Tomball’s C.J. Sampson and Memorial’s Grant Sperandio are the All-Greater Houston Hitter and Pitcher of the Year, respectively.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
The Chronicle’s 2026 All-Greater Houston baseball teams and superlatives. Selections are made based on several factors, including statistics, team success, other postseason accolades and input from coaches across the city.
College commitments/signings in parentheses.
Hitter of the Year
C.J. Sampson, Sr., Tomball
Stats: .488 BA, .610 OBP, 1.444 OPS, 21 2B, 6 HR, 32 RBI, 34 BB, 41 R, 11 SB
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Impact: Sampson has already been the All-Greater Houston Pitcher of the Year twice, and now, after leading Tomball to its second state championship in three years, he’s locked up another superlative for his efforts at the plate. Sampson had one of the highest batting averages in the state at .488 and connected for extra bases on 30 of his 62 hits this season. Projected as a third- to fifth-round pick in the MLB draft, Sampson struck out just 18 times in 172 plate appearances, produced quality at-bats at a rate of 73.9% and batted .421 with runners in scoring position. In addition to his prowess as a hitter, he also posted a 13-1 record with a 1.00 ERA and 106 strikeouts with just 10 walks in his 83 ⅓ innings as the Cougars’ ace pitcher.
Pitcher of the Year
Grant Sperandio, Jr., Memorial (Texas)
Stats: 11-2 record, 63 ⅔ IP, 94 K, 33 BB, 1.64 ERA, 1.162 WHIP, 269 BF, 41 H, 15 ER
Impact: Sperandio was a first-team All-Greater Houston selection as a junior, but his contributions in 2026 further amplified his position as one of the premiere players in the state. The 6-foot-2 right-hander was the ace for a Memorial team that made history by reaching the state championship game for the first time in program history. Sperandio, also an all-district quarterback for the Mustangs’ football team, was nearly untouchable during district play, posting a 6-0 record with a 0.28 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 23⅔ innings. He carried that momentum into the playoffs and had some strong outings, including a complete-game shutout against Tompkins in the regional finals. He was also one of the team’s top hitters with a .403 batting average.
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Tomball head coach Doug Rush coached his team to a second state title in three years.
Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer
Coach of the Year
Doug Rush, Tomball
Impact: Tomball lost two of its top players from last season when it advanced all the way to the state championship game. But the Cougars did not lose a step and, in fact, were even more formidable in 2026 under Rush’s leadership. The Cougars lost just once all season, falling in Game 2 of the state semifinals against Flower Mound, and finished with a 43-1-1 record after beating Memorial 9-1 in the Class 6A Division II state title game. Tomball outscored its opponents 328-79 this season and won 38 consecutive games before suffering its first loss. Rush’s bunch made the Cougars just the 18th school to win at least two UIL state baseball championships in a three-year span and just the fifth school from the Houston area to accomplish that feat.
Newcomer of the Year
Scotty Zuehlke Jr., Soph., Katy
Stats: .434 BA, .500 OBP, .747 SLG, 1.247 OPS, 6 HR, 40 RBI
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Impact: Zuehlke enjoyed a breakout season for the Tigers en route to being named the District 19-6A Co-Newcomer of the Year. His efforts at the plate and in the outfield helped Katy capture the district championship with a 15-1 record and advance to the regional finals of the Class 6A Division II playoffs. He batted .473 during the postseason with a triple, two home runs, eight RBIs and seven runs scored as the Tigers finished 34-5-1 overall. Zuehlke is the second consecutive Katy player to be named All-Greater Houston Newcomer of the Year following teammate Adriel Rivera.
Tomball’s Catcher Hopkins played multiple positions for the Cougars this season.
Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer
First Team
P — Blake Edling, Jr., Tomball
Stats: 12-0, 73 ⅓ IP, 1.14 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 70 K, 14 BB
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P — Landon Brown, Sr., Iowa Colony (Mississippi State)
Stats: 8-1, 65 ⅓ IP, 0.42 ERA, 109 K, 12 BB; .387 BA, 10 HR, 36 RBI
P — Jayden Stewart, Sr., Katy (Texas State)
Stats: 11-0, 59 ⅔ IP, 0.75 ERA, 77 K
C — Catcher Hopkins, Sr., Tomball (Texas A&M)
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Stats: .318 BA, .448 OBP, 10 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 28 RBI; 2.33 ERA, 4-4 SV
1B — Tanner Garvin, Jr., Clements
Stats: .462 BA, .541 OBP, 1.315 OPS, 15 2B, 6 HR, 43 RBI, 29 R
2B — Dereck Hernandez, Sr., Oak Ridge (St. Thomas)
Stats: .438 BA, .523 OBP, 1.139 OPS, 8 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 30 RBI
3B — Christian Munoz, Sr., Dickinson (Dodge City)
Stats: .438 BA, 1.321 OPS, 7 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 24 RBI, 25 R
SS — Jackson Wooten, Jr., Atascocita (Kentucky)
Stats: .421 BA, .541 OBP, 10 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR, 34 RBI, 54 R, 47 SB
OF — Kaleb Thomas, Sr., Atascocita (Galveston College)
Stats: .410 BA, .536 OBP, 9 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 32 R, 43 SB
OF — Graham Charboneau, Sr., Kingwood (Baylor)
Stats: .357 BA, .459 OBP, 9 2B, 7 HR, 35 R, 21 BB, 16 SB
OF — Luis Olmeda, Jr., Oak Ridge
Stats: .482 BA, .598 OBP, 1.526 OPS, 10 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 34 RBI, 41 R, 12 SB
UTL — Beckett Steele, Sr., Magnolia West (Navarro)
Stats: .509 BA, 23 RBI; 8-0, 51 IP, 0.96 ERA, 46 K, 16 BB
Lake Creek’s Jaxon Schramm batted .360 this season as the Lions reached state.
Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer
Second Team
P — Landon Collins, Friendswood (Texas Tech)
Stats: 12-0, 77 ⅓ IP, 0.99 ERA, 115 K, 17 BB, 0.82 WHIP
P — Ty Higginbotham, Sr., Atascocita (LSUE)
Stats: 10-2, 61 ⅓ IP, 1.34 ERA, .947 WHIP, 72 K, 18 BB
P — Matthew Manis, Sr., Memorial (Texas)
Stats: 8-1, 47 ⅔ IP, 1.32 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 73 K, 26 BB
C — Nathan Eveler, Sr., Kingwood Park (Embry-Riddle)
Stats: .393 BA, .503 OBP, 18 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 33 RBI
1B — Jaxon Schramm, Jr., Lake Creek
Stats: .360 BA, 48 H, 11 2B, 4 3B, 28 RBI, 30 R
2B — Keaton Jeffocat, Soph., Willis
Stats: .405 BA, .432 OBP, 45 H, 8 2B, 3 3B, 27 RBI, 26 R
3B — Nolan Rush, Soph., Tomball
Stats: .400 BA, .503 OBP, 46 H, 6 2B, 1 HR, 38 RBI, 25 R
SS — Lawson Behan, Sr., Lamar (Texas)
Stats: .421 BA, .495 OBP, 9 2B, 2 3B, 13 HR, 48 RBI, 38 R, 20 SB
OF — Jackson Marshall, Sr., Lake Creek (UNC-Asheville)
Stats: .341 BA, 47 H, 9 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 44 R
OF — Peyton Trummell, Sr., Lake Creek (LSUE)
Stats: .292 BA, 38 H, 29 XBH, 20 2B, 9 HR, 38 RBI, 35 R
OF — Tanner Drda, Sr., Memorial (Sam Houston)
Stats: .379 BA, 1.145 OPS, 13 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 41 RBI
UTL — Ross Sullivan, Sr., Cypress Woods (Angelina College)
Stats: 9-0, 68 ⅓ IP, 1.33 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, 78 K; .368 BA, 1.023 OPS, 15 XBH
Wyatt Powell posted a 12-1 record for Lutheran South this season.
