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High school baseball: 2026 4A team-by-team region capsules, predictions
High school baseball: 2026 4A team-by-team region capsules, predictions
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High school baseball: 2026 4A team-by-team region capsules, predictions
Timpanogos head coach Kim Nelson fist-bumps his players after they defeated Pine View 18-0 during the second game of a super-regional series in the 4A high school baseball state tournament held at Timpanogos High School in Orem on Friday, May 9, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
James Edward
Sun, March 1, 2026 at 6:20 PM UTC·
20 min read
The 2026 high school baseball season is scheduled to get underway this week for teams in Class 4A. To prepare fans for the upcoming season, the Deseret News has compiled capsules for every team in 4A. Every coach was invited to participate and submit information.
The region rankings are based on coaches’ preseason projections.
There are seven new baseball coaches in 4A this year: Daniel Lopez (Orem), Nate Horrocks (Summit Academy), Jagun Leavitt (Desert Hills), Rafael Flores (Highland), Robby Jackson (Juan Diego), Isaac Norton (Murray) and Jesse Clingman (Deseret Peak).
Here are the 4A teams and players to watch this upcoming season.
[Region 8 baseball projections]
Region 8 baseball projections
Region 8
1. Timpanogos Timberwolves
Head coach: Kim Nelson (30th year)
2025 record: 22-9 (first in Region 8 with a 11-1 record)
2025 RPI ranking: No. 4 in 4A
2025 postseason: 4-2 record, Eliminated by Crimson Cliffs in 4A Bracket Play
2025 offense: 9.1 rpg (No. 2 in 4A)
2025 defense: 4.4 rpg (No. 6 in 4A)
Returning contributors:
Canyon Clegg, P/3B, Sr.
Cooper Hawkes, SS/P, Sr.
Jace Hunter, C/P, Sr.
Corbin Hardy, P/OF, Jr.
Ryder Smith, P/OF, Sr.
Key newcomers:
Crew Peterson, 2B/SS, Jr.
Boston Cook, OF, Jr.
Max Martin, OF/IF, So.
Shane Eaquinto, OF, Jr.
Coach comment: “Enough returners, especially pitching, it should be a good season, if everyone stays healthy”
2. Provo Bulldogs
Head coach: Lance Moore (27th year)
2025 record: 18-10 (second in Region 8 with a 9-3 record)
2025 RPI ranking: No. 10 in 4A
2025 postseason: 2-2 record, Eliminated by Bear River in 4A Super Regionals
2025 offense: 6.7 rpg (No. 15 in 4A)
2025 defense: 4.9 rpg (No. 8 in 4A)
Returning contributors:
Will Gulbrandsen, P/OF, Sr.
Dawson Moore, SS/P, So.
Taven Lancaster, C, So.
Gehrig Orchard, P/IF, Sr.
Drevin Christensen, 3B/P, So.
Elijah Aulava, 1B/P, So.
Key newcomers:
Tre Asisi, OF, Sr.
Max Heriford, P/OF, Sr.
Johnny Perkins, P/OF, Sr.
Tyler Monn, OF/P, Jr.
Cole Mildenstein, IF, Jr.
Ty Nielsen, OF/C, Jr.
Yendri Vinicio, OF/P, So.
Max Chambers, IF, So.
Mack Lamb, IF/P, Fr.
Evan Frazier, IF/P, Fr.
Ami Albert, Utility, Fr.
Freddy Beesley, OF, Fr.
Coach comment: “The perennially young Bulldogs possess a lot of talent and potential as they head into the 2026 season. With a nice mix of solid, proven upperclassmen and talented, experienced underclassmen, Provo hopes to contend for a region title and challenge teams deep into the state tourney in May. Coming off of back-to-back eighteen win seasons, the Dogs look to improve on that mark this season.”
3. Orem Tigers
Head coach: Daniel Lopez (1st year)
2025 record: 20-11 (tied for second in Region 7 with a 8-6 record)
2025 RPI ranking: No. 6 in 5A
2025 postseason: 4-2 record, Eliminated by Brighton in 5A Bracket Play
2025 offense: 8 rpg (No. 8 in 5A)
2025 defense: 5.3 rpg (No. 12 in 5A)
Returning contributors:
Mack Ellison, CF/P, Sr.
Chase Ford, INF/P, Jr.
Key newcomers:
Luke Jones, 1B/P, Sr.
