MaxPreps preseason Top 100 high school baseball rankings

Spruce Creek is our preseason pick as the top prep baseball team in the nation.

Photo by Gray Quetti

Spruce Creek (Port Orange, Fla.) tops the Xcellent 25 Preseason National Baseball Rankings, but there are plenty of other teams vying for national recognition as the 2013 season gets underway.

Florida holds down the top two spots in the preseason rankings, but California and Texas have the most teams in our list of the top 100 preseason teams. California is first with 16 teams while Texas has 13. Florida is third with nine.

The first regular season rankings will appear on Feb. 26, with the standard 25 teams.

MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Preseason National Baseball Rankings

1. Spruce Creek (Port Orange, Fla.) --- Preview

2. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) --- Preview

3. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) --- Preview

4. Martin (Arlington, Texas) --- Preview

5. Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) --- Preview

6. Vista (Calif.) --- Preview

7. Pensacola Catholic (Fla.) --- Preview

8. Fort Bend Dulles (Sugar Land, Texas) --- Preview

9. Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.) --- Preview

10. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) --- Preview

11. Lexington (S.C.), 27-4
Last Year: Class 4A state runner-up.
Who's Back: Nick Ciuffo, C, Sr, .353, 3 HR, 6 2B, 1 3B, 18 RBI; Dalton Addy, 2B, Sr., .375, 2 2B, 12 RBI; Josh Reagan, LHP, 7-0, 1.02 ERA, 62 IP, 59 K, 13 BB; Cole McMillan, LHP, 6-1, 2.24 ERA, 34.1 IP, 43 K, 22 BB; Elliott Lance, RHP, 4 saves, 1.45 ERA, 19.1 IP, 20 K, 11 BB.
Other Newcomers: Zack Paquette, Sr, OF; David Barboza, Sr, 1B; Ryan Brown, Jr, CF; Brandon Camp, Sr, OF; Matt Godleski, Sr, P;
Outlook: Lexington finished one run away from winning the South Carolina 4A state championship last year. With five starters back in the field and the majority of last year's pitching staff returning, Lexington starts out the season as the top team in the Palmetto State. Lexington has seven players headed to college, including three to South Carolina - Ciuffo, Reagan and McMillan. Ciuffo also ranks as one of the top catching prospects in the country and could be drafted in the first five rounds of the Major League Baseball draft in June.

12. Lake Braddock (Burke, Va.), 26-3
Last Year: Class AAA state champion.
Who's Back: Alex Gransback, CF, Sr, .453, 4 HR, 31 RBI; Alex Lewis, 3B, Sr, .302, 26 R, 20 RBI; Garett Driscoll, C, Sr, .274, 14 RBI; Jack Owens, SS, .369, 33 R, 15 RBI; Thomas Rogers, P, 11-1, 1.15 ERA, 100 K; Mitch Spille, Ut, .357, 4 HR, 31 RBI; Matt Supko, Soph, P, 8 IP, 18 K, .88 ERA.
Outlook: The Bruins cruised to the AAA championship in Virginia last year and they have the talent necessary to do it again. Besides returning seven starters, Lake Braddock has six who have committed or signed to play at the next level next season, including All-American Gransback, who has committed to Virginia Commonwealth.

13. Cypress Ranch (Houston), 32-8
Last Year: Class 5A state champion.
Who's Back: Derek Dickerson, 1B, Jr, .351, 6 2B, 4 HR; Corbin Martin, OF/P, Jr, .324, 6 2B, 2 HR; Zach Brosch, P, Sr, 8-0, 1.44 ERA, 38 K; Dalton Stark, OF, Jr., .317, 16 R; Chase Spears, DH/OF, Jr, .321, 3 HR, 3 2B.
Outlook: The Mustangs return six starters from last year's state championship team. Most of the position players are still young, as four projected starters are still juniors. The Mustangs must replace Grant Slaughter, the Houston area's top pitcher, but still figure to be the favorite in a very tough District 17-5A.

