USA TODAY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The Best High School Player(s) in the United States | Baseball Almanac

The All-USA High School Baseball Team, by USA Today, began in 1989, with a single player of the year honor — each of those is listed first in the chart below.

Starting in 1998, an All-USA High School Baseball Team had been named annually, and it was done once in 1995 as a test. The winners from that team appear in the fast facts at the bottom of the page, including a High School coach, with one of the nine to eleven honorees being named as the overall USA Today High School Baseball Player of the Year.

Returning to its original format in 2021, as USA Today began hosting its own awards show where high school athletes from every sport were honored, only one player received the High School Baseball Player of the Year. Research by Baseball Almanac.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"The $242,000 (Tyler) Houston received for signing with the Braves was the biggest bonus ever paid a high school ballplayer at the time. Maybe he wasn't on the cover of Sports Illustrated in high school, but they were always chatting him up in Baseball America. Something like that will still put a young man in the crosshairs when he's not emotionally equipped to deal with being in the shooting gallery." - Kantowski, Ron. Columnist. The Las Vegas Review Journal: Ex-Valley High star Houston content with life after baseball. 21 June 2011.

USA Today High School Baseball Player of the Year

In Chronological Order / By USA Today

1989 Tyler Houston C Valley High School (Las Vegas, NV) 1989
1990 Todd Van Poppel P Martin High School (Arlington, TX) 1990
1991 Brien Taylor P East Carteret High School (Beaufort, NC) 1991
1992 Derek Jeter SS Central High School (Kalamazoo, MI) 1992
1993 Alex Rodriguez IF Westminster Christian School (Miami, FL) 1993
1994 Doug Million P Sarasota High School (Sarasota, FL) 1994
1995 Ben Davis C Malvern Prep (Malvern, PA) 1995
1996 Matt White P Waynesboro High School (Waynesboro, PA) 1996
1997 Rick Ankiel P Port St. Lucie High School (Port St. Lucie, FL) 1997