Mac Christiansen, OF/P, Sr.
Coulson Rich, OF/P, Jr.
Dalton Cox, C, Jr.
Tyler Richards, 1B/3B/P, Jr.
Lucas Engemann, OF/P, Jr.
Jake DeMaria, C, Jr.
Anthony DeMaria, P/INF, Jr.
Michael DeMaria, INF, Jr.
Beck Berge, INF, So.
Benji Engemann, OF/P, Fr.
Coach comment: “This group is young at the varsity level, but they’re not short on talent or work ethic. We expect to compete every day, regardless of who we’re playing. Our focus is on development, playing with discipline, and building consistency as the season goes on. If we continue to improve and stay committed to our standards, I believe this team will be playing its best baseball when it matters most.”
4. Mountain View Bruins
Head coach: Curtis Ford (2nd year)
2025 record: 10-17 (fourth in Region 8 with a 3-9 record)
2025 RPI ranking: No. 18 in 4A
2025 postseason: 0-2 record, Eliminated by Uintah in 4A Regionals
2025 offense: 6.3 rpg (No. 16 in 4A)
2025 defense: 8.7 rpg (No. 23 in 4A)
Returning contributors:
Caden Imes, C/RHP, Sr.
Joshua Hair, CF, Sr.
Logan Olsen, 1B/3B/RHP, Jr.
Dirk Ford, 2B/RHP, Jr.
Noa Ioane, UT/RHP, Jr.
Diego Falcon, 1B, Jr.
Michael Oakey, OF/RHP, Jr.
Key newcomers:
Carson Tobler, SS/RHP, So.
Mac Strong, UT/RHP, Jr.
Henry Tatton, 3B/RHP, So.
Andrew Johnson, UT, So.
Deacon Telford, SS/CF, Fr.
Coach comment: “This season should be the best we’ve been in years. This team continues to get better every day. We are a resilient team that finds a way to win. Overall, we are still a young team young team with only 2 Seniors. This young group has been battle tested from a young age and is ready to bang. We’re pumped for the season to get going. The guys are ready to go make their mark in region 8.”
5. Uintah Utes
Head coach: Justin Decol (3rd year)
2025 record: 14-15 (third in Region 8 with a 6-6 record)
2025 RPI ranking: No. 15 in 4A
2025 postseason: 2-2 record, Eliminated by Snow Canyon in 4A Super Regionals
2025 offense: 7.6 rpg (No. 7 in 4A)
2025 defense: 7.1 rpg (No. 17 in 4A)
Additional info not provided
6. Summit Academy Bears
Head coach: Nate Horrocks (1st year)
2025 record: 4-16 (fourth in Region 14 with a 3-6 record)
2025 RPI ranking: No. 17 in 3A
2025 postseason: Did not qualify
2025 offense: 4.5 rpg (No. 16 in 3A)
2025 defense: 9.7 rpg (No. 15 in 3A)
Additional info not provided
[Region 9 baseball projections]
Region 9 baseball projections
Region 9
1. Crimson Cliffs Mustangs
Head coach: Justin Abbott (7th year)
2025 record: 23-8 (tied for third in Region 9 with a 8-4 record)
2025 RPI ranking: No. 8 in 4A
2025 postseason: 7-0 record, Beat Snow Canyon in 4A Championship
2025 offense: 7.1 rpg (No. 12 in 4A)
2025 defense: 4.6 rpg (No. 7 in 4A)
Returning contributors:
Cutter Christensen, OF, Sr.
Austin Smith, C, Sr.
Mason Anderson, RHP, Sr.
Madden Smith, RHP, Sr.
Rayce Bennett, SS/3B, Sr.
Madden Neilsen, RHP, Sr.
Ryker Taylor, INF/RHP, Sr.
Quinn Chesnik, RHP, Sr.
Cole Marchant, LHP, Jr.
Key newcomers:
Ricardo Navarro, UT, Sr.
Sam Chappell, INF/OF, Jr.
Jamison Thornock, C/RHP, Jr.
Jaxson Bird, OF, Jr.
Kason Dickson, LHP, Jr.
Mason Burbidge, OF, So.
Ezra Luellen, 1B/DH, Sr.
Ryan Macfarlane, 1B/LHP, Sr.
Jace Haugewood, OF, Sr.
Josh Gray, INF, Sr.
Degan Soderquist, OF, So.
[...]