USA TODAY High School Sports has revealed the 2018-19 Super 25 Preseason Baseball Teams. As some states have already started their season, most states will getting started in the coming weeks.
MORE: Final 2018 Super 25 Baseball Rankings
Click through below for analysis and key players from each team:
1. IMG ACADEMY
Location: Bradenton, Fla.
2018 record: 18-7
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
With eight returning players committed to college and five incomers all committed to Div. 1 programs, IMG Academy looks like the best team in the country entering the season.
The Ascenders have four top-10 players in the state, including three transfers in UNC commit Brennan Malone (No. 2 RHP in the country, per Perfect Game), Perfect Game All-American Classic Home Run Derby champion Rece Hinds, and No. 3 third-baseman Josh Rivera. Additionally, Kendall Williams returns to the program after hitting .350 and posting a 1.81 ERA last season. He’s Perfect Game’s No. 21 player in the country.
A star-studded roster adding important pieces? It’s looking sunny in Florida for IMG.
2. ARGYLE
Location: Argyle, Texas
2018 record: 37-0
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: No. 2
Last year, Argyle became the fourth unbeaten state champion in UIL history. It was their fourth championship in four years. This year, they return 11 players, nine of whom are ranked in the top-500 by Perfect Game.
It’s hard to imagine the group taking too much of a step back when they’re returning five All-State players in Dillon Carter (No. 28 in the state, Texas Tech commit), Brenden Dixon (No. 57, Texas commit), Preston King (No. 111 in state, Texas Rio Grande Valley commit), Hayden Clearman (.455 with 45 RBI last year) and Sean Bolin (10-0, 0.67 ERA, 56 Ks last year).
IMG might have the higher-ranked players, but Argyle is probably deeper than any team in the country.
3. AMERICAN HERITAGE
Location: Plantation, Fla.
2018 record: 24-4
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: No. 20
A trio of juniors on American Heritage have high expectations this year.
Enrique Bradfield (No. 53 on Perfect Game; .390 BA last year), Gavin Casas (No. 133, .397 BA, 3 HR and 21 RBI) and Gio Ferraro (Miami commit who hit .467 last year, though he only played seven games).
They also return two of their best pitchers. Wins are an outdated concept, but when you go 12-1 with a 1.93 ERA over 15 appearances (12 starts), that still means something – and it meant something to Florida, who got a commitment from senior Ryan Cabarcas. The other pitcher, Devin Futrell, had a 1.54 ERA over 11 appearances (two starts) as a freshman. Can he take a leap and throw more innings?
4. LAKE TRAVIS
Location: Austin, Texas
2018 record: 31-4
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
Midway through May last year, Lake Travis was ranked No. 4 in the Super 25. After getting upset in the playoffs, they dropped out completely.
Now, they’re back in, and after rattling off 13 wins in a row to start the season, they aim to stay. The Cavaliers return the 2017 Texas Gatorade Player of the Year Brett Baty, who is the No. 2 third-baseman and No. 32 player in the country. They also bring back James Lewis, the No. 20 RHP in the country, Austin Plante, a top-300 player in the country and top-20 in the state.
While they have some very talented players returning, there are only five total who were on the team last year. So far that has not been no problem, but they’ll have to find solutions if their depth is tested.
5. DELBARTON
Location: Morristown, N.J.
2018 record: 18-6
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
If nothing goes wrong for Delbarton, they’ll be in position to win the championship that eluded them last season.
It starts with pitcher Jack Leiter, the No. 11 player in the country, per Perfect Game, and No. 3 RHP. The recruitment site said he has good spin on his curveball and slider and owns a “classic pitchers arsenal.” The son of former MLB pitcher Al Leiter should put wins on the board. He’s committed to Vanderbilt, as is star shortstop Anthony Volpe, the No. 33 player on Perfect Game. They are the top two players in the state.
The Green Wave only allowed one run in the playoffs last season; unfortunately for them, that came in a 1-0 championship loss. Can they rectify that this year?
6. ORANGE LUTHERAN
Location: Orange, Calif.
