2026 GHSA Playoffs: 6A Preview

START DATE: APRIL 24

The 2026 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 100 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 released our Power 25 rankings and Classification Rankings weekly. Be sure to check out the final update of the regular season HERE

We are going to kick things off today with our 6A GHSA State Playoff Preview.

Top Seeds: Lowndes (6A-1), Carrollton (6A-2), McEachern (6A-3), Grovetown (6A-4), North Paulding (6A-5), Denmark (6A-6), North Gwinnett (6A-7), Buford (6A-8)

Final Four Sleepers: Parkview, Brookwood, Cherokee, Harrison

The round of 32 boasts some major match ups that are likely to be 3 game series. Here are a few that we are keeping our eyes on.

Harrison @ Etowah

On paper, this is one of the most talented first-round matchups you could have in the state, regardless of class. High-powered offenses on both sides with frontline SP1 leading both rotations. “Get your popcorn ready” type of feeling heading into this one and easy to see this heading to three games potentially.

Etowah came into the spring with some of, if not the highest expectations of anyone in the state and now get tasked with a challenging road to back to the final-four for the 3rd year in a row. Senior OF and Prep Baseball All-American Trevor Condon sets the tone for this club in so many ways as the power/speed leadoff bat with impact defense in CF and a hair on fire personality that thrives in high pressure situations such as the playoffs. Fellow seniors in RHP/1B Matthew Sharman and OF Deion Cole round out one of the most accomplished senior trios in school history. Sharman gives the Eagles a legit ace with highest-level polish and pitchability that fills this team with confidence every time he steps on the mound, not to mention maybe the most consistent bat in the lineup the last three years. Cole brings instant impact every time he finds the barrel and will flip the game in a hurry with a potent power/speed threat that’s also helped him finish his career as one of Etowah’s All-time HR leaders. . Premium talent in the lineup continues with the top 2027 in the state in C Caden Borcherding, who brings an all-around profile that shows tremendous value on both sides of the ball with ability to get hot in an instant and carry this lineup. Sophomore SS/OF Colin Anderson has flown under the radar a bit this spring, but with some of the best raw power in the class with a feel for the big moments that will bring huge value in the playoffs. What I said at the beginning of the spring might be more important now, junior SS/RHP Nate Curcio is as important as you’ll find to winning the series as anyone on the roster. Will be tasked with making a huge start while providing production in the middle infield. Depth will be looked upon to set up along the way in the likes of Carson Moore, Walker May, Dyson Sparks and more. Coach Robinson and staff know what it takes to win at this time of the year and will be ready on Friday night.

We were bullish on the Hoyas coming into the spring and Coach Storey navigated one of the toughest regions in 6A to set up this heavyweight matchup in round one. Sophomore OF Breck Hemphill has been a tremendous addition to the roster, as he hit over .440 this spring while adding 20+ XBH and providing quality defense in the grass. Sophomore impact continues with SS Aiden Watson who’s grown in multiple ways this spring and looks ready to provide big value on both sides in the playoffs as well as C Logan Arnett, who’s power profile can put balls out in a hurry. The trio of Cameron Spicer, Jack Johnson, and Chase Beasley have been consistently producing in the middle of the order all spring and gives this lineup key depth to handle top-level pitching. If everything clicks, pitching has a chance to be a tremendous strength for the Hoyas in the playoffs with depth in both the rotation and bullpen. Senior LHP and Super 60 standout Colin White can be as dynamic as any arm in the state with a high-octane swing-and-miss mix when harnessed. Junior RHP Jack Johnson and senior RHP Davis Gurski have the ability to go 5+ IP in any given start with the emergence of Cameron Glaser coming at the exact right time. The pieces are in place to make a deep run but with a final-four type matchup in round one, things will not be easy.

Walton @ Hillgrove

This heavyweight matchup is shaping up to be one of the best series in the state across all classifications with loaded talent on both sides of the ball.