USA Today High School Baseball Players of the Year

By USA Today / BOLD NAME = USA Today High School Player of the Year

1998 Josh Beckett P Spring High School (Spring, TX) 1998
J.M. Gold P Toms River High School (Toms River, NJ) 1998
Gerald Laird C La Quinta High School (Westminster, CA) 1998
Sean Burroughs IF Wilson High School (Long Beach, CA) 1998
Drew Henson IF Brighton High School (Brighton, MI) 1998
Felipe Lopez IF Lake Brantley High School (Altamonte Springs, FL) 1998
Mark Teixeira IF Mount Saint Joseph High School (Baltimore, MD) 1998
Chip Ambres OF West Brook Senior High School (Beaumont, TX) 1998
Choo Freeman OF Dallas Christian School (Dallas, TX) 1998
Corey Patterson OF Harrison High School (Kennesaw, GA) 1998
James Patrick Coach Clovis High School (Clovis, CA) n/a
1999 Josh Beckett P Spring High School (Spring, TX) 1999
Bobby Bradley P Wellington High School (West Palm Beach, FL) 1999
Ryan Christianson C Arlington High School (Riverside, CA) 1999
Brennan King IF Oakland High School (Murfreesboro, TN) 1999
Pat Manning IF Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, CA) 1999
Corey Myers IF Desert Vista High School (Bakersfield, CA) 1999
Pat Osborn IF Bakersfield High School (Bakersfield, CA) 1999
B.J. Garbe OF Moses Lake High School (Moses Lake, WA) 1999
Josh Hamilton OF Athens Drive High School (Raleigh, NC) 1999
Cody Ross OF Carlsbad High School (Carlsbad, NM) 1999
Rocky Manuel Coach Bellaire High School (Houston, TX) n/a
2000 Matt Harrington P Palmdale High School (Palmdale, CA) 2000
Mark Phillips P Hanover High School (Hanover, PA) 2000
Scott Heard C Rancho Bernado High School (San Diego, CA) 2000
David Espinosa IF Gulliver Prep High School (Miami, FL) 2000
Lou Montanez IF Coral Park High School (Miami, FL) 2000
Adrian Gonzalez IF Eastlake High School (Chila Vista, CA) 2000
Rocco Baldelli OF Bishop Hendricken High School (Warwick, RI) 2000
Shaun Boyd OF Vista High School (Vista, CA) 2000
Dave Krynzel OF Green Valley High School (Henderson, NV) 2000
Sam Blalock Coach Rancho Bernardo High School (San Diego, CA) n/a
2001 Gavin Floyd P Mount Saint Joseph High School (Baltimore, MD) 2001
Mike Jones P Thunderbird High School (Phoenix, AZ) 2001
Joe Mauer C Cretin-Derham Hall High School (Saint Paul, MN) 2001
Josh Burrus IF Joseph Wheeler High School (Marietta, GA) 2001
J.J. Hardy IF Sabino High School (Tucson, AZ) 2001
Casey Kotchman IF Seminole High School (Seminole, FL) 2001
David Wright IF Hickory High School (Chesapeake, VA) 2001
Roscoe Crosby OF Union High School (Union, SC) 2001
Danny Putnam OF Rancho Bernardo High School (San Diego, CA) 2001
Mike Wilson OF Booker T. Washington High School (Tulsa, OK) 2001
Ken Kendrena Coach Bishop Amat High School (La Puente, CA) n/a
2002 Zack Greinke P Apopka High School (Apopka, FL) 2002
Scott Kazmir P Cypress Falls High School (Houston, TX) 2002
Jeff Clement C Marshalltown High School (Marshalltown, IA) 2002
John Mayberry IF Rockhurst High School (Kansas City, MO) 2002
Sergio Santos IF Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, CA) 2002
Micah Schilling IF Silliman Institute (Clinton, LA) 2002
B.J. Upton IF Greenbrier Christian Academy (Chesapeake, VA) 2002
Jeff Francoeur OF Parkview High School (Lilburn, GA) 2002
Jeremy Hermida OF Wheeler High School (Marietta, GA) 2002
Denard Span OF Tampa Catholic High School (Tampa, FL) 2002
Rick Carpenter Coach Elkins High School (Missouri City, TX) n/a
2003 Jeff Allison P Veterans Memorial High School (Peabody, MA) 2003
John Danks P Round Rock High School (Round Rock, TX) 2003
Daric Barton C Marina High School (Huntington Beach, CA) 2003
Eric Duncan IF Seton Hall Preparatory School (West Orange, NJ) 2003
Jonathan Fulton IF George Washington High School (Danville, VA) 2003
Ian Stewart IF La Quinta High School (Westminster, CA) 2003
Brandon Wood IF Horizon High School (Scottsdale, AZ) 2003
