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: G.W. Carver-Birmingham Rams
Head Coach: Christian Watts
Classification & Area Number: Class 5A, Area 10
2025 Record (Finish): 18-12 (No Postseason)

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• P Ezekiel Woodside (2028)
• INF/C Isiah Simon (2026)
• P/INF Dejalin Woodside (2026)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• UTL Jamerion Avery

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

• UTL Fred Plump Jr.

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TEAM OUTLOOK

G.W. Carver-Birmingham enters the 2026 season looking to build on a historic 2025 campaign that saw the Rams finish 18-12, setting a new school record for wins and posting the first winning record in program history. While they came up just short of the postseason, the foundation that was laid last spring marked a major step forward for the program, and expectations now shift toward continuing that upward trajectory in a competitive Class 5A, Area 10 landscape.

The core of this year’s group is led by P Ezekiel Woodside (2028), a young arm who will be counted on to play a key role on the mound moving forward. INF/C Isiah Simon (2026) brings versatility and experience to the lineup and behind the plate, while P/INF Dejalin Woodside (2026) provides another important two-way piece who can impact games on both sides of the ball. UTL Jamerion Avery adds youthful depth and athleticism, and Fred Plump Jr. gives the Rams another upperclass presence as they continue to shape their identity. With a focus on solid contact at the plate and fundamental defense, this group will look to stay true to what helped drive last season’s breakthrough.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Rams are aiming to build on last year’s success by continuing to play with toughness and consistency on both sides of the ball. The emphasis remains on executing the fundamentals, competing every day, and taking another step forward as a program. “Team is poised to build on the success of last season with hard nose aggressive fundamentals,” said head coach Christian Watts, a mindset that will guide G.W. Carver-Birmingham as they try to turn last year’s milestone season into sustained progress.

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Find more information on the 2026 G.W. Carver High School program below:

+ Follow them on Facebook: G.W. Carver High School Rams
+ 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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