John Skees/TAPPS Media
Private School Team
Hitter of the Year
Jaylen Walker, Sr., Lutheran South (Houston)
Stats: .438 BA, .528 OBP, 53 H, 15 2B, 4 HR, 43 RBI, 45 R, 32 SB
Impact: Walker was dominant at the plate all season, helping Lutheran South win the TAPPS Division II state championship. His team-leading .438 batting average, propensity for extra-base hits and speed on the base paths — evidenced by his 32 stolen bases — made him the ultimate offensive weapon for the Pioneers. Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning of the state championship game against Fort Worth Christian, Walker delivered an RBI double to spark a three-run inning that tied the game before the Pioneers walked off with a double from Brycen Gilbert in the seventh.
Pitcher of the Year
Wyatt Powell, Sr., Lutheran South (Sam Houston)
Stats: 12-1, 57 IP, 0.86 ERA, 82 K; .364 BA, .420 OBP, 36 H, 10 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 27 RBI
Impact: Another standout performer for state champion Lutheran South, Powell was the ace of the Pioneers’ pitching staff. The Sam Houston signee did not surrender any earned runs across 17 innings pitched in the playoffs. Powell was an All-Greater Houston selection last year as well and finished the last two seasons of high school career with a 23-2 record. In addition to his pitching, he was also a standout hitter for the Pioneers, posting a .364 batting average with 14 extra-base hits. Like Walker, he also drove in a run during the state championship game.
Coach of the Year
Aaron Schneider, Lutheran South
Impact: After leading Lutheran South to another state championship, Schneider is breathing some rarified coaching air. According to the Lone Star Christian Sports Network, he appears to be tied for second all-time in TAPPS history with six state titles, joining Dallas Christian’s Bob Pugh. Because of his efforts, Lutheran South is now just the eighth program in TAPPS history to win six or more championships. Schneider coached his boys to a 29-9 record and takes this honor for the second consecutive year. Over the past two seasons, his Pioneers have posted a 65-12-1 record.
Newcomer of the Year
John Merren, Fr., St. Thomas
Stats: .408 BA, 1.010 OPS, 29 H, 7 2B, 1 3B, 17 RBI, 19 R, 8-8 SB
Impact: Merren stepped onto the scene in a big way during his freshman season at St. Thomas. Playing third base for the Eagles, he was a second-team all-state selection in TAPPS Division I after posting a lofty .408 batting average and 1.010 OPS. Merren is already gaining interest from major college baseball programs and will be a key contributor for St. Thomas as his second varsity season gets underway next spring.
Private School Team
P — David Corona, Jr., Lutheran South
Stats: 7-2, 67 IP, 1.57 ERA, 91 K, 1 SV
P — Luke Douglas, Sr., Concordia Lutheran (Concordia)
Stats: 49 ⅓ IP, 1.90 ERA, 50 K; .301 BA, 31 H, 26 RBI
P — Carson Pratt, Jr., Second Baptist (Rice)
Stats: 10-2, 68 IP, 1.72 ERA, 70 K
C — Bryce Bloom-Timmins, Episcopal (Harvard)
Stats: .336 BA, 34 H, 9 2B, 3 HR, 30 RBI
1B — Colson Istre, Jr., The Woodlands Christian
Stats: .426 BA, .491 OBP, 1.044 OPS, 6 2B, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 24 R, 9 SB
2B — Hugh Wilhelm, Sr., Concordia Lutheran
Stats: .385 BA, .535 OBP; 18 IP, 2.90 ERA
3B — Ford Allen, Jr., Second Baptist (USC)
Stats: .340 BA, 1.006 OPS, 11 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 36 R, 17 SB
SS — Marcus Cantu, Sr., Lutheran South
Stats: .405 BA, .580 OBP, 32 H, 8 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 45 R, 25 SB
OF — Matthew Guyton, Sr., Kinkaid (Johns Hopkins)
Stats: .378 BA, .472 OBP, 1.061 OPS, 5 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 10 SB
OF — Reid Sasser, Sr., Episcopal (Sewanee)
Stats: .374 BA, .528 OBP, 1.107 OPS, 4 HR, 35 BB, 46 R, 29 SB
OF — Ethan Rivers, Sr., Concordia Lutheran (Rice)
Stats: .323 BA, 34 H, 10 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 24 RBI
UTL — Miles Young, Sr., Episcopal (Georgia)
Stats: .482 BA, 54 H, 13 2B, 3 3B, 10 HR, 56 RBI