Chris Lubanski OF Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School (Norristown, PA) 2003
Lastings Milledge OF Lakewood Ranch High School (Bradenton, FL) 2003
Delmon Young OF Adolfo Camarillo High School (Camarillo, CA) 2003
Tom Meusborn Coach Chatsworth High School (Chatsworth, CA) n/a
2004 Homer Bailey p La Grange High School (La Grange, TX) 2004
Mark Rogers P Mount Ararat High School (Topsham, ME) 2004
Neil Walker C Pine-Richland High School (Gibsonia, PA) 2004
Matt Bush IF Mission Bay Senior High School (San Diego, CA) 2004
Justin Upton IF Great Bridge High School (Chesapeake, VA) 2004
Chris Nelson IF Redan High School (Stone Mountain, GA) 2004
Trevor Plouffe IF Crespi Carmelite High School (Encino, CA) 2004
Dexter Fowler OF Milton High School (Alpharetta, GA) 2004
Greg Golson OF Connally High School (Austin, TX) 2004
Michael Taylor OF Apopka High School (Apopka, FL) 2004
Bobby Howard Coach Columbus High School (Columbus, GA) n/a
2005 Mark Pawelek P Springville High School (Springville, UT) 2005
Chris Volstad P Palm Beach Gardens High School (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) 2005
Brandon Snyder C Westfield High School (Chantilly, VA) 2005
C.J. Henry IF Putnam City High School (Oklahoma City, OK) 2005
Zach Putnam IF Pioneer High School (Ann Arbor, MI) 2005
Henry Sanchez IF Mission Bay Senior High School (San Diego, CA) 2005
Justin Upton IF Great Bridge High School (Chesapeake, VA) 2005
Jay Bruce OF West Brook High School (Beaumont, TX) 2005
Cameron Maybin OF T. C. Roberson High School (Asheville, NC) 2005
Andrew McCutchen OF Fort Meade High School (Fort Meade, FL) 2005
Tony Rasmus Coach Russell County High School (Seale, AL) n/a
2006 Kyle Drabek P The Woodlands High School (The Woodlands, TX) 2006
Clayton Kershaw P Highland Park High School (Dallas, TX) 2006
Hank Conger C Huntington Beach High School (Huntington Beach, CA) 2006
Adrian Cardenas IF Monsignor Edward Pace High School (Miami Gardens, FL) 2006
Chris Marrero IF Monsignor Edward Pace High School (Miami Gardens, FL) 2006
Preston Mattingly IF Central High School (Evansville, IN) 2006
Billy Rowell IF Bishop Eustace Preparatory School (Pennsauken, NJ) 2006
Chris Parmelee OF Chino Hills High School (Chino Hills, CA) 2006
Jason Place OF Wren High School (Piedmont, SC) 2006
Travis Snider OF Jackson High School (Mill Creek, WA) 2006
Ron Eastman Coach The Woodlands High School (The Woodlands, TX) n/a
2007 Jarrod Parker P Norwell High School (Ossian, IN) 2007
Rick Porcello P Seton Hall Preparatory School (West Orange, NJ) 2007
Devin Mesoraco C Punxsutawney High School (Punxsutawney, PA) 2007
Kevin Ahrens IF Memorial High School (Houston, TX) 2007
Matt Dominguez IF Chatsworth High School (Chatsworth, CA) 2007
Mike Moustakas IF Chatsworth High School (Chatsworth, CA) 2007
Josh Vitters IF Cypress High School (Cypress, CA) 2007
Wendell Fairley OF George County High School (Lucedale, MS) 2007
Jason Heyward OF Henry County High School (McDonough, GA) 2007
Ben Revere OF Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington, KY) 2007
Jerry Boatner Coach West Lauderdale High School (Collinsville, MS) n/a
2008 Gerrit Cole P Lutheran High School (Orange, CA) 2008
Tim Melville P Wentzville Holt High School (Wentzville, MO) 2008
Jake Odorizzi P Highland High School (Highland, IL) 2008
Kyle Skipworth C Patriot High School (Riverside, CA) 2008
Tim Beckham IF Griffin High School (Griffin, GA) 2008
Destin Hood IF St. Paul's Episcopal School (Mobile, AL) 2008
Eric Hosmer IF American Heritage School (Plantation, FL) 2008
Casey Kelly IF Sarasota High School (Sarasota, FL) 2008
Zach Collier OF Chino Hills High School (Chino, CA) 2008
Aaron Hicks OF Wilson High School (Long Beach, CA) 2008
Todd Fitzgerald Coach American Heritage School (Plantation, FL) n/a
2009 Matt Hobgood P Norco High School (Norco, CA) 2009
Jordan John P Calallen High School (Corpus Christi, TX) 2009
