Top 25 Florida high school baseball rankings (2/28/2024)

Westminster Christian climbs seven spots to No. 10; Previously unranked Archbishop McCarthy debuts at No. 12; Top 10 teams off to a 29-1 start

If opening week of the baseball season taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected in the talent-rich state of Florida.

It also showed us just how many quality teams are in the state, and even the best teams are capable of tumbling on any given day.

There were upsets, and plenty of dramatics across the state, which is shaking up our SBLive Sports Florida Top 25 rankings.

Let’s get right to it.

SBLIVE SPORTS FLORIDA BASEBALL POWER 25

1. MAJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS (3-0)

Talk about making a statement. The Eagles opened their season by outscoring their opponents, 32-1. In an 8-0 win over Miami Springs, sophomore left-hander Gio Rojas fanned 10 in five hitless innings in a combined no-hitter.

2. IMG ACADEMY (2-0)

The Ascenders held off Braden River (Bradenton), 3-2, in their opener. Noah Franco fanned 11, while allowing one hit in five shutout innings. Game 2 was a more comfortable 17-6 win against Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton).

3. DURANT PLANT CITY (3-0)

With three impressive wins, Durant jumps from No. 6 to three. The Cougars went on the road and knocked off Sickles (Tampa), 1-0. Blaine Rowland threw a one-hit shutout, striking out 10. Against Brandon, Durant rolled, 18-1.

4. DORAL ACADEMY (5-0)

Fast out of the gate, the Firebirds have a strong collection of talent. Jaydn Nunez came up with a big home run in a 6-5 win over Palmetto, their only close game.

5. CALVARY CHRISTIAN CLEARWATER (3-0)

Pitching has been the story, with two consecutive shutouts to open the season, including a 2-0 decision over Tampa Catholic. Grayson Gibson’s struck out nine in that game. In its first three games, Calvary Christian has outscored the opposition, 22-1.

6. ST. JOHNS COUNTRY DAY (3-0)

The bats came alive in a 20-3 rout of Florida State University High School. Collin Briggs had four hits in that one.

7. NORTH BROWARD PREP (2-1)

Some early injuries have impacted the Eagles, which fall from fifth to eighth after falling 5-2 to Archbishop McCarthy at home in the HSBN 1st Pitch Frenzy Championship game.

8. TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY JACKSONVILLE (0-0)

With their season opening on Friday, the Conquerors are projected to contend in Class 3A.

9. SPRUCE CREEK (3-0)

Three games in, and the Hawks again look strong in Class 7A. They bumped off Hagerty, 1-0, and followed that up with a 5-2 win over Bartram Trail. The bats really came alive in a 19-6 drumming of Flagler Palm Coast.

10. WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN (3-0)

Right-hander Lazaro Collera, a possible first-round pick, had his fastball reach 95 mph in the first inning in the Warriors’ 2-1 win at American Heritage Plantation. Shortstop Manny Marin (Tennessee recruit) belted the game-winning two-run homer. The Warriors moved up seven spots this week.

Manny Marin’s 2-run home run in the sixth inning rallied Westminster Christian to a 2-1 win over American Heritage Plantation. The Warriors jumped seven sports to No. 10 in this week's SBLive Florida Baseball Power 25.

Photo by Joe Frisaro

11. ARCHBISHOP MCCARTHY (3-0)

One of the early surprises is the Mavericks, who were unranked in our preseason poll, but now have vaulted to 12th based on impressive wins over American Heritage Delray Beach, and upsets of Miami Christian (11-6) and North Broward Prep (5-2).

12. MIAMI CHRISTIAN (2-1)

The Victors are a well-rounded team, and are serious state contenders in Class 2A. They pulled off an emotional, 7-6, win at American Heritage Plantation, but the next afternoon stumbled 11-6 to Archbishop McCarthy.

13. PENSACOLA CATHOLIC (3-0)

The Crusaders are already looking strong in Class 3A, winning convincingly over Mosley and edging South Walton, 4-3. On Tuesday night, they made quick work of Paxton (11-1).

14. SICKLES (2-1)

The Gryphons lost in a 1-0 nail-biter to Durant, and followed that up with a 4-2 win at home against Alonso Tampa, and an 8-1 victory against Steinbrenner (Lutz).

15. LAKELAND CHRISTIAN (2-0)

The offense has stepped up for the Vikings, who outscored opponents 20-6 in their first two games. 

16. AMERICAN HERITAGE PLANTATION (1-3)

After starting the year ranked No. 3 in the state, the defending Class 5A state champion Patriots have gotten off to a slow start, losing their first three games. In fairness, Heritage lost back-to-back 1-run games to state ranked teams, Miami Christian (7-6) and Westminster Christian (2-1). This team is way too talented to stay down too long. The Patriots picked up a 7-5 win against Somerset Academy (Pembroke Pines).

17. TAMPA JESUIT (1-2)

The Tigers drop from fourth to 17th after getting tripped up by Tampa Gaither (7-5) and Venice (9-2). This is still a strong squad that’s expected to contend.

18. MOUNT DORA CHRISTIAN (3-1)

Off to a strong start, the Bulldogs have a big 13-1 win over Windermere and two wins over Lyman (Longwood).

19. WINDERMERE (1-1)

After opening the season with an impressive, 9-0 victory against Oviedo, Windermere lost soundly to Mount Dora Christian Academy.

20. MONTVERDE ACADEMY (3-0)

The Eagles moved up this week, after winning their first three games, outscoring their opponents, 21-9. They prevailed, 10-9, against Remington Christian Academy (Kissimmee).

21. NAPLES (2-1)

Brendan Murphy threw five scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out eight in a 8-0 shutout of South Fort Myers. The Golden Eagles opened the season with a 6-1 loss to IMG Academy Gray. On Tuesday, they took care of business (11-0) against Palmetto Ridge (Naples).

22. ST. JOHN NEUMANN (2-1)

The Class 2A power bounced back from an 11-9 loss to Lowndes (Valdosta) to win convincingly, 10-2, over Colquitt County.

23. VENICE (3-1)

The Indians have responded with three straight convincing wins after falling, 1-0, to Dunedin to start the year. They already have logged victories against Clearwater Central Catholic (10-0) and Jesuit (9-2).

24. JUPITER (3-0)

The Warriors are off to a hot start, with three impressive wins. Last Friday, they handled Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens), 8-1.

25. ST. AUGUSTINE (3-0)

The Yellow Jackets are getting some early respect for their 3-0 start, including a 12-4 win over Ridgeview (Orange Park).