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: Pelham Panthers
Head Coach: Guy Howard
Classification & Area Number: 6A, Area 7
2025 Record (Finish): 14-14 (No Postseason)

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• INF/RHP Andrew Petrock (2026)
• 1B/LHP Ryan Hurd (2026)
• C/RHP Dylan Smith (2027)
• UTL Braden Lee (2027)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• INF Ethan Drawhorn (2028)

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

• OF/LHP Mason Six (2026)
• RHP JP Anderson (2026)
• OF/LHP Garin Fitts (2026)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Pelham enters the 2026 season looking to build on clear momentum from a year ago after improving from four wins in 2024 to a 14-14 finish in 2025. While the Panthers ultimately missed the postseason, the season marked meaningful progress for the program, including its first area win in three years. Injuries played a major role down the stretch, but the foundation laid last spring positions Pelham to take another step forward as it looks to compete more consistently throughout the year.

The Panthers return a core of experienced contributors led by INF/RHP Andrew Petrock (2026), a four-year starter and All-County performer who anchors both the infield and pitching staff. 1B/LHP Ryan Hurd (2026), also an All-County selection, provides a steady presence in the middle of the lineup while contributing on the mound. C/RHP Dylan Smith (2027) returns behind the plate after gaining valuable experience, while UTL Braden Lee (2027) adds flexibility across multiple positions. Additional senior depth comes from OF/LHP Mason Six (2026), RHP JP Anderson (2026), and OF/LHP Garin Fitts (2026), giving Pelham options defensively and on the mound. INF Ethan Drawhorn (2028) is the lone underclassman listed and could work his way into a role as the season progresses.

Looking ahead to 2026, Pelham’s strengths center around team speed, defense, and a pitching staff that returns multiple arms capable of filling meaningful roles. Staying healthy will be a major emphasis as the Panthers aim to sustain momentum throughout the spring. “2025 the Panthers started out hot, but the injury bug clipped three starters and saw the team hobble to the end,” head coach Guy Howard said. “Pelham will look to stay consistent throughout the season and find a way to play their best baseball at the end of the year.”

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Find more information on the 2026 Pelham High School program below:

+ Follow them on X: @ThePelhamWayBSB
+ 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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