The 2025 GHSA State Playoffs kick off on Wednesday. Playoff baseball in Georgia is some of the best baseball in the entire country and we are lucky enough to get to cover it. We have covered the state of Georgia from as south as Lowndes to as north as Gordon Lee and everything in between. Our staff has watched over 200 baseball games this year and can’t wait to cover playoff baseball.

To kick off the season we highlighted over 80 teams in our “Team Preview” articles if you want to check out any of those before the playoffs they can be found HERE.

If you missed anything from the season we have you covered with our weekly scout blogs with hundreds of players mentioned with notes and video that can be found HERE.

We also highlight players weekly in our Diamond Notes articles that can be found HERE. Top players in our Diamond Notes piece are announced at Player Of the Week, and they can be found HERE.

Here we are going to breakdown the 4A GHSA State Playoff Preview. Coverage for the 4A division begins on April 23rd with double headers at the higher seeds field. All match ups in the 4A division can be found HERE

Top 5 seeds: Harlem, Peach County, North Hall, Troup County and Oconee County

3A Playoffs

In this new 32 team playoff with see a ton of intriguing match ups on the horizon. In the bracket with Troup County and Oconee County we see teams like Jefferson, Dawson County and West Laurens that could pose a threats. A Harlem and Pickens rematch seems likely, but you have scrappy team in LaGrange in that same quad that could really shakes things up. A North Hall vs Cherokee Bluff match up also seems likely, as both teams came into the year as 3A contenders. Then in the final quad you see a team like Peach County that had an outstanding year, but could run into a Calhoun team that could get hot with a couple big arms. Here are some key 1st round match ups we are keeping an eye on. 

Jefferson @ West Lauren’s
Long County @ Whitewater
LaGrange @ Gilmer
Mary Persons @ Adairsville

Cherokee Bluff Bears Outlook (19-12,12-3)

A year removed from a bid in the 4A State Championship, Cherokee Bluff finds it’s into playoffs once again in a brand-new classification after returning some quality pieces from last year’s team as well as some sophomores and juniors making big jumps this spring. Leading the offense has been a special group of infielders who have shown some of the best power output throughout all of 3A. A combined 28 HR between the trio of uncommitted juniors SS Ethan England (9), 3B/SS Bubba Coleman (6), with sophomore 1B/RHP Bryce Fontenot leading the way with an outrageous 13 in his first full year in the lineup. Setting the table in front of them is 2025 2B Landon Kemp (Gaston College), who hit .370 this spring while 30+ runs and if this group can keep rolling, the runs will continue to come at high-clip. Senior OF KT Thompson (Georgia Southern) is hitting his stride at the right time and can be one of the best bats in the state when it's clicking. Sophomores Jordan Wilkerson and C Beau Bruns played big roles this spring to round the lineup out with both producing .940+ OPS and can be vital during the stretch run. The Bears lost some big innings on the mound from a year ago, but 2025 LHP Gabe Gowder (UVA Wise) stepped into the SP1 role with impressive pitchability and results, including a sub-2.00 ERA this spring. The depth behind showed well and will be key pieces including Tucker Holton, Landon Rawlins, Logan Robinson, Fontenot, among others. The pitching will keep the Bears in every game and the offense has a chance to cause real havoc after surviving a brutal region and getting hot at the right time.

Uncommitted Upperclass To Watch
Bubba Coleman, 3B, 2026
Ethan England, SS, 2026
Tucker Holton, RHP, 2025

Pickens Dragons Outlook (25-5, 17-4)

