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2026 Northridge Jaguars Team Preview

February 4, 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: Northridge Jaguars
Head Coach: Deacon Medders
Classification & Area Number: Class 6A, Area 6
2025 Record (Finish): 23-9 (1st Round) 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

RHP/1B Evan Malone (5/27/25)

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

John Pruet - (01/06/2026)

INF John Pruet (1/4/26)

OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

INF Ellis Tucker (7/9/25)

TEAM OUTLOOK

Coming off a strong 23-9 campaign in 2025 that ended in a hard-fought, three-game first-round series loss to Helena, Northridge enters 2026 with plenty of momentum and a new voice leading the program in first-year head coach Deacon Medders. The Jaguars showed last spring they can compete with anyone in Class 6A, and with a senior-heavy roster returning, the expectation is to build on that foundation and be playing their best baseball when May rolls around in 6A Area 6.

The strength of this group starts with a veteran core and impact arms on the mound. RHP/1B Evan Malone (Alabama, 2026) brings power stuff on the mound and remains a staple in the middle of the order, setting the tone on both sides of the ball. SS Mayson Elam (West Alabama, 2026) returns for his fifth year as a starter, providing leadership and stability up the middle, while RHP Barron Gatlin (Itawamba CC, 2026) gives Northridge another proven arm to lean on in big games. Behind the plate, C Wyatt Rath (2027) is one of the top hitters in his class and anchors the lineup, while INF Grayson Cannon (2026) offers a steady glove with sneaky pop at the plate. In the outfield, OF Ford Cole (2026) brings a toolsy skill set and + strength to center field and looks poised for a breakout year offensively. On the younger side, INF John Pruet (2028) returns after starting as a freshman and is expected to hit in the middle of the order again. Additional depth comes from INF Ellis Tucker (2026), OF/RHP Cooper Obradovich (2027), and RHP/OF Evan Champion (2027), giving the Jaguars flexibility across the diamond and more options on the mound.

Looking ahead to 2026, Northridge’s identity figures to be built around experience, pitching depth, and defense. With a projected rotation led by Malone and Gatlin, and supported by Champion and Obradovich, the Jaguars have a mix of power arms and strike-throwers that should keep them in every game. The lineup blends power and speed, and the coaching staff expects an aggressive approach on the bases to complement a defense that should be a strength. “Northridge has a talented group of seniors that will be tested with a difficult schedule. We will be a battle tested group by playoff time that’s hopefully peaking and playing our best ball in May. Have a combination of power stuff on the mound as well as guys who will sink it and pitch to contact, we will rely on those arms a lot this year. Mixture of power and speed in the lineup, with an offense that looks to be very aggressive on the base paths,” said head coach Deacon Medders. With experience, depth on the mound, and a senior-led core, the Jaguars look well-positioned to make a push in 6A this spring.

Find more information on the 2026 Northridge HS program below:

+ Follow them on X: @NHSJagBaseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2026 HS Team Previews

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

 

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