Jacob Turner P Westminster Christian Academy (St. Louis, MO) 2009
Wil Myers C Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, NC) 2009
Bobby Borchering IF Bishop Verot High School (Fort Myers, FL) 2009
Matt Davidson IF Yucaipa High School (Yucaipa, CA) 2009
Scooter Gennett IF Sarasota High School (Sarasota, FL) 2009
Jeff Malm IF Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas, NV) 2009
Donavan Tate OF Cartersville High School (Cartersville, GA) 2009
Reggie Williams, Jr. OF Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School (Tampa, FL) 2009
Phil Forbes Coach Menchville High School (Newport News, VA) n/a
2010 Dylan Covey P Maranatha High School (Pasadena, CA) 2010
Kaleb Cowart P/IF Cook High School (Adel, GA) 2010
Jameson Taillon P The Woodlands High School (The Woodlands, TX) 2010
Ethan Bennett C Farragut High School (Knoxville, TN) 2010
Kris Bryant IF Bonanza High School (Las Vegas, NV) 2010
Manny Machado IF Brito High School (Miami, FL) 2010
Delino DeShields, Jr. OF Woodward Academy (College Park, GA) 2010
Taylor Lindsey OF Desert Mountain High School (Scottsdale, AZ) 2010
Josh Sale OF Bishop Blanchet High School (Seattle, WA) 2010
Larry Knight Coach Sumrall High School (Sumrall, MS) n/a
2011 Dylan Bundy P/IF Owasso High School (Owasso, OK) 2011
Jordan Montgomery P Sumter High School (Sumter, SC) 2011
Henry Owens P Edison High School (Huntington Beach, CA) 2011
Kevin Cron C/P Mountain Pointe High School (Phoenix, AZ) 2011
Blake Swihart C Cleveland High School (Rio Rancho, NM) 2011
Archie Bradley IF/P Broken Arrow High School (Broken Arrow, OK) 2011
Francisco Lindor IF Montverde Academy (Montverde, FL) 2011
Trevor Mitsui IF Shorewood High School (Shoreline, WA) 2011
Josh Bell OF Jesuit College Preparatory School (Dallas, TX) 2011
Bubba Starling OF Gardner Edgerton High School (Gardner, KS) 2011
Rich Bielski Coach Archbishop McCarthy High School (Fort Lauderdale, FL) n/a
2012 James Kaprielian P Beckman High School (Irvine, CA) 2012
Rob Kaminsky P Saint Joseph Regional High School (Montvale, NJ) 2012
Wyatt Mathisen P/IF Calallen High School (Corpus Christi, TX) 2012
Gavin Cecchini IF Barbe High School (Lake Charles, LA) 2012
Joey Gallo IF Bishop Gorman High School Las (Vegas, NV) 2012
Taylor Hawkins IF Carl Albert High School (Midwest City, OK) 2012
Byron Buxton OF Appling County High School (Baxley, GA) 2012
Courtney Hawkins OF Carroll High School (Corpus Christi, TX) 2012
Lance McCullers, Jr. OF Jesuit High School (Tampa, FL) 2012
Nick Day Coach Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas, NV) n/a
2013 Jake Flaherty P Harvard-Westlake High School (Studio City, CA) 2013
Rob Kaminsky P Saint Joseph Regional High School (Montvale, NJ) 2013
Reese McGuire C Kentwood High School (Covington, WA) 2013
J.P. Crawford IF Lakewood High School (Lakewood, CA) 2013
Kevin Franklin IF Gahr High School (Cerritos, CA) 2013
Dominic Smith IF Serra High School (Gardena, CA) 2013
Riley Unroe IF Desert Ridge High School (Mesa, AZ) 2013
Trey Bell OF New Castle High School (New Caslte, IN) 2013
Clint Frazier OF Loganville High School (Loganville, GA) 2013
Austin Meadows OF Grayson High School (Loganville, GA) 2013
Richard LaBounty Coach Pensacola Catholic High School (Pensacola, FL) n/a
2014 Brady Aiken P Cathedral Catholic High School (San Diego, CA) 2014
Tyler Kolek P Shepherd High School (Shepherd, TX) 2014
Chase Vallot C St. Thomas More High School (Lafayette, LA) 2014
Michael Chavis IF Sprayberry High School (Marietta, GA) 2014
Gavin LaValley IF Carl Albert High School (Midwest City, OK) 2014
Nick Gordon IF Olympia High School (Orlando, FL) 2014
Jared Mang IF Los Alamos High School (Los Alamos, NM) 2014
Clay Casey OF DeSoto Central High School (Southaven, MS) 2014
Alex Jackson OF Rancho Bernardo High School (San Diego, CA) 2014
Alex Verdugo OF Sahuaro High School (Tucson, AZ) 2014
Jamie Corr Coach Lambert High School (Suwanee, GA) n/a
