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: Smiths Station Panthers
Head Coach: Wesley Byrd
Classification & Area Number: Class 7A, Area 4
2025 Record (Finish): 15-24 (No Postseason)

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• RHP Tanner Moody (2026)
• 1B Hunter McGlaun (2027)
• SS Evan Long (2027)
• 3B Canaan McDonald (2027)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• OF Hunter Whale (2028)
• INF Eddie Martinez (2028)
• OF/LHP Mason Long (2028)
• INF Jacob Harris (2029)
• INF Angel Santiago (2029)
• OF/RHP Chase Foxworth (2029)

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OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

• C Cohen Watkins (2026)
• RHP Sawyer Rentz (2027)
• OF Benton Hardy (2027)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Smiths Station enters the 2026 season looking to take a step forward after a 15–24 finish in 2025, a year that featured plenty of growing pains but also laid the groundwork for what head coach Wesley Byrd hopes is a more consistent and competitive club. With a mix of returning varsity experience and an influx of young talent, the Panthers will lean on improved pitching and defense as their foundation while working to become more reliable on both sides of the ball in the rugged Class 7A, Area 4 landscape.

The core of this year’s team is built around several key returners, led by RHP Tanner Moody (2026), who figures to be a major piece of the pitching staff. On the position-player side, 1B Hunter McGlaun (2027), SS Evan Long (2027), and 3B Canaan McDonald (2027) give Smiths Station an experienced infield group that should provide stability defensively while helping anchor the lineup. Behind them, C Cohen Watkins (2026) adds experience behind the plate, while arms like RHP Sawyer Rentz (2027) and athletes such as OF Benton Hardy (2027) provide additional depth. The Panthers will also look for meaningful contributions from a talented group of underclassmen, including OF Hunter Whale (2028), INF Eddie Martinez (2028), OF/LHP Mason Long (2028), INF Jacob Harris (2029), INF Angel Santiago (2029), and OF/RHP Chase Foxworth (2029), as several of these younger pieces are expected to be pushed into bigger roles as the season unfolds.

Looking ahead, Smiths Station’s strengths begin on the mound and on the defensive side of the ball, where the Panthers expect to be more consistent and competitive. With a stronger emphasis on run prevention and a developing group of young players gaining experience, the goal for 2026 is clear: take steps forward in a tough 7A schedule and build momentum throughout the season. If the pitching staff can set the tone and the defense continues to solidify, the Panthers have the pieces in place to show noticeable progress and establish a stronger identity moving forward.

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Find more information on the 2026 Smiths Station High School program below:

+ Follow them on X or Facebook: @SmithsStationBB | Smiths Station Panthers 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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