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: North Jackson Chiefs
Head Coach: Peyton Grant
Classification & Area Number: Class 4A, Area 16
2025 Record (Finish): 8-10 (No Postseason)

 

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• INF/RHP Bodie Burnette (2026)
• OF/LHP Brodie Carraway (2026)
• INF/RHP Conner Reed (2026)
• INF/RHP Hagen White (2028)
• C/1B Drew Davis (2027)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• UTL Logan Elliott (2029)
• RHP/OF Braydon Wilson (2029)

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

• OF/RHP Rylan Beavers (2027)
• OF/RHP Rhett Smith ((2027)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

North Jackson enters the 2026 season looking to rebound after an 8-10 finish in 2025 that resulted in a fourth-place area showing and no postseason berth. While last spring proved challenging, the Chiefs return a veteran core with extensive varsity experience and a strong desire to get back into the playoff picture in Class 4A Area 16. Much of this group has already been part of postseason runs in the past, and that experience now anchors a roster determined to change the outcome this time around.

The Chiefs are led by a senior-heavy group expected to carry much of the load, particularly on the mound. SS/INF Bodie Burnette (2026) returns as a four-year starter at shortstop and a key two-way contributor, providing stability up the middle while also logging significant innings on the mound. OF/LHP Brodie Carraway (2026) brings experience in the outfield and is expected to be a major piece of the pitching staff while also contributing offensively. INF/RHP Conner Reed (2026) rounds out the senior trio, returning as a corner infielder who will factor into the top of the lineup and log heavy innings on the mound. All three seniors are expected to shoulder a large portion of the pitching workload, with their leadership and experience setting the tone for the group. The underclass core adds additional depth across the diamond. INF/RHP Hagen White (2028) returns after gaining varsity experience and is expected to take on an expanded role both defensively and offensively. Behind the plate, C/1B Drew Davis (2027) is expected to play a key role, contributing in the lineup while continuing to solidify the catching position. The Chiefs also return OF/RHP Rylan Beavers (2027) and OF/RHP Rhett Smith (2027) as additional options who factor into both the lineup and pitching staff. Younger contributors also factor into North Jackson’s 2026 outlook. UTL Logan Elliott (2029) returns as a versatile option capable of contributing in multiple roles, while RHP/OF Braydon Wilson (2029) adds another arm to the pitching staff and is expected to see time both on the mound and in the lineup. These younger players provide depth as the Chiefs work through lineup and rotation combinations early in the season.

Pitching, experience, and team chemistry shape North Jackson’s identity heading into 2026. With a staff made up of players who have logged meaningful innings and a roster that has been tested together, the Chiefs expect to compete more consistently. As head coach Peyton Grant noted, “This group had a tough season last year, and everyone remembers it and is working hard to make this one different. This is a gritty, close-knit group of guys that will do whatever it takes to win. The seniors will set the tone with their leadership and experience as we look to make a postseason run this season.” With a veteran core leading the way, North Jackson enters 2026 focused on returning to the postseason and competing throughout Area 16.

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Find more information on the 2026 North Jackson Chiefs program below:

+ Follow them on X or Facebook: @NJBaseball2021 | North Jackson 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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