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2026 Hartselle Tigers Team Preview

February 18, 2026
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: Hartselle Tigers
Head Coach: Brad Phillips
Classification & Area Number: Class 6A, Area 15
2025 Record (Finish): 36-9 (State Champions)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

Asher Doepel - (01/26/2026)

INF/RHP Asher Doepel (1/18/26)

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

RHP Max Kimbrell (10/5/25)

OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

TEAM OUTLOOK

Fresh off a 36-9 campaign and a Class 6A state championship, Hartselle enters 2026 with the expectations that come with being the defending champs, and the roster to back it up. The Tigers bring back a deep, battle-tested group that knows what it takes to win in May, and the combination of returning experience, physicality, and postseason pedigree should once again make them one of the teams everyone is chasing in 6A. With another strong senior class and a core of contributors who logged meaningful innings during last year’s title run, Hartselle’s standard remains firmly set on competing for another championship.

The lineup should be a major strength again, led by a veteran senior group that includes INF/RHP Asher Doepel (Northwest Florida State CC, 2026), OF/RHP Cole Miles (Jacksonville State, 2026), OF Cruise Baker (Shelton State CC, 2026), RHP Connor Stiles (Itawamba CC, 2026), INF/RHP Carter Lee (2026), and OF Houston Falciani (2026). That group is complemented by an athletic and versatile junior class with UTL Sam Gillette (2027), UTL Witt Crisler (2027), 1B Braden Weathers (2027), and OF/RHP Jack Sims (2027), giving the Tigers a deep, experienced, and flexible lineup that can pressure opponents throughout the order. On the mound, Hartselle returns proven arms and depth, with several options capable of taking on bigger roles, while young pieces like RHP Max Kimbrell (2030) and RHP/C Barrett McKelvey (2028) add to the long-term outlook. LHP/OF Connor Bradley (2027) also provides another experienced piece who can impact games on both sides.

Looking ahead, Hartselle’s strengths start with a deep, experienced offense and a pitching staff that has already proven it can handle the biggest moments, even as the Tigers look for a true front-line arm to emerge early and solidify the rotation. As head coach Brad Phillips put it, “Really excited about this line up, I feel we will be more physical this year with what appears to be a deeper offensive line up, need a #1 to step up, and we have some options for that just needs to happen early to establish pitching rotation.”

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

+ Follow them on X or Facebook: @HartselleBSB | Hartselle Tigers Baseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2026 HS Team Previews

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+ Prep Baseball Alabama on X
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