The Arkansas high school baseball season kicks off on Mar. 2, opening day for regular season action under AAA regulations. Leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2026 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down to the official Prep Baseball Arkansas Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today.

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2026 SEASON OUTLOOK

No. of Returning Position Players: 6
No. of Returning Pitchers: 7

Top Returners:

• Ryah Cook (2027) - C, 5’10, R/R
  • Improved arm strength should help better defend opponents' running game.
• Coleman Barnett (2026) - SS/RHP, 6’1, 160lbs, R/R
  • Ouachita Baptist signee 
  • Top returning pitcher from last years 5A State Runner-up team.
• Brody Byrd (2026) - 1B/LHP, 6’1, 175lbs, L/L
  • UARM signee
  • Versatile position player as an outfielder or first baseman, will see more innings on the mound as a starter this season.
• Max Molloy (2027) - OF/RHP, 6’2, 185lbs, R/R
  • Top returning hitter, 2025 5A All-State, will provide good power in the lineup this season.
• Ladd Langley (2027) - 2B/RHP, 5’8, 145lbs, R/R
  • Made excellent improvements as a defensive infielder this fall and will add good depth on the mound.
• Robert Hall (2026) - OF/RHP, 6’4, 190lbs, R/R
  • University of the Ozarks signee
  • Expected to add power offensively as well as depth on the mound
• Ben Bateman (2027) - 3B/RHP, 6’4 190lbs, R/R
  • Returning as one of the Patriots' top arms on the mound, expected to add depth defensively at 1B or 3B.

Top Newcomers:

• Solomon Flores (2026) - OF, 6’0 155lbs, R/R
  • Very good speed, should add good power offensively for the Patriots.
• Tucker Smith (2026) - 1B, 6’0 150lbs, R/R
  • Very good defensive 1B
• Cooper Strayhorn (2026) - 3B/RHP, 5’11 140, R/R
  • Brings good defensive skills to the hot corner and will add depth on the mound as a RHP.
• Sully McKewen (2029) - C/2B, FR, 5’8, 140, R/R
  • Versatile player who can play several positions very well.
• Drace McGee (2029) - 2B/RHP, 5’8, 140, R/R
  • Very athletic player who will also see action as a pitcher this season.

Key Players Lost:

• Carson Catt 
• Cohen Bumbaugh - Itawamba CC

Coach’s Insight: “This year's Marion Patriots team will rely on several returning pitchers that helped them reach the 2025 5A State Finals. The Patriots return 6 pitchers that saw action in the state tournament and state finals. In addition the Patriots return 6 position players. These returners alone will give the Patriots a much improved defensive to back up their pitching staff. The 2026 Marion Patriots will need to develop more defensive depth with several underclassmen.” – David Lara, head coach

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Find more information on the 2026 Marion program below:

+ Follow them on X: @MarionPatsBSB
+ Visit Prep Baseball Arkansas’ 2026 AAA Team Previews page to learn more.

+ If you are a high school coach and didn’t receive our questionnaire, please click HERE to fill out the form

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