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 Canterbury Cougars kick off the Preseason Power 25 as the defending FHSAA Class 1A state champions, fresh off a dominant 26-11 campaign in 2025 that culminated in a 6-2 victory over St. Johns Country Day in the state title game. This marked their first state crown since 2018 and the fourth in program history, capping a run through districts, regionals, and states with strong all-around play.

Head Coach: Frank Turco

Follow Them: IG-@cbury_baseball, X-@Canterbury_Base

2025 Recap: The Cougars finished 26-11 overall, claiming the Class 1A state championship after a deep postseason run. Key highlights included a balanced attack led by standouts like Brayden Habuda (.415 BA, 4 HR, team-high in hits/runs/doubles/slugging), Ever Silvente (top RBIs, strong defense), and Anthony Meady (solid power and pitching). The team ranked highly in Florida and showcased elite defense and timely hitting en route to the title.

Key Departures: JT Huether (West Virginia commit, significant contributor in 2025).

Top Returners and Newcomers:

A veteran-laden core returns, bolstered by impact transfers and rising talent.

• Top Returning Players and Impact Transfers:
• (SR) Brayden Habuda - SS (South Alabama commit)
• (SR) Anthony Meady - P/1B/3B (Rutgers commit)
• (SR) Noah Torres - 1B/DH (Miami Dade)
• (SR) Ever Silvente - C (Miami-Dade)
• (SR) Adams Mejia-Reyes - OF
• (SR) Maddux Wolff - OF
• (SR) Ian Long - P (impact transfer)
• (JR) Noah Kiefer - MIF/P
• (JR) Ashby Piatt - P/1B (USF commit)
• (JR) Anthony Tenuto - IF/P
• (JR) Michael Magas - OF (impact transfer)

Projected Starting Pitchers: Anthony Meady, Ashby Piatt, Ian Long (a strong trio with proven arms—Piatt posted a 0.81 ERA in 2025, Meady around 2.01).

Projected Starting Lineup: TBD (expect a mix of seniors like Habuda at SS, Meady at 1B/3B, Torres at 1B/DH, Silvente at C, and outfielders including Mejia-Reyes, Wolff, and Magas; infield depth from Kiefer, Tenuto, and Piatt).

Impact Underclassmen: Darrien Rodriguez (10th grade), Kaeden Russell (9th grade)—watch these young talents for potential varsity contributions in a competitive lineup.

Team Outlook:

Strengths: Starting pitching depth, elite defense, and senior leadership from a championship-experienced group.

Coach's Quote: "We have one of the toughest regular season schedules that we've had, which will help prepare us for a highly competitive postseason. With strong senior leadership and a focused, all-in mentality from every player, we're excited for what lies ahead."

Standout Players:

• Top Seniors: Brayden Habuda (SS, South Alabama), Anthony Meady (P/1B/3B, Rutgers), Noah Torres (1B/DH, Miami Dade), Ever Silvente (C, Miami Dade), Adams Mejia-Reyes (OF), Maddux Wolff (OF), Ian Long (P).
• Top Juniors: Ashby Piatt (P/1B, USF), Noah Kiefer (MIF/P), Anthony Tenuto (IF/P), Michael Magas (OF).

Key Games to Watch: The Cougars face one of their most challenging schedules yet, including marquee non-district tilts vs. Venice (Feb 18), Neumann (Feb 24), IMG Academy Black/Gray (likely in early season or tournaments), American Heritage Plantation, Chaminade-Madonna, and the IMG Classic Tournament. Other notables: Bishop Verot (Mar 11), Barron Collier (Mar 17), CSN (Mar 19). Full schedule available on MaxPreps.

At #25 in the Preseason Power 25, the Cougars are the ultimate "prove-it" team—defending champs with college talent galore and a murderer's row schedule. If they navigate the early tests and shore up the bullpen, expect them to climb fast and contend for another ring in Class 1A.

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