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 #3 IMG Academy Ascenders enter the Preseason Power 25 fresh off a dominant 24-1 season in 2025. The Ascenders went undefeated at home (15-game win streak to close), won both major national tournaments they entered, and defeated five Top 25 teams plus seven squads that reached at least state quarterfinals. Offensively, they hit .366 as a team (7.72 runs/game) while allowing just 1.76 runs/game defensively. Standouts included senior ace Chase Bentley (perfect 10-0, 0.94 ERA, 62 K in 59.2 IP) and power hitters like Dean Moss (.471/.611/1.282) and Sean Gamble (.413/.484/1.310), with three players drafted in the 2025 MLB Draft (Gamble 1st round Royals, Moss 2nd round Rays, Bentley 18th round Brewers).

Head Coach: Dave Turgeon

Follow Them: @imgabaseball

2025 Recap: Posted 24-1 overall (national independent schedule). Highlights included strong pitching, explosive offense, stingy defense, and victories over top competition—cementing IMG as one of the premier high school programs nationally.

Key Departures: Sean Gamble (1st round Royals), Dean Moss (2nd round Rays), Chase Bentley (18th round Brewers), Kelvyn Paulino, Nathan Eisfelder, Nick Barron, Parker Jennings.

Top Returners and Newcomers:

A young but positionally talented group with strong commits and speed/defense as anchors.

• Top Returners/Newcomers:
• (2027) Kyler Meccage - CF/P (Mississippi State commit)
• (2027) Max Hemenway - SS (Tennessee commit)
• (2026) Dillon Moss - C (Stanford commit)
• Others: Aiden Choo (Sophomore, LF), Sebastian Wilson (RF), Cy Chrisman (3B), Juan Diaz (2B), Frankie Thomas (1B)

Projected Starting Pitchers: Mikey Ramsey, Michael Todero

Projected Starting Lineup: LF - Aiden Choo, CF - Kyler Meccage, RF - Sebastian Wilson, 3B - Cy Chrisman, SS - Max Hemenway, 2B - Juan Diaz, 1B - Frankie Thomas, C - Dillon Moss.

Impact Underclassmen: Aiden Choo (Sophomore, LF—early contributor)

Team Outlook:

Strengths: Speed and defense (gives a chance to win many games); positional talent with high-end commits.

Coach's Quote: "This year's team is overall a young team, but positionally talented. The defense and speed of the team will give us a chance to win a lot of games."

Standout Players:

• Top Seniors (2026): Dillon Moss (C, Stanford), Cy Chrisman (3B, Oklahoma State)
• Top Juniors (2027): Kyler Meccage (CF/P, Mississippi State), Max Hemenway (SS, Tennessee), Sebastian Wilson (OF, Tennessee), Juan Diaz (2B, FSU), Frankie Thomas (1B, Auburn)

Key Games to Watch: Entire schedule is highly competitive (national independent focus): vs. Venice Mar 13, vs. Trinity Christian Mar 19, NHSI in Cary, NC Mar 25-28 (defending champs). Other marquees likely vs. Tampa Jesuit, Northside Christian, The First Academy, and George Jenkins. Full on MaxPreps/GameChanger.

At #3 in the Preseason Power 25, IMG Academy reloads with elite commits and speed/defense—poised to defend national honors on a murderer's row schedule despite youth. Expect the Ascenders to remain a top national threat.

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Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
Super 60 Pro Showcase	NATIONAL	02/01	The MAX - McCook, IL
Tampa Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	02/16	Berkeley Prep - Tampa, FL
Panhandle Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	FL	03/09	Northwest FL State College - Niceville, 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
East Florida Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only)	FL	06/02	Cacti Park - West Palm Beach, FL
West Florida Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only)	FL	06/23	IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL