Top 25 Florida high school baseball rankings: Stoneman Douglas tops 2024 preseason rankings

IMG, American Heritage, Tampa Jesuit and North Broward Prep also open in the Top 5

The high school baseball season officially opens this week in the state of Florida, and SBLive Sports Florida has you covered.

As we launch into the 2024 season, SBLive Sports Florida unveils its preseason state Florida Baseball Power 25 Preseason Baseball State Rankings.

Let’s get right to it.

FLORIDA’S PRESEASON TOP 25 BASEBALL RANKINGS

1. MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS

Winners of three straight state and national championships, the Eagles have become the standard in the state. Coach Todd Fitz-Gerald once again has a loaded roster with 17 players already committed to colleges. Shortstop Devin Fitz-Gerald (North Carolina State), third baseman Rylan Lujo (Dayton), center fielder Alex Rodriguez (University of Central Florida), right-hander Jayden Dubanewicz (Florida) and right-hander Gavin Gargiulo (UCF) are some of the top returning seniors. The Eagles enter the season riding a 51-game winning streak.

2. IMG ACADEMY

For ranking purposes, the Ascenders are No. 2. In reality, they and Stoneman Douglas are a coin flip. This could easily be a 1a/1b ranking. A year ago, IMG went 25-0. Outfielder/pitcher Noal Franco (Texas Christian University) is widely regarded as the best player in Florida. A left-handed thrower and hitter, Franco is a five-tool talent projected to go high in the MLB Draft. Outfielder/pitcher Will Oberson (Old Dominion) is another highly-ranked player in the program.

3. AMERICAN HERITAGE PLANTATION

Bruce Aven, still the athletic director, is back as the Patriots head baseball coach. The former big leaguer takes over a squad that won the Class 5A state championship in ‘23. Top pitchers Talan Holiday (North Carolina) and lefty Spencer Krasner (Virginia) anchor the rotation. Outfielder Lucas Ramirez (Tennessee), and infielders Rafael Furcal Jr. and RJ Machado (Florida State University) are among the top position players.

4. TAMPA JESUIT

Jesuit’s bid for a repeat as state champions fell just short in ’23 when the Tigers lost to American Heritage in extra innings. The Tigers have a complete roster and are title contenders once again. Right-hander Aden Knowles (North Carolina State) and lefty McCall Biemiller are proven pitchers. Infielders Jacob Lozano (.369 batting average in ’23) and second baseman Noah Sheffield (Florida State) are a couple of standouts.

5. NORTH BROWARD PREP

The Eagles were eyeing a three-peat in 2023, but lost 9-3 to a loaded Calvary Christian Clearwater in the state finals. North Broward Prep is positioned to make a title run again in Class 3A. Right-hander Mateo Gray (UCF) is drawing attention from pro scouts. Infielder/pitcher Riley Luft (Appalachian State) and catcher Thomas Gramesty III (Florida Atlantic) are impactful hitters.

6. DURANT

A year ago, Durant enjoyed a 20-win season, and reached the region semifinals. Right-hander Chase Mobley (Florida State) is one of the top five pitchers in the state of Florida. Mobley’s fastball was clocked as high as 97 mph. Blaine Rowland is a Florida signee, and Noah Morales hit .321 with six homers a year ago.

7. DORAL ACADEMY

A chance to repeat in Class 6A fell just short as the Firebirds were blanked 3-0 in the state title game by Viera. Outfielder/pitcher Michael Torres (Miami) is among the best players in the state. Legendary coach Ralph Suarez is closing in on 600 career wins.

8. TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (JACKSONVILLE)

A Class 3A state title contender, the Conquerors are coached by Jon Murphy. The roster is filled with college commits, including sophomores Brady Harris (Florida) and Brayden Harris (FSU). Brady plays outfield, while Brayden is a pitcher and outfielder.

9. CALVARY CHRISTIAN CLEARWATER

Coming off a 28-4 season and a Class 3A state title, coach Greg Olsen once again has a strong squad. The goal remains the same – win another state crown. The Warriors feature junior pitchers Grayson Gibson (Ole Miss) and Cameron Uzzillia (North Carolina State). Catcher Andrew Tess is a Pittsburgh recruit.

