High School Top 25: March 9
The first in-season update to the High School Top 25 includes changes at the top and a few early-season risers.
Walton High of Marietta, Ga., jumps to No. 1 in the rankings, thanks to a hot start. Walton is lead by shortstop Carter Kieboom, an outstanding hitter who could be an early draft pick in June. The Raiders also took an important win over McEachern High’s hard-throwing righthander Alex Speas. Walton has five Division I commits.
Huntington Beach fell from No. 1 to No. 14 after a pair of losses, both to competitive Southern California schools. The Oilers will also be without righthander Logan Pouelsen, who is sidelined with an arm injury, and lefthander Nicholas Pratto, who is ineligible to play at the beginning of this season due to CIF transfer rules. Still, Huntington Beach has plenty of talent heading into the National High School Invitational, which runs March 23-26 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C.
One of the biggest risers in the rankings is Archbishop McCarthy, which jumped from No. 34 to No. 11. The Mavericks took an impressive victory over previously ranked North Broward Prep. McCarthy is lead by junior Miami commit Alex Toral, who possesses exceptional raw power.
Stoneman Douglas also took a huge step forward in the rankings, thanks to key wins over Archbishop McCarthy and North Broward Prep. Luzardo was the ace of the Eagles’ staff, and losing him will present a critical challenge, but third baseman and Under Armour All-American Colton Welker provides power and leadership.
Key teams falling out of the top 25 include Pope High (Marietta, Ga.) and North Broward Prep (Pompano Beach, Fla.). Both teams have plenty of talent but are off to uninspiring starts. Pope is 5-4, and North Broward is 5-3-1. Both teams could earn their way back into the top 25 against daunting schedules.
All records are as of March 7. The rankings are a product of the Baseball Coaches Association and Baseball America.
| Rank | School | Record | Previous Rank |
| 1. | Walton High, Marietta, Ga. | 6-0 | 2 |
| 2. | Coppell (Texas) High | 11-0 | 3 |
| 3. | Hamilton High, Chandler, Ariz. | 8-0 | 4 |
| 4. | Jserra Catholic High, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. | 2-0 | 5 |
| 5. | Oxford (Miss.) High | 4-0 | 8 |
| 6. | Orange (Calif.) Lutheran High | 2-1 | 9 |
| 7. | De La Salle High, Concord, Calif. | 0-0 | 7 |
| 8. | Prosper (Texas) High | 4-1 | 14 |
| 9. | Barbe High, St. Charles, La. | 8-0 | 15 |
| 10. | Christian Brothers High, Memphis, Tenn. | 0-0 | 10 |
| 11. | Archbishop McCarthy, Southwest Ranches, Fla. | 9-1 | 34 |
| 12. | Moeller, Cincinnati, Ohio | 0-0 | 12 |
| 13. | Basic High, Henderson, Nev. | 0-0 | 13 |
| 14. | Huntington Beach (Calif.) High | 2-2 | 1 |
| 15. | Saint Francis High, Mountain View, Calif. | 2-0 | 18 |
| 16. | Bentonville (Ark.) High | 2-1 | 19 |
| 17. | Madison High, Vienna, Va. | 0-0 | 17 |
| 18. | Stoneman Douglas High, Parkland, Fla. | 8-1 | NR |
| 19. | Houston (Texas) Westside | 4-1 | 22 |
| 20. | Lee County High, Leesburg, Ga. | 9-0 | NR |
| 21. | Flanagan High, Pembroke Pines, Fla. | 5-1 | 20 |
| 22. | Calallen High, Corpus Christi, Texas | 10-2 | 23 |
| 23. | Buchanan High, Clovis, Calif. | 5-0 | 40 |
| 24. | Christian Brothers College High, St. Louis | 0-0 | 24 |
| 25. | Rock Canyon High, Highlands Ranch, Colo. | 0-0 | 25 |
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