2026 PROGRAM PREVIEW: Crimson Cliffs Mustangs
January 7, 2026
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The 2026 Utah 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 throughout the Beehive State.
Teams across Utah have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons by raising the 2026 State Championship trophy, 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 throughout Utah and will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Top 10 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 Utah. Each week we will be releasing our Players of the Week and updating the Top 10 Rankings!
Click HERE to Registered for Upcoming Prep Baseball Utah Events
COACH ABBOTT's OUTLOOK
High School: Crimson Cliffs
Head Coach: Justin Abbott
UHSAA Classification: 4A Region 9
2025 Team Record: 23-8
State Finish: State Champions (3 of last 4 seasons - '22,'23,'25)
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS
| PLAYER | CLASS | POSITION | COMMITMENT |
| Cutter Christensen | 2026 | OF | Uncommitted |
| Austin Smith | 2026 | C/1B | Uncommitted |
| Madden Smith | 2026 | RHP | Uncommitted |
| Madden Nielsen | 2026 | RHP | College of Southern Idaho |
| Rayce Bennett | 2026 | RHP/INF | Uncommitted |
| Mason Anderson | 2026 | RHP | Uncommitted |
| Ryker Taylor | 2026 | RHP/INF | Uncommitted |
| Quinn Chesnik | 2026 | RHP | Alan Hancock College |
| Cole Marchant | 2027 | LHP | Uncommitted |
KEY PLAYERS LOST
| PLAYER | CLASS | POSITION | COMMITMENT |
| McKay Wright | 2025 | OF | Snow College Football |
| Jackson Witter | 2025 | OF | USUE |
| Ryder Elenes | 2025 | C/INF | Oxnard College |
| Brecken Park | 2025 | INF | |
| Ryder Sherratt | 2025 | 1B/DH | |
| Jason McArthur | 2025 | MIF |
VARSITY NEWCOMERS
| PLAYER | CLASS | POSITION | COMMITMENT |
| Ricardo Navarro | 2026 | RHP/INF/C | Southeastern |
| Jamison Thornock | 2027 | RHP | Uncommitted |
| Deagan Soderquist | 2028 | OF | Uncommitted |
| Mason Burbidge | 2028 | OF | Uncommitted |
| Kasen Dickson | 2027 | LHP | Uncommitted |
| Jaxon Bird | 2027 | OF | Uncommitted |
| Sam Chappell | 2027 | INF | Utah Valley University |
UNDERCLASSMEN TO KNOW
| PLAYER | CLASS | POSITION | COMMITMENT |
| Jack Boyer | 2029 | INF | Uncommitted |
| Trax Evans | 2029 | OF | Uncommitted |
| Porter Wright | 2029 | UTIL | Uncommitted |
| Benson Wright | 2029 | RHP/INF | Uncommitted |
| Jake West | 2029 | OF | Uncommitted |
| Austin Hastert | 2029 | RHP/OF | Uncommitted |
| Brigham Lott | 2029 | INF | Uncommitted |
Find more information on the program below:
+ Follow the Crimson Cliffs Mustangs all season through Instagram, @cc_mustang_baseball
+ Follow Prep Baseball Utah on "X", @PrepBaseballUT and Instagram, @prepbaseballut
Get the most out of your Prep Baseball Profile with the Prospect+ Subsciption!
| PREMIER EVENT KEY |
| LOGO | EVENT |
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Future Games |
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West Coast Games |
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Super Sophomore Games |
| ** INDICATES FUTURE GAMES ALUMNI |
Upcoming Events
| Showcase | State | Date | Location |
| UT Winter Facility Hitter's Series @ The Bullpen (Session 3) | UT | 01/08 | The Bullpen - Lehi, UT |
| Central Utah Preseason ID | UT | 01/31 | The Hive - Nephi, UT |
| Super 60 Pro Showcase | NATIONAL | 02/01 | The MAX - McCook, IL |
| Salt Lake Preseason ID | UT | 02/07 | Salt Lake City, UT |
| Utah Preseason All-State: (Invite-Only) | UT | 02/21 | Crimson Cliffs - St. Geroge, UT |
| Idaho Falls Preseason ID | UT | 02/21 | Bobcat Fieldhouse - Rexburg, ID |
| Boise Preseason ID | UT | 02/22 | Bishop Kelly HS - Boise, ID |