The 2026 high school baseball season has concluded, and the Record Searchlight is now accepting votes for the baseball player of the year, inviting the community to weigh in on the standout talent that defined the year.
Voting will remain open until Friday, June 19, with the added twist that each participant may cast only one vote per hour, encouraging sustained engagement throughout the week.
Players Who Made Their Mark
On the mound, Foothill’s Blake Schwerdt dominated with 60.1 innings pitched, a 0.93 ERA and 70 strikeouts, while teammate Kayden Williams posted a 2.61 ERA and 66 strikeouts over 59 innings. Colton Douglas also impressed, delivering a 0.99 ERA across 42.1 innings.
West Valley’s Aiden Sweet combined a 1.47 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 71.1 innings, complementing a strong offensive showing from teammates like Bryton Miller, who recorded a .398 average and 28 RBIs in 109 plate appearances, and Gunner Church, who hit .369 with 22 RBIs in 85 at‑bats.
Other notable contributors include Eli Kennedy of Shasta, who batted .397 with 13 RBIs, and Ty Jones, who posted a .343 average and 28 RBIs. From U‑Prep, Jack Ampi logged a 2.73 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 69.1 innings, while Luca Snell stole 17 bases while batting .337.
The vote also highlighted offensive standouts from Redding Christian, where Garrett Webb posted a .403 average and 25 RBIs, and from Central Valley, where Jonathan Horst led with a .410 average and 32 RBIs. Drason Recio added a .369 average and 18 RBIs for the same team.
Voting Details
The Record Searchlight will tally votes hourly until the June 19 deadline, after which the player who receives the most votes will be crowned the 2026 Baseball Player of the Year.
The recognition not only celebrates individual excellence but also underscores the vibrant high school baseball landscape across the region, setting the stage for future seasons.