Despite losing some key pieces from last year’s elite-eight team, Coach Adam Williams and the Dragons are reloaded and poised for another deep run. 2024 Future Gamer and Auburn commit, junior RHP/SS A.J Rice has been one of the best pitchers in the state this spring to the tune of 102 strikeouts and just 4 ER allowed all season long. Rice was nearly as impressive as the plate as well, hitting over .400 with 15 XBH and the Dragons will need all of the high-level two-way profile to make a deep run this spring. Another outstanding two-way performance has been shown from uncommitted junior 2B/RHP Christian Starks, who has slotted into the SP2 role this spring with a 1.47 ERA in 47+ IP paired with a .900+ OPS at the keystone and can be one of the difference makers for this team. Middle of the order is littered with high-floor profiles at the plate including a bunch of uncommitted upperclassmen like seniors Cade Sutton, Sam Hammontree, and Dawson Holland as well as junior Kam Jenkins, who all have hit north of .330 this spring and bring valuable experience. Dawson “Boogie” Lowit and Jennings Allen are two sophomores who have emerged as everyday players this spring and could be key factors as Lowit led Pickens with a .427 average this spring while providing security to a deep lineup. Bullpen has a mixture of experience and youth with some valuable pieces in junior Daven Abernathy and sophomores Jackson Nunn and Dylan Walls, who can both fill a variety of roles. This team is well-coached and has the right pieces in the spots to be a contender once again. An elite eight rematch with Harlem looms on the schedule should everything go to plan.

Uncommitted Upperclass To Watch
Christian Starks, 2B/RHP, 2026
Cade Sutton, 3B, 2025
Kam Jenkins, C, 2026
Sam Hammontree, CIF, 2025

Oconee County Warriors Outlook ( 23-7, 12-3)

The Warriors would take 2 of 3 against Cherokee Bluff in the second to last region series of the year which proved pivotal. As Oconee County would come out on top with a 12-3 record in region. They are powered by senior and Georgia commit, OF Cole Johnson, who has garnered MLB draft helium this spring as he paces the offense with a truly impressive blend of hit and power. Johnson, a LHP also lives in the low 90s on the bump and will throw key innings throughout the State Playoffs. 2025 OF Carson Fuchs (Toccoa Falls) sets the tone atop the order with strong bat-to-ball skills and a knack for reaching base. Senior Isaac Smith is a physical, projectable SS and provides a thump in the heart of the order. Senior backstop Will Roberson (Toccoa Falls) provides senior leadership and a reliable stick with a strong defensive profile at C. Junior OF, Hagan McCormick issues depth to the offense as an upper class bat. Sophomores William Resutek and Brody Christopher have shown well in each look this spring as they hold down spots in the IF and bring forth consistency in the lineup. Oconee County will lean on senior RHP Shannon Dickert (Toccoa Falls) and sophomore RHP/3B Nate Roberson to produce quality innings on the bump. This is a well-coached group with a dynamic offense that is paced by one of the best bats in the state as a deep run looms large.

Uncommitted Upperclassmen to Watch
Isaac Smith, SS, 2025

North Hall Trojans Outlook (22-6, 18-3)

Coach Flow and the Trojans will take on the Academy of Richmond County in the 1st round with a potential elite 8 match up with Cherokee Bluff looming on the horizon. A lot can happen from now to then, but that is a final four/championship type match up, both were 3A favorites coming into the year. The Trojans know how to win with a region title in the bag this year. Despite losing their ace in Kaleb Sexton the Trojans added Branson Crawford (Indiana) halfway through the year for a much needed addition on the mound and in the line up. He can be a game changing player with a shutout start on the mound or big swing at the plate. He is an energy giver that will be a huge piece in the potential playoff run. Behind Branson will be Campbell Payton (Piedmont) and then after that they will see where it goes. They have options with Jake Beard, Mill Lothridge and Smith McGarvey that can fill starter rolls or come out of the pen. McGarvey is also a catalyst in their line up and has the ability to make game changing plays on the OF. Lothridge will hold it down at SS and be a steady bat in the line up. Micah Jimerson has been a key piece for the Trojans in the line up and in relief on the mound. Catcher Kenny Foudy appears to be getting hot at the right time with a strong finish at the plate. Freshman Thomas Davis is the type of player that can lead the Trojans to a deep run if he can get hot at the plate. He has exceeding expectations for his freshman year and looks to have a strong 3 years for Coach Flow. Eyen Etris is another freshman that has played a lot of roles this year, look for him to be on the bases or in the infield in crucial spots in games. Keep an eye out for sophomore Custis Honeycutt in the line up. He was a key piece in their region title run, who changed the game with 1 swing against Pickens.

Uncommitted Upperclassmen to Watch
Smith McGarvey
Micah Jimerson
Jake Beard
Kenny Foudy

UPCOMING EVENTS