Westlake Chaparrals Austin Knox (4) chases a fly ball against the Lake Travis Cavaliers during the fourth inning at the District 26-6A baseball game on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Westlake High School in West Lake Hills, TX.
John Gutierrez/John Gutierrez for Austin Americ
The Texas high school baseball playoffs are here. UIL teams across the state can start postseason play as early as Thursday, and all have the goal to reach Dell Diamond in Round Rock for the state championship game.
Who in Central Texas has a chance to excel? Could Anderson be poised for a run? What about rivals Westlake and Lake Travis? Could any suburban schools find themselves playing for a state title?
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The American-Statesman takes a look at seven teams from multiple levels and 40 players covering all positions who could thrive this postseason. From Class 6A powerhouses to upstart 4A players to some of the top teams from 5A that may fly under the radar, here’s who to keep an eye on as the baseball postseason gets underway:
(Teams and players listed in alphabetical order.)
Central Texas teams to watch
Anderson
The Trojans (24-7), who rolled through District 24-5A, going a perfect 12-0, have several players who were key in the team’s run to the Division I regional finals a year ago.
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Shortstop and Texas A&M commit Connor Comeau is arguably the area’s best player, while the lineup is stacked with players such as third baseman Hank Rippy, outfielders James Cole and Cooper Chitsey, catcher Darek Paiz, infielders Max McCormick and Bennett Wright, and designated hitter Cade Cazin, among others.
Ace Vinny Franco and Cazin lead a pitching staff that will need to peak in the postseason.
Georgetown
With an eye-popping 30-3 record, the Eagles dominated in the regular season, which included winning District 23-5A.
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Connor Young and Cade Ereckson lead a talented pitching staff, though Georgetown’s lineup might be its most impressive aspect. Outfielder Cooper Thomas, shortstop Jack Kieke, catcher Braden Rogers, first baseman Braden Kirton and Young pace an offense that has few weaknesses.
Expect the Eagles to play for a while in Division II.
Johnson
Regional finalists a year ago, all the tools are there for the Jaguars (22-8-2), who finished runnerup in District 29-6A, to make another run in Division I.
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Shortstop and Texas commit Selvin Garrett and outfielder Gannon Plummer are two of the top players in Central Texas, and there’s an insane amount of pitching depth with Kason Hullum, Parker George, Miller Ohlendorf and Reed Dierschke. Infielders Brenly Oaks and Luke Levassar would start for most teams in the Austin area.
Lake Travis
Probably Central Texas’ top overall team, the Cavs, who went to the Class 6A Division I semifinals a year ago, are primed for another long postseason.
Ace Cooper Webb is the area’s best pitcher and enters the playoffs 7-0 with a 1.13 ERA and 86 strikeouts. Outfielders CJ Hansford and Luke McBride, catcher Yanuell Molina, and infielders Ethan Schlotterback, Elliot Su, Nelson Molina and James Tudor lead a talented defense and lineup.
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Hansford, Cruz Hale, Westin McDaniel, Daniel Womack, Landon Lang and McBride give the Cavs depth on the mound.
Rouse
If there’s a team with no weaknesses in Central Texas, it’s Rouse.
The Raiders, who won District 25-5A by two games, have a lineup that can mash with the best in Class 5A. Infielders Mason Gonzalez, Jacob Soliz and Cristian Caro, catcher Brody Sharp and outfielders Adolfo Erives and Joe Bury are as good defensively as they are hitters, while designated hitter Colby Driskell adds to a batting order that has little drop-off.
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Jack Doss, Jacob Sainz, Brooks Hoffman and Gonzalez pace the pitching staff, and Rouse coach Chad Krempin’s teams usually play well in the postseason.
The Raiders’ biggest problem is Region IV is absolutely loaded. Their first-round matchup against Smithson Valley is a series worthy of the state semifinals. And it doesn’t get much easier after that.
Vandegrift
Possibly the area’s surprise team, the Vipers (19-12) went 13-3 in a loaded District 25-6A to win it by two games. Carson Tan and Karston Coffey give Vandegrift a starting duo that might be as good as anyone in Central Texas. (Both also play in the field when not pitching.)
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Outfielder Marshall Linenberger raked in district play, hitting .460 with 21 RBIs. He teams up with infielders Braylon Jones and Ethan Ha and catcher Dax Van Stavern to pace a dangerous lineup. Don’t be surprised if Vandegrift goes three or four rounds deep in Division II.
Wimberley
As with most sports, the Texans are a state title contender in Class 4A Division II. They won a tough District 26 and are paced by junior shortstop Jayden Hall (.375 batting average, three home runs, 27 runs scored), junior pitcher/designated hitter Alex Abrusley (6-0, 3.40 ERA, .422 batting average) and senior pitcher Gentry McGinnis (5-2, 39 strikeouts).
