8 New Orleans Prep Baseball Underclassmen to Watch

These young talents could shine on the diamond this season

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The 2026 high school baseball season is underway in the New Orleans area, and several talented underclassmen are poised to make an impact. From standout pitchers to power hitters, these sophomores and freshmen are already making a name for themselves and could be the stars of the future.

Why it matters

High school sports, especially baseball, are a breeding ground for future college and professional talent. Identifying these up-and-coming players early on allows fans, scouts, and coaches to follow their development and see how they progress over the next few years.

The details

The article highlights eight New Orleans area prep baseball underclassmen who are expected to turn heads this season. This includes pitchers like Tanner Conley of Fontainebleau, Paul Dufrene of John Curtis, and Tanner Rouse of Country Day, as well as position players like Austin Guedry of Jesuit and Justin Morgan of Brother Martin. Many of these young athletes are already ranked among the top recruits in Louisiana for the Class of 2028.

  • The 2026 high school baseball season is underway.

The players

Tanner Conley

A 6-foot-2 lefthanded pitcher and two-way standout for Fontainebleau who had a 0.84 ERA and 60 strikeouts as a freshman.

Paul Dufrene

The No. 2-ranked Class of 2028 recruit in Louisiana, the 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher for John Curtis can also play third and first base.

Austin Guedry

A sophomore catcher off to a strong start for undefeated Jesuit, one of several young talents expected to play key roles this year.

Justin Morgan

The younger brother of former LSU standout and current pro player Tre Morgan, Justin is a multisport standout infielder with plus speed for Brother Martin.

Tanner Rouse

A 6-foot-1 right-handed pitcher ranked No. 11 overall in the Class of 2028 Louisiana recruiting rankings, he had 11 strikeouts in five shutout innings to open the season for Country Day.

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The takeaway

The New Orleans area is home to a wealth of young baseball talent, with several underclassmen poised to make an impact this season and potentially develop into future college and professional stars. Fans and scouts will be keeping a close eye on these rising young players as they look to build on their early success.