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2026 Opelika Bulldogs Team Preview

December 18, 2025
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: Opelika Bulldogs
Head Coach: Bart Butler
Classification & Area Number: Class 7A, Area 4
2025 Record (Finish): 20-13 (No Postseason)

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

RHP Landon Rudd (7/20/24)

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

OF/RHP Cam Pilate (9/14/25)

OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

TEAM OUTLOOK

Opelika enters the 2026 season looking to rebound after a competitive 20-13 campaign in 2025 that narrowly missed the playoffs while competing in one of the toughest areas in the state alongside Auburn, Central-Phenix City, and Smiths Station. Despite the challenging path, the Bulldogs showed they could compete at a high level in Class 7A, and with a blend of experienced senior leadership, college-committed arms, and an influx of talented underclassmen, Opelika heads into 2026 believing it has the pieces to make a postseason push.

The Bulldogs return a strong senior core headlined by a pair of college-committed right-handers in RHP Landon Rudd (Meridian CC, 2026) and RHP Bryce Turnham (Reid State CC, 2026), who form the backbone of a pitching staff built on depth and versatility. Both are expected to shoulder significant innings and give Opelika reliable starts against a demanding area schedule. Offensively, SS Hank Hudson (2026) returns as a steady presence up the middle, while INF Sye Siggers (Huntingdon, 2026) provides athleticism, versatility, and leadership throughout the infield. In the outfield, OF Warner McDonald (2026) brings experience and speed, and UTL Will Brandon (2027) adds positional flexibility and competition across the diamond. A major source of optimism for Opelika lies in its underclass group, which features several players capable of impacting the lineup early. OF/RHP Cam Pilate (2028) brings athleticism and two-way upside, while SS Whit Cooper (2028) and SS Carson Holcey (2028) give the Bulldogs depth and options at shortstop and middle infield spots. OF JC Cummings (2028) adds speed and range in the outfield, and C Caleb Peoples (2028) is expected to handle a significant workload behind the plate, providing stability at a premium defensive position. RHP/OF Colt Miller (2026) also returns as an upperclass option who can factor into both the rotation and lineup. On the mound, Opelika’s pitching depth stands out as a defining strength. In addition to Rudd (2026) and Turnham (2026), the Bulldogs can turn to Siggers (2026) and Cooper (2028) to give opposing lineups different looks throughout the week. That flexibility allows Opelika to match up effectively in both area play and in the regular season while managing workloads across a long 7A season.

As Opelika turns the page toward the 2026 season, the Bulldogs do so with confidence in the depth and versatility of their roster, particularly on the mound. With multiple arms capable of filling a variety of roles, Opelika has the flexibility to navigate a demanding Class 7A schedule and compete consistently throughout area play. As head coach Bart Butler noted, “We are excited about this season. We feel like we have speed up and down the order that will help be aggressive on the bases and a deep pitching staff that can give you a ton of different looks.” With experienced seniors, committed arms, and talented underclass contributors returning, the Bulldogs appear positioned to challenge one of the state’s toughest areas and push back into the playoff picture in 2026.

Find more information on the 2026 Opelika program below:

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

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