2018 record: 25-8
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
While most teams were still huddled inside with blankets avoiding the cold, Orange Lutheran defeated Valley Christian, last year’s top California school, in a February matchup.
It looks to be a sign of things to come this season. The Lancers are returning a pair of studs ranked as top-15 pitchers of Perfect Game’s 2020 class, Max Rajcic (1.40 ERA over 48.2 innings) and Christian Rodriguez (1.54 ERA over 45.1). Both of those stats came as sophomores; with two years left, they could feasibly become the top one-two punch in the country.
They’re also getting transfer player Garrett Frechette, the No. 12 outfielder in the 2019 class. Adding him to the mix of 13 returning players including Caden Connor and Elijah Buries, this team looks in good shape to fight for its third straight NHSI championship.
7. Pope
Location: Marietta, Ga.
2018 record: 34-8
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
With five All-State players returning, including Georgia Player of the Year Buddy Floyd, Pope looks poised to be in contention to three-peat.
Floyd hit .391 last year with 32 RBI, 16 stolen bases and 50 runs scored, according to MDJ Online. He’s the No. 152 shortstop in the country. Floyd is one of four top-500 players on the team, along with Max Pralgo (No. 249 shortstop), Caden Smith (No. 75 catcher), Reid Robertson (No. 207 OF in 2020).
With a 9-1 start, they Greyhounds are well on their way. At any rate, it’s a much better start than last season, when they lost three of their first six games.
8. SAM HOUSTON
Location: Lake Charles, La.
2018 record: 33-6
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
Sam Houston has some of the top talent in Louisiana, boasting three 2019 players in the top-50 in the state. But the real gem is 2020 pitcher Marcus Mott, an LSU commit ranked the No. 2 RHP in the state and No. 114 RHP in the country. He’s at the top of a strong rotation that has three pitchers who can eclipse 90 miles per hour, according to MaxPreps.
Beyond the mound, Texas commit Silas Ardoin is the No. 3 catcher in the state and No. 48 in the country. Braden Duhon is the No. 6 outfielder in the state and Hunter Gotreaux is the No. 13 shortstop.
After losing in the semifinals in consecutive years, Sam Houston started this season 11-0 and look determined to break through that wall.
9. BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC
Location: Roswell, Ga.
2018 record: 34-5
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
The Titans look poised for their seventh straight 30-win season. Nine games into the season, the team is already 8-1, and Jake Smith already has a dozen RBI.
But he’s not just a hitter. Smith is one of the most effective relief pitchers in the country. After a sophomore campaign with a 0.43 ERA, Smith posted a minuscule 0.27 ERA over 18 appearances with seven saves as a junior. Give him a lead and the game is probably over.
His teammates are adept at giving him the lead. Alabama shortstop commit CJ Abrams is Perfect Game’s No. 2 player in the country and has hit over .400 in every year he’s played high school ball, including a .464 freshman campaign. There’s also Steele Chambers, who’s signed to play football at Ohio State but hit .393 last year.
Simply put, Blessed Trinity is stacked.
10. HARVARD-WESTLAKE
Location: Studio City, Calif.
2018 record: 26-4
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
Harvard-Westlake has the talent and depth to find the sustained success it had last year. Last year, the Wolverines rattled off 16 straight wins and outscored opponents 129-38 during that stretch – only to fall in the first round of the playoffs.
Pete Crow-Armstrong returns as the No. 4 player in the junior class after bashing .427 with 22 RBI and 11 stolen bases. Vanderbilt commit Sam Hliboki went 8-1 last year with a 1.26 ERA and 90 strikeouts. Stanford commit Drew Bowser hit .355 with 24 RBI and 20 walks.
With those three stars joined by seven other returners, Harvard-Westlake looks particularly formidable going into the season.
11. CALVARY CHRISTIAN
Location: Clearwater, Fla.
2018 record: 30-1
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: No. 22
After winning 60 games in a row, Calvalry Christian was taken down in the championship game last season. They’re off to start a new winning streak in 2019.
TCU commit Nolan Hudi, the No. 53 LHP in the country, enters his senior year. There’s not much way he can get better than last after posting a 0.44 ERA with 13 wins in 14 starts. And he’s just one piece of the dominant rotation that combined for a 1.05 ERA. Only one pitcher, Jonny Bunner, graduated; the team will still throw out Hudi, Josh Emerson, Braden Halladay and Cameron Barrier.
The team did lose a lot of hitting depth, including two seniors that hit above .425 and a third that hit .391. But if returners like Christian Cairo (LSU commit, No. 97 overall) can continue producing and sophomore Tommy White (North Carolina State commit, No. 216 overall) grows in his second year, the sky is the limit for Cavalry Christian.
12. MALVERN PREP
Location: Malvern, Pa.
2018 record: 30-7
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
After starting last year 12-6, Malvern went on an 18-1 championship run in which the only loss came in extra innings.
The Friars will look to carry that momentum into 2019. Virginia commit Chris Newell, ranked No. 59 in the country, has hit .410 with six home runs, 12 triples and 65 RBI over his two-year varsity career. Lonnie White, a Clemson commit ranked No. 63, hit .290 with a pair of home runs as a freshman last season.
They have a strong offense, but the one thing that could derail the team is its rotation after the three pitchers who appeared in the most games graduated. More pressure will likely be placed on Liam Dabagian, who had a 1.15 ERA over 42.2 innings, the third-most on the team.
13. DESOTO CENTRAL
Location: Southaven, Miss.
2018 record: 29-9
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
The Jaguars are looking to repeat as champions this year.
The checklist looks good: star shortstop? Check. Kamren James is the No. 1 at his position in the state after a .389 campaign with 43 RBI and seven home runs. He can also take the mound, going 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA. … Returning stud sophomore? Check. Blaze Jordan was named the MaxPreps freshman of the Year after hitting .426 with seven home runs and 37 RBI. … Incomers? Check. Chase Honeycutt is the No. 2 catcher in the state, per Perfect Game, and Mac Sims is a top-1000 player.
The team might need to find some pitching depth after losing Matthew Taylor, but it hasn’t been an issue through six games this season. If there’s a breakout player on the mound (maybe James? 11 IP, 2 wins, 0.64 ERA to start the season?) they’ll have a good shot at taking it all again.
14. VALLEY CHRISTIAN
Location: San Jose, Calif.
2018 record: 29-3-1
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: No. 5
After a dominant championship 2018 season, Valley Christian got off to a slow start this year, going 1-2 with an extra-innings win.
But they’ve rounded into form since, outscoring their next three opponents 25-3 and confirming they’re still down their championship path behind Coleman Brigman (.376 BA, 15 RBI, 15 SB), Eddie Park (.376 BA, 17 RBI; 1.20 ERA, 17 K) and Jonathan Cymrot (.318 BA, 19 RBI; 0.00 ERA, 32 K in 30 IP as a freshman).
They’ll also look to players like Nick Marinconz, who is off to prove his breakout sophomore campaign (.414 batting average) wasn’t a fluke after it dropped to a lower-but-still-respectable .318. William Kempner, whose ERA dropped to 2.07 last year, is back for one more round before he’s off to Gonzaga.
Valley Christian may not be able to beat their 29-3-1 mark of last season, but they’re still among the toughest outs in the country.
15. COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE
Location: Colleyville, Texas
2018 record: 34-9-1
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
If Colleyville Heritage finds a way to supplant Argyle and Lake Travis in Texas, it will probably be because of Bobby Witt Jr.
The No. 1 player in the country is an “outstanding” defender with 100 mph exit velocity, according to Perfect Game. The site’s one flaw with him was sometimes he focuses too much on trying to go opposite field and loses bat speed; if your one flaw is hitting oppo, you’re a good player.
The team’s infield is very strong as a whole, with No. 4 third-baseman Chandler Freeman and No. 76 second-baseman Mason Greer joining Witt. In the outfield, Texas A&M commit Logan Britt is the No. 65 overall player and No. 14 outfielder.
Without highly ranked pure pitchers, Colleyville will have to find consistency on the mound. But their talent puts them near the top of the country.
