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2026 Madison County Tigers Team Preview

January 15, 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: Madison County Tigers
Head Coach: Butch Weaver
Classification & Area Number: Class 4A, Area 16
2025 Record (Finish): 23-6 (Sweet 16)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

SS/RHP Connor Drake (9/28/25)

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

TEAM OUTLOOK

Madison County enters the 2026 season coming off a strong 23-6 campaign in 2025 that included an Area 16 championship and a trip to the second round of the playoffs, where the Tigers fell to Haleyville. After winning 15 of their final 17 games, Madison County established itself as one of the most consistent teams in Class 4A down the stretch, and with much of that roster returning, expectations remain high heading into the spring.

The Tigers bring back a veteran core highlighted by SS/RHP Connor Drake (Northwest Shoals CC, 2026), who provides leadership up the middle and factors heavily into the pitching staff. On the mound, Madison County returns multiple experienced arms, including RHP/C Cole Mullins (2026) and RHP/UTL Keigan McClure (2026), both of whom are expected to log meaningful innings again in 2026. Left-handed depth comes from LHP/OF Jace Duckett (Alabama, 2027), who is slated to lead the rotation and provides a high-end presence on both sides of the ball. Additional returning contributors add to the Tigers’ depth and versatility. RHP/INF Eli Cantrell (2027) returns as another option capable of contributing on the mound, while INF Levi Cooper (2027) and C Jackson Helton (2027) provide stability defensively and in the lineup. OF/RHP Lawson Price (2028) brings underclass athleticism to the roster, and RHP/INF Jackson Hastings (2028) adds depth as a younger arm expected to continue developing this season. INF Matthew Thornton (2027) rounds out the returning upperclass group and gives Madison County additional infield options.

Pitching, experience, and continuity define Madison County’s identity entering 2026, with eight starters returning from last year’s area championship team. While the Tigers will look to replace leadership lost from last season, the foundation remains intact. As head coach Butch Weaver noted, “We expect to compete for the area championship again this year. With several pitchers and starters returning, we feel we can accomplish many things, provided we can establish great leadership. We will be looking to find the team unity and leadership with this year’s squad.” With a deep pitching staff and a proven core, Madison County enters the 2026 season aiming to remain a factor in Class 4A Area 16 and push deeper into the postseason.

Find more information on the 2026 Madison County High School program below:

+ Follow them on X or Facebook: @MCTigerBaseball | Madison County Tigers 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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