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: Carbon Hill Bulldogs
Head Coach: Jason Tittle
Classification & Area Number: Class 3A, Area 10
2025 Record (Finish): 3-22 (No Postseason)

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• RHP/OF Marcus Pierce (2026)
• RHP/1B Hunter Taylor (2026)
• RHP/UTL Caleb Meeks (2026)
• RHP/UTL Ryley Bainbridge (2029)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• UTL Brody Sides (2028)
• UTL Branson Terry (2028)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Carbon Hill enters the 2026 season focused on growth and development as the Bulldogs look to take positive steps forward in Class 3A Area 10. While the 2025 season ended without a postseason berth, the program returns a motivated, hard-working group that has fully bought into the process. With a young roster gaining valuable varsity experience and a clear emphasis on daily improvement, Carbon Hill heads into the spring with optimism about the direction of the program and its long-term trajectory.

The Bulldogs return a group of upperclass contributors who will be leaned on for leadership and innings. RHP/OF Marcus Pierce (2026) returns as a two-way option expected to factor into both the pitching staff and outfield. On the mound, RHP/1B Hunter Taylor (2026) and RHP/UTL Caleb Meeks (2026) provide additional senior arms as Carbon Hill looks to establish consistency on the hill. A key young piece is RHP/UTL Ryley Bainbridge (2029), who adds underclass depth and will continue to gain varsity experience. The underclass group includes UTL Brody Sides (2028) and UTL Branson Terry (2028), both of whom provide athleticism and versatility as Carbon Hill continues to evaluate roles throughout the season.

Fundamentally sound defense will be a point of emphasis for the Bulldogs in 2026, with a focus on playing clean baseball and competing in each game. As head coach Jason Tittle noted, “We will be a young team this season, but the kids are bought in and working hard to get better every day. With four seniors and zero juniors in the program, the future looks bright for Carbon Hill baseball.” With a youthful roster and a strong commitment to development, Carbon Hill enters the 2026 season focused on progress, competitiveness, and building a foundation for the years ahead in Class 3A.

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Find more information on the 2026 Carbon Hill program below:

+ Follow them on Facebook: Carbon Hill HS 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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