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
8
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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High School Name: John Curtis Christian School

Head Coach: Jeff Curtis

Classification: Class 5A (Select D-I)

District: 9-5A

2025 Record: 24-14

2025 Playoff Finish: State Quarterfinalist

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5

No. of Returning Pitchers: 3

Team Strengths: Speed, Athleticism, Pitching Depth, & Experience

Top Upperclassmen (2026 & 2027 Class): 2026 SS Connor Micheu (Southeastern Louisiana commit), 2026 OF Nate Alario (LSU-Eunice), 2026 RHP/OF Kolston Martinez, 2026 C Jeffrey Curtis, 2026 RHP/3B Luke Martinez, 2026 RHP Mason LeBlanc, 2026 RHP Aiden Morril, 2026 RHP Cooper Davis, 2026 OF Gavin Ledet, 2027 RHP/1B Sean Goodrum, 2027 INF/RHP Jace Gonzalez, 2027 C/OF Ryder Kauffman, 2027 OF Craig Connor, 2027 RHP Caden Battard, 2027 OF Keigan Linton, 2027 C Conrad Hebert

Top Underclassmen (2028 & 2029 Class): 2028 RHP/UTL Paul Dufrene, 2028 UTL/RHP Jonny Englander, 2028 INF London Padgett, 2028 UTL Cole Schmidt, 2029 1B/RHP John Wayne Alexander

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Team Outlook

John Curtis Christian enters the 2026 season with a veteran, battle-tested core that has played meaningful baseball deep into the postseason over the last two years. After finishing as state runners-up in 2024 and grinding through two tightly contested losses to Catholic (BR) in the 2025 quarterfinals, the Patriots return hungry, motivated, and fully aware of what it takes to win at the highest level.

This year’s roster is built around experience, athleticism, and depth—especially positionally—while the development of the pitching staff will ultimately determine how far this group can go.

Team Strengths

-Experienced, Impactful Lineup: The top half of the order is loaded with players who have logged a ton of varsity at-bats and consistently produced in big moments.

-Team Speed & Athleticism: Curtis will pressure defenses with aggressive baserunning and versatile defenders across the field.

-Pitching Depth: While there may not be a clear-cut ace, the Patriots have numerous arms capable of contributing in a variety of roles, giving them flexibility throughout the season.

Team Weaknesses

-No Established Frontline Starter: Curtis lacks a proven, dominant “Friday night” arm. Several pitchers have upside, but consistency and development will be key as roles settle.

Top Returning Players

-Senior OF Nate Alario

Hit .367 with 8 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, and 20 SB. A dynamic table-setter with speed, gap power, and experience at the top of the lineup.

 

-Senior SS Connor Micheu

Hit .300 with 7 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, and 17 SB. Smooth, reliable shortstop who impacts the game on both sides of the ball.

 

-Senior C Jeffrey Curtis

Hit .326 with 6 2B, 1 HR, 22 RBI. Veteran backstop who handles the pitching staff and brings consistency in the middle of the order.

-Senior OF/RHP Kolston Martinez

Hit .282 with extra-base pop and logged 40 IP, 1.93 ERA, 40 K on the mound. One of the team’s most important two-way pieces.

 

-Senior 3B/RHP Luke Martinez

Added power and athleticism with 3 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR. Physical corner infielder with pitching upside.

-Senior RHP Mason LeBlanc

22 IP, 2.02 ERA. Reliable arm who can give quality innings in multiple roles.

-Junior RHP Caden Battard

Logged 20 IP last season and will look to take a step forward with experience.

-Junior 1B/RHP Shaun Goodrum

Dealt with a back injury in 2025 but profiles as a potential middle-of-the-order bat and a quality innings-eater on the mound.

Upperclassmen to Know

-Senior RHP Aiden Morril – Will provide valuable innings as either a starter or bullpen arm.

-Senior RHP Cooper Davis – Another senior arm expected to shoulder workload on the mound.

-Senior OF Gavin Ledet – Elite runner coming off a breakout football season; high upside athlete.

 

-Junior OF Keigan Linton – Finished 2025 strong and had a productive summer; competing for a starting role.

-Junior C Conrad Hebert – Will see increased catching duties with flexibility to DH.

-Junior INF Jace Gonzalez – Competing for the starting second base job after a strong summer.

-Junior INF/OF Ryder Kauffman – Multi-sport athlete with intriguing upside.

-Junior OF Craig Connor – Extremely athletic and firmly in the mix for an outfield spot.

Underclassmen Ready to Make an Impact

-Sophomore RHP/UTL Paul Dufrene

One of the most exciting young pieces on the roster. Projects as a third baseman defensively, has played the outfield, owns a Division I–caliber arm, and could emerge as the team’s No. 1 or No. 2 on the mound. Big-time offensive upside as well.

 

-Sophomore UTL/RHP Jonny Englander

Ultra-versatile athlete who can play infield, outfield, catch, and pitch. Consistent bat and high baseball IQ.

-Sophomore INF London Padgett

Starting QB in football. Tough, composed competitor who will push for the starting second base role.

-Sophomore INF/OF Cole Schmidt

Athletic, instinctive player with speed and defensive versatility.

-Freshman 1B/RHP John Wayne Alexander

Physical 6’3”, 230-pound freshman with real power potential and mound upside. A long-term name to know.

Outlook

With Alario, Micheu, Curtis, and the Martinez brothers all entering their third year as varsity starters, John Curtis Christian has the leadership and experience to make another deep postseason push. The talent behind them is real, but how quickly the younger players—and arms with limited varsity experience—adjust will determine the Patriots’ ceiling.

The district gauntlet will be unforgiving once again, with Jesuit, Rummel, Brother Martin, Holy Cross, and St. Augustine all fielding talented, well-coached teams. Depth, development, and resilience will be critical.

If the pitching staff finds consistency and a reliable frontline option emerges, don’t be surprised if the Patriots are playing deep into May. This is a hungry group—and one very capable of making another championship run.

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