16. PALO VERDE
Location: Las Vegas
2018 record: 31-9
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: No. 17
Palo Verde’s addition of three top 2020 players in the state made their road back to the championship a little bit clearer.
Most notably, the Panthers added Jaden Agassi, the No. 1 player in Nevada and No. 47 in the country. He was homeschooled last year. He joins Paul Pasqualotto and Paul Mirro, the No. 121 and 123 shortstops in the country, respectively, as 2020 incomers. The latter two are versatile defenders who can play other positions as senior Peyton Cole (No. 10 player in state) mans shortstop this season and pitches.
The rotation lost some key pieces but is headlined by Bryce Robison (1.90 ERA in 12 appearances). The team looks like it will be strong enough to be in contention again.
17. PROVIDENCE
Location: Charlotte, N.C.
2018 record: 25-5
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
Providence fell in the regional finals last year, but don’t fret: The Stallions still have Tyler Callihan, who jacks 400-foot home runs and is the No. 9 senior in the country, according to Perfect Game.
Joining him is Nathan Hickey, the No. 145 player in the country and No. 25 in Florida, and two strong incomers in Florida commit Tucker Talbott (No. 90 in state) and Brady Ortmann. The team is also returning four pitchers this season as they try to recreate and improve upon last year.
It will be difficult for Providence to overcome other Super 25 Florida powers Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.) and reigning champion Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), but you cannot count Providence out.
18. HUNTINGTON BEACH
Location: Huntington Beach, Calif.
2018 record: 26-6
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
Huntington Beach has a deep, deep team that’s bolstered by two transfers and five left-handed pitchers.
There are two UCLA commits, senior Josh Hahn (LHP/1B, No. 124 in country) and junior Jake Vogel (OF, No. 129 in country). The Oilers have a third top-200 player in outfielder Shane Stafford, who’s still a sophomore but is committed to San Diego State. Jag Burden, a junior OF/1B/LHP, is a Cal commit who is No. 296 in the country and No. 48 in the state. Then there are three more top-500 players in San Diego commit Edward Pelc, Stanford commit Brett Barrera (transfer) and Gonzaga commit Cole Minato.
With a full cast and one final year of Hahn, Huntington Beach can once again fight for that 30-win mark that has just barely eluded them the last two years.
19. CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
2018 record: 17-15
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: No. 19
Calvary Christian’s 2018 record would look a whole lot better if they hadn’t been forced to forfeit 12 games (11 wins) after the school self-reported three transfers didn’t properly complete paperwork.
Instead of looking at those dozen games, pay attention to the end of the year, when Calvary Christian Academy won its final seven games and won the championship over Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.) (yes, confusing). Pay attention to players like FIU commits Dante Girardi (No. 173 in country) and Ben Rozenblum (No. 224). Pay attention to pitchers like Skylar Gonzalez (0.92 ERA, 45.2 innings, complete game in last year’s championship) and Andrew Painter (0.30 ERA in 23 innings as a freshman).
And pay attention to a strong transfer group headlined by Miami commit Irving Carter, the No. 9 sophomore and No. 3 RHP in the country.
Of course wins and losses matter. But so do championships, and CCA could win it again.
20. CY-RANCH
Location: Cypress, Texas
2018 record: 32-9-2
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
Every great team needs an ace. Cypress Ranch has two.
JJ Goss and Matthew Thompson are ranked No. 16 and 17 in the country, respectively, as the No. 6 and 7 right-handed pitchers. Goss went 10-2 with 93 strikeouts and a 1.36 ERA, according to MaxPreps; Thompson went 5-1 with 87 Ks and a 2.38 ERA. Both are committed to Texas A&M, but the Aggies might not even get their services, as both are graded 10/10 on Perfect Game and could be picked on one of the first days of the MLB Draft.
The team lost eight of its top hitters, but a handful of transfers added onto top-500 2020 player Hunter Conner, a pair of top-1000s and a couple high follows will alleviate the losses. Additionally, Jared Alvarez-Lopez hit .357 with 34 RBI and was named to the All-State team, according to MaxPreps.
