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 #8 Bishop Verot Vikings (Class 3A, Region 3) enter the Preseason Power 25 with sharpened focus after a historic 32-3 season in 2025 that set a school record for most wins and marked back-to-back Final Four appearances (first since 2011-2016). The Vikings advanced through districts and regionals (including a 7-6 comeback win over Calvary Christian in the Region final) but fell 12-2 to eventual state champion Miami Springs in the Class 3A state semifinals.

Head Coach: Bryan Marotta

Follow Them: @VerotBaseball

2025 Recap: Finished 32-3 overall (most wins in school history), earning District Champs and a deep postseason run to the Final Four.

Key Departures: Grayson Carpenter (Sr. OF/P, .422 BA leader, 49 hits, 39 runs, 15 SB), Owen Rardin (Sr. INF/P, 30 RBI, 13 doubles).

Top Returners and Newcomers:

A battle-tested mix of returners and hungry young talent

• Top Returning Players:
• Joey Lawson (P/1B, standout two-way: 11 HR, 38 RBI, .744 SLG, strong pitching with low ERA)
• Nicky Raber (UTL/RHP, .387 BA, 0.49 ERA)
• Carter Chalder (C, .995 fielding %)
• Braylon Sheffield (INF, .373 BA, 41 hits, 38 runs, 29 RBI)
• Brody Baxmann (OF/P, power/speed: 3 HR, 12 SB)
• Tyler Reeder (P)
• Blake Lavenia (P)
• Others: Anthony Reitler (INF), Jayden Salazar (INF), Nico Ayars (C/OF), Kyle Green, Jessie Feast, Jhon Rodriguez

Projected Starting Pitchers: Joey Lawson, Tyler Reeder, Blake Lavenia (depth with Raber and young arms like Boston Selig, Teegan Turner providing support).

Projected Starting Lineup: TBD (expect Lawson at P/1B, Raber in utility role, Chalder at C, Sheffield/Braylon in infield, Baxmann/Sedmack in OF, with versatility across the diamond).

Impact Underclassmen: Nico Ayars (C/OF), Kyle Green, Jessie Feast, Jhon Rodriguez—young pieces ready to contribute in a competitive environment.

Team Outlook:

Strengths: Pitching depth, power, contact, speed, versatility (balanced attack with battle-tested returners).

Coach's Quote: "Two years of falling just short doesn’t break you, it sharpens you. The 2026 Bishop Verot Baseball team practices with intent, effort, competes with edge, and will play for one another every night. With a mix of battle-tested returners and hungry young talent, they understand that handling the baseball and competing pitch by pitch is the only way back to Hammond Stadium. This team doesn’t talk about titles; they earn another chance at one."

Standout Players:

• Top Seniors: Joey Lawson (P/1B), Nicky Raber (UTL), Tyler Reeder (P), Blake Lavenia (P), Carter Chalder (C), Anthony Reitler (INF), Jayden Salazar (INF).
• Top Juniors: Braylon Sheffield (INF), Brody Baxmann (OF), Jake Sedmack (OF), Boston Selig (P), Teegan Turner (P).

Key Games to Watch: Tough slate includes marquee matchups (full schedule on MaxPreps): vs. Canterbury (Mar 11), @ Jesuit (Mar 6), Bishop Gorman National Invitational (Mar 17-19), plus locals like vs. Palmetto Ridge (Feb 11), @ Barron Collier (Feb 13). Expect big tests against Calvary Christian, North Broward Prep, South Walton, Neumann, and Canterbury.

At #8 in the Preseason Power 25, Bishop Verot returns a versatile, deep squad sharpened by consecutive Final Four heartbreaks—pitching, offense, and competitive edge position the Vikings to finally break through for a state title in Class 3A.

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