watch: A tough non-district-heavy schedule includes a high-profile neutral-site opener vs. Jesuit at Steinbrenner Field (Feb 13, 7 pm), vs. Buchholz (Feb 28, 12 pm), Bishop Verot (date TBD), and the Bishop Gorman Invitational in Las Vegas (March 16-19, starting vs. Gahr on March 16 at 4:15 pm). Other notables: @ River Ridge (Feb 10), @ Tampa Catholic (Feb 19), vs. Lakeland (Mar 14). Full schedule on MaxPreps.

At #24 in the Preseason Power 25, Berkeley Prep is armed with pitching firepower, college talent, and a chip on their shoulder from that 1-0 semifinal heartbreak.

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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
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