San Diego high schools stacked with baseball talent as 2026 season begins

A look at the teams, players, stats and storylines to watch as the high school baseball season kicks off.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The 2026 high school baseball season in San Diego is shaping up to be an exciting one, with several top teams and players set to take the field. Defending champions from last year include Granite Hills, Point Loma, Mt. Carmel, University City, Ramona, High Tech-San Diego, and Rock Academy. The preseason top 10 teams are led by Cathedral Catholic, Granite Hills, and Rancho Bernardo, with many talented players to watch across the region.

Why it matters

San Diego has long been known as a hotbed for high school baseball talent, and this season looks to continue that tradition. With several top teams and players, the 2026 season promises to be highly competitive and showcase the depth of baseball skill in the area. The success of these programs and players could lead to increased college and professional opportunities for local athletes.

The details

The high school baseball season in San Diego kicks off on February 21, with section finals scheduled for May 20-30. Granite Hills, the defending Open Division champion, is once again expected to be a top contender, along with Cathedral Catholic, Rancho Bernardo, and Patrick Henry. Several players to watch include AJ Curry of University City, Caden Docken of Rancho Bernardo, and Aiden Sun of Del Norte. In addition, the Western League is shaping up to be one of the toughest in the region, with Cathedral Catholic, Patrick Henry, Point Loma, and University City all ranked in the preseason top 10.

  • The first contest of the 2026 season was on February 21.
  • The section finals are scheduled for May 20-30.

The players

Brenden Lewis

The 2025 Player of the Year from Granite Hills, now playing at Arizona State.

Luke Gailey

The 2025 Pitcher of the Year from Granite Hills, now playing at UC Santa Barbara.

AJ Curry

A senior left-handed pitcher and outfielder at University City who is committed to Tennessee.

Aiden Sun

A junior shortstop at Del Norte who is a UCSD commit and a second-team All-CIF selection.

Brady Strachan

A senior outfielder at Rancho Bernardo who was a first-team All-CIF pick and hit .419 with 21 RBIs last season.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The 2026 high school baseball season in San Diego promises to be an exciting one, with several top teams and talented players set to take the field. The depth of baseball skill in the area could lead to increased college and professional opportunities for local athletes.