2026 High School Team Preview: Central Lions

The 2026 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds 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 across Georgia.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the GHSA or GIAA state playoffs, 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 across Georgia. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing our scheduled podcasts and releasing our preseason top-10 rankings in each GHSA classification and Power 25.

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, updating the top-10 ranks in each GHSA classification, as well updating our Power 25 overall rankings. One thing, especially, you don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state, as well as the recaps and previews of the big games we’re covering.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: Central Lions
Head Coach: Riley Presnell
Classification: GHSA Class 4A
Region: 7-4A
2024 Record (Finish): 22-11, Sweet 16
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 8
Team Strengths: Returning pitching, sophomore class and transfer additions.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS 

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

p> After a strong season and a Sweet Sixteen appearance a year ago, Head Coach Riley Presnell returns a talent filled roster with experienced upperclassmen and underclassmen throughout. Powering the offense is all-area newcomer of the year and Junior Future Games alum, 2B Asher Allen, a switch-hitter who brings a high quality hit-power combo to the top-of-the-order and offers a strong glove up-the-middle. Junior Future Games alum, OF Grant Chaffin, supplies the offense with high-level bat-to-ball skills from the left-side and above-average speed (6.60) as he sets the tone at the top. As well as offering lockdown defense in the corner outfield spot. The potent sophomore class rolls on with former Junior Future Games alum, SS Bradley Willingham, who establishes a reliable middle-of-the-order stick along with captaining the infield defense at the 6. Transferring in this off-season, 2026 3B Jaylon Allen bolsters the offense and brings a plethora of high-floor tools as a table setter at the top. The Wallace Dothan commit boasts top of the class speed (6.45) along with plenty of twitch both at the plate and at the hot corner. Uncommitted senior C Bryce Knight is a well-rounded backstop that gives Coach Presnell consistency on both sides of the ball. 2026 uncommitted 1B Bradyn Grimaldi holds present strength in a stout 5-foot-11 frame and could be one of the consistent power sources throughout the lineup. Seniors DH Cale Barnes and UTL Joe Turner look to fill multiple roles and bestow senior leadership. 2027 OF Jake Ivester provides good on-base skills with the ability to stick anywhere in the lineup and brings tons of athleticism to CF as he anchors the outfield defense. A pair of senior commits lead the way for the rotation by way of Piedmont commit LHP/OF Austin Ayers and Lagrange commit RHP Rhett Nelson who both are expected to shoulder significant innings as they boast quality pitchability. Ayers will offer value in the lineup as well as he holds down a spot in the outfield. Sophomore and former Junior Future Games alum, RHP Trent Harrison, rounds out the rotation as he yields quality pitchability in the low-mid 80’s with projection remaining. Fellow uncommitted junior pitchers, RHP Warren Hawkesworth and RHP Palmer Beverly will be tasked with providing stability for the pitching staff after gaining invaluable experience a season ago. A trio of versatile underclassmen in RHP/OF Jack Kemp, RHP/INF Grayson Parker, and RHP/INF Tripp Davis all have a chance to carve out roles and make an impact this Spring. The Central Lions strive to build off their success from a year ago as they appear set up to compete for a Region Championship. Coach Riley Presnell certainly has the pieces to do that and then some heading into the ‘26 season.

Find more information on the 2026 Central Lions program below:

+ Follow them on X: @CHSLionsBsball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Georgia, 2026 Team Previews

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL GEORGIA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Georgia on X
+ Prep Baseball Georgia on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Georgia on Facebook
+ Podcast: Peach Fuzz on YouTube

UPCOMING EVENTS