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: Geraldine Bulldogs
Head Coach: Jamie Gilbert
Classification & Area Number: Class 3A, Area 13
2025 Record (Finish): 15-13 (No Postseason)

 

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• UTL Jordon Lankford (2028)
• OF/RHP Jon Beck Wade (2028)
• INF/RHP Kooper Rogers (2028)
• C/RHP Braxton Franklin (2029)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• UTL Reed Wade (2029)
• UTL Lane Rowell (2029)

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

• UTL Kade Justice (2027)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Geraldine enters the 2026 season coming off a 15–13 campaign in 2025, highlighted by several individual records and a roster that gained meaningful experience despite its youth. With no seniors on the roster, the Bulldogs return a group that is still developing but already familiar with varsity competition, setting the stage for continued growth in Class 3A Area 13.

The lineup is headlined by UTL Jordon Lankford (2028), one of the state’s top prospects in the 2028 class. Lankford put together a historic 2025 season, breaking multiple program records, including 10 triples, posting a .539 batting average, and striking out just once in 110 at-bats, with only one strikeout over the past two seasons. He also set the school record with 15 hit-by-pitches in 2024, underscoring his presence in the lineup. Geraldine also returns OF/RHP Jon Beck Wade (2028), who contributes as a two-way option, along with INF/RHP Kooper Rogers (2028), a returning arm who factors into both the infield and pitching staff. Behind the plate, the Bulldogs bring back C/RHP Braxton Franklin (2029), a young catcher who is expected to contribute at catcher while also providing innings on the mound. Additional underclass depth comes from UTL Reed Wade (2029) and UTL Lane Rowell (2029), both of whom add versatility as Geraldine continues to develop its younger classes. UTL Kade Justice (2027) returns as an upperclass presence who provides experience and flexibility across the field.

Chemistry stands out as a defining trait of this group, as noted by head coach Jamie Gilbert. “Look to compete in all of our games with some talented players. No seniors on the roster,” Gilbert said. With a young roster that already has varsity experience and a strong sense of cohesion, Geraldine heads into the 2026 season focused on competing consistently and continuing to develop within a challenging 3A landscape.

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

+ Follow them on X or Facebook: @GeraldineBSEBAL | Geraldine High School 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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