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: Belgreen Bulldogs
Head Coach: Jonathan Raper
Classification & Area Number: Class 2A, Area 14
2025 Record (Finish): 11-13 (1st Round)

 

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• INF/RHP Rush Berryman (2028)
• OF/LHP Colton Ahston (2028)
• 1B/LHP Ty Hamilton (2028)
• C/RHP Noah Scott (2028)
• INF/RHP Easton Mitchell (2026)
• INF/RHP Chance Pennington (2028)
• OF/RHP Brayden Messer (2028)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• UTL Zed Wilson (2029)
• UTL Cooper Crittenden (2029)
• UTL Carter Raney (2028)
• UTL Collin McCalpin (2028)
• UTL Caden Porter (2028)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

 Belgreen enters the 2026 season looking to build off an 11-13 finish in 2025 that included an area runner-up showing and a first-round playoff appearance. With a young roster that already has postseason experience, the Bulldogs head into the spring focused on steady improvement and competing for another playoff opportunity in Class 2A Area 14.

The Bulldogs return a large portion of their core, highlighted by a sophomore-heavy group of contributors. INF/RHP Rush Berryman (2028) returns as a key two-way piece, joined by OF/LHP Colton Ashton (2028) and 1B/LHP Ty Hamilton (2028), who provide left-handed options both in the lineup and on the mound. Behind the plate, C/RHP Noah Scott (2028) returns as an important piece at catcher while also factoring into the pitching staff. INF/RHP Chance Pennington (2028) and OF/RHP Brayden Messer (2028) round out a group of returning underclassmen expected to play significant roles. Belgreen also brings back senior INF/RHP Easton Mitchell (2026), who adds experience and leadership to a young roster. On the mound, Belgreen returns several arms who will be counted on throughout the season. The pitching staff includes Hamilton (2028), Berryman (2028), Ashton (2028), Pennington (2028), along with Braden Hamilton, Parker Morgan, Dalton Gardner, and UTL Caden Porter (2028). Developing pitching depth will be a focal point as roles take shape over the course of the season. The Bulldogs also feature a group of younger players who will continue to develop and provide depth. UTL Zed Wilson (2029) and UTL Cooper Crittenden (2029) join UTL Carter Raney (2028), UTL Collin McCalpin (2028), and Porter (2028) as options who can contribute across multiple positions as needed.

Belgreen expects defense and team speed to be strengths in 2026, while continuing to improve offensively as the season progresses. As head coach Jonathan Raper noted, “This is my first year as head coach at Belgreen. We hope to improve throughout the season and make a playoff run. We have a young team with some playoff experience. We have to develop some pitching depth and improve on our hitting.” With much of the roster returning and another year of experience gained, the Bulldogs enter 2026 focused on growth and competing deep into the season in Class 2A.

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

+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2026 HS Team Previews

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