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Florida’s high school baseball scene produced an extraordinary crop of hitters in 2026 — state champions, first-round MLB draftees and blue-chip college recruits all appear among the nominees for High School on SI’s Florida Baseball Hitter of the Year. This list captures who dominated the plate this season and what those performances mean for pro and college pipelines.
The nominees reflect not just impressive stat lines but the broader talent flow from the Sunshine State into college rosters and professional organizations. Below are the contenders, brief context on the most eye-catching seasons and how to participate in the fan vote.
| Player | Position / School | Season snapshot | Commit / Draft status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Lombard | SS — Gulliver Prep | Hit .477, 10 HR, 52 runs (state-high), 25 RBI | Miami commit; selected in the 1st round by the Marlins |
| Coleman Borthwick | RHP/SS — South Walton | .460, 16 doubles, 9 HR, 34 RBI; pitching 11-0, 0.21 ERA, 121 K | Auburn commit; 1st-round pick by the Padres |
| Gabriel Blaxberg | OF/LHP/1B — Canterbury School | League-leading .672 average, 6 HR, .750 OBP, 1.164 SLG | Florida Gulf Coast signee |
| Tavis Honeycutt | SS/RHP — Newberry | .609, 16 HR (state-high), 49 runs, 49 RBI; prodigious power numbers | University of Florida commit |
| Wilson Andersen | RHP/INF — Tampa Jesuit | .426, 11 doubles, 4 triples, helped win Class 4A title; 11-2, 1.62 ERA | Mississippi State commit |
| Nate Davis | OF/LHP — Bishop Moore | .406, 8 HR, 46 runs, guided team to Class 4A runner-up | LSU commit |
| Jordan Martinez | SS — Jacksonville Trinity Christian Academy | .365, 12 HR (tied second in state), 43 RBI; instrumental in Class 2A title | LSU commit |
| August Blackman | Venice | .469, 3 HR, 40 runs; helped team to Class 7A runner-up | University of Florida commit |
| Nico Sabatino | OF — St. Thomas Aquinas | .512, 9 doubles, 5 HR, 43 runs; key contributor to Class 6A championship | Appalachian State signee |
| Brayden Harris | RHP/OF — St. Johns Country Day | .400, 7 HR, 31 RBI; 12-2 record with a state-best 165 strikeouts | Florida State commit |
Standouts and storylines
Two-way performers dominated the narrative this season. Players such as Coleman Borthwick and Brayden Harris produced elite numbers at the plate while also anchoring their staffs, a profile that increases their immediate value to both college programs and pro scouts.
Power was a recurring theme across divisions. Newberry’s Tavis Honeycutt posted a staggering slugging mark and led the state in home runs, while Jacob Lombard combined high average with run production and first-round draft recognition.
At the other end of the spectrum, Gabriel Blaxberg’s season was defined by an extraordinary batting average and on-base percentage — a reminder that contact and plate discipline still matter even in an era of rising exit velocities.
- MLB pipeline: First-round selections among the nominees underline Florida’s role as a direct feeder to professional baseball.
- College recruiting impact: Strong summer evaluations and state-title performances will influence signing classes for 2027 and beyond.
- Program momentum: Several nominees helped lead their teams to state championships or deep postseason runs, elevating their schools’ profiles.
How the vote works
The fan poll allows readers to pick who they think was the top hitter in Florida high school baseball this year. Voting is open to the public and is intended to highlight and celebrate the players featured. There are no prizes attached to the poll unless explicitly stated in advance.
Voting timeline: Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. PT on Sunday, July 26; the winner was scheduled to be announced the following week.
These nominations offer a snapshot of the state’s deepest and most productive hitters in 2026 — a group that will shape college lineups and, for some, start professional careers. Follow the vote to see which season earns the most recognition from fans.
Jeff Gardenour can be reached at jgardenour1962@gmail.com or on X @JMarkG1962.
