2026 High School Team Preview: David Emanuel Academy

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: David Emanuel Academy Academy Eagles
Head Coach: Chad Starley
Classification: GIAA Single A
Region: 4-A
2025 Record (Finish): 17-7, Elite 8
Returning Starters: 8
Team Strengths: Returning starters and pitching staff. 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS 

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Eagles claimed their first region title in 8 years and look to build upon it in ‘26 behind 8 returning starters and a deep pitching staff. The engine that makes this team go is 2026 RHP/INF Brody Fleming who is armed with a potent two-way profile. The senior anchors the staff as SP1 and was one of the top pitchers in GIAA last year after posting a .93 ERA across 30 innings. Fleming also brings a potent hit/power combo to the middle-of-the-order as he hit over .400 with 6 home runs in ‘25. More two-way impact comes from seniors including RHP/INF Sailor Powell and RHP/C/INF Richard Braddy who follow Fleming in the rotation as they boast invaluable experience with stuff to match. Both return as fixtures in the lineup and Braddy is another huge piece in the heart after hitting over .400 a year ago. Underclass impact comes from 2028 UTL/RHP Layton Terwilliger and RHP/INF Hudson Starley who both hold important two-way roles. Senior 1B/OF Cooper Riner returns as an OBP threat and will spark plug the offense out of the lead-off spot. 2027 INF/C Tucker Free strengthens the depth of the lineup as a key piece in the middle after hitting over .300 last season. Sophomores C/OF/MIF Karson Kettles and OF Gannon Smith showed well in quality time a year ago and will look to take on larger roles. Coach Starley and the Eagles are hungry to win the schools first state championship and on paper they have the pieces to accomplish that feat.

Find more information on the 2026 high school baseball season below:
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Georgia, 2026 Team Previews

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UPCOMING EVENTS