High school baseball: American Fork, Spanish Fork, Crimson Cliffs, Union and Kanab check in at No. 1 in 2026 preseason coaches rankings

With the way mother nature have behaved this year, it’s been tough to tell what season we’re actually in. But according to the UHSAA high school sports calendar, spring is just around the corner.

The high school baseball season officially gets underway on Monday, March 2, and here’s a look at the preseason favorites in all five classifications.

Three of the five preseason No. 1s in the coaches preseason rankings are defending state champs — American Fork (6A), Spanish Fork (5A) and Crimson Cliffs (4A). The other two preseason favorites are Union (3A) and Kanab (2A).

In 6A, American coach Jared Ingersol said his team has some big shoes to fill with the graduation of last year’s Mr. Baseball CJ Mascaro and first team all-stater Cooper Jones. The Cavemen definitely have talent returning though with last year’s playoff MVP Kenny Johnson and first team all-staters Cache Poulson and Bode Gaggero.

Big things are also expected from preseason No. 2 Riverton and No. 3 Lehi.

In 5A, Spanish Fork is loaded for a run at a repeat after last year’s unlikely run to the state championship as the No. 20 seed. The Dons went 9-1 in the playoffs.

“We are really excited for this upcoming season. We return 8 of 9 position players and our whole pitching staff is back. We hope to build on the great of the season we had last year,” said Spanish Fork coach Hadley Thorpe.

Headlining that group is junior Nixon Warren, a returning 5A all-stater from a year ago.

Maple Mountain was the No. 1 seed heading into last year’s state tournament, and it will begin the season ranked No. 2 in the rankings.

In 4A, Crimson Cliffs won the state championship as the No. 8 seed, but there are big expectations this year with plenty of returning starters and experience.

“This team is returning a lot of guys from last year which helps us big time when it comes to experience and leadership. Our young guys have had a really good fall and early spring,” said Crimson Cliffs coach Justin Abbot.

Outfield Cutter Christensen is the top returning player for the Mustangs as he was voted a first team all-stater in 2025.

In 3A, defending state champion Canyon View will begin the season ranked No. 2 behind Union in the preseason rankings.

The Cougars are led by returning all-staters in senior Gannon Labrum and junior Dylan Watagomigie

“Excited about the opportunity to compete this season. We have a strong group returning and look forward to our strong schedule,” said Union coach Matt Labrum.

Canyon View graduated three of its four first team all-staters from a year ago and has some notable holes to fill.

In 2A, defending state champ South Sevier is in a similar position after graduating its top three players a year ago. It opens the season ranked third behind No. 1 Kanab and No. 2 Beaver.

Kanab was the 2A runner-up a year ago and is loaded with returning contributors from that group.

" We are excited as a coaching staff to see what we can do this year together,” said Kanab coach Craig Brinkerhoff.

Deseret News preseason coaches rankings

Class 6A

Team (2025 record)

1. American Fork (28-4)
2. Riverton (20-11)
3. Lehi (19-16)
4. Mountain Ridge (20-12)
5. Corner Canyon (17-11)

Class 5A

Team (2025 record)

1. Spanish Fork (18-17)
2. Maple Mountain (28-3)
3. Pleasant Grove (23-6)
4. Alta (19-8)
5. Brighton (28-5)

Class 4A

Team (2025 record)

1. Crimson Cliffs (23-8)
2. Desert Hills (24-6)
3. Snow Canyon (23-8)
4. Ridgeline (25-6)
5. Timpanogos (22-9)

Class 3A

Team (2025 record)

1. Union (21-8)
2. Canyon View (27-5)
3. Juab (25-7)
4. Grantsville (15-13)
5. Morgan (20-10)

Class 2A

Team (2025 record)

1. Kanab (20-8)
2. Beaver (24-5)
3. South Sevier (26-6)
4. Gunnison Valley (18-9)
5. San Juan (21-6)