The 2026 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Alabama.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the Jacksonville/Oxford/Montgomery area at the AISA or AHSAA state championships, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Alabama. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing our scheduled podcasts and releasing our preseason top-10 rankings in each AHSAA classification.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state.

Each week we will be releasing our Players of the Week, updating the top-10 ranks in each AHSAA classification, as well updating our Power 25 overall rankings. One thing, especially, you don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state, as well as the recaps and previews of the big games we’re covering.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: Alexandria Valley Cubs
Head Coach: Zac Welch
Classification & Area Number: Class 4A, Area 12
2025 Record (Finish): 20-13 (Sweet 16)

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• LHP Brodie Barber (2027)
• 3B Jeremiah Heathcock (2026)
• OF Garrett Haynes (2026)
• SS/RHP Cam Johnson (2028)
• INF/RHP Sawyer Coggins (2029)
• LHP/1B Cooper Smith (2028)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• C Knox Faulkner (2028)
• OF Jace Loggins (2028)

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

• INF Emmitt Waldrep (2027)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Alexandria enters the 2026 season coming off a strong 20-13 campaign that saw the Valley Cubs capture an Area 12 championship and advance to the Sweet 16, where they were eliminated by eventual state champion Deshler. After breaking through the 20-win mark and proving they can compete deep into the postseason, this group returns with expectations raised and a roster that brings back nearly its entire core. With every starter returning and only Bray Goode (South Alabama) departing, the foundation is firmly in place for another competitive run in Class 4A.

The strength of this roster starts with a deep and talented returning group. LHP Brodie Barber (2027) gives the Cubs a reliable left-handed presence on the mound, while 3B Jeremiah Heathcock (2026) and OF Garrett Haynes (2026) provide experience and production in the middle of the lineup. SS/RHP Cam Johnson (2028) continues to develop into a key two-way piece, and INF/RHP Sawyer Coggins (2029) adds another versatile arm and bat to the mix despite his youth. LHP/1B Cooper Smith (2028) supplies value on both sides of the ball, and the underclass core continues to grow with C Knox Faulkner (2028) and OF Jace Loggins (2028) pushing for bigger roles this spring. INF Emmitt Waldrep (2027) adds further depth and experience to a lineup that returns intact from a year ago.

Looking ahead, Alexandria's identity will be built around continuity, defense, and pitching. With an experienced group returning and valuable, battle-tested experience from a season that included both struggles and postseason success, the Valley Cubs expect to defend at a high level and emphasize winning close games by playing clean and confident baseball. “Experienced group returning with valuable battle tested experience after a season of learning through struggles. Very tough and competitive group with strong senior leaders and an extremely young and talented core. Will defend at a high level with an emphasis on winning the close games by playing clean and confident. High expectations for the young returning starters to continue to develop and improve,” said head coach Zac Welch. With nearly the entire roster back and expectations elevated, Alexandria enters 2026 focused on building on last season’s momentum and making another deep postseason push.

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Find more information on the 2026 Alexandria High School program below:

+ Follow them on X or Facebook: @ValleyCubBSBL | Alexandria Valley Cubs Baseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2026 HS Team Previews

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FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL ALABAMA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Alabama on X
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Facebook

 

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