The California Interscholastic Federation recently announced its 2026 State Players of the Year, spotlighting a new generation of talent that has excelled on the mound and at the plate across the state's varied school divisions.
Jordan Ayala: Junior Standout from Norco
Jordan Ayala of Norco, a re‑classified junior who now shares a class with teammate Dylan Seward, earned the State Junior Player of the Year award after posting an 8‑2 record with a 0.74 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 66 innings. At the plate he batted .390, launching four home runs and driving in 26 runs.
Carlos Acuna of Birmingham in Lake Balboa followed with an equally impressive campaign, going 11‑0 with a 1.19 ERA and 109 strikeouts over 88 innings while batting .326 with a single homer and 13 RBI. His dual-threat performance secured him the State Sophomore of the Year honor.
Mattias Di Maggio: A Freshman First
Dos Pueblos’ Mattias Di Maggio made history as the first-ever State Freshman of the Year from Santa Barbara County. He batted a perfect .500, smashing 11 home runs and adding nine doubles while scoring 37 runs, underscoring a rare blend of power and poise for a ninth‑grader.
Logan Schmidt of Ganesha in Pomona captured the Medium Schools State Player of the Year award after a meteoric rise that began only in his senior year. He finished 10‑0 with a 0.12 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 60 innings, and he batted .568 with five homers and 34 RBI, compensating for lost time with dominant performances.
Jensen Hirschkorn: Small Schools Sensation
In the Small Schools category, Jensen Hirschkorn of Kingsburg was recognized for his prolific home‑run hitting and effective pitching. His ability to deliver both power and precision highlighted the depth of talent across California's diverse baseball landscape.