2026 Program Preview: Gilbert Tigers
January 14, 2026
The 2026 Arizona High School baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound 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 throughout the Grand Canyon State.
Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons by raising the 2026 AIA State Championship trophy, 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 throughout Arizona and will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Top 10 Rankings that’ll carry us into the opening week of action.
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 and updating the Top 10 Rankings.
Click HERE to Registered for Upcoming Prep Baseball Arizona Events
Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today.
High School: Gilbert
Head Coach: CJ Retherford
AIA Classification: 6A Fiesta
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 4
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS
| PLAYER | CLASS | POSITION | COMMITMENT |
| Noel Aviles | 2028 | OF | Uncommitted |
| Carter Watson | 2027 | SS/P | Uncommitted |
| Holt Petit | 2027 | C/INF | Uncommitted |
| Thatcher Johnson | 2027 | P/INF | Uncommitted |
NEWCOMERS
| PLAYER | CLASS | POSITION | COMMITMENT |
| Tyler Silvestre | 2027 | RHP/1B | Uncommitted |
| Alex Padilla | 2028 | OF | Uncommitted |
UNDERCLASSMEN TO KNOW
| PLAYER | CLASS | POSITION | COMMITMENT |
| Brayden Navarrete | 2029 | IF/P | Uncommitted |
| Nolan Newsome | 2029 | OF/MIF | Uncommitted |
| Noah Dinero | 2029 | IF/RHP | Uncommitted |
*Please note that some players may fit multiple categories, but are only listed one time each.
Find more information on the program below:
+ Follow the Tigers all season through their X @GilbertHSTigers and IG @gilberttigersbaseball
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UPCOMING EVENTS ⤵️
| Showcase | State | Date | Location |
| East Valley Preseason ID | AZ | 01/18 | Gilbert High School - Gilbert, AZ |
| Northern Arizona Preseason ID | AZ | 01/25 | Flagstaff High School - Flagstaff, AZ |
| Super 60 Pro Showcase | NATIONAL | 02/01 | The MAX - McCook, IL |
| West Valley Preseason ID | AZ | 02/01 | Apollo High School - Glendale, AZ |
| Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only) | AZ | 02/07 | Casteel High School - Queen Creek, AZ |
| Preseason All-State: Upperclass (Invite-Only) | AZ | 02/08 | Casteel High School - Queen Creek, AZ |
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