Each year since 2008, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in
high school baseball. We continue the tradition this spring by naming
the best player in each state during the 2026 season.
The MaxPreps Player of the Year will be announced following the conclusion of championship events in each state.
Selections
are based on team success and individual excellence. Read on for a look
at our picks from states that have completed play. Iowa, which holds its season in the summer, and Wyoming, which does not sanction high school baseball, are not included.
Alabama
Jace Riggan, Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville)
6-2 | 195 | Shortstop/Pitcher | Junior
Named
the Class 7A tournament MVP after pitching the Huskies to a state
championship. One of the top-rated juniors in the state by Perfect Game,
Riggan went 8-3-1 as a pitcher with a 1.05 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 60
innings pitched. He also hit leadoff, batting .422 with 33 runs, 30 RBI, 11
doubles, a triple and a home run.
Alaska
Announced June 10
Arizona
Kellan Tom, Corona del Sol (Tempe)
6-2 | 210 | First Base | Senior
The
two-way standout earned Conference 6A player of the year honors after
leading the Aztecs to the final. He batted .440 with 43 RBI, 29 runs, 10
doubles and 10 home runs. On the mound, Tom was 7-2 with
a 3.12 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 67.1 innings pitched.
Arkansas
Keaton Mathis, Valley View (Jonesboro)
5-11 | 190 | Catcher | Senior
A repeat selection as MaxPreps POY, Mathis led Valley
View to another state championship as one of the top catchers in the nation.
He batted .422 with 37 RBI, 26 walks, nine doubles, four home runs and
just four strikeouts. After winning 10 games a pitcher last year, Mathis
was used less on the mound as a senior but still went 2-0 with 14
strikeouts.
California
Announced June 10
Colorado
Announced June 3
Connecticut
Announced June 17
Delaware
Announced June 17
Florida
Coleman Borthwick, South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach)
6-6 | 260 | Pitcher/Infielder | Senior
A
potential first-round draft pick in July, Borthwick dominated on the
mound and at the plate for the Class 3A state champions. He batted .460
with 34 RBI, 16 doubles and nine home runs. He posted a 10-0 record as a
pitcher with a 0.21 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 65.2 innings.
Georgia
Announced June 3
Hawaii
Josyah Napoleon-Umeda, Honoka’a
5-6 | 150 | Pitcher/Outfielder | Senior
The two-way player was dynamite all-season long for the undefeated
Division 2 champions. He led the state in home runs (6), wins (7) and
batting average (.577). He had a 0.42 ERA with 59 strikeouts in 33.2
innings and added 22 RBI, seven doubles and three triples at the
plate. In the final, he pitched a complete game, three-hit shutout to
defeat Damien.
Idaho
Sage Medeiros, Sandpoint
6-5 | 185 | Pitcher/Outfielder | Senior
Nearly untouchable on the mound for the Bulldogs, Medeiros went
10-0 and gave up just six earned runs in 55 innings for a 0.76 ERA. He
struck out 84 and walked just 11. In the state final, Medeiros went
3-for-4 with a double and two home runs with five RBI. He finished the
season batting .346 with 33 RBI and three home runs.
Illinois
Announced June 17
Indiana
Announced June 24
Kansas
Announced June 3
Kentucky
Announced June 17
Louisiana
Mills Richardson, Catholic (Baton Rouge)
6-2 | 177 | Pitcher | Senior
The
Bears won their third straight Select Division 1 championship on the
arm of Richardson, who led the team with a 10-1 record and 1.66 ERA. He
added 68 strikeouts and 20 walks in 67.2 innings pitched. The state
tournament MVP batted .301 with 15 RBI and three home runs.
Maine
Announced June 24
Maryland
Announced June 3
Massachusetts
Announced June 17
Michigan
Announced June 17
Minnesota
Announced June 24
Mississippi
Cole Prosek, Magnolia Heights (Senatobia)
6-1 | 195 | Shortstop | Senior
In
leading the Chiefs to a MAIS Class 4A championship, Prosek was among
the leading hitters in the nation. His 79 RBI are No. 1 nationally while his
18 home runs ranked second. He cranked out 76 hits, 62 runs and 19 doubles while batting .585 with a 1.177 slugging
percentage.
Missouri
Announced June 10
Montana
Announced June 3
Nebraska
Collin Driffill, Millard North (Omaha)
6-1 | 200 | Pitcher | Senior
Ranked
as the No. 1 recruit in the state by Perfect Game, Driffill was the ace
of the Millard North staff while leading the Mustangs to a Class A
championship. He went 8-1 with a 0.93 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 45.1
innings pitched.
Nevada
Giovanni Guariglia, Silverado (Las Vegas)
6-0 | 220 | Pitcher/First Base | Senior
The
Skyhawks reached the Class 4A championship game thanks in part to Guariglia, who was the top power hitter in the state. His 18 home runs nearly doubled
the No. 2 hitter in the state and he had three games with two home runs.
He batted .323 with 44 RBI and seven doubles. He went 6-1 on the mound
with 74 strikeouts in 40.2 innings pitched.
New Hampshire
Announced June 17
New Jersey
Announced June 17
New Mexico
Anthony Del Angel, Cleveland (Rio Rancho)
6-4 | 205 | Shortstop | Senior
Del
Angel is rated by Perfect Game as the top recruit in the state and he
has a shot at being drafted in July. The shortstop batted .500 for the
Storm, which finished as the Class 5A runner-up. He scored 59 runs and
drove in 43 to go with 13 home runs, 12 doubles and six triples.
New York
Announced June 17
North Carolina
Announced June 3
North Dakota
Announced June 3
Ohio
Announced June 17
Oklahoma
Hunter Watson, Tuttle
6-1 | 205 | Pitcher/Catcher | Senior
Although
he missed six games with an injury, Watson came on
strong down the stretch and led Tuttle to a Class 4A state
championship. He batted .505 with 45 RBI, 30 runs, 13 doubles, two
triples and eight home runs – including three in the state
tournament. He also had a 6-0 record with a 0.24 with 55 strikeouts in
29.1 innings pitched.
Oregon
Announced June 10
Pennsylvania
Announced June 17
Rhode Island
Announced June 17
South Carolina
Announced June 3
South Dakota
Announced June 3
Tennessee
Michael Teasley, Oak Ridge (Oak Ridge, Tenn.)
6-0 | 190 | Pitcher/Third Base | Senior
Teasley
earned Mr. Baseball honors from the state coaches association for Class
4A. He batted .397 with 39 runs, 36 RBI, 13 doubles and five home runs.
He was also lights out on the mound with an 11-0 record that included
138 strikeouts and a 1.17 ERA in 72 innings pitched.
Texas
Announced June 10
Utah
Harmon Skeen, Desert Hills (St. George, Utah)
6-4 | 215 | Shortstop | Senior
The
state leader in home runs with 16, Skeen led Desert Hills to a
runner-up finish in Class 4A. He batted .451 with 49 runs, 44 RBI, four
doubles and a 1.110 slugging percentage. He got four wins on the mound
with 19 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA.
Vermont
Announced June 17
Virginia
Announced June 17
Washington
Announced June 3
West Virginia
Announced June 17
Wisconsin
Announced June 24
