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2026 Baker Hornets Team Preview

February 11, 2026
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: Baker Hornets
Head Coach: Tyler Minto
Classification & Area Number: Class 7A, Area 1
2025 Record (Finish): 18-17 (1st Round)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

C Carson Blair (10/5/25)

OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

  • INF Caden Zoltek (2026)
  • LHP Nick Hoven (2026)
  • OF/RHP Colby Dalby (2026)
  • C JR Golden (2027)

TEAM OUTLOOK

Baker enters the 2026 season coming off an 18-17 campaign that ended with a first-round playoff loss to Central-Phenix City, but the bigger story from last spring was the growth of a young roster that gained valuable varsity experience in Class 7A. With that group now a year older and deeper across the board, the Hornets look positioned to take a step forward as they continue to build consistency in one of the state’s toughest classifications.

The core of this team is built around a deep, versatile group of returners. 1B/RHP Tate Graham (2027) has been a varsity starter since his freshman year and brings leadership and physicality to the middle of the order, while 3B/RHP Zane Mizelle (Bishop State CC, 2026) is expected to be a major impact piece on both sides of the ball. INF/RHP Lucas Laliberte (2026) adds another college-level talent who can contribute in multiple roles, and OF/LHP Yadiel Orellano (2027) and UTL Kaden Horton (2027) give Baker experienced, table-setting options at the top of the lineup with strong defensive value. Behind the plate, C Carson Blair (2028) returns after starting as a freshman in 2025, bringing advanced defensive ability and a high baseball IQ, while INF Brisyn Driskell (2028) also gained early varsity experience in the infield. OF/LHP Gabe Amick (2026) rounds out a group of returning starters with college-level tools. Additional depth comes from INF Caden Zoltek (2026), LHP Nick Hoven (2026), OF/RHP Colby Dalby (2026), and C JR Golden (2027), giving the Hornets multiple options across the field and on the mound.

Looking ahead, Baker’s biggest strength is its depth throughout the roster, and that depth is something head coach Tyler Minto believes can drive the program forward this spring. “We are very excited about this group both JV and varsity,” Minto said. “As a whole, they have a strong commitment to the game and getting better each day. The depth throughout the program should make for an exciting season with plenty of options for success.” With a more experienced core and increased internal competition, the Hornets will look to turn last year’s growth into a more consistent and competitive 2026 campaign in 7A.

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

+ Follow them on X or Facebook: @Hornet_Baker | Baker Baseball News
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2026 HS Team Previews

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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