High school baseball: 55 Central Texas players having breakout seasons in 2026

Anderson pitcher Vinny Franco throws in the second inning of the District 24-5A game between the McCallum Knights and Anderson Trojans at Northwest Pony Field, March 31, 2026. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)

As the Central Texas high school baseball regular season enters its home stretch with the playoffs starting in two weeks, the American-Statesman looks at 55 Austin-area players who are having breakout performances this spring.

(Players listed alphabetically. First- and second-team all-district selections from a year ago are not eligible as they don’t meet the definition of “breakout.” Stats accurate as of either Monday or Wednesday.)

Isaiah Aleman, Eastside: A big reason the Panthers seem poised to take the fourth playoff spot out of District 25-4A, the junior pitcher and first baseman is hitting .378 with 10 RBIs and has been nearly flawless defensively.

Jack Appl, Round Rock: Always an elite athlete, the senior outfielder has shone at the plate this year hitting .343 with a .429 OBP and six RBIs.

Nixon Badilla, Dripping Springs: Whether it’s on the mound, in the outfield or at the plate, the senior does it all for the Tigers. He’s hitting .393 with 22 RBIs and is 1-0 with five saves, a 0.00 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 13 innings.

Lincoln Baugher, McCallum: Holding down center field for a Knights team headed back to the Class 5A playoffs, the sophomore already has 25 hits, including seven doubles, 27 RBIs and 22 runs scored with an OBP of .483.

Liam Bell, Bowie: Part of a perennially good Bulldogs team, the sophomore outfielder is hitting .302 with five extra-base hits.

Dillon Bennett, East View: One reason the Patriots look to return to the postseason, the senior hurler is 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA and 28 strikeouts.

Miles Brocato, Pflugerville: Arguably one of the area’s top five freshmen, he’s 6-1 with 50 strikeouts and a 0.67 ERA in 42 innings for a Panthers team in the District 23-5A playoff race.

Liam Bruner, Bowie: The senior pitcher is dominating for the Bulldogs, going 7-1 with 51 strikeouts and a 0.92 ERA in 45 innings.

Joe Bury, Rouse: With nine extra-base hits, 10 stolen bases, 13 RBIs and a batting average of .349, the senior left fielder is a key part of one of Central Texas’ best teams.

Masaki Chao, LASA: Also part of the Raptors’ pitching staff, the sophomore outfielder is hitting .324 with a home run and 22 RBIs.

Cooper Chitsey, Anderson: One of multiple dangerous hitters in the Trojans lineup, the junior outfielder is batting .375 with six extra-base hits and 14 RBIs.

RC Cowes, Westwood: Dynamic at shortstop, the senior is hitting .375 with 16 RBIs for a Warriors team in the thick of the District 25-6A playoff race.

Colby Driskell, Rouse: Hitting .390 with 15 RBIs, the senior is also 2-0 with a 1.61 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 17 innings for a loaded Raiders team. Rouse coach Chad Krempin noted he has thrown 91 mph at times this season.

Charles Dyess, Austin High: One of the Maroons’ top hitters, the junior outfielder is batting .364.

Cade Ereckson, Georgetown: A talented starting pitcher, the junior is 6-0 with a 0.46 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings.

Kipton Field, Leander: Sophomore is hitting .346 with 16 RBIs and 11 runs scored for the Lions while also being one of their top pitchers.

Connor Firestone, LASA: With the ability to play almost anywhere defensively, the sophomore has a .389 OBP and three doubles for a Raptors team heading back to the Class 5A playoffs.

Canon Fitts, Legacy Ranch: Part of the reason a young Wranglers team is heading to the Class 4A playoffs, the freshman first baseman/pitcher is hitting .569 with 14 extra-base hits, 29 RBIs and 36 runs scored.

AJ Fowler, Hendrickson: Clutch at the plate, the senior third baseman/pitcher is hitting .389 with an OBP of .450 and 25 RBIs.

Vinny Franco, Anderson: A crafty southpaw, the junior has turned into the Trojans’ ace and is 7-0 with a 1.10 ERA.

Parker George, Johnson: One of the reasons the Jaguars already have 20 wins and have clinched a playoff spot, the junior center fielder/pitcher is hitting .318 and is 4-1 with two saves, a 1.18 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings.

Cade Goddard, Round Rock: Part of a talented Dragons outfield, the senior is hitting .367 with a .472 OBP, three home runs and 14 RBIs.

Colton Green, Georgetown: With an impressive four home runs, the junior infielder has also driven in an eye-popping 30 runs while hitting .365. He’s also scored 20 runs.

Waylon Griffith, Johnson: A potent cleanup hitter, the junior right fielder already has 32 hits and is batting .451 for a Jaguars team heading back to the Class 6A playoffs.

Blake Grimmer, Vista Ridge: Part of a Rangers team gunning for the District 25-6A title, the senior outfielder is hitting .400 at the top of the order. He also has 20 stolen bases.

Carter Haydon, Austin High: Recording four wins and a 3.21 ERA to date, the junior starting pitcher will be a player to watch next spring.

