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: Red Bay Tigers
Head Coach: Donovan Hand
Classification & Area Number: Class 2A, Area 10
2025 Record (Finish): 25-9 (Elite 8) 

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• RHP/INF Jeremiah Thorne (2026)
• OF/RHP Landyn Lewey (2026)
• RHP/INF Ayden Pruitt (2026)
• RHP/INF Carson McGee (2027)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• C Sawyer Humphries (2029)
• RHP Kahlil Luster (2028)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Red Bay enters the 2026 season coming off a strong 25-9 campaign in 2025 that included an area championship, an Elite Eight playoff appearance, and marked the program’s second consecutive deep postseason run. The Tigers have established themselves as a consistent presence in Class 2A, and with several key pieces returning, particularly on the mound, Red Bay heads into the spring focused on sustaining that success while continuing to develop offensively.

The Tigers return a senior-heavy core that anchors both the pitching staff and infield. RHP/INF Jeremiah Thorne (2026) returns as a key two-way contributor, joined by OF/RHP Landyn Lewey (2026), who factors into both the lineup and pitching rotation. RHP/INF Ayden Pruitt (2026) adds another experienced arm and infield option, giving Red Bay multiple senior contributors capable of handling significant innings. The junior class is highlighted by RHP/INF Carson McGee (2027), who provides additional depth on the mound and versatility in the field. Underclass contributors also factor into Red Bay’s 2026 outlook. C Sawyer Humphries (2029) returns as a young catching option who will continue to gain varsity experience, while RHP Kahlil Luster (2028) adds another arm to the pitching staff as the season progresses.

Pitching and defense remain the foundation of Red Bay’s identity entering 2026. With multiple returning arms and experienced defenders behind them, the Tigers expect to remain competitive throughout area play and into the postseason. As head coach Donovan Hand noted, “We will be a different team from the past two years. Pitching and defense will determine how far we go this year. I think we will become better offensively as the season progresses.” With postseason experience returning and continued development expected, Red Bay enters the 2026 season aiming for another deep run in Class 2A.

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Find more information on the 2026 Red Bay program below:

+ Follow them on Facebook: RBHS 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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