10. ST. JOHN'S COUNTRY DAY

After reaching the Class 2A state finals last year, the Spartans dropped a 5-2 decision to Lakeland Christian. Outfielder Kyle Boylston (FAU) has five-tool talent in baseball. A year ago, he batted .390 and stole 19 bases, and infielder/pitcher Kolt Myers (Florida) is a standout at several positions. Right-hander Schyuler Sandford, who has a mid-90s fastball, is a Florida commit.

11. MIAMI CHRISTIAN

A perennial power, Miami Christian reached the regional finals last year in Class 2A. The Victors have a championship-contending roster again. Junior outfielder Fabio Peralta (Miami) has speed and power, and ranks among the best all-around players in the state. Junior infielder Ronny Cruz also is a UM commit.

12. SPRUCE CREEK

The Hawks reached the Class 7A state semifinals last year, falling 5-1 to Stoneman Douglas. In the preseason, they beat American Heritage and Doral Academy. Pretty impressive, even if the games didn’t count. They return a strong team that includes outfielder Lamar Edwards (Duke) and outfielder/pitcher Andrew Ezell.

13. WINDERMERE

Last year, Windermere lost in the regional finals to Tampa Plant. The Wolverines are loaded and ready to make a push for the state playoffs in Class 7A. Outfielder Ty Head (North Carolina State) is a speedster who swiped 19 bases.

14. PENSACOLA CATHOLIC

A year ago, Pensacola Catholic advanced to the regional quarterfinals in Class 3A. Catcher Brock Clayton is a Florida commit.

15. HAGERTY

The Huskies were tripped up in their Class 6A district finals last year. They’re set up for a successful 2024. Left-hander Talan Bell (Clemson) is one of the best players in the state.

16. SICKLES

The defending Class 6A state champions lost several key players from a year ago. Still, don’t discount the Gryphons in ’24. Cameron Guise is a standout pitcher and hitter, and there is plenty of young talent to make this a fun season.

17. LAKELAND CHRISTIAN

The Class 2A state champions in 2023, the Vikings again will be formidable. Outfielder Zach Lester comes off a year he batted .320.

18. WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN

The Warriors are loaded, and poised to move up the state rankings rather quickly. Right-hander Lazaro Collera (Miami) has a fastball that reached 98 mph during the showcase circuit. Like Collera, shortstop Manny Marin (Tennessee) is another incoming transfer. Marin is one of the top players in Florida. Third baseman Ethan Puig is another Miami commit.

19. GAINESVILLE BUCHHOLTZ

The Bobcats were upset in the Class 6A regional finals in ‘23, but they’re talented enough to make another run at the state playoffs. Anthony Wilkie (Clemson) had a 1.20 ERA last year, and is a top 50 player in the state.

20. NAPLES

The Golden Eagles lost to Jesuit in their Class 5A regional semifinals a year ago. Their aspirations are again to get to state. With lefty Johnny King (Miami) are their ace, it’s certainly possible.

21. NORTH MARION

The Colts won the Class 5A state title last year. Rowan Quartararo struck out eight in three innings in a preseason win over Ocala Forest.

22. TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (LAKE WORTH)

Their season ended in the regional quarterfinals last year. The Warriors feature Erick Soto, one of the top catchers in the state.

23. MONTVERDE ACADEMY

The Eagles had their season end in the Class 3A regional final. Infielder Edwin Garriga hit .338 last year.

24. ST. JOHN NEUMANN (NAPLES)

Knocked off by Lakeland Christian in the Class 2A state semifinals last year, Neumann has a roster filled with college commits, including outfielder Alex Kuenzle (Miami).

25. WESTMINSTER ACADEMY (FT. LAUDERDALE)

The Lions reached the state Class 2A semifinals last year. Another strong team is on tap this spring, led by outfielder Julian Irizarry (Pittsburgh).