News Summary
Jacksonville honors its high school baseball players by introducing the All-Quarter Century team, celebrating contributions from 2000-01 to 2024-25. With over 21 state championships and a host of players advancing to the Major Leagues, the initiative invites fans to vote for the standout players. The ongoing selection process ensures that contributions to the local baseball legacy are acknowledged, highlighting not only past glories but encouraging future players to continue this rich tradition.
Jacksonville Celebrates High School Baseball Excellence
The Times-Union has announced the formation of the All-Quarter Century team, honoring standout high school baseball players from Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, covering seasons from 2000-01 to 2024-25. This initiative recognizes the region’s noteworthy contributions to high school baseball, including the achievement of 21 state championships and the emergence of numerous players who transitioned to the Major Leagues over the past 25 years.
Fans are invited to participate in the selection process by voting for the top player of the quarter-century. The voting will remain open until July 28 at 10 a.m. It is important to note that any indications of tampering or bot voting will result in disqualification of candidates to ensure a fair contest.
Highlighting Notable Players
The All-Quarter Century team consists of a 26-man roster, which is a challenging task to compile based on players’ high school careers. Among the notable talents is Alex Lodise, who showcased potential despite a modest high school batting record and subsequently won the Dick Howser Trophy at Florida State in 2025. Major League players such as Howie Kendrick, Daniel Murphy, and Darren O’Day also emerged from this area, illustrating the rich baseball culture.
Some players included in this prestigious roster had remarkable high school careers, contributing to their teams’ successes, while others are still active in the league. Brett Myers and Jonathan Papelbon, two prominent figures in baseball, played high school ball just before the cutoff, showcasing the continuous talent emanating from Jacksonville.
Player Achievements
Among the featured players, several athletes made significant impacts during their high school years:
- Hunter Barco (2016-19): Achieved a stellar 12-0 record with an 0.53 ERA during his freshman year, leading his team to several FHSAA trophies.
- Austin Deegan (2010-13): A first-team All-First Coast player, he played a crucial role in clinching the state championship in 2013 with a 5-2 record and a 1.74 ERA.
- Robert Hurley (2001-04): Finished with an impressive 42-9 record and was drafted No. 30 overall by the Texas Rangers.
- Nic Lumpa (2007-10): Concluded his high school career undefeated at 28-0, aiding Bolles in earning FHSAA championships.
- Zach Reid-Foley (2011-14): Registered an astounding 137 strikeouts in his junior year and was drafted No. 49 overall.
- Zach Watson (2022-25): Completed his senior year with an 0.53 ERA and a perfect 9-0 record that propelled his team to the state runner-up position.
- Hunter Carns (2021-24): Known for his aggressive batting, he achieved a .457 average with 21 home runs throughout his high school tenure.
- Darion Lockett (2009-12): Recognized as the player of the year in 2011, he set records in both batting and pitching during his career.
- Justyn Adams (2005-07): A key contributor to two state championship teams with notable batting statistics.
- Javier Baez (2008-11): Known for his standout performances, he was drafted No. 9 overall by the Chicago Cubs.
- Garrett Callihan (2015-19): Made his MLB debut in 2025 after a successful high school career that showcased his skills both at bat and on the mound.
- A.J. Gamel (2007-10): Maintained high performance throughout his high school years and now boasts a successful nine-season run in the MLB.
Upcoming Events in High School Baseball
As the All-Quarter Century team votes progress, the Florida High School Athletic Association has announced the regional playoff brackets, set to begin on April 21. This year’s playoffs will employ a best-of-3 format, a first for the region, which promises thrilling matchups, including West Nassau against Fernandina Beach. Five teams from District 3-2A have qualified, highlighting the area’s competitive spirit in high school baseball.
The playoffs will feature notable teams such as Atlantic Coast, Spruce Creek, and Trinity Christian, with hopes of advancing to the FHSAA finals scheduled at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.
This celebration of Jacksonville’s high school baseball legacy not only honors past achievements but also encourages current and future generations of players to build on this rich tradition.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville Quarter Century Poll
- Wikipedia: High School Baseball
- Best Players from 2000-25
- Google Search: Florida High School Baseball
- Final High School Leaders 2025
- Google Scholar: High School Baseball Statistics
- Top Players and Teams 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- Preseason Pitcher Fan Poll
- Google News: Florida High School Athletic Association
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
