Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2026 spring season. Team previews touch on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Washington Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Team Previews are generated through a mixture of coaches' responses gathered through our perennial coaches questionnaires, as well as insight from Prep Baseball Staff. Stay tuned the next several weeks for the unveiling of Team Previews and the complete Power 25.

Today, we preview the #1 ranked Puyallup Vikings. 

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High School: Puyallup Vikings   
Head Coach: Sean Taunt
Division: 4A
League/Conference: SPSL
2025 Record (Finish): 28-1
2025 Playoff Finish: 4A state semifinals

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 
No. of Returning Pitchers: 
Key Players Lost: Mason Pike, Gage Thompson, Riley Sanoy, Jett Reed, Kyler Malnar, DJ Ringenbach

TEAM OUTLOOK

Starting Pitching: Madden Pike, Max Schweyen

Bullpen: Beau Hale, Cyrus Cline

Top Seniors: Noah Benedict, Max Schweyen, Cyrus Cline, Dom Weems, Tyler Ducharme

Top Juniors: Brayden Landry, Keagan Soliza, Ryan Judge, Lincoln Graham

Underclassmen to watch: '28 Madden Pike, '28 Greg Johnson, '28 Beau Hale, '28 Bobby Long, '28 Liam Rhodes

Areas to watch: Youth, replacing graduated bats

Team Strengths: Top-end talent, starting pitching, defense up the middle

Coaches Outlook: “I really like this group of guys. They play with a lot of joy, and there's talent here in all phases of the game. I'm excited to see us put it all together!" - Sean Taunt, Head Coach

Overall Summary

Puyallup will see plenty of change heading into the 2026 season, but still boast enough top-end talent to secure the top spot in our Preseason Power 25. The Vikings are rooted by their strength up the middle, led at the top of the lineup by shortstop and University of Washington commit Brayden Landry. The speedy junior can impact a game with all five tools, creating havoc on the bases and producing gap power with on-base ability. The catcher position is fortified by junior Hawaii commit Keagan Soliza, another speed-driven player with bat to ball skill and defensive prowess. Puyallup also features a dynamic duo of arms. Sophomore RHP Madden Pike is the third ranked prospect in Washington's '28 class, featuring an electric upper 80's fastball and wipeout breaking ball. Pike logged 38 innings in his freshman spring and is likely to see an even bigger innings count this season. Pike can also play all over the diamond defensively and provide a switch hitting bat at the plate. Senior RHP and Washington commit Max Schweyen also logged 26 innings last spring and has dominant potential when in the strike zone. Elsewhere in the lineup, senior and New Mexico State commit Noah Benedict can provide pop from the left side of the plate in a corner outfield role. Sophomore first baseman Greg Johnson is a breakout candidate with a remarkably mature approach at the plate and prodigious power in his own right. Several other young players could make a varsity impact this spring, including Beau Hale, Bobby Long and Liam Rhodes. First year head coach Sean Taunt has loaded the Vikings schedule this spring, including games against Gig Harbor, Sumner, Curtis and Kennedy Catholic. Look for Puyallup to once again be among the best teams in the state in 2026.

Find more information on the 2026 Puyallup program below:

+ Follow them on X: @VikingBaseball_
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Washington Preseason Power 25 homepage

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