The Times' top 25 high school baseball rankings - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Eric Sondheimer

February 22, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Los Angeles Times has released its top 25 high school baseball rankings for Southern California as the 2026 season begins. St. John Bosco and Orange Lutheran remain at the top of the list, showcasing their strong programs and promising starts to the season. St. John Bosco, ranked first, saw both James and Miles Clark commit to Duke, highlighting their potential on and off the field. Orange Lutheran, ranked second, kicked off their season with a game against Crespi. Several teams made significant impressions in their early games. Harvard-Westlake jumped to third with a 2-0 record, thanks to Ira Rootman’s impressive performance, including two home runs and six RBIs. Huntington Beach secured a spot in the top five after Jared Grindlinger’s reclassification, making him a potential first-round draft pick. Corona also earned recognition with Danny DeLaTorre’s two-home run debut. Other notable performances include Sherman Oaks Notre Dame’s 2-0 start, featuring three pitchers combining for 18 strikeouts in their opening win. Royal got off to a strong start as well, facing Santa Monica early in the season. Norco and Cypress also showed promise, with Dylan Seward’s hot hitting and a key matchup against Harvard-Westlake ahead. The rankings reflect the competitive landscape of high school baseball in Southern California, where talent and potential are on full display. Teams like Mater Dei, El Dorado, and Arcadia are closely watched as they navigate their early season challenges. With players like Blake Barberena, Caleb Trugman, and Ryder Gibson making impacts, the season promises to be thrilling for fans of prep sports. This ranking matters because it highlights the top programs and emerging stars in Southern California high school baseball. For readers interested in college recruitment trends, draft prospects, and the overall strength of the region’s talent pool, these rankings provide valuable insights into which teams and players to watch throughout the season.

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/22/2026