The 2026 high school baseball season is underway with several new faces expected to make an impact throughout the New Orleans area.
The area’s top returning position players and pitchers include several seniors and juniors, but there are talented sophomores and freshmen set to see significant playing time. Some made significant impacts last season and are ranked among the top Class of 2028 baseball recruits in Louisiana.
Listed below are eight New Orleans area prep baseball underclassmen to watch throughout this season.
Tanner Conley, Fontainebleau (So.)
A 6-foot-2 lefthander, Conley is a two-way standout who shined as a freshman for Fontainebleau alongside sophomore outfielder Sawyer Shane. A St. Tammany Farmer first team all-parish selection, Conley finished with a 0.84 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 41.2 innings pitched to go with a .402 batting average.
Paul Dufrene, John Curtis (So.)
Dufrene is expected to be the top starting pitcher for Curtis this season and is the No. 2-ranked Class of 2028 recruit in Louisiana according to PrepBaseballReport.com. The 6-foot-5 right-hander is up to 91 mph this season and can play third and first base when he isn’t on the mound.
Austin Guedry, Jesuit (So.)
Guedry is off to a strong start as a sophomore with six hits and seven RBIs so far through five games for undefeated Jesuit. Primarily a catcher, Guedry is one of several sophomores expected to play key roles this year for Jesuit, which includes Jace Delatte, Logan Nelson and Harrison Serio.
Jaxon Hanks, Hahnville (So.)
Hanks was an impactful player last season as a freshman that included several strong performances at the plate. The outfielder is one of several sophomores such as outfielder and left-handed pitcher Austin Sanchez and left-handed pitcher Noah Hogan that are expected to shine for Hahnville.
Justin Morgan, Brother Martin (So.)
The younger brother of former LSU standout and current professional baseball player Tre Morgan, Justin is a multisport standout who’s also a quarterback in football. An infielder with plus speed, Morgan headlines a strong sophomore class that features infielder Kamber Keller and right-handed pitcher Chance Pecoraro.
Joshua Muller, Destrehan (So.)
Muller pitched in key moments last season as a freshman, including 5.2 shutout innings in a win over Hahnville. He’s expected to play an important role once again as as one of multiple impactful underclassmen for Destrehan such as sophomore Derek Lucas and freshman Landyn Dugas.
Tanner Rouse, Country Day (So.)
A 6-foot-1 right-handed pitcher, Rouse is ranked No. 11 overall in Prep Baseball Report’s Class of 2028 Louisiana recruiting rankings. He started off his sophomore season on a high note, pitching five shutout innings with 11 strikeouts and zero walks in an 11-1 season-opening win over Higgins.
Grayson Schexnaildre, Rummel (So.)
A 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher, Schexnaildre was the lone freshman on Rummel’s roster last season and is expected to be among the Raiders’ top arms as a sophomore. Freshman utility player Beau Stevens is another Rummel underclassman that’s set to play a part this season.