Who is the area’s wild card team?
That depends if Westlake pitcher Parker Saltsman is healthy. If he is, it’s the Chaps. Westlake can go toe to toe with most teams with Saltsman and Hayes Brodhead on the mound. The Chaps recorded wins over Dripping Springs and Bowie in district play. And shortstop Austin Knox is one of the area’s better talents.
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If Saltsman isn’t healthy, it’s Dripping Springs. Tigers ace Blake Cox is as dominant as any pitcher in Central Texas. He no-hit Westlake and one-hit Lake Travis. Dripping Springs nearly has an automatic win when he’s on the mound, which makes them exceptionally dangerous in any three-game series.
Players to watch
(Players are from teams not listed above.)
Frankie Andrada, Bastrop: A dynamic shortstop, he hit .433 with a .528 OBP in District 24-5A play.
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Jordan Andrews, Liberty Hill: One of the top three pitchers in Central Texas, he gives the Panthers a chance in every series. He enters the playoffs 9-1 with a 1.22 ERA and a mind-boggling 88 strikeouts. But with a .366 batting average and 23 RBIs, he’s more than just a pitcher for Liberty Hill.
Aydan Aguilar, Eastside: A junior left-side infielder, he leads the Panthers hitting .475 with six extra-base hits and 10 RBIs.
Evren Aslen, LASA: The Raptors finished second in District 24-5A, and the junior catcher was a big reason why. In his third year starting, he’s hitting .463.
Dillon Bennett, East View: The Patriots’ ace is 5-1 with a 2.38 ERA and 40 strikeouts.
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Lincoln Baugher, McCallum: An impressive sophomore center fielder, he’s hitting .386 with 10 doubles and 30 RBIs.
Rhema Benjamin, Weiss: A junior pitcher/catcher, he tallied a 0.89 ERA and hit .551 in District 23-5A play.
Braedan Borger, Hendrickson: The junior catcher is a crucial part of the Hawks’ lineup and hit .414 with a .605 OBP in District 23-5A play.
Hayes Brodhead, Westlake: With 48 strikeouts and a 1.33 ERA in 42 innings, the senior pitcher leads the Chaps’ playoff hopes.
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Liam Bruner, Bowie: One of the Bulldogs’ starters, he’s 8-1 with a 0.80 ERA and 58 strikeouts.
Caleb Calvert, Liberty Hill: Wizard-like at shortstop, he’s hitting .372 with eight doubles, 22 RBIs and 14 stolen bases.
Jonah Cihock, LASA: Senior center fielder is exceptional defensively and hit .324 in district play. Bats second for the Raptors.
JJ Coston, Hendrickson: The Hawks’ ace has 37 strikeouts and a 2.04 ERA in 37 innings.
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RC Cowes, Westwood: Athletic shortstop is hitting .358 with 18 RBIs and 30 runs scored for a Warriors team that qualified out of a tough District 25-6A.
Blake Cox, Dripping Springs: Nearly unhittable in the regular season, he’s 9-0 with a 0.29 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 42 innings.
Hudson Cuevas, Cedar Park: Already committed to Oklahoma State, the junior shortstop is hitting a wildly impressive .515 with 18 extra-base hits and 29 RBIs.
Ryan Cuevas, Hays: In his last 10 games, the junior outfielder is hitting .360 with four doubles and five RBIs.
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Blake DeShazo, Legacy Ranch: It will be interesting to see how the Wranglers do in the Class 4A Division II playoffs in their first year of varsity play with a roster of only freshmen and sophomores. DeShazo, a sophomore pitcher and outfielder, went 7-2 with a 1.17 ERA and 72 strikeouts during the regular season.
Ryder Garcia, Hays: A junior left-side infielder who can also pitch in relief, he’s hitting .430 with a .558 OBP, 11 extra-base hits and 19 stolen bases.
Blake Grimmer, Vista Ridge: The impressive senior center fielder is batting .374 with seven extra-base hits, 26 runs scored and 25 stolen bases.
Riggs Gordon, Cedar Ridge: A defensive stalwart at catcher who has thrown out nine runners and made three pickoffs, the junior is also hitting .337 with seven extra-base hits and 17 RBIs.
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Austin Knox, Westlake: One of the best defensive players in the area, the senior shortstop is hitting .323 with a .481 OBP.
Matthew Mabry, Cedar Ridge: Part of a loaded Raiders lineup, the senior first baseman is hitting .356 with 11 extra-base hits, 36 RBIs and 23 runs scored.
Breydan Madeley, Dripping Springs: Senior utility player is hitting .464 with a .543 OBP, 14 RBIs and 18 runs scored.