14. Venice (Fla.), 24-8
Last Year: Class 7A state champion.
Who's Back: Nick Longhi, .330, 16 RBI; Cooper Hammond, RHP, 10-1, 0.56 ERA; Tyson Albert, P; Brandon Elmy, OF, .352, 20 RBI.
Outlook: The Indians have enough returning pitching and hitting to make another run at the Class 7A state championship. Venice will also get the chance to see how it can compete on the national stage as it will participate in the National High School Invitational in North Carolina in late March.

15. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.), 40-3
Last Year: Seven-time defending Division I state champion. Ranked No. 1 in 2012 final Xcellent 25.
Who's Back: Jerell Latham, CF/LHP, Sr, .478, 3 HR, 41 RBI, 14 2B, 4 3B, 15 SB, 4-0, 2.64 ERA, 24 IP; Kenny Meimerstorf, CF, Sr, .417 , 47 RBI, 9 HR, 9 2B, 4 3B; Michael Blasko, C, Jr, .523, 8 2B, 3 3B, 29 RBI; Neiko Martinez, 6-0, 2.8 ERA, 35 IP; Cadyn Grenier, RHP, Soph, 7 IP, 0.00 ERA.
Other Newcomers: Erik Nouis, LHP, Sr (returning from labrum surgery), Cole Krzmarzick, 3B, Jr; Nick Gates, 1B/RHP, Jr; Kai Domingo, RHP, 2B, Sr; Brandon Wulff, OF/Soph; Matt Hudgins, OF, Soph; Matt Judd, OF, Jr.
Outlook: The Gaels lost a ton of talent from last year's national championship team, including first round draft pick Joey Gallo. Coach Nick Day feels this year's team is hungry and ready to prove itself. Latham, Blasko and Meimerstorf are as good as any hitters in the state, but younger players will need to come through in order for Gaels to win an eighth-straight state championship.

16. Valley Christian (San Jose, Calif.), 25-8
Last Year: Central Coast Section Division I champion.
Who's Back: Bryson Brigman, Jr, IF, .376, 6 2B; Keenan Brigman, Soph, IF, .291, 12 RBI; Theron Kay, Jr, IF, .279, 3 2B, 8-2, 57 K, 0.98 ERA, 78.2 IP; Chris Manderson, 5-2, 44 K, 2.00 ERA, 49 IP; Chase Chadband, 2-2, 16 K, 5.53 ERA, 19 IP; Mark Quinby, Soph, P, 1-0, 8 K, 1.97 ERA, 10.2 IP.
Other Newcomers: Kyle Marinconz, IF, Soph; Alex Murphy, C, Soph; Dalton Craig, C, Soph; Isaiah Ozua, OF, Jr.
Outlook: The Warriors lose five starters from a team that won the Central Coast Section championship last season, however they return their two best infielders in Bryson and Keenan Brigman, and they have 16 wins back on the mound. The West Catholic Athletic League will be a tough test with St. Francis also contending for the league, and potentially section, crown.

17. Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.), 37-9
Last Year: Lost in third round of state tournament.
Who's Back: Kyle Serrano, RHP, 4-0, 2.41 ERA, 33 K, committed to Tennessee, Sr; Nick Senzel, IF, Sr, .404, 46 RBI, 7 HR, 12 2B, Georgia; Cameron Strickland, Sr, OF, .387, 31 RBI, 9 2B, 3 HR, Tennessee; Anthony El Cihbani, OF, Sr, Tennessee Tech; Chase Chambers, 1B/LHP, Jr, .375, 33 RBI, 12 2B, 2 HR, 7-0, 3.19 ERA, 34 K; Brett Hagenow, C, Sr, .274, 18 RBI, Carson Newman; Patrick Raby, RHP/IF, Soph, 7-4, 3.47 ERA, 63 K; David Logan, IF/C, Sr, .358, 42 RBI, 13 2B, 7 HR. 
Outlook: Farragut didn't win a state championship for the first time since the 2007 season. The Admirals have averaged 39 wins a season during that span and they return eight starters from a team that fielded just one senior.

