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: Brilliant Tigers
Head Coach: Ben Johnson
Classification & Area Number: Class 1A, Area 10
2025 Record (Finish): 3-12 (No Postseason) 

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• OF Taylen Odom (2028)
• INF Braxton Lee (2027)
• C Jack Bell (2026)
• DH Levi Norris (2028)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• UTL Tyson Lee (2028)
• UTL Cayden Yielding (2028)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Coming off a challenging 2025 season, Brilliant enters 2026 focused on growth, development, and building a strong foundation under head coach Ben Johnson. With a young roster that gained valuable experience last spring, the Tigers are looking to take meaningful steps forward and establish an identity built around effort, togetherness, and long-term progress within Class 1A, Area 10.

The core of that growth starts with a group of young returners who will be asked to take on larger roles. OF Taylen Odom (2028) brings athleticism to the outfield and is one of the young pieces the Tigers will look to build around moving forward. INF Braxton Lee (2027) provides infield stability and should continue to develop into a reliable presence on both sides of the ball. Behind the plate, C Jack Bell (2026) returns as an experienced option and will be important in handling the pitching staff and anchoring the defense. DH Levi Norris (2028) is another young bat who will be counted on to take steps forward offensively. In addition, underclassmen UTL Tyson Lee (2028) and UTL Cayden Yielding (2028) add versatility and depth, giving the Tigers multiple options as they sort out roles and lineups throughout the spring.

While the Tigers are still working to define their everyday lineup and pitching staff, the emphasis for 2026 is clearly on development, chemistry, and building a competitive mindset. Coach Johnson has made it clear what the standard is inside the program, preaching a team-first culture and togetherness as the foundation for future success. “F.A.M.I.L.Y — Forget About Me I Love You,” is the message driving this group, and Brilliant will look to turn that mindset into steady improvement as the season unfolds.

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

+ Follow them on Facebook: Brilliant Tigers 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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