The reigning state champions lost a good bit to graduation but return the pieces and type of winning mentality to go far once again. It all starts with GHC commit Walker Killimett who is a spark-plug at the top with an immense feel to hit and is the engine that makes this lineup go. Another committed senior that sets the tone at the top and has been a staple in the lineup over the years is Devin Krohn. Power litters the heart of this order with names like Logan Wideman, Rylin Lyemance, Toddy Haley, and Bobby Frierson who could all run into one at any given time, along with boasting strong approaches and feel to hit. Versatility comes by way of a pair of upperclassmen in Ian Robertson and Jack Childress who yield Swiss-army knife type of value. Sophomores Ledger Jones and Max Maher have carved out strong roles this spring and could have a chance to be x-factors that push this club over the hump. Drew Steinemann is another sophomore to note that could have a chance to make an impact. Freshman Ryan Pearson holds immense two-way upside and will bring those tools to an upper class heavy core. Upperclass talent throughout the pitching staff with names that have been here before including Adler Bowen, Jacob Ellsworth, Westin Chen, Jacob Saboura, and Nolan Fahrner. A pair of sophomore arms including Chase Bredickas and Carson McQuillen bolster the depth of the pitching staff and have gained invaluable experience this spring. Coach Amos and staff know what it will take to bring back-to-back titles home and it all starts with a battle-tested group opposing them.

On paper, the Hawks are one of the deepest teams in all the state and have put together an outstanding season with a 24-6. It all starts with a formidable pitching rotation leading the way. A quartet of committed seniors including Shane Jelenevsky, Nahdir Jackson, Aiden Moore, and Tucker Bowen all boast high-level pitchability and give the Hawks a chance against anyone. Other upperclass names that strengthen the depth of the pitching staff are Gavin Gohlke, John Paolino, Ryder Bass, Andrew McRoberts, and Owen Tarentino. A plethora of commits litter the lineup as Kennesaw State commit Dylan Honore brings the perfect blend of hit/speed to the top of the order while offering an above-average glove at SS. Honore lives in the upper 80’s on the mound and is another piece that could get thrown into the fire during the playoffs. Bat-to-ball skills show often for another committed senior at the top with Jordan Walker who provides a high-level on-base threat. The committed talent rolls on with seniors, Chase Hicks and Donovan Dortch both who have been consistent performers over the years and bring instant run producers to the middle-of-the-order. Lagrange commit Alan Aguilar is armed with present bat-to-ball skills and the ability to stick anywhere in the lineup. Sophomore backstop Gavin Boykin has a chance to be an x-factor for this squad with high-level tools on both sides of the ball and holds immense upside in the profile. 2027 C/1B Max Weimann has shown well for staff this Spring and supplies a physical presence to the heart of the order. Juniors Ryder Bass and Owen Tarentino are versatile pieces that offer value and hold key roles in the lineup as well. Sophomore Ryan Burgess carries present tools throughout the profile and has carved out a quality role this Spring with a chance to make an impact. This group will have to get past the reigning state champs if they want to advance and will rely their depth to do it.

Cherokee @ McEachern

We have now seen both of these teams multiple times this Spring with a highly touted first round matchup in the cards. Upperclass talent litters the rosters for both as a 3-game series could very well be in play.

Cherokee possesses a plethora of high-level gamer types that carry a gritty and underdog type of matra, which bodes extremely well for what Coach Thomas and staff want to do. Junior OF Huddy Will is an instant tone-setter at the top with some of the best on-base skills in the class while offering lockdown defense in center field. Brennan Roth follows Will in the lineup and has done nothing but hit this Spring and carries gamer intangibles throughout with a strong glove at the keystone. Veteran presence for a younger pitching staff and will look to supply quality innings for the Warriors as well. Brody Smith and Daniel Head are two committed senior bats in the middle-of-the-order that seem to always come through when it matters most. Head has produced big-time innings on the mound this Spring as he lives in the zone and pitches to contact. More two-way value comes from senior commit, Adan Cifuentes who does an excellent job to flip the lineup back over to the top out of the 9-spot while boasting strong pitchability. Cifuentes just recently pitched a complete game against one of the most put together lineups in the state and could prove pivotal throughout the course of the playoffs. Another committed senior in Andre Sweet just recently returned from injury and will be a spark-plug in the lineup as he boasts a strong hit/speed combo. Junior backstop Brandon Holstein is a significant piece in the middle with real thump in the barrel and tools behind the plate alike. A pair of juniors including Robbie Myer and Caden McGhee provided impressive looks at LakePoint this Spring and only strengthen the depth of the lineup. Another junior to note that could make an impact in the middle-of-the-order is Mason Freedman. The trio of sophomores consisting of Graham Langan, Josiah Davis, and Cole Harrison have all carved out quality roles and showed well this Spring and could each be a factor. Junior right-hander Asher Webb has been a strong performer over the years and lives in the mid 80’s as he will look to produce on a massive stage. Other senior pitchers are Luke Darvish and Logan Harmon who could see quality innings. The depth of this lineup really stands out as 1-9 has an approach and looks to keep the line moving as they all feed off one another. This is a battles tested squad that is chomping at the bit for a high-level test in the 1st round.

