Find out where Palm Beach County baseball stands in this spring's first statewide power rankings

Emilee Smarr, Palm Beach Post
·5 min read
They took a year off, but Dwyer (27-1) is back in the Final Four. The Panthers defeated Pembroke Pines Charter, 62-53, ending the season for the Jaguars (16-11).
They took a year off, but Dwyer (27-1) is back in the Final Four. The Panthers defeated Pembroke Pines Charter, 62-53, ending the season for the Jaguars (16-11).

The countdown to Fort Myers is officially on. To welcome back Palm Beach County baseball teams from spring break, the FHSAA dropped 2023 season's first set of power rankings.

Here's a look at where local teams stand − and the view from paradise isn't too shabby.

Records reflect those listed by the FHSAA in rankings posted on Monday, Mar. 28.

Palm Beach County's top 10 baseball teams

1. Park Vista (12-1)

Park Vista pitcher Jacob Esgro (8) delivers a pitch during the Class 7A District 12 semifinal between host Santaluces and Park Vista in Lake Worth, FL., on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Final score, Park Vista, 9, Santaluces, 6.
Park Vista pitcher Jacob Esgro (8) delivers a pitch during the Class 7A District 12 semifinal between host Santaluces and Park Vista in Lake Worth, FL., on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Final score, Park Vista, 9, Santaluces, 6.

By the numbers: No. 5 overall, No. 2 in Class 7A behind No. 1 overall Stoneman Douglas (13-0), No. 1 in Region 3

2. Benjamin (11-1)

By the numbers: No. 10 overall, No. 3 in Class 3A, No. 2 in Region 3 behind Montverde Academy (12-1)

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3. West Boca Raton (10-3)

West Boca pitcher James Litman (9) delivers a pitch at the top of the third inning during the Class 7A District 12 semifinal between West Boca and Boca Raton at the Santaluces Athletic Complex in Lake Worth, FL., on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Final score, West Boca, 5, Boca Raton, 4.
West Boca pitcher James Litman (9) delivers a pitch at the top of the third inning during the Class 7A District 12 semifinal between West Boca and Boca Raton at the Santaluces Athletic Complex in Lake Worth, FL., on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Final score, West Boca, 5, Boca Raton, 4.

By the numbers: No. 26 overall, No. 8 in Class 6A, No. 2 in Region 4 behind Doral Academy (11-2)

4. Jupiter (9-4)

By the numbers: No. 34 overall, No. 11 in Class 7A, No. 3 in Region 3 and No. 1 in District 11

5. Dwyer (9-3)

The Dwyer Panthers are seen sitting in the Dwyer dugout during the high school baseball game between Trinity Christian and host Dwyer in Palm Beach Gardens, FL., on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. Final score, Trinity Christian, 3, Dwyer, 2.
The Dwyer Panthers are seen sitting in the Dwyer dugout during the high school baseball game between Trinity Christian and host Dwyer in Palm Beach Gardens, FL., on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. Final score, Trinity Christian, 3, Dwyer, 2.

By the numbers: No. 39 overall, No. 10 in Class 6A, No. 3 in Region 4 and No. 2 in District 12 behind West Boca

6. American Heritage-Delray (10-4)

By the numbers: No. 59 overall, No. 4 in Class 4A, No. 1 in Region 4

7. St. John Paul II (8-4)

By the numbers: No. 96 overall, No. 16 in Class 3A, No. 4 in Region 3, No. 2 in District 12 behind No. 13 overall North Broward Prep (10-3)

8. Spanish River (7-3)

By the numbers: No. 135 overall, No. 26 in Class 7A, No. 7 in Region 4, No. 2 in District 13 behind Stoneman Douglas

9. Suncoast (11-3)

By the numbers: No. 148 overall, No. 20 in Class 5A, No. 4 in Region 4, No. 2 in District 14 behind No. 21 overall American Heritage-Plantation (9-2)

10. Santaluces (7-7)

Park Vista outfielder Trent MacDougall (15) slides safely into second base as Santaluces short stop Keaton Kangas (10) attempts to tag him out during the Class 7A District 12 semifinal between host Santaluces and Park Vista in Lake Worth, FL., on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Final score, Park Vista, 9, Santaluces, 6.
Park Vista outfielder Trent MacDougall (15) slides safely into second base as Santaluces short stop Keaton Kangas (10) attempts to tag him out during the Class 7A District 12 semifinal between host Santaluces and Park Vista in Lake Worth, FL., on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Final score, Park Vista, 9, Santaluces, 6.

