Preseason HS Team Rankings: 16-20

-

-

-

-

- 

-

-

-

-

- 

-

-

-

-

- 

Anyone who has been around the game of baseball in Utah long enough knows, that Coach Kim Nelson is absolutely going to have a quality, competitive team every single year. You can book it. This year will be no different, with the move down to 4A in recent years the success and program culture has not changed, as they continue to be one of the most disciplined, well coached teams in the state. Senior and USUE Commit Cooper Hawkes has put together a strong offseason and really taken his game to the next level, providing high end offensive production and strong defense up the middle at SS. Senior Catcher Jace Hunter has been a consistent contributor as well, displaying an ability to handle a pitching staff and remaining productive offensively. With a talented group of underclassmen who will see major innings this year, headlined by Sophomore slugger Max Martin, count on Timpanogos to be in play for the final weekend of May once again in 2026.  

Herriman enters the year with another talented group full of quality experience and a strong number of young newcomers. Last year’s team showed real signs of future potential dominance, as most of the key contributors were underclassmen. Coach Dave Carter’s collegiate coaching background continues to shine, as the Mustangs pitching staff looks poised to keep them in any series throughout the year. SLCC Commit and Senior Cash Carter led the team in innings pitched and ERA a season ago, and Junior Mason Greeno and Senior Talen Mietchen also come back with added velocity and maturity. Offensively the potential to rack up runs in any given game is there, headlined by Senior Boston Jacobson and exciting young Super Sophomore Games Alum, Easton Webb. With athletes all over the field and an overall sound foundation, look for Herriman to be a dangerous team all year long. 
 

Ridgeline has become a staple program in the 4A Class, competing into the Final 8 seemingly every year and producing quality talent. Offensively, this group is going to present problems. With Senior outfield returners Cooper Clark and Nate Dahle, who are also both committed to play football at Weber State, they represent nearly 70 hits and 50 RBI that comes back to the lineup and may improve on their power numbers with added physicality in the offseason. The OF returns as well as their middle infield, with Maddux and Ripken Jensen along with Brady Cook who can all play both spots, depending on who takes the bump that day. Losing Tyson Smith behind the plate is a big loss, but Senior Luke Banning has bided his time and looks ready to be an integral part of the group in 2026. With so much talent and experience returning this spring, look for the Riverhawks to be in play until the last weekend in May once again.

Olympus remains one of the more consistent programs in the 5A Class, putting together strong regular seasons year after year and sending players to the college ranks. This year looks to be no different, as they return 12 Seniors and a core of key returners, led by Senior & Futures Games Alum, Cayman Sanchez and Jaxon Vandenakker. Those two up the middle provide very sound defense and athleticism up the middle, and with Junior Soren Swing taking a massive offseason jump, the infield should be lock down. Offensively, this lineup will present problems from top to bottom with speed and high contact bats throughout. CSI Commit Torben Van Boerum looks poised to be an arm that will keep them in any game he throws, along with a strong staff and quality mix of left and right-handed arms. Keep your eye on this team as the year moves on as the newcoming talent gets their feet underneath them. 

 Jordan enters the year in the top 20, largely in part to the number of veteran, returning players all over the field in key positions. They will have 9+ Seniors that contribute, including more than 8 starters and most of their pitching staff. Seniors Kade Carter, Gage Nalder and Jayden Montoya, along with Sophomore battery CJ Sumner all return this year, who combined tallied nearly 400 AB and 100 RBI, representing a considerable chunk of their offensive production from a year ago. With notable strength and improvement additions over the course of the offseason from Juniors Dallon Molder and Joey Peak, and Senior Beckham Livingston, keep your eye on this Jordan squad as they will be a tough team to beat consistently with so many quality contributors and strong coaching staff. 

Pine View is a part of one of the toughest regions in the state regardless of Classification in Region 9, and this year returns a strong core of pitchers and position players. Futures Games Alum Porter Campbell headlines that group and will lock down the middle of the lineup and CF once again this year. Pitching should be one of the strengths of the team with Tristan Sylvester and Hela Manutai leading the way. Senior Catcher Cash Sisneros looks poised to get the offense started at the top of the lineup, with a string of experienced hitters to follow. This group has a strong foundation and could be one to make a jump up the rankings if everything comes together.

Provo enters the year with a duo of high quality Senior arms in Gehrig Orchard and Willilam Gulbrandsen that will keep them in any games they start. Although some of the core players returning from last year are young, that varsity experience combined with strong offseason performances will serve them well heading into Spring. Sophomores Dawson Moore and Taven Lancaster, Super Sophomore Games Alum, will be key contributors up the middle and behind the plate, providing athleticism and production throughout the season. With a strong group of returners and an exciting young core, the future is bright for Provo and they could make some noise late into May.

West Field makes the jump up this year to the 5A Classification, joining Region 5 and led by 1st year Head Coach, Tyler Barfuss. This year’s team is headlined by a strong, veteran group of Senior returners, including 4 players already committed to play ball at the next level. Grady Garrett provides stability and leadership behind the plate along with a strong LH bat in the middle of the lineup. The middle infield returns with USUE Commit, Marshal Moon, and one of the top 2028s in the Class in Kason Taylor, giving sound defense and two more quality LH bats. Key newcomers Jarrett Hill (Dodge City CC) and Samuel Smith (Futures Games Alum) will add to the offensive production and defensive versatility that should see this group make a push to the last weekend in 5A.

Canyon View is coming off one of the best seasons in school history, hoisting the 3A trophy after knocking on the door the past few seasons. Coach Jacobsen continues to compete year in and year out, developing talent and sending players to the college level. Senior 3-year starter Zach Maine and Senior Cannon Williams, are key returners from last year's state championship team who welcome a strong group of newcomers, headlined by one of the top Freshman in the Class, Preston Higgins. The 3A landscape is wide open heading into Spring and until further notice, Canyon View is the favorite with the rest of 3A putting them square in their crosshairs. 

Davis returns a strong group of core players led by Senior CSI Commit and Futures Games Alumni, Kaleb Weaver. Last year’s squad ended the year as one of the top teams in the 6A Class, posting a 24-8 record and a Final 4 finish at state playoffs. That experience and success are primary reasons for appearing in the initial Power 25, despite losing a number of key collegiate level players. The OF and offense will be the strength of the team, with Tyson Bagget game changing speed and Weaver moving to the OF, look for Davis to be an explosive offense in any given matchup. With newcomer Mitch Ossmen finally getting healthy, his production will add to the strength of the team and Davis has the culture to be a team poised to move up the rankings.