Kason Hullum, Johnson: Missing all of last year with an injury, the senior pitcher and UTSA signee is 4-1 with two saves, a 1.29 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings.

Alan Johnston, McNeil: Proving himself well at the Class 6A level, the sophomore infielder is hitting .327 with an OBP of .470 and has scored 17 runs in district play alone.

Chase Kume, Hays: Whether it’s pitching or at first base, the sophomore has played a big role for a Hawks team on the verge of a postseason berth. He’s hitting .317 with an OBP of .463 and has a 2.93 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings.

Chris Leon, Eastside: Hitting .426 with 12 RBIs, the freshman shortstop/pitcher also has 46 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings.

Marshall Linenberger, Vandegrift: Recording a monster year, the senior outfielder is hitting a mind-boggling .540 with seven extra-base hits, 23 RBIs, 22 runs scored and 15 stolen bases. He’s also been hit by a pitch nine times.

Kai Loo, Bowie: A sophomore designated hitter, he’s batting .321 with seven extra-base hits — including four home runs — for a team that could be dangerous in the 6A playoffs.

Matthew Mabry, Cedar Ridge: Driving in an impressive 31 runs so far, the senior first baseman is hitting .333 with eight extra-base hits and 21 runs scored.

Breydan Madeley, Dripping Springs: Batting .463 with four extra-base hits and a .533 OBP, the junior infielder is key for a Tigers squad that will be dangerous again in the Class 6A Division II playoffs.

Owen Mansfield, Cedar Park: With an incredible 38 hits to date, good for a .487 batting average, the senior second baseman also has 19 extra-base hits, 41 RBIs and 24 runs scored.

Erik Marshall, Stony Point: Solid behind the plate, at third base and on the mound, the freshman is hitting .353 and has a 1.65 ERA.

Andrew Mata, McNeil: A jack of all trades for the Mavericks, the senior is hitting .314 with an OBP of .417 and has 11 RBIs and 13 runs scored.

Kaleb McDougle, Georgetown: More than just the Eagles’ talented quarterback, the junior catcher/infielder has made a big impact on the diamond by hitting .394 with 27 RBIs and 16 runs scored.

Dominic Naylor, Cedar Park: Talented on both the mound and at third base, the junior has a 1.31 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 32 innings and is hitting .333 with 17 RBIs.

Sawyer Neugent, Cedar Ridge: With a 6-2 record and 37 strikeouts in 35 innings, the junior has helped the Raiders be in the thick of the District 25-6A playoff race.

Juan Perez, Westwood: Hitting .346 with 15 RBIs, the senior first baseman is also handy with the glove for a solid Warriors team.

Cohyn Pickell, Legacy Ranch: In the Wranglers' first varsity season, the freshman third baseman/pitcher has three wins and 31 strikeouts on the mound while hitting .420 with 16 RBIs.

Remy Pieratt, Stony Point: Holding down third base for the Tigers, the junior is hitting .375.

Tommy Rice, East View: Lighting it up for the Patriots at the plate, the junior outfielder is hitting .443 with seven extra-base hits, 28 runs scored and 27 stolen bases.

Mateo Rincon, Westlake: Part of a talented group of Chaps underclassmen, the sophomore catcher is hitting .300 with 15 RBIs against arguably the toughest schedule in Central Texas.

Nolan Riviere, Vista Ridge: Crucial for a Rangers team on the verge of clinching a playoff spot out of the tough nine-team District 25-6A, the junior shortstop/pitcher has a 1.28 ERA and four saves in district play. He’s also hitting .328.

Anthony Rodriguez, Glenn: A workhorse on the mound, the senior is 4-3 with a 2.60 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 43 innings.

Jace Rodriguez, Weiss: Leading the Wolves with 25 RBIs, the senior right fielder/catcher is hitting .339 for a team in the playoff chase out of District 23-5A.

Braden Rogers, Georgetown: Part of a loaded Eagles team, the senior catcher/designated hitter is batting .405 with 28 RBIs and 11 runs scored.

Kadin Smith, Stony Point: Impressive freshman pitcher has a 2.64 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 22 innings.

Ripken Street, Westlake: The rare freshman who can get playing time for the Chaps, the talented infielder is hitting .270 with a .460 OBP since being called up to varsity in early March.

Eliot Su, Lake Travis: Part of one of the area's top teams, the sophomore second baseman is batting .361 with an impressive 1.01 OPS and has 20 RBIs.

James Tudor, Lake Travis: Teaming up with Su in the middle infield for a loaded Cavs team, the junior shortstop is hitting .328 with 16 RBIs and nearly single-handedly beat Westlake.

Jackson Walchak, Pflugerville: Taking over shortstop for the Panthers, he’s hitting .383 with a .493 OBP and has 27 RBIs and 13 runs scored.

Logan White, Leander: A player to watch the next two years, the sophomore pitcher is 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 33 innings.

Bennett Wright, Anderson: The junior designated hitter is batting an impressive .419 with four extra-base hits and 10 RBIs.