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2026 Austin Black Bears Team Preview

December 9, 2025
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

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: Austin Black Bears
Head Coach: Preston Potter
Classification & Area Number: Class 7A, Area 8
2025 Record (Finish): 10-26 (Missed Playoffs)

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

Austin enters the 2025 season looking to turn a corner in Class 7A after a challenging 10–26 campaign, but the Black Bears return a substantial amount of experience and welcome back several key players who missed significant time last spring. With improved health, a deeper pitching staff, and a core of young contributors gaining maturity, head coach Preston Potter believes this group is equipped to take meaningful strides in one of Alabama’s toughest classifications. The program has placed a strong emphasis on offseason development—both on the field and in the weight room—setting the foundation for a more competitive and consistent product heading into February.

A major boost comes with the return of RHP/C Levi Morgan (Calhoun CC, 2026) who missed most of last season due to injury. When healthy, Morgan is expected to anchor both the pitching staff and catching duties, giving Austin a veteran presence at two premium positions. RHP Dillon Rains (2026), another talented right-hander who finished 2025 sidelined by injury, also returns to strengthen a pitching staff that will be relied upon heavily; both Morgan and Rains project as the leaders of a group in which nearly every player is capable of taking the mound. Offensively, the Black Bears return impact bats in 1B/C Paxton Branum (Eureka College, 2026)—who provides power and defensive versatility at 1B/C—and OF Tyler Parker (2026), along with several underclassmen who saw major varsity innings last spring. One of the most exciting pieces of the lineup is OF Trey Harville (2028), who burst onto the scene as a freshman, earning ASWA 7A Honorable Mention All-State honors while cementing himself as an athletic, dynamic center fielder and top-of-the-order catalyst. Austin also brings back promising young infielders DeJohn Parks (2027), Riley Grigg (2027), and Bentley Stidham (2026), all of whom gained meaningful experience last season and will anchor the infield rotation. Behind the plate, C Trace Sykes (2028) returns after logging significant time in 2025, giving the Black Bears additional flexibility with Morgan’s ability to pitch and catch. Austin’s underclass group shapes up as one of the deeper and more versatile in recent years. Arms such as RHP Owen Prater (2028), 1B/RHP Christopher Sexton (2028), and UTL/RHP Ethan Ratliff (2028) project to take on expanded roles on the mound, while UTL Connor Hill (2028) and Ratliff should also contribute offensively. UTL Noah South (2029) is a name to watch, offering offensive upside and the potential to be called up as the season progresses.

With returning experience across the diamond, a healthy pitching staff led by Morgan and Rains, and a roster filled with multi-positional athletes, Austin expects to compete at a higher level in 2025. The coaching staff believes the group’s chemistry, work ethic, and offseason improvement will translate into a more competitive on-field product. As Coach Potter notes, “I'm really proud of how we have attacked our off-season program both on the field and in the weight room since June 1—we've improved tremendously in all areas. We have a great group of guys that are fun to be around and enjoy being coached.” With renewed health and growing depth, the Black Bears look ready to make a push in a demanding 7A landscape.

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

+ Follow them on X or Facebook: @AHS_BSBL | Austin High School Baseball- Decatur, Alabama
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2026 HS Team Previews

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