Top 25 Florida high school baseball rankings (3/13/2024)

Stoneman Douglas holds onto the state's No. 1 spot; IMG moves back to No. 2

The top team in the state is about to be severely tested, playing three straight days in a tournament. Should they stumble, a traditional national power lurks in the wings.

In the unpredictable sport of baseball, there are very few givens. But a constant the past few years is Marjory Stoneman Douglas, three-time reigning state and national champions.

The Eagles put their 57-game winning streak on the line this weekend in a tournament.

Meanwhile, IMG Academy remains as talented, if not more talented, than any team in the nation. But the Ascenders have their own challenge, with a huge game this week against St. Johns Country Day Orange Park.

Needless to say the prep baseball season is heating up in Florida, and SBLive Sports Florida is tracking all the action.

Now, let’s see how everything stacks up in our Florida Top 25 baseball rankings.

SBLive Sports Florida Baseball Power 25

1. MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS (6-0)

As noted, the Eagles are on the road in tournament play, putting their 57-game winning streak on the line. They play Thursday against South Walton Santa Rosa Beach, Friday against Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Saturday against Lincoln Tallahassee. Unfortunately, last week, Stoneman Douglas’ anticipated showdown with Jesuit Tampa was rained out. A week ago, the Eagles disposed of Miller School of Albemarle (Va.), 8-2, in the only game they played.

2. IMG ACADEMY (7-1)

The Ascenders are back in the No. 2 spot after slipping one slot a week ago. IMG showed great resourcefulness last weekend, pulling out a pair of close-call wins in South Florida. At Archbishop McCarthy, the Ascenders scored two runs with two outs in the seventh inning and then won it in nine innings, 6-2. The next afternoon, they won an 8-7 decision at previously unbeaten Doral Academy.

3. ST. JOHNS COUNTRY DAY ACADEMY (7-0)

The Spartans are putting up big offensive numbers, scoring 27 runs in their two wins last week. They’ll be tested on Thursday with a road game at IMG Academy.

4. DORAL ACADEMY (8-1)

So close to pulling off a major victory, Doral lost 8-7 to IMG at home. The Firebirds led 3-0 after the first inning, and rallied back from a 7-3 deficit to tie it in the sixth inning, only to watch IMG score the winning run in the seventh inning. The schedule doesn’t get any easier, with Westminster Christian on tap on Wednesday.

5. CALVARY CHRISTIAN CLEARWATER (7-1)

Previously unbeaten, Calvary Christian dropped a 2-1 decision on Tuesday to Seminole. All season, the Warriors have displayed tremendous pitching, not allowing more than two runs in a game.

6. DURANT PLANT CITY (7-1)

After moving up to No. 2 last week, the Cougars had a five-run lead in the sixth inning disappear in a 10-6 loss to Tampa Catholic. They bounced back by beating Steinbrenner Lutz, 7-3, on Monday and blanked Alonso Tampa, 7-0, on Tuesday.

7. NORTH BROWARD PREP (8-1)

Dealing with some injuries, the Eagles are still finding a way, winning six straight after their lone loss. They had a rainout against Miller School of Albemarle, but beat Chaminade-Madonna, 2-1. On Tuesday, they blanked Saint Andrew’s Boca Raton, 2-0.

8. MIAMI CHRISTIAN (6-1)

The Victors have won four straight since their lone loss, and pitching stepped up last week. In both of their wins, they allowed just one run apiece.

9. WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN (6-1)

This is a state championship-caliber club, with strong pitching and hitting. A key showdown with Doral Academy is set for Wednesday afternoon.

10. TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY JACKSONVILLE (6-1)

The Conquerors, winners of six in a row, are set to take on North Marion in a key game on Thursday.

11. JESUIT TAMPA (6-2)

Rained out at Stoneman Douglas last Thursday, the Tigers still managed to pull off a win in South Florida, defeating Sunset Miami, 10-5, last Tuesday, and they beat Newsome Lithia, 13-0, and Strawberry Crest, 4-3, on Monday. Jesuit defeated Leto Tampa, 7-4, on Tuesday.

12. MONTVERDE ACADEMY (7-2)

Wins over Bolles Jacksonville and Windermere Prep moved the Eagles up a few spots. But on Tuesday, they fell to Bolles, 1-0.

13. SPRUCE CREEK (6-1)

In a showdown with Windermere, the Hawks suffered their lone loss. They get a chance to bounce back with three games this week.

14. PENSACOLA CATHOLIC (5-1)

The Crusaders rebounded from their lone loss to Marist Atlanta, 10-5, in dominating fashion, beating Gulf Breeze, 11-1.

15. SICKLES TAMPA (6-2)

In the competitive Tampa Bay area, the Gryphons were tripped up, 6-2, by Lennard Ruskin, in tournament action. Their pitching will be tested with three games in three days.

16. WINDERMERE (6-2)

The Wolverines pulled off a big win last week, knocking off Spruce Creek, 5-1. But fell to Lake Minneola, 3-2, on Tuesday.

17. KEY WEST (5-2)

The Conchs are an interesting team, sporting some of the best overall pitching of any team in the state – three Division 1 pitchers. They’ll get a big test on Wednesday night at American Heritage.

18. HAGERTY OVIEDO (6-2)

A couple of early losses didn’t derail the Huskies season. Rebounding, on Tuesday they beat Oviedo, 7-0.

19. AMERICAN HERITAGE PLANTATION (5-3)

Since dropping three straight games to open the season, the Patriots are starting to find their stride. They’re dealing with some injuries, but still are among the most talented teams in the state.

20. COLUMBUS (6-1)

In the highly competitive Class 7A, the Explorers have been an emerging squad. On Monday, in a pitchers’ duel with Flanagan, they prevailed, 2-0, earning a spot in this week’s poll.

21. SEMINOLE (9-0)

The Warhawks are a team to focus on, especially after knocking off Calvary Christian Clearwater, 2-1.

22. BISHOP VEROT FORT MEYERS (8-0)

The Vikings remained unbeaten by shutting down Neumann Naples, 1-0.

23. NAPLES (7-2)

Winners of four straight, including handling Bishop Moore Orlando, 8-1, Naples is finding its stride.

24. NEUMANN NAPLES (7-2)

The Celtics bounced back from a 1-0 loss to Bishop Verot Fort Myers and breezed to a 12-2 win against Riverdale Fort Myers.

25. EAST LAKE TARPON SPRINGS (8-0)

A contender in Class 6A, East Lake has a string of three straight games scoring at least 10 runs.