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2026 Gulf Shores Dolphins Team Preview

December 25, 2025
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

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: Gulf Shores Dolphins
Head Coach: Chris Jacks
Classification & Area Number: Class 6A, Area 2
2025 Record (Finish): 20-14-1 (Sweet 16)

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

C/OF Price Stephens (6/17/25)

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

RHP/3B Jordan Schreier (6/3/25)

OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

TEAM OUTLOOK

Gulf Shores enters the 2026 season coming off a strong 2025 campaign that saw the Dolphins finish 20-14-1 and reach the second round of the Class 6A playoffs. Making a postseason run with a roster that relied heavily on ninth and tenth graders proved to be a major step forward for the program, and the experience gained in high-leverage situations now carries over to a more seasoned group. With many of those contributors returning older and more experienced, Gulf Shores heads into 2026 positioned to build on last year’s success in Class 6A Area 2.

The Dolphins return a veteran senior core that has logged extensive varsity time. C/OF Price Stephens (Southern Union CC, 2026) returns as a multi-year starter and All-State selection, providing stability both behind the plate and in the lineup. 3B/OF Jacob O’Bryan (Bishop State CC, 2026), another All-State selection, has been a fixture in the lineup since his freshman year and returns as a key offensive piece. Up the middle, SS/RHP John Luke Stephens (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, 2026) brings experience after starting since his freshman season and earning All-Coastal honors in 2025. OF/RHP Trendon Beebe (Mobile, 2026) and INF/RHP Levi Howard (2026) both return after everyday roles last spring, while UTL Tres Moore (2026) brings experience after starting regularly in the lineup, primarily at DH. OF Judson Harris (2027) is another multi-year starter who is working back from a torn ACL, with hopes of returning later in the season. On the mound, Gulf Shores brings back a deep and proven pitching staff. RHP John William Nix (2028) emerged as the team’s top arm last season, going 8-2 across 51.0 innings, while also contributing at first base when not pitching, and earning All-Coastal honors. RHP/1B Woods McElroy (2027) served as the Dolphins’ Game 1 starter in 2025, finishing 5-2 with 50 innings pitched, and is expected to be more involved offensively this season. Additional innings return from Stephens (2026), Howard (2026), Beebe (2026), and RHP/3B Jordan Schreier (2028), giving the Dolphins flexibility throughout the week and depth to manage a long schedule. The underclass group continues to strengthen the roster, with SS/RHP Matthew Sylkatis (2028), RHP/SS Jackson Boudreaux (2028), C Connor Morton (2028), and 3B/RHP Jesse Rogers (2028) all providing depth across the infield, behind the plate, and on the mound. OF Carter Jones (2027) and SS Mason Andrews (2027) return as additional upperclass options who factor into lineup and defensive depth.

Experience, pitching, and overall roster continuity shape Gulf Shores’ outlook entering 2026. As head coach Chris Jacks noted, “We feel like we have a real chance to be a very good team this year if we can stay healthy. Getting everyone back on the field will be key, especially Price Stephens behind the dish and at the plate. We’ve put together another strong schedule that will challenge our guys and allow them to see quality pitching before area play begins. One highlight of the spring is our trip to Key West, March 5-7, for a three-game series.” With a more experienced roster and another challenging schedule ahead, Gulf Shores enters the 2026 season looking to build on last year’s playoff run and compete deep into the spring in Class 6A.

Find more information on the 2026 Gulf Shores High School program below:

+ Follow them on X or Facebook: @FinsBaseball | Gulf Shores High School Baseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2026 HS Team Previews

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL ALABAMA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Alabama on X
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Instagram
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