By the numbers: No. 157 overall, No. 6 in Region 3, No. 2 in District 12 behind Park Vista

On the fringe

Should they end up in the win column by the last inning of the week, here are two local teams who could beat the FHSAA algorithm and punch their way into the top 10.

Wellington (7-4)

Who's on deck?

3/29 at West Boca, 6:30pm

3/30 vs. Boca Raton, 6:00pm

3/31 vs. Lake Worth (3-7), 6:00pm

What would now be a seven-game string of wins was interrupted by a one-run loss to Dwyer earlier in the month. Before finding their stride, the Wolverines had a shaky start to the season, including a 3-2 11th inning loss to likely district title opponent Jupiter.

The opener was answered by a 3-1 defeat from Santaluces. After spring break, Wellington ranks No. 158 overall − just one slot below the Chiefs, who coach Scott Riddle and company will meet again on April 14.

Palm Beach Central (7-5)

The Palm Beach Central baseball team poses for a celebratory photo following the Broncos' regional quarterfinals victory over No. 1 seed Jupiter on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
The Palm Beach Central baseball team poses for a celebratory photo following the Broncos' regional quarterfinals victory over No. 1 seed Jupiter on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.

Who's on deck?

3/29 vs. Spanish River, 4:30pm

3/31 vs. Park Vista, 4:30pm

Proven by their first round upset of top-seed Jupiter in 2022, the Broncos are never the team to count out. With the exception of a five-run walkoff earned by the Warriors, Central's losses have been close. Senior pitcher Hector Camacho limited the big bats of Park Vista to just three hits and two runs for the Cobras' tightest win of the season.

Before seeking revenge on Friday, Central ranks No. 162 overall, No. 37 in Class 7A, No. 8 in Region 3, and No. 3 in District 11.

Who's missing?

Remember some squads from last spring that you missed above? Here's an update on where they are now.

Boca Raton (6-6-1)

The Bobcats started the season 4-2 before a four-game losing streak to Spanish River, Santaluces, Saint John Paul II, and Park Vista sent Boca into spring break. In last week's Hall of Fame Classic tournament in Pompano Beach, sophomore outfielder Sage Johnson got the young 7A squad back to its winning ways with two runs on four hits and four RBIs.

Given a likely win against Atlantic (2-9) on Tuesday, Thursday's meeting with Wellington could mean a middling record once again.

Cardinal Newman (5-7)

Cardinal Newman takes on North Broward Prep in a Florida state semifinal baseball game in Fort Myers ,Tuesday, May 24, 2022.(Photo/Chris Tilley)
Cardinal Newman takes on North Broward Prep in a Florida state semifinal baseball game in Fort Myers ,Tuesday, May 24, 2022.(Photo/Chris Tilley)

For the amount of senior talent Newman lost after last spring's trip to the Final Four, the Crusaders are navigating a testy 2023 schedule well. That's to be expected when a seasoned coach like Palm Beach Gardens former Joe Russo takes the helm.

In loss, Newman's averaging a three-run deficit. In victory, Crusader bats and defense have mounted about an eight-run margin of defeat. The pieces are there and the 3A crew has 12 more meetings to put them together before the regular season comes to a close.

Palm Beach Gardens (2-11-1)

The Gators were 8-5 this time last year before the backend of the season would land them in a historic championship matchup for the Class 7A state title. But now, there's no Robbie Throop on the mound or MLB prospect Jayden Hylton at first base.

Still, there are bright spots for the Gators, like a 1.91 ERA for sophomore Lucas Valencia, who has 17 strikeouts in 22 innings, and senior Blake Mathews, on track for his best season at the plate hitting .389.

Starting with American Heritage-Plantation on Tuesday, the underclassmen-powered dugout's gauntlet of a schedule − rated 9.71 − continues with a lesser-tested Martin County and Okeechobee on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

Emilee Smarr is the high school sports reporter for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County baseball: Where are teams in first rankings of 2023?