Week in Review | Feb. 7-13
February 13, 2026
ALABAMA — As we roll into a new weekly feature, we’re excited to introduce Week in Review, a comprehensive recap of everything released across the state during the previous week. Covering the stretch of February 7-13, this edition brings together all of our latest Alabama content, from the reveal of our Preseason Class 7A-1A Polls and updated player rankings to in-depth high school team previews and other additional news from around the state. With content continuing to roll out at a high level, our coverage remains second to none, offering readers an unmatched look at Alabama’s high school baseball landscape. Below, you’ll find a complete rundown of all articles and notable updates released throughout the past week.
The Countdown Is On
The countdown is officially on to the start of the high school season, with Opening Day just six days away as teams across the state take the field for official AHSAA games on Thursday, February 19th. After months of previews, events, and offseason coverage, the excitement is building, and our staff can’t wait to be on the road covering the 2026 season from start to finish, bringing you in-depth coverage, standout performances, and storylines from every corner of Alabama.
Adding to the anticipation, the 2026 Prep Baseball Alabama Kickoff Classic is also just one week away, set to bring together 15 of the top programs in the state on Friday, February 20th and Saturday, February 21st at the brand new River Run Park in Northport, Alabama. We’ll have much more to share in the coming days, including a full event preview dropping on Thursday. And as we shift into the heart of the spring season, a quick programming note: starting next week, Week in Review will move from Fridays to Sundays to better align with the weekly flow of high school baseball coverage.
Preseason Class 7A-1A Top-10 Polls
This past week also marked the release of our Preseason Class 7A–1A Top 10 Polls, giving fans their first official look at how each classification stacks up heading into the 2026 season. We unveiled the polls live on our podcast Monday night, creating a full breakdown and discussion around each class, before publishing the complete rankings in article form on Tuesday morning for readers to dive into.
These preseason polls serve as an early snapshot of the competitive landscape across the state and set the stage for what should be an exciting spring. As always, they’ll be updated throughout the season as teams take the field and results begin to shape the storylines in each classification.
To view the Preseason Class 7A-1A Top-10 Polls, CLICK HERE.
Updated Player Rankings
We also rolled out our updated player rankings this past week, offering a fresh look at how each class stacks up heading into the 2026 high school season. These updates were shaped by months of evaluations across the offseason, including multiple looks at players during our four January preseason events, along with continued feedback and insight from contacts throughout the baseball industry. The result is a snapshot of where things currently stand as the season approaches.
That said, the most important part of the evaluation process is always seeing players perform in game settings, when the lights are on and the competition is real. With that in mind, our staff will be out in full force this spring, covering teams and prospects across the state to continue refining evaluations as the season unfolds. Links to each of the updated rankings released this past week can be found below.
- Updated Class of 2026 Rankings
- Updated Class of 2027 Rankings
- Updated Class of 2028 Rankings
- Updated Class of 2029 Rankings
2026 High School Preseason Content Schedule
In another section, we’re rolling out our tentative high school preseason content schedule, giving readers a look at what’s ahead as we count down to first pitch. With the season rapidly approaching, this schedule outlines the planned release of key preseason coverage, including team previews, rankings, feature content, and additional analysis designed to set the stage for the spring. As always, dates and details are subject to change, but this preview provides a roadmap for the comprehensive coverage we’ll deliver leading into the start of the high school season.
- Updated Class of 2026 Player Rankings - Monday, February 9th
- Podcast: Preseason Class 7A-1A Top-10 Reveal - Monday, February 9th
- Class 7A-1A Top-10 Polls Article Release - Tuesday, February 10th
- Updated Class of 2027 Player Rankings - Tuesday, February 10th
- Updated Class of 2028 Player Rankings - Wednesday, February 11th
- Updated Class of 2029 Player Rankings - Thursday, February 12th
- Inside Class 1A: A Season Preview (PB+) - Thursday, February 12th
- Inside Class 2A: A Season Preview (PB+) - Friday, February 13th
- Inside Class 3A: A Season Preview (PB+) - Saturday, February 14th
- Inside Class 4A: A Season Preview (PB+) - Sunday, February 15th
- Inside Class 5A: A Season Preview (PB+) - Monday, February 16th
- Inside Class 6A: A Season Preview (PB+) - Tuesday, February 17th
- Inside Class 7A: A Season Preview (PB+) - Wednesday, February 18th
- 2026 Kickoff Classic: Event Preview - Thursday, February 19th
On the Rise: Programs Ready to Make a Jump in 2026
Released last Monday, we released our first in-depth piece of coverage focused on the upcoming high school season with On the Rise: Programs Ready to Make a Jump in 2026. The article highlights 13 teams from across the state whose mix of returning production, roster continuity, and overall upside suggests they’re positioned to take a step forward this spring. Each team is broken down in a detailed capsule that includes notable returners, a recap of the 2025 record and postseason finish, and additional context on why each program is trending upward heading into the new season.