2015 Luken Baker P/IF Oak Ridge High School (Conroe, TX) --
Joe DeMers P/OF College Park High School (Pleasant Hill, CA) 2015
Mike Nikorak P Stroudsburg High School (Stroudsburg, PA) 2015
Chris Betts C Wilson High School (Long Beach, CA) 2015
Cadyn Grenier IF Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas, NV) 2015
Cornelius Randolph IF Griffin High School (Griffon, GA) 2015
Brendan Rodgers SS Lake Mary High School (Lake Mary, FL) 2015
Daz Cameron OF Eagle's Landing Christian School (McDonough, GA) 2015
Trenton Clark OF Richland High School (North Richland Hills, TX) 2015
Kyle Tucker OF Plant High School (Tampa, FL) 2015
Chan Brown Coach Parkview High School (Liliburn, GA) n/a
2016 Joey Wentz P Shawnee Mission East High School (Prairie Village, KA) 2016
Forrest Whitley P Alamo Heights High School (San Antonio, TX) 2016
Riley Pint P St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park, KS) 2016
Thomas Dillard C Oxford High School (Oxford, MS) 2016
Josh Lowe IF Pope High School (Marietta, GA) 2016
Bo Bichette IF Lakewood High School (St. Petersburg, FL) 2016
Will Benson OF Westminster High School (Atlanta, GA) 2016
Braxton Garrett OF Florence High School (Florence, AL) 2016
Alex Kirilloff OF Plum High School (Pittsburgh, PA) 2016
Mickey Moniak OF La Costa Canyon High School (Carlsbad, CA) 2016
Glenn Cecchini Coach Barbe High School (Lake Charles, LA) n/a
2017 Shane Baz P Concordia Lutheran High School (Tomball, TX) 2017
Sam Carlson P Burnsville High School (Burnsville, MN) 2017
Trevor Rogers P Carlsbad High School (Carlsbad, NM) 2017
Hagen Danner C Huntington Beach High School (Huntington Beach, CA) 2017
MacKenzie Gore IF Whiteville High School (Whiteville, NC) 2017
Royce Lewis IF Junipero Serra High School (San Juan Capistrano, CA) 2017
Tanner Sparks IF Shawnee High School (Shawnee, OK) 2017
Jo Adell OF Ballard High School (Louisville, KY) 2017
Austin Beck OF North Davidson High School (Lexington, NC) 2017
Drew Waters OF Etowah High School (Woodstock, GA) 2017
Todd Boyer Coach Shawnee High School (Shawnee, OK) n/a
2018 Matthew Liberatore P Mountain Ridge High School (Glendale, AZ) 2018
Carter Stewart P Eau Gallie High School (Melbourne, FL) 2018
Nolan Hudi P Calvary Christian High School (Clearwater, FL) 2018
J.T. Ginn P Brandon High School (Brandon, MS) 2018
Anthony Seigler C Cartersville High School (Cartersville, GA) 2018
Nolan Gorman IF Sandra Day O'Connor High School (Phoenix, AZ) 2018
Cory Acton IF American Heritage High School (Plantation, FL) 2018
Bruce Turang IF Santiago High School (Corona, CA) 2018
Triston Casas IF American Heritage High School (Plantation, FL) 2018
Cole Winn IF Oranger Lutheran High School (Orange, CA) 2018
Alek Thomas OF Mount Carmel Highi School (Chicago, IL) 2018
Steve Chapman Coach Calallen High School (Corpus Christi, TX) n/a
2019 Jack Bulger C/3B DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, MD) 2019
Corbin Carroll OF Lakeside High School (Seattle, WA) 2019
J.J. Goss P Cypress Ranch High School (Cypress Ranch, TX) 2019
Riley Greene OF Hagerty High School (Oviedo, FL) 2019
Maurice Hampton OF Memphis University School (Memphis, TN) 2019
Gunnar Henderson SS Morgan Academy (Selma, AL) 2019
Colten Keith IF/P Biloxi High School (Biloxi, MS) 2019
Brennan Malone P IMG Academy (Brandenton, FL) 2019
Aaron Roberts 3B/P Desert Oasis High School (Las Vegas, NV) 2019
Blake Walston P New Hanover High School (Wilmington, NC) 2019
Bobby Witt, Jr. SS Colleyville Heritage High School (Colleyville, TX) 2019
John Weber Coach Cypress High School (Cypress, CA) n/a
2020 No Winner n/a COVID-19 Pandemic n/a
No Winner n/a COVID-19 Pandemic n/a
No Winner n/a COVID-19 Pandemic n/a
No Winner n/a COVID-19 Pandemic n/a
No Winner n/a COVID-19 Pandemic n/a
No Winner n/a COVID-19 Pandemic n/a
No Winner n/a COVID-19 Pandemic n/a
No Winner n/a COVID-19 Pandemic n/a
No Winner n/a COVID-19 Pandemic n/a

