The 2026 Texas high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound 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 Texas.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Austin at the UIL State Tournament in June, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Texas. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 30 rankings that’ll carry us into the opening week of action.

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. Each week we will be releasing our Players of the Week and updating the Power 25 rankings.

Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Rio Hondo Bobcats
Head Coach: Sergio Gonzalez (18th Year at Rio Hondo HS … 225 career wins … Active playoff appearances streak of 3)
UIL Classification: 32-3A
Team Strengths: Returning Core & Youth
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 16-13 (Bi-District Finalists)
Key Players Lost: N/A

 

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ROSTER PREVIEW

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• RHP/1B Christopher Galvan (2026) - TSWA 3rd Team All-State
• P/1B Adrian Betancourt (2026) - 1st Team All-District P
• OF Juan Padilla (2026) - 1st Team All-District OF
• 2B Sebastian Gonzalez (2028) - 1st Team All-District 2B
• Number of Returning Position Players: 4
• Number of Returning Starting Pitchers: 2
• Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 2

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TOP NEWCOMERS

• OF Marcus Flores (2026)
• P/OF Noah Villalobos (2026)
• P/OF Jeremy Mata (2026)
• P/OF Nathan Martinez (2027)

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FRESHMEN TO FOLLOW

• RHP/C Ty Alaniz (2029)
• RHP/SS Robert Adame (2029)
• RHP/3B Joaquin Gonzales (2029)

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COACH’S QUOTE

“We will be young this year but we have quality experience in our returning lettermen that can surely help close the gaps for some early success. As long as we stay together and protect the brand we will be able to punch our ticket in the state playoffs.”

- Sergio Gonzalez, Rio Hondo Head Coach

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The Rio Hondo Bobcats enter the 2026 season with significant momentum, building on a highly successful three-year run that has seen the program amass a 69-22 record. Coming off a 16-13 finish in 2025 where they reached the 3A Bi-District round, the team currently holds an active three-year playoff appearance streak. Competing in UIL Classification 32-3A, the Bobcats' primary strengths this year lie in a solid returning core paired with an influx of promising young talent.

The roster is anchored by several decorated returning players, including RHP/1B Christopher Galvan, a 2026 prospect who earned TSWA 3rd Team All-State honors. He is joined by fellow seniors Adrian Betancourt (1st Team All-District P) and Juan Padilla (1st Team All-District OF), as well as standout sophomore 2B Sebastian Gonzalez, who earned 1st Team All-District honors as a freshman. In total, the Bobcats return four position players, two starting pitchers, and two relief pitchers, providing a stable foundation of varsity experience.

Beyond the established veterans, Rio Hondo is set to integrate a deep group of newcomers and freshmen into the lineup. Seniors Marcus Flores, Noah Villalobos, and Jeremy Mata are expected to contribute immediately, alongside junior Nathan Martinez. The program also looks toward the future with a notable class of freshmen, including RHP/C Ty Alaniz, RHP/SS Robert Adame, and RHP/3B Joaquin Gonzales. Under the leadership of Head Coach Sergio Gonzalez, who enters his 18th year at the school with 225 career wins, the Bobcats appear to be well-positioned to extend their postseason streak in 2026.

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Find more information on the 2026 Rio Hondo program below:

+ Rio Hondo 2026 Schedule
+ Follow on X: @RHbaseballFAITH
+ Follow on Instagram: @rhbaseballfaith
+ Prep Baseball Texas Team Preview Page

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