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: Foley Lions
Head Coach: Jordan Ebert
Classification & Area Number: Class 7A, Area 2
2025 Record (Finish): 17-16 (Missed Postseason)

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• LHP/1B Brady Nichols (2027)
• 1B/RHP Colton Watkins (2027)
• UTL William Quarles (2026)
• OF/RHP Bryant Sims (2028)

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

• 1B/3B Alex Daigle (2027)
• RHP/3B AJ Leverette (2026)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Foley enters the 2026 season coming off a competitive 17-16 campaign in 2025 that didn’t result in a playoff berth but showed real signs of progress within 7A Area 2. The Lions picked up their first win over Daphne since 2016, won an area series against Robertsdale, and saw four of their area losses decided by just one run, highlighting how close this group was to breaking through. With that foundation in place, Foley now looks to take another step forward as they blend returning contributors with new faces stepping into larger roles.

The lineup brings back several bats that have already proven they can handle the grind of a 7A schedule. LHP/1B Brady Nichols (2027) returns after posting a 1.84 ERA and will be counted on to contribute both on the mound and in the lineup. 1B/RHP Colton Watkins (2027) was one of the team’s most productive offensive pieces a year ago, hitting .316 with 30 RBI and 13 extra-base hits, and should again be a key run producer in the middle of the order. UTL William Quarles (2026) adds another steady bat after hitting .318 with 24 RBI, giving Foley a reliable presence who can move around the field. In the outfield, OF/RHP Bryant Sims (2028) gained valuable experience starting as a freshman on a team loaded with seniors and is poised to take on a bigger role this spring. Additional depth comes from 1B/3B Alex Daigle (2027) and RHP/3B AJ Leverette (2026), both of whom provide versatility and options across the diamond.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Lions expect their offense to be a calling card while continuing to develop on the mound. With several returning hitters who have already shown they can compete against top-level competition, Foley should be a tough out for opponents in Area 2. “We are coming in off our best season in the last 10 years but lost seven starters. We will have a combination of experience as well as new faces that will have to play a big factor in the success of our season. We will need to have some guys to step up on the mound but we will make some teams nervous when we step up to the plate,” said head coach Jordan Ebert. If the Lions can get consistent production from their arms to match an improving offense, Foley has a chance to turn last year’s close losses into wins and push back into the postseason conversation in 2026.

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Find more information on the 2026 Foley program below:

+ Follow them on X: @Foley_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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