USA Today High School Baseball Player of the Year

In Chronological Order | By USA Today | Baseball Almanac

2021 Jordan Lawlar SS Dallas Jesuit College Prep (Dallas, TX) 2021
2022 Druw Jones OF Wesleyan High School (Wesleyan, GA) 2022
2023 Walker Martin SS Eaton High School (Eaton, CO) 2023
2024 To Be Determined -- -- --
USA Today High School Baseball Players of the Year | Baseball Awards Menu
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baseball almanac fast facts

In 1995, the editors and staff at USA Today did a "test" team, where they selected an All-USA Today High School winner at each position and then an overall winner (appears in bold print). In 1996, they returned to the single player format, but in 1998 the "test" became the standard. Those who won in 1995 were:

Chad Hutchinson Pitcher Torrey Pines High School (San Diego, CA) 1995
Kerry Wood Pitcher Grand Prairie High School (Grand Prairie, TX) 1995
Ben Davis Catcher Malvern Preparatory School (Malvern, PA) 1995
Michael Barrett Infielder Pace Academy (Atlanta, GA) 1995
Chad Hermansen Infielder Green Valley High School (Henderson, NV) 1995
Jay Hood Infielder Germantown High School (Germantown, TN) 1995
Nate Rolison Infielder Petal High School (Petal, MS) 1995
Shion Newton Outfielder Boys & Girls High School (Brooklyn, NY) 1995
Reggie Taylor Outfielder Newberry High School (Newberry, SC) 1995
Eric Valent Outfielder Canyon High School (Anaheim, CA) 1995
Phil Clark Coach Germantown High School (Germantown, TN) n/a

An All-Time American Family Insurance All-USA Baseball Team was selected from those who were first team and second team in 2013, the winners: Josh Beckett, RHP; Adrian Gonzalez, IF; Cole Hamels, LHP; Josh Hamilton, OF; Matt Holliday, OF; Derek Jeter, IF; Clayton Kershaw, LHP; Joe Mauer, C; Justin Upton, OF; Kerry Wood, RHP; and David Wright, IF.

Do you agree with the choices? If you were a writer at USA Today, would you have chosen a different player? What do you think of the new format utilized in 2021? Share your opinions with us on our Baseball Almanac Facebook Group, on Baseball Almanac Twitter, via Baseball Almanac Messenger, or our baseball forum — Baseball Fever..