Well, it is that time of the year again in Louisiana!  The high school baseball season is getting awfully close with the first official games taking place on Monday February 9, 2026.  Last season, our staff was able to see more games than ever before, in every part of the state, and our goal is to see even more teams and prospects this spring.  To kick-off our wall-to-wall high school baseball coverage, we've put together the preseason release of our Power 25 Rankings.  Our staff has diligently worked at ranking these teams by looking at their accomplishments from last season, key losses, and returning impact players.  As with every ranking, this list will change throughout the high school baseball season, as teams start to take shape and form.  Our plan is to update the Power 25 Rankings every two weeks during the season.  Be sure to follow us, across all of our social media platforms, for the most comprehensive Louisiana High School baseball coverage in 2026!

 

PREP BASEBALL LOUISIANA POWER 25 RANKINGS (PRESEASON RELEASE)

Rank	Team	Class	2025 Record	2025 Finish
1
2
3
4
5
6
7	Brother Martin	5A	31-9	State Finalist
8	West Monroe	5A	26-9	Regional Finalist
9	John Curtis Christian	5A	24-14	State Quarterfinalist
10	Benton	5A	35-6	State Semifinalist
11	University Lab	3A	28-11	State Finalist
12	Sterlington	3A	35-9	State Champions
13	Jesuit	5A	25-12	State Quarterfinalist
14	Mandeville	5A	19-17	Bi-District Finalist
15	Parkview Baptist	3A	31-8	State Quarterfinalist
16	Hahnville	5A	22-14	Bi-District Finalist
17	Holy Cross	5A	31-6	State Semifinalist
18	Walker	5A	27-13	Regional Finalist
19	Live Oak	5A	33-8	State Finalist
20	Brusly	4A	36-7	State Finalist
21	Dutchtown	5A	27-14	State Quarterfinalist
22	Archbishop Rummel	5A	21-14	Regional Finalist
23	Captain Shreve	5A	24-13	Regional Finalist
24	Central BR	5A	23-13	Regional Finalist
25	Zachary	5A	22-14	Bi-District Finalist

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Team Preview

Fresh off a run to the State Finals, the Brother Martin Crusaders enter 2026 with a roster that blends proven varsity contributors and a wave of younger, high-upside talent. While inexperience will be part of the early-season conversation, the Crusaders’ depth on the mound and competitive makeup suggest they’ll once again be a factor in the Class 5A title hunt.

Team Strengths

-Pitching Depth: Brother Martin’s calling card this spring should be its ability to throw quality arms at opponents in a variety of roles. The Crusaders return multiple pitchers with varsity success, allowing Coach Lupo flexibility with starters, matchups, and late-inning leverage. That depth should help them weather the grind of a long 5A schedule and postseason run.

Team Weaknesses

-Inexperience: Despite last year’s success, this group will rely on several players stepping into expanded roles. How quickly the younger pieces adjust to the pace and pressure of varsity baseball—especially in district play—will go a long way in determining the team’s ceiling.

Top Returning Players

-Junior OF Brady McCluskey

A steady presence in the lineup a year ago, McCluskey hit .315 with 8 doubles, 3 triples, and 28 RBI, while showing strong on-base skills (20 BB, 8 HBP). His athleticism and gap-to-gap approach make him a key catalyst in the middle of the order.

 

-Senior INF Bronson Leaumont

One of the Crusaders’ most reliable bats, Leaumont slashed .333 with 7 doubles, 2 triples, and 3 home runs, driving in 21 runs. A dependable defender with a physical right-handed stick, he brings valuable senior leadership to the infield.

 

-Senior RHP Drake Amedee

An impact arm with power stuff, Amedee logged 16 innings with a 3–0 record, 1.75 ERA, and 15 strikeouts. His fastball works into the low 90s, giving Brother Martin a true weapon when he’s on the mound.

-Senior RHP Blaise Tingstrom

A workhorse on last year’s staff, Tingstrom posted a 5–2 record, 1.20 ERA, and 43 strikeouts over 52 innings. His ability to attack the zone and log innings will be crucial for stabilizing the rotation.

 

-Junior RHP Nolan Amato

A reliable late-inning option in 2025, Amato went 1–1 with 5 saves, a 1.70 ERA, and 21 strikeouts in 20 innings. His feel for pitching and competitiveness give him a chance to be a major piece again this spring.

 

Outlook

The 2026 Crusaders may be younger and less battle-tested than last year’s state finalist, but the talent level—especially on the mound—is undeniable. If the offense continues to mature and the pitching depth performs as expected, Brother Martin has the tools to make another deep postseason push and reinsert itself into the championship conversation in Class 5A.

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