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: Oak Mountain Eagles
Head Coach: PJ Guy
Classification & Area Number: Class 7A, Area 6
2025 Record (Finish): 17-17 (No Postseason) 

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TOP IMPACT PLAYERS

• RHP Branson Hogan (Alabama, 2026)
• 3B/RHP Ben Heath (Gadsden State CC, 2026)
• SS/RHP Xander Hughes (Coastal Alabama-South CC, 2026)
• LHP Baker Williams (Gadsden State CC, 2026)
• C Sam Prier (Coastal Alabama-North CC, 2026)
• LHP Nolan Alexander (Wallace-Hanceville CC, 2026)
• OF William Yoder (2027)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• SS Damon McLeod (2029)
• 1B/LHP Luke Channell (2028)
• OF Cullen Corrie (2028)
• C Jackson Martin (2028)

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

• OF Charlie Williamon (2027)
• INF Jake Hartsfield (2027)
• OF Mason McLemore (2026)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Oak Mountain enters the 2026 season looking to turn the page after a 17-17 finish in 2025 that kept the Eagles out of the postseason. While last spring came with its share of ups and downs, the foundation is clearly in place with a roster that returns a strong core of experienced varsity contributors and adds in an exciting wave of young talent. With a new voice leading the program, the Eagles will look to pair renewed energy with an already talented group as they navigate a challenging 7A, Area 6 slate.

The backbone of this team starts on the mound, where Oak Mountain features one of the deeper pitching staffs in the area. RHP Branson Hogan (Alabama, 2026) headlines the rotation, joined by LHP Baker Williams (Gadsden State CC, 2026), who served as the staff’s top arm a year ago, and LHP Nolan Alexander (Wallace-Hanceville CC, 2026), another big left-handed presence with impact potential. SS/RHP Xander Hughes (Coastal Alabama-South CC, 2026) adds two-way value after a season that included four home runs at the plate, while 3B/RHP Ben Heath (Gadsden State CC, 2026) brings experience and offensive production after hitting .285 last spring. Behind the plate, C Sam Prier (Coastal Alabama-North, 2026) provides stability and power, and OF William Yoder (2027) returns after starting every game as a sophomore and hitting .280. In addition to this upperclassmen, OF Charlie Williamon (2027), INF Jake Hartsfield (2027), and OF Mason McLemore (2026) should see valuable roles for Oak Mountain this spring. The Eagles will also lean on a talented group of underclassmen, including SS Damon McLeod (2029), 1B/LHP Luke Channell (2028), OF Cullen Corrie (2028), and C Jackson Martin (2028), to add depth and push for meaningful roles throughout the season.

Looking ahead, Oak Mountain’s identity in 2026 should be built around pitching depth, athleticism, and a defense capable of holding up in a rugged 7A schedule, while also having enough pop in the lineup to apply pressure offensively. The focus will be on consistency and competitiveness day in and day out as the program looks to take a step forward in Year 1 under new leadership. As head coach PJ Guy put it, “A rebranded culture to an already talented roster looking to win in Year 1 under Coach PJ Guy. Kids are bought in on bringing effort, intensity and toughness every single day.” With that mindset and a deep, experienced roster, the Eagles will aim to re-establish themselves as a postseason contender.

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Find more information on the 2026 Oak Mountain program below:

+ Follow them on X or Facebook: @OMHS_Baseball | OMHS 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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