2026 GSHA State Playoffs: 3A 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: Troup County, Calhoun, Pickens, Peach County, Jefferson, West Laurens, Luella, Whitewater

Final Four Sleepers: Dawson County, North Hall, Harlem

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.

Mary Persons @ Cherokee Bluff

One of the most anticipated first-round matchups in 3A as Bluff looks for their third straight playoff run, but will be up against a red hot Mary Persons team who come into the playoffs winning 13 of their last 14 games.

Mary Persons dropped a tough one against Whitewater when I saw them. However the type of gamer-type talent was easy to see on this roster which bodes well for tough round one playoff series. The leader of this ballclub is committed senior OF Gavin Mitchell who has made significant strides over the past couple of seasons. Mitchell is the engine to the offense as well as offering value on the mound too. SP1 of the staff and lead-off hitter, OF/LHP Andrew Snow put together a massive junior campaign this Spring and will look to lead his squad to a 1st round victory. The two-way talent rolls on with 2027 OF/RHP Jackson Redus and 2028 SS/RHP Caspian Chambers both who carry immense two-way value and provide versatility for Coach Cannady and staff. One of the few seniors on this team is Wiley Smith who can impact the game with one swing in the middle-of-the-order and possesses big-time strength in the frame. The upperclass talent rolls on with a trio of juniors consisting of 2B Bradley Hendricks, OF Bailey Pittman, and Harrison Bell all who look to provide consistency as they strengthen the depth of the lineup. High-floor production in the lineup comes from a pair sophomores including C Braxton Lovett and 3B Rylan Holloway who both offer strong defensive profiles at premium positions. This club is rolling at the right time and has the type of winner mentality that will carry a team far in the playoffs but it all starts with a tough task during round one.

If the Bears are going to make a run in these playoffs then it starts with one of more potent lineups in 3A baseball with game-changing impact throughout. Bubba Coleman remains in the heart of the middle and has put together another impressive spring, hitting .435 with 13 HR while providing stability in the dirt. Bryce Fontenot provides more thunder in the middle with plus power that shows in-game often and has flashed ability to take over games with the barrel. Beau Bruns, Cody Bridger, and Jordan Wilkerson provide the veteran depth while the additions of both Brody Hurd and Brayden Couch have been tremendous to the top of the lineup. Bluff has seen production on the mound from multiple pieces this spring and will need all hands on-deck as this playoff run gets underway. Landin Rawlins and Bruns have led the charge on the mound while the high-octane arm talent of Bryce Fontenot has filled roles both in the pen and as a starter to the tune of a 1.85 ERA. As big as Couch has been at the plate, the upside on the mound is high as well and gives this team a quality LHP option with long-term two-way potential for this team. Pieces are in place for Coach Kemp once again but the difficult road starts on day one.

Gilmer @ West Laurens

This feels like one of the more sneakier matchups across all brackets with two squads that could make a run.

I was able to see Gilmer early in the Spring as the lineup construction really stood out. They looked the part in the box and will have confidence throughout this first series backed by a strong lineup. Uncommitted senior Mel Mosley has been a consistent performer over the years and yields a reliable stick in the heart of the order. Junior outfielder Peyton Chancey went deep when I saw the Bobcats and budding tools litter the profile. A pair of upperclassmen in Blake Grizzle and Jayden Grizzle showed well in my look as they bring veteran experience to the lineup. This will be a squad that can put up a ton of runs and if the pieces on the mound can produce the Bobcats could have a chance to make the 2nd round.

The Raiders showed well for myself and staff amongst the entirety of the Georgia Dugout club. The depth of the lineup stands out with a talented blend of upperclass and underclass talent. JD Hogan is an instant tone-setter at the top as he brings a potent hit/speed combo to pace the offense. A trio of seniors including Grant Baker, Kolby Clark, and Cason Pollock hold down key spots in the lineup and offer consistency. Clark boasts quality pitchability as the ace of the staff and struck out 11 across 7.0 IP in my look. A pair of juniors consisting of Nathan Hester and Cohen Cardwell supply more veteran presence and strengthen the depth of the lineup. The duo of underclassmen Tripp Mascaro and Buck Shepard could be the x-factor that pushes this team over the hump as both possess physicality in the box and hold strong projection throughout. It will be a tough first round task of dealing with the Bobcats lineup but the Raiders have a deep lineup themselves that they feel can go toe-to-toe with anyone.

Lagrange @ Oconee County

This first round matchup amongst two teams we have seen throughout the Spring appears to have all the makings of a 3-game set.

We finally were able to get eyes on Lagrange this past week against a tough Trinity Christian squad. Despite a tough loss, a sophomore heavy core makes up this squad and the talent stood out. Cam Kissun is one of the few seniors on this team and took really good swings in my look as he provides a steady piece with tools that play anywhere in the lineup. Four sophomores make up the top 5 in the order and the trio of Riley Cockrell, Sam Burns, and Woods Carter really impressed me. The 3 set the tone as they pace the offense and will be pivotal to the success of the offense throughout the series.

After a tough start to the spring for Oconee as they opened the year 2-7, the Warriors would find their stride in March and proceed to win 12 of their last 17 games. William Resutek emerged as the two-way leader for the club, stepping into the SP1 role on the mound with quality results as well as massive growth made at the plate that helped replace losing SEC talent from last year's team. Behind the junior is a trio of high-floor players in Brady Fountain, Blake Thomas and Brody Christopher, who have all made strides across their entire profiles while providing quality gloves at premium positions across the field. An X-factor for this Warriors club this playoff season could be Nate Roberson. The junior has locked down the keystone while emerging as a rotation option that can give this club much needed depth.

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