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: Douglas Eagles
Head Coach: Kyle Redmond
Classification & Area Number: Class 5A, Area 13
2025 Record (Finish): 13-13 (1st Round)

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• 1B Carson Dowdey (2026)
• RHP/3B Bentley Smith (2028)
• SS Baker Lyles (2028)
• DH/1B Cade Lewis (2027)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• OF Judson Murray (2028)
• OF Maddox Duvall (2028)
• C Bryce Hatley (2028)
• INF Layton Culbert (2029)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Douglas enters the 2026 season coming off a 13-13 campaign in 2025 that included a first-round playoff appearance, marking back-to-back postseason berths for the first time in school history. While the Eagles fell to Madison Academy in the opening round, the program continues to build momentum, even as it replaces six seniors from last year’s roster. With a younger group stepping into larger roles, Douglas turns its focus to development, competitiveness, and sustained growth in Class 5A Area 13.

The Eagles return a mix of experience and emerging talent that will anchor both the lineup and pitching staff. 1B Carson Dowdey (2026) returns as a senior leader and middle-of-the-order presence after spending much of last season hitting in the three-hole, providing consistency and power at the plate along with steady defense at first base. On the mound, RHP/3B Bentley Smith (2028) returns as a key arm after striking out 65 hitters in 2025 while holding opponents to a .211 batting average, giving Douglas a reliable option in the rotation. Up the middle, SS Baker Lyles (2028) returns after batting .315 with 22 hits and 14 RBIs, offering offensive production and stability at shortstop. Additional offensive responsibility will fall to DH/1B Cade Lewis (2027), who is expected to step into a bigger role in the lineup as a power bat following the graduation of several seniors. The underclass group adds further depth and athleticism across the roster. OF Judson Murray (2028) and OF Maddox Duvall (2028) provide outfield options, while C Bryce Hatley (2028) adds depth behind the plate. INF Layton Culbert (2029) rounds out the group as a young infield option expected to continue developing at the varsity level.

Young talent, competitiveness, and pitching define Douglas’ identity heading into 2026. With new faces filling important roles, the Eagles will rely on growth throughout the season as younger players gain experience. As head coach Kyle Redmond noted, “This season will be a lot of new faces filling in roles of the seniors we lost last season. The younger guys are hungry to get a chance to compete, and I am excited to see the growth throughout the season.” With a foundation built on recent postseason appearances, Douglas enters the 2026 season focused on continued progress and competing within Class 5A Area 13.

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

+ Follow them on X: @EaglesBSBL22
+ 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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