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: Montgomery Academy Eagles
Head Coach: Brad Parker
Classification & Area Number: Class 3A, Area 5
2025 Record (Finish): 13-10 (No Postseason)

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• OF William Marks (2027)
• SS/RHP Reid McBride (2028)
• OF/1B Vincent Desautels (2028)
• INF Paxton Haigler (2027)
• C Chapman Baker (2027)
• 1B/RHP Finley Haigler (2029)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• 3B Hays Marks (2029)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Montgomery Academy enters the 2026 season looking to take a significant step forward after a 13-10 campaign in 2025 that narrowly missed the postseason. The Eagles showed flashes of high-level play last spring, opening the year 10-1 and recording multiple wins over ranked programs and higher-classification opponents. While area play proved challenging against Prattville Christian and St. James, Montgomery Academy was competitive, taking a game from each, and continued to develop an identity centered around athleticism, aggressiveness, and team speed, stealing 82 bases as a unit.

The Eagles return a strong young core that will anchor both the lineup and defense. OF William Marks (2027) returns as an All-State Honorable Mention selection, bringing elite range in the outfield, near-.400 offensive production, and top-tier baserunning. Up the middle, SS/RHP Reid McBride (2028) is expected to be a key piece both as the leadoff hitter and as a top-of-the-rotation arm after starting Game 1 last season. On the mound and in the outfield, OF/LHP Vincent Desautels (2028) also returns as a high-average hitter and frontline pitcher. The infield features multiple reliable contributors. INF Paxton Haigler (2027) provides steady defense and offensive consistency, likely occupying a middle-of-the-order role. Behind the plate, C Chapman Baker (2027) returns after making notable offensive strides in 2025 and is expected to continue his development as a breakout candidate. A major underclass piece is 1B/RHP Finley Haigler (2029), who made an immediate impact after being moved up as an eighth grader and is projected as both a middle-of-the-order bat and an area-impact arm. Additional depth comes from 3B Hays Marks (2029), who adds athleticism and positional flexibility to the roster.

Montgomery Academy’s strengths center on youth, energy, team speed, and improved offensive production, while also projecting to be very strong defensively up the middle. With seven starters returning and only one senior on the roster, the Eagles are positioned for growth and continuity in 2026. As head coach Brad Parker noted, “I am very excited about this group. They have been working hard, and they are hungry to build a solid foundation and culture. We return a great group of energetic guys, and I look forward to our team playing at a higher level against a tougher schedule. We are really challenging our players to be ready for one of the toughest 3A areas in the state.” With a talented, motivated core and increased experience, Montgomery Academy enters 2026 poised to be more competitive in Class 3A and ready to push toward postseason contention.

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Find more information on the 2026 Montgomery Academy program below:

+ Follow them on X: @MA_Swoops
+ 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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