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 #7 Venice Indians (Class 7A, Region 2) enter the Preseason Power 25 as a national powerhouse fresh off a stellar 29-5 season in 2025 that included winning the National High School Invitational (NHSI) in Cary, NC (defeating top programs like Corona).

Head Coach: Craig Faulkner

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2025 Recap: Dominated with 29-5 overall (3-1 district, 1st place), capturing the NHSI national title and advancing as #1 regional seed before the Regional Final exit to Alonso.

Key Departures: Jackson Lucas (P/1B, key arm/bat), Eddie Zaun (3B), David Dubrule (SS)—solid contributors lost to graduation.

Top Returners and Newcomers:

A loaded roster anchored by high-profile commits and transfers, featuring deep pitching and offensive upside.

• Top Returning Players and Impact Transfers:
• (2027) Graham Houston - SS (LSU commit)
• (2026) Carter Cox - P/OF (FAU commit)
• (2027) RJ Shields - P/OF (Mississippi State commit)
• (2027) Kasen Poplin - P (Liberty commit)
• (2027) Jonathan Mauro - C (Columbia commit)
• (2028) Kohen Poplin - P/INF
• (2026) Randall Riley - UTIL (transfer)
• (2027) August Backman - OF/P (made USA Baseball NTIS Team)

Projected Starting Pitchers: Carter Cox, Kasen Poplin, August Backman, RJ Shields, Kohen Poplin, Mac Carey

Projected Starting Lineup: C - Jonathan Mauro, 1B - TBD, 2B - TBD, 3B - TBD, SS - Graham Houston, OF - Carter Cox, OF - August Backman, OF - RJ Shields.

Impact Underclassmen: Kohen Poplin (2028, P/INF—national-ranked talent), Mac Carey (2029)—high-upside young arms/pieces expected to contribute early.

Team Outlook:

Strengths: Pitching depth (anchored by commits and young stars), versatility, and national pedigree from NHSI win.

Coach's Quote: "Venice will face one of the toughest schedules in the state including a trip back to Cary, NC to defend their NSHI Championship. They will be anchored by a deep pitching staff and will look for some guys to step up offensively to give them some depth in their lineup. They will look to get over the hump and make it back to compete for their 7th State Championship in school history."

Standout Players:

• Top Seniors: Carter Cox (P/OF, FAU), Randall Riley (C/UTIL, transfer).
• Top Juniors: Graham Houston (SS, LSU), RJ Shields (OF/P, Mississippi State), Jonathan Mauro (C, Columbia), August Backman (OF/P), Kasen Poplin (P, Liberty).

Key Games to Watch: One of the state's toughest schedules, including defending NHSI title in Cary, NC (March dates TBD), vs. Tallahassee Chiles, Canterbury, Jesuit, Calvary Christian, Neumann, Bishop Verot, Sarasota (2x). Other notables: early non-district power matchups. Full schedule on MaxPreps/GameChanger.

At #7 in the Preseason Power 25, Venice returns national-championship pedigree, strong pitching, and a killer schedule—expect the Indians to contend for another deep run and push for state title #7 in loaded Class 7A.

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