21. ARCHBISHOP SPALDING
Location: Baltimore
2018 record: 16-13
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
Archbishop Spalding makes up for the lack of upper-echelon talent with one of the deepest rosters in the country.
Josh Moylan is the No. 230 junior in the country and No. 3 in the state, and plays 1B and pitches. Ethan McCormick is the No. 11 Maryland player in the 2020 class and Noah Mrotek is the No. 4 sophomore in the state, already committed to Maryland. Navy commit Zach Powers, a senior, is a top-1000 prospect with a windup that has a high leg-lift and a 3/4 slot, according to Perfect Game. We haven’t even seen Caleb Estes yet, the No. 1 shortstop and No. 2 freshman in the state.
With this group, Spalding already has other coaches in the state looking at them as a potential threat. We’ll see how the talent fares.
22. STILLWATER
Location: Stillwater, Minn.
2018 record: 21-5-1
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
After winning the championship last year, Stillwater will look to ride the top two players in the state back to the top.
This one-two punch of RHP Will Frisch, ranked No. 136 player by Perfect Game, and LHP Drew Gilbert (No. 260), are returning for their senior years after playing on the Minnesota Blizzard club program. This likely won’t even be their last year together, as the two are committed to Oregon State.
The team also has a pair of strong infielders. While Benjamin Borrman might be playing out of position – Perfect Game says he’s primarily a third baseman but will handle middle infield – he’s the No. 33 player in the state. At third will likely be Ben Dandelet, the No. 21 player in the state.
With high top-end talent levels, Stillwater is in good position to repeat as champions.
23. WESTMOORE
Location: Oklahoma City
2018 record: 33-6
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: No. 22
After starting 7-4 last season, Westmoore won 26 of its next 27 games – and then the magic died out in the bottom of the seventh of the championship game and they lost 3-2 on a walk-off hit.
They’ll look to rediscover that fire this year after losing the championship game two years in a row. The most important players to the team will be Oklahoma State commit Kale Davis, the No. 70 senior in the country and No. 23 RHP, and Jace Bohrofen, the No. 57 junior who hit .534 and cranked 10 home runs with 58 RBI last year, according to Perfect Game.
The Jaguars will also hope for continued contributions from guys like Chance Westervelt, the No. 29 senior in the state, Erick Rey, the No. 26 Texas senior, Cameron Uselton, the No. 11 junior in Texas and Jacob Clark, who threw six scoreless innings in last year’s championship.
It’s not hard to see Westmoore getting back to the championship once again. Can they put the bow on it this year?
24. YUCAIPA
Location: Yucaipa, Calif.
2018 record: 28-5
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
Coming off a championship season, Yucaipa returned, well, pretty much everybody.
All seven returning every-day players hit above .300, including Jordan Andrade (.415 BA, two home runs, 36 RBI), the No. 4 shortstop and No. 17 junior in California and Michael Carpentier (.366 BA, three home runs, 34 RBI), the No. 5 catcher and No. 35 player in the state. Also coming back is Tyson Heaton, who hit .373 while leading the team on the mound with 16 appearances, a 1.37 ERA, nine complete games and 81.2 IP to put together a pristine 12-0 record.
The team hopes the presence of Heaton and now-junior Bradley Heacock (2.62 ERA, 26.2 IP) can help make up for the loss of two major contributors on the mound with sub-.200 ERAs last year. But as long as the hitting remains sharp and Heaton continues to dominate, Yucaipa will be in strong position.
25. ST. LAURENCE
Location: Burbank, Ill.
2018 record: 30-8
Final 2018 Super 25 rank: Unranked
This remains a period of prosperity for St. Laurence. Reigning Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year Matt McCormick has one year left with the team while his heir apparent, No. 4 player in the state Vitas Valincius, is still a sophomore. Those two seem prepared to lead the Vikings to another strong season and chase another Chicago Catholic League title.
But that’s not all. According to MaxPreps, most of the team is returning most of its players from last season, including top-1000 player Cole Anderson and High Follow Max Engstrom.
Consistency is often key in baseball, and St. Laurence looks to largely be similar to last season, only a year more experienced. It could be another good outing for the team that has won at least 30 games in four of the last five years.
