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: Whitesburg Christian Academy Warriors
Head Coach: Chris Telaga
Classification & Area Number: Class 3A, Area 15
2025 Record (Finish): 25-12 (Elite 8)

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• LHP Davis Parks (2026)
• RHP/INF Cason Hill (2026)
• RHP/OF Joseph Haiges (2027)
• SS/RHP Chase Utley (2028)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• C/OF Hays Ainsworth (2029)
• INF Henry Newayhid (2029)
• UTL Blake Holland (2029)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Whitesburg Christian Academy enters the 2026 season coming off one of the most successful stretches in program history. The Warriors finished 25-12 in 2025, advancing to the quarterfinals before falling to Gordo, and did so on the heels of back-to-back Area 15 championships. Last spring marked the most wins in a single season for the program, driven largely by a dominant senior pitching duo in Kaleb Robinson and Luke Holbrook. Holbrook eclipsed 100 strikeouts during the season and closed his career with an impressive 431 strikeouts, setting a high bar as Whitesburg turns the page to a new core.

The foundation of the 2026 roster begins on the mound with LHP Davis Parks (2026), a crafty left-hander who returns after logging the most innings on the staff last season and is expected to handle key situations again this spring. RHP/INF Cason Hill (2026) brings a physical presence as a switch-hitting run producer in the middle of the lineup while also being counted on to absorb innings left behind by last year’s graduating arms. Another important two-way piece is RHP/OF Joseph Haiges (2027), who steps into an expanded role after the loss of five senior starters, with expectations to contribute both offensively and with a developing three-pitch mix on the mound. At the top of the order, SS/RHP Chase Utley (2028) returns after hitting .400, providing table-setting production while continuing to gain experience as a pitching option. Depth and development will play a key role for the Warriors as the season progresses, with underclassmen C/OF Hays Ainsworth (2029), INF Henry Newayhid (2029), and UTL Blake Holland (2029) expected to be given opportunities to grow into larger roles at the varsity level. With several new faces stepping into everyday spots, Whitesburg will lean on its returning core to set the tone while younger players gain experience.

Looking ahead to 2026, Whitesburg Christian Academy embraces the challenge of replacing key seniors while remaining confident in the pieces returning. The Warriors expect a different look than last year but remain focused on development, opportunity, and continuity within the program. “With the loss of five seniors, this will be a different team, but we are very excited to provide some young guys with opportunities to step up,” head coach Chris Telaga said. “We can’t wait to get to work and put the pieces together.”

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Find more information on the 2026 Whitesburg Christian Academy program below:

+ Follow them on X: @WhitesburgBSB
+ 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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