High-end talent makes up the core of the Indians with big-time wins littered throughout the Spring as they boast a 24-6 record coming into the playoffs. It all starts with one of the top pitchers on the country with Chubb Jones Jr. headlining the rotation with highest-level pitchability and gives Coach Autry a formidable workhorse atop the rotation to go against anyone. The Alabama commit also boasts real tools in the box with impact in the barrel and can pace the offense on any given night. Malachi Butler has put together a potent spring and possesses the type of upside to be the #1 player in the class for the state down the line. Committed senior bats including Jordan Stokes and Adrien Islas pace the offense alongside Jones Jr. and Butler and have been consistent performers over the years. Stokes possesses a high-level makeup behind the dish and can impact the game defensively in a multitude of ways. Junior Jaxston Brown has been a strong transfer addition for the Indians as he brings a quality hit/speed combo while reaching base at a high clip and offering lockdown defense in the outfield. The junior talent rolls on with names like Kcaj Walker-Smith, Alijah Asad, Makai Johnson, and Alex Wilbanks who supply consistency and bolster the depth of the lineup. Kyrun Walker-Smith is an underclassmen that has a chance to make an impact in the series as well. 2028 RHP Ezra Gandy follows Jones Jr. in the rotation and lives in the mid 80’s with quality pitchability as he has gained invaluable experience throughout the course of the Spring. This is an extremely well-constructed roster with the pieces and type of talent to make a deep playoff run and then some.

Richmond Hill @ Buford

The Wildcats may come into the playoffs with a losing record but that doesn’t tell the whole story for a team facing one of the toughest schedules in the state. Senior leadership in the lineup in the form of 1B Grant Wagner, OF Joey Succi, and C Bryce Smith lead the way for this roster with a blend of power and hit tools that bring high-floors and experience against high-level pitching the last 12 months. Junior SS Jax Pursley has emerged as a top of the order threat for Coach Thomas while providing stability in the middle infield. A pair of underclassmen in sophomore OF Bryson Helsel and freshman OF Gage Witham has gained valuable experience this spring and will be prepared for the moment when the lights turn on. Pitching has been a trial by fire this year but stepped up to earn big wins over quality competition all spring and will try to carry that confidence into a first-round upset. This team traveled north last spring and gave a talented Etowah team all it could handle, Coach Thomas and Wildcats will be ready come Friday night.

Buford is coming off one of their best seasons since 2020 and will look to make a run with a strong core in the line up. They are going to need their arms to step up, but this offense is as strong as it comes in 6A. Ian Chafin and Lio Garcia set the tone at the top of the order and defend the middle of the field. They are both spark plug type players that can make game saving plays at any time. The Wolves have a core group of seniors in Vance Bock, Ayden Lockett, Caleb Griffin and Javy Ojeda. Any of these 4 could change the game with one swing at any time. Junior Ryan Johansen has been one of the more consistent hitters in this line up the last 3 years and could be an x factor if he can go on a run like we have seen him do in the past. Junior Carson Reeves and Payton Walker round out the core of this line up with Reeves having a breakout year both on the mound and at the plate. He has been the fireman guy on the mound when they need someone to come in and shut it down. They are going to need strong starts from Kyle Krause and Walker Taulbee to set the tone and allow this offense to get rolling.

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