18. Woodford County (Versailles, Ky.), 39-9
Last Year: Kentucky state champion.
Who's Back: Clint Hollon, Sr, P, 3-0, 1.68 ERA, 28 Ks; Logan Parrett, 7-1, 1.44 ERA, 63 IP, 80 Ks, .385, 17 RBI; Pete Onan, P, 5-3, 4.03 ERA, 40 IP, 40 Ks; Jon Thomas O'Reel, 3-0, 1.75 ERA, 32 IP, 32 Ks; Eli Bogges, IF, .382, 10 2B; Brandon Varble, IF, .337, 28 RBI, 1 HR.
Outlook: The defending state champions have a formidable pitching staff, led by Hollon, who is expected to be selected in the first round of the MLB draft in June.

19. Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.), 28-2
Last Year: Florida 5A state semifinalist.
Who's Back: Vincent Miniet, .429, 27 R, 6 2B, 2 HR, 16 RBI; Adrian Chacon, .342, 21 R, 4 2B, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.1 IP, 10 K; Spencer Trayner, .288, 26 R, 3 2B, 14 RBI, 6-0, .69 ERA, 30.1 IP, 39 K; Leland Saile, .333, 18 R, 4 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI; John Kilichowski, .83 ERA, 4-1, 33.2 IP, 47 K;
Other Newcomers: Ryan McCullers, Jr, C; Evan Cannan, Jr, OF; Ronnie Ramirez, SS/RHP, soph, transfer from Plant.
Outlook: Despite losing All-American Lance McCullers from the pitching staff, coach Richie Warren returns seven pitchers who have hit at least 90 mph on their fastball. Kilichowski (signed with Vanderbilt) is a potential top 5 round pick in the MLB draft while Chacon (UNC) could go in the top 10 rounds. Five other players have signed to play in college.

20. Milton (Ga.), 25-7
Last Year: Reached second round of the Georgia Class 5A state championships.
Who's Back: Dalton Ewing, Jr., OF, .394, 5 2B, 4 3B, 18 RBI; Ryan Gridley, Jr, IF, .398, 5 2B, 3 3B, 19 RBI; Dalon Farkas, Jr., IF, .301, 4 2B, 13 RBI; Jack Thompson, Jr, 1B, .295, 9 2B, 16 RBI; Alex Schnell, Jr, OF, .295, 5 2B, 2, HR, 15 RBI, 2.4 ERA, 10 IP, 15 K; Matt Phillips, Sr, RHP, 8-1, 1.4 ERA, 50 IP, 60 K; Payton Smith, Sr, RHP, 6-1, 0.98 ERA, 31 IP, 40 K;
Other Newcomers: Alec Miller, Jr, C; Nick Bradshaw, Sr, C, transfer from Oconee County.
Outlook: Milton returns lots pitching experience and depth, although many of the position players are still underclassmen. Nevertheless, Milton has seven starters returning in the field and two-thirds of last year's pitching staff returning. The team will get a good test at the National High School Invitational in March.

21. Elk Grove (Calif.), 20-9
Last Year: Reached the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North playoffs.
Who's Back: Dom Nunez, IF, Sr, .429, 29 RBI, 10 2B, 9 3B; Ryan Tellez, Sr, 1B, .568, 47 RBI, 8 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR; Nick Madrigal, Soph, IF, .379, 18 RBI, 34 R; Derek Hill, Jr., .451, 19 RBI, 3 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR; David Smith, Sr, P, 6-0, 1.03 ERA, 33 K, 47.2 IP.
Outlook: The Thundering Herd have two of the top infielders in the country in Team USA 18U member Dom Nunez and MaxPreps Preseason All-American Ryan "Rowdy" Tellez. Elk Grove has won at least 20 games each of the past four seasons, but a section title has eluded it since the Herd won three in a row from 2005-2007.

