2026 High School Team Preview: Hillgrove Hawks

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: Hillgrove Hawks
Head Coach: David Richardson
Classification: GHSA Class 6A
Region: 3-6A
2025 Record (Finish): 21-13, Second Round
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7
Team Strengths: Team Athleticism, Pitching Depth

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS 

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

Athletes on athletes litter the lineup with some of the best pitching depth they’ve had in years, and Hillgrove brings a complete roster into 2026 as defending region champions looking to repeat in what has a chance to be one of the most competitive regions in the state. The duo of senior Donavan Dortch and junior Dylan Honore are the fuel that lead this lineup at the top. Both bring quality bat-to-ball skills with above-average to plus speed that puts pressure on the defense at all times. Both corner infield spots will likely be held down by a pair of committed seniors in 1B Chase Hicks (Gordon State) and 3B Alan Aguilar (Lagrange) who bring the experience needed to handle the nightly demands of region play down the stretch. Uncommitted junior 1B/C Max Weimann provides good depth for this infield and behind the plate with some power potential as well. Senior OFs Jordan Walker and Kingston Sims are returning in the outfield and offer quality hit tools that will slot in at the top half of the lineup with consistent gloves to match. Look for some upperclassmen to battle for that third spot including senior Jayden Bivins and junior John Paulino. Sophomore C Gavin Boykin will be one of the few underclassmen on the roster and for good reason. A high-level defensive profile allows Boykin to handle the deep pitching staff with plenty of potential remaining in the bat. On the mound, the strength for the Hawks will live in the starting rotation. Committed senior RHPs Aiden Moore (GSCU) and Tucker Bowen (Lagrange) will be mainstays while the addition of senior RHP Shane Jelenevsky takes this rotation to another level as the Maryland commit boasts huge upside and stuff from the 6-foot-7 frame. The talent and depth only continues with senior RHP Nadhir Jackson who can fill a multitude of roles for this staff and has experience to handle big moments. Bullpen has a chance to be equally as deep with a big upperclass group ready to contribute including at least four battle-tested seniors. Coach Richardson has pieces in place all over the diamond and has a chance to be a special year in Powder Springs.

Find more information on the 2026 Hillgrove program below:

+ Follow them on X: @hghawksbaseball
+ 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