Owen Mansfield, Cedar Park: Entering the postseason with 42 hits already, the senior second baseman has 43 RBIs to go along with a .477 batting average.
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Amari Maxwell, Weiss: Dangerous with the bat, the sophomore pitcher/infielder hit .571 in District 23-5A play.
Antonio Martinez, Westwood: The senior outfielder produced several clutch hitting performances in district play and has 19 RBIs and 22 runs scored.
Cole McCracken, Hendrickson: Impressive on defense and at the plate, the senior outfielder hit .458 with a .618 OBP
Tommy McIntyre, McCallum: A rock behind the plate, the junior is also a force on offense hitting .405 with a .564 OBP, four home runs and 24 RBIs.
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Justice Moore, Westwood: Talented outfielder is hitting .458 with 21 RBIs and 34 runs.
Mikey Munoz, Hays: The senior pitcher recorded a 2.80 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings in District 25-5A play.
Dominic Naylor, Cedar Park: Key in the Timberwolves reaching the playoffs, the junior third baseman/pitcher is hitting .359 with a .515 OBP and has a 2.60 ERA in 42 innings.
Louis Olmeda, Bowie: With 57 strikeouts and a 2.90 ERA, he’s a pitcher who makes the Bulldogs dangerous in the playoffs.
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Jake Pardue, Dripping Springs: One of the better sophomores in the area, the infielder is hitting .371 with a .456 OBP, 18 RBIs and 23 runs scored.
Leo Pena, Bowie: Senior outfielder is hitting an eye-popping .419 to lead the Bulldogs offense. He also has 17 stolen bases and 27 runs scored.
Kai Rice, Cedar Ridge: The speedy senior outfielder is hitting .363 with 12 extra-base hits, 33 runs scored and 20 stolen bases.
Landon Richter, Legacy Ranch: Important for the Wranglers with his ability to play both shortstop and in the outfield, he is also clutch on the mound with 19 strikeouts and a 1.28 ERA.
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Nolan Riviere, Vista Ridge: Brilliant at shortstop, the junior is also key for the Rangers in relief and has 37 strikeouts and a 2.16 ERA in 32 innings.
Trey Rodriguez, East View: Leading the Patriots at the plate, the senior third baseman hit .400 in District 23-5A play and has produced 14 RBIs and scored 18 runs.
Max Satterwhite, McCallum: The Knights’ ace and most dangerous hitter, he’s batting .426 with 25 extra-base hits and 32 runs scored.
Carson Sharp, Liberty Hill: Arguably the top catcher in Central Texas, he’s hitting .413 with three home runs and 20 RBIs. Along with Andrews and Calvert, he’s a reason the Panthers could make a run in Class 5A Division II.
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Cooper Voigt, Bastrop: The Bears’ ace gives them a shot in any series. A junior, he’s coming into the playoffs hot, only allowing one earned run and seven hits in his last nine innings while striking out 11.
Drew Wells, Vista Ridge: Clutch everywhere, the junior does it all for the Rangers. He has 47 strikeouts and a 1.69 ERA in 37 innings with opponents only hitting .105 against him. At the plate, he’s hitting .340 with nine extra-base hits and 23 RBIs.
Connor Willie, LASA: The Raptors’ ace was 5-0 in district games with a 0.76 ERA. He is also batting .380 on the season as LASA’s leadoff hitter.
2 best first-round series involving local schools
Dripping Springs vs. Vista Ridge (Class 6A Division II)
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Assuming the pitching matchup is Blake Cox vs. Drew Wells in Game 1, this might be the must-see contest in the area Thursday night. (Don’t arrive late. It might be a 1-0 final with a combined 20-plus strikeouts.)
If that isn’t the Game 1 matchup, it’s hard to not see this series going three games.
Both teams are talented and have good coaches in Chris Payne (Dripping Springs) and Matt Garver (Vista Ridge). Whoever has the most pitching depth should advance.
Bowie vs. Cedar Ridge (Class 6A Division I)
Is this a case of Bowie’s pitching against Cedar Ridge’s hitting?
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That might be oversimplifying things, but the Bulldogs have a formidable one-two pitching punch in Liam Bruner and Louis Olmeda, while the Raiders’ lineup, led by Jake Shoemaker, Matthew Mabry, Kai Rice and Kasen Langerhans, can mash.
Bowie split with both Dripping Springs and Westlake in district play, with Cedar Ridge doing the same against Vandegrift, Vista Ridge and Westwood.
Expect this series to go the distance.
What team hasn’t been talked about enough in this article?
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The Panthers are a serious threat in Class 5A Division II. Andrews and Sharp make up arguably the top battery in the area, while there’s no shortage of talent on the rest of the roster. If Liberty Hill gets past Kerrville Tivy in the first round, look out.