22. Gloucester Catholic (Gloucester City, N.J.), 28-4
Last Year: Non-Public A state champion.
Who's Back: Giovanni Gussen, Sr, OF, .455, 26 RBI, 14 SB; Frank Raggozzino, Sr, C, .441, 7 2B, 11 RBI; John Theckston, Sr, C, .341, 3 2B, 11 RBI; Mike Schawaryn, Sr, RHP, 2-0, 2.80 ERA, 10 K (injured most of last season); John Murphy, Soph, RHP, 7-2, 1.40 ERA, 47 K, 60 IP; Mike Mercer, Jr, RHP, 3-0, 0.94 ERA, 26 K, 22 IP; Steve Mondile, Jr, RHP, 4-0, 1.38 ERA, 26 K, 30.1 IP; Dante Scafidi, Soph, LHP, 3-0, 1.67 ERA, 17 K, 21 IP.
Other Newcomers: Mike Garofolo, Jr, OF; Derek Demarria, Sr, IF; Tim Holder, Sr, IF; Pat Heister, Sr, IF; Sean Breen, Soph, IF; Pete Farlow, Soph, IF.
Outlook: Gloucester Catholic has won 19 consecutive conference championships and three consecutive state titles. New coach Michael Rucci hopes to add to those totals. He has an impressive pitching staff that returns every win from last year's team and one that will benefit from the return of Mike Schawaryn, an All-American candidate as a junior who missed nearly all of last year due to injury.

23. The Woodlands (Texas), 27-9
Last Year: Lost in the bi-district round to Klein Oak.
Who's Back: Ryan Burnett, Sr, P, signed with TCU; Alex Dunlap, Sr, C, Stanford; Carter Hope, Sr, P, Oklahoma State; Charlie Warren, Rice; Brandon Miles, P, Houston; Chris Andritsos, Soph, P.
Outlook: The Highlanders have five returning players who have signed with Division I schools.

24. Oak Grove (Hattiesburg, Miss.), 34-3
Last Year: Won the Mississippi Class 6A state championship.
Who's Back: Mark Worley, Sr, SS/P, .360, 3 2B; Kirk McCarty, P/OF, Jr, .295, 3 2B, 31 BB, 6-2, 1.49 ERA, 73 K, 61 IP; Taylor Braley, Jr, 3B/P, .319, 10 2B, 5 HR, 5-0, 1.30 ERA, 32 K, 33 IP; John Carter Sanner, Jr, OF/1B/P, .283, 5 2B, 4-0, 0.88 ERA, 14 K, 22 IP.
Other Newcomers: Matthew Guidry, Soph; Cameron Myers, Soph; Jalen Hasken, Sr.
Outlook: The school won its 10th state championship last season, the second under coach Chris McCardle. The team has a strong contingent of pitchers, led by McCarty, who throws in the 88-90 mph range, and Braley, who throws 91-93.

25. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.), 23-9
Last Year: Reached second round of Division I playoffs.
Who's Back: Cody Bellinger, 1B/LHP, .447, 4 HR, 13 2B, 31 RBI, 27 runs, second team all-state, signed with Oregon; Kyle Pechloff, C, .380, 15 2B, 19 RBI, 30 runs; Skyler Palermo, OF, .333, 3 HR, 6 2B, 23 RBI; Sean Rackoski, RHP, 40 IP, 1.20 ERA, 5-1, Signed with Kansas; Tyler Erwin, LHP, 34 IP, 3-1, 2.06 ERA; Kent Hasler, RHP, 2-0.
Other Newcomers: Austin Filiere, SS; Ryan Peep, OF, committed to Arizona State.
Outlook: Hamilton returns six position players and eight players who have signed to play college ball at some level. The team returns three of its top pitchers from last year's team, although top prospect Patrick Murphy (RHP) is out for the season due to injury. The Huskies have 12 straight 20-win seasons and have yet another deep and experienced team under coach Mike Woods.