Originally published as a subscription-only feature, the article has now been opened up to all readers. As of this morning, the full piece is available for free, giving fans, players, and coaches statewide a chance to dive into an early look at programs that could be poised for breakout campaigns in 2026.
To view On the Rise: Programs Ready to Make a Jump in 2026, CLICK HERE.
Latest Around the State Podcast Episode
This past Monday night, February 9th, we went live with the latest episode of the Around the State podcast, highlighted by the full reveal of our Preseason Class 7A through 1A Top 10 Polls. The response was incredible, and we’re grateful to the over 17,000 viewers who tuned in, whether you joined us live and took part in the discussion or caught the episode on replay. The episode delivered a complete breakdown of each classification and helped kick off what should be an exciting stretch run into Opening Day. Below, you’ll find the link and embedded player to watch the full episode.
The Prep Baseball Hotlist
The Hotlist is a weekly national series that delivers timely insight into the high school baseball landscape, curated by Prep Baseball’s network of state directors positioned across the country. Each week, directors provide boots-on-the-ground intel on prospects in their own backyards, offering a snapshot of players, trends, and storylines that align with the most relevant points on the baseball calendar. With topics rotating weekly based on seasonality, The Hotlist serves as a nationwide pulse check on amateur baseball, blending local evaluations with a broader national perspective.
This week’s topic: With college baseball opening this week, we’re highlighting former high school prospects our staff evaluated before they moved on to the college level. Please submit a former 2025 prospect from your state who is opening the college season this weekend. Include where you saw them in high school, what stood out during their prep career, and why you’ll be watching their transition into the college game this spring.
This week's Alabama entry is OF/LHP Mason McCraine, a former Glenwood standout last spring who is now a current freshman at Auburn who has a chance to earn some playing time this spring. ⤵️
“OF/LHP Mason McCraine (Glenwood, 2025) was seen multiple times last spring where he continued to prove why he was one of the more intriguing two-way prospects in the ’2025 class throughout his prep career. A former Future Gamer, McCraine consistently stood out at the high school level thanks to his rare 6-foot-6, 205-pound frame, athleticism, and ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball. On the mound, he showed steady velocity growth over time, working comfortably in the upper-80s/lower 90s with feel for a three-pitch mix, highlighted by a fading changeup he can land to the arm side. His clean, repeatable delivery and ease of operation point to more upside as he continues to add strength. Offensively, McCraine was a mainstay in Glenwood’s lineup, coming off a prep season where he hit .469 with 14 home runs and 14 doubles, using a simple, controlled left-handed swing geared toward hard contact to all fields. On the mound he was 5-0 with a 0.33 ERA. That combination of physical projection, strike-throwing ability, and a polished left-handed bat makes his transition into the college game at Auburn worth following closely, as continued development could unlock another level on both the mound and at the plate.”
2026 High School Team Previews
Continuing our daily rollout, we released a new batch of high school team previews over the past week, offering an in-depth look at programs across the state heading into the upcoming season. Each preview is built directly from questionnaires submitted by high school coaches and provides a comprehensive breakdown of each team, including overall outlook, top returning players, key underclassmen to know, the 2025 finish, and much more. These previews will continue to be released daily as we count down to first pitch in February. High school coaches who did not receive a questionnaire and would like their program featured can email [email protected] to receive one. Please note that questionnaires are available to high school coaches only.
To view all team previews released up to this point, CLICK HERE.
Uncommitted Spotlights
This past week, we continued our Uncommitted Spotlights, a recurring fall series that highlights some of Alabama’s top uncommitted prospects in the junior and senior classes. Released every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the fall, these features focus on talented upperclassmen as they head into the offseason and enter the final stages of their high school careers. With many still available, some overlooked and others quietly flying under the radar, this series provides valuable exposure for players actively seeking the right opportunity to compete at the next level.
To view all uncommitted spotlights released up to this point, CLICK HERE.
Recent Commitments
Rounding out the week, we highlighted a wave of recent commitments in the Classes of 2026 and 2027, spotlighting prospects who took the next step in their recruiting journeys. This section recaps the latest 2026 and 2027 pledges from the past week, recognizing both the players and programs as decisions continue to come off the board.
Class of 2026 Commitments
- RHP Ryan Clark (Hewitt-Trussville) has committed to Snead State CC.
- 1B Ryan Davis (Buckhorn) has committed to Shorter.
- OF Sawyer Pearsall (McAdory) has committed to Snead State CC.
- C Perrin Gomez (Dothan) has committed Enterprise State CC.
- LHP Brenner VanDeWynckel (Sparkman) has committed to Alabama-Huntsville.
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