Baseball season is here. The MHSAA calendar puts the first contest date at March 18 — this week — and across Macomb and Oakland County there are programs ready to make serious noise in the state tournament this spring. Here is The County Line’s complete preseason power ranking of the top 15 programs across both counties.
The Rankings
1
Richmond Blue Devils
MACOMB COUNTY · BWAC
The most compelling story in Macomb County baseball. The Bonnetti brothers give Richmond something no other program in the area has — a multi-year, multi-position family legacy at the top of the lineup. Anthony Bonnetti Sr. posted a near-.500 batting average last season with 21 RBI and 20 stolen bases, earning BWAC Player of the Year. His younger brother Dominic hit .382 as a freshman with 42 hits and 20 stolen bases. Richmond reached the state quarterfinals in 2025. They are the team to beat in Macomb County.
2
Macomb Dakota
MACOMB COUNTY · MIAC
State finals pedigree, now in reload mode. Dakota reached the state finals in recent years behind ace Luke DeMasse — a low-to-mid 90s fastball pitcher who has since graduated. The question for 2026 is whether the program has developed enough pitching depth to replace him. The position players are talented enough to carry Dakota deep into the bracket if the rotation holds up.
3
Clarkston
OAKLAND COUNTY · OAA RED
The standard in Oakland County baseball. Clarkston competes in the OAA Red — arguably the most competitive conference in Michigan — and has consistently produced state tournament teams. They return strong position player talent for 2026 and should be the favorite to win Oakland County’s top division title.
4
Warren De La Salle
MACOMB COUNTY · CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Year 2 under a Hall of Fame coach. Dan Cimini — a six-time state championship winning coach — is in his second year at De La Salle. Year 1 under a coach of his caliber is always an adjustment. Year 2 is when his system fully takes hold. De La Salle’s Catholic League schedule is brutal preparation for the state tournament, and Cimini knows how to win when it counts.
5
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
OAKLAND COUNTY · CATHOLIC LEAGUE
D2 state Final Four program. OLSM consistently competes in the state’s elite Catholic League and has made deep state tournament runs in Division 2. Their program culture and facilities are among the best in the area. Expect another postseason run in 2026.
6
Anchor Bay Tars
MACOMB COUNTY · MAC
Zac Kruper changes everything. Outfielder Zac Kruper is nationally ranked No. 12 in the Class of 2028 — meaning as a sophomore this spring he is already one of the most recruited position players in the country. Having a player of that caliber at the top of the lineup gives Anchor Bay a ceiling that most programs in Macomb County cannot match.
7
Chippewa Valley Big Reds
MACOMB COUNTY · MAC
Reload year after losing Ben Green. Chippewa Valley was a state-caliber program last season behind Ben Green, who has since graduated. The 2026 rotation question is the key — if the pitching depth is there, CV has the position players to make another deep run. If not, this is a rebuilding year in the MAC.
8
Brother Rice Warriors
OAKLAND COUNTY · CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Elevated profile after basketball run. The Warriors’ boys basketball program just reached the D1 state semifinals — that kind of school-wide momentum matters in spring sports too. Brother Rice baseball competes in the tough Catholic League and has the program infrastructure to make postseason noise.
9
Utica Eisenhower Eagles
MACOMB COUNTY · MAC RED
Multi-sport program on the rise. With the girls basketball program at the state semifinals right now and the hockey program having reached the D1 Final Four this year, Eisenhower athletics are on an upswing across the board. The baseball program competes in the MAC Red and has the athletes to be competitive this spring.
10
Rochester Adams
OAKLAND COUNTY · OAA WHITE
Consistent OAA program. Adams competes in the OAA White and has been a reliable postseason qualifier in recent years. Strong coaching and consistent athlete development make them a dangerous out in the D1 bracket every spring.
PROGRAMS 11-15 — ALSO WATCHING
11. Lake Shore (Macomb) — Consistent MAC Blue program with solid pitching depth heading into 2026.
12. Stoney Creek (Oakland) — OAA White program with strong athlete pipeline from the Rochester area.
13. New Baltimore Anchor Bay JV Pipeline — The junior varsity talent feeding into the Tars varsity with Kruper is notable.
14. Lakeview (Macomb) — MAC competitor worth watching in D2.
15. Avondale (Oakland) — Coming off a historic basketball season; athletic talent on the diamond too
