2026 High School Team Preview: Eastside Eagles

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: Eastside Eagles
Head Coach: Shane Griffin
Classification: GHSA Class 4A
Region: 8-4A
2025 Record (Finish): 8-19
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7
Team Strengths: Pitching

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS 

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

Former Assistant Coach Shane Griffin takes over for Eastside and looks to lead them into the playoffs in his first year as Head Coach. The Eagles return an experienced and versatile group with a favorable upcoming season likely in ‘26. 2028 SS/RHP Tripp Swords put together a strong freshman campaign in ‘25 and can impact the game in a multitude of ways. Swords holds down the SP1 spot with pitchability in the low/mid 80’s and has added significant strength at the dish to pair with a present feel to hit as he anchors the offense at the top-of-the-order. When not on the mound the two-way sophomore contributes high-level defense at the 6 and put together a .962 fielding percentage across the entirety of last season. Sophomore RHP/1B Levi Pickett looks to be a fixture in the rotation after gaining invaluable experience in ‘25 with tons of projection in a stout 6-foot-6 frame. Offensive player of the year in region 8-4A as QB1, 2026 UTL/RHP Payton Shaw returns for his senior year and he holds a key role in both the lineup and rotation. Uncommitted senior RHP/OF Parker Denmark carries a two-way role as he finishes off the rotation and adds depth to the lineup. Senior IF Chase Jordan earned a second team all region bid in baseball and earned a first team all region bid for football in '25 as he boasts tons of athleticism, and brings a potent hit/speed combo to spark plug the offense out of the lead-off spot. The uncommitted senior hit for a .302 avg. and swiped 22 bags as well last year. 2027 C/IF/RHP Eli Christian returns for his junior campaign and brings all-region production along with swiss-army knife versatility to the diamond. The uncommitted junior boasts present tools throughout and provides a reliable stick in the middle-of-the-order, and offers strong defensive value at a premium position as well. Christian will also be looked upon as a dependable arm out of the pen as he lives in the mid-to-upper 80's and strengthens the depth of the pitching staff. Junior UTL Amond Sands led the team in batting average at .371 last season and yields a steady on-base threat in the heart of the order along with flexibility on defense. Sophomore, switch hitter, UTL Jayden Bloodworth was a consistent performer at our looks in '25 and made significant strides across the board throughout the year, he brings quality bat-to-ball skills to set the tone at the top-of-the-order. Junior 1B Lucas Dickson showed well in limited time last season as he could be looked upon to take on a bigger role and give consistency out of the corner infield spot. A trio of underclassmen by the way of 2028 UTL McCade Reynolds, 2029 IF/OF/RHP Reid Thomas, and 1B/LHP Cole White could have a chance to breakthrough and see quality time and supply value as well. The Eagles square off in a quality region 8-4A with the likes of North Oconee, Flowery Branch, and East Forsyth but have confidence on any given night behind a strong pitching staff.

Find more information on the 2026 Eastside program below:

+ Follow them on X: @EHS_Baseball
+ 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