2026 High School Team Preview: Maynard Jackson Jaguars

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: Maynard Jackson Jaguars
Head Coach: Des Stegall
Classification: GHSA Class 4A
Region: 7-6A
2025 Record (Finish): 23-9, First Round
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4
Team Strengths: Versatility, pitching depth, defense, and coaching

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS 

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Jaguars won the region championship a year ago as they finished a perfect 14-0 and posted the most wins in school history. Head Coach Des Stegall returns the pieces to repeat as region champions as they will look to make a run in the 4A State Playoffs. Former Future Gamer UTL Maceo White will pace the lineup as he brings a potent hit/power combo along with plus speed to set the tone at the top of the order. As well as offering high-level defensive versatility as he boasts tons of athleticism throughout. Another piece that will fuel the offense is junior OF Pearce Henry, who is consistent as they come and will be looked upon as a major power source in the heart of the order. Senior INF Anthony Higgins showed well in our looks this Fall and will be another consistent piece in the lineup. Dual-sport athlete, 2026 UTL Kason Allen, is armed with athleticism throughout and could be tasked with a two-way role. One of the many strengths of this team is the pitching depth and it starts with former senior future gamer RHP/3B Charlie Schrope, who will be a fixture in the rotation as he provides veteran experience with the stuff to match. Sophomore RHP Thornton Wilder follows Schrope in the rotation and impressed amongst the staff in our looks. Wilder shows pitchability with more to project upon in the frame/profile and will look to produce key innings on a nightly basis. Senior RHP Leon Alford has a chance to be an x-factor on the mound as a power arm that lives in the low 90’s. Junior LHP/OF Fletcher Howard carries a potential two-way role and looks to be a consistent piece both on the mound and in the lineup. 2027 UTL Elijah Carter will be another versatile piece as he holds down a rotation spot and looks to supply quality bat-to-ball skills that can stick anywhere in the lineup. Underclass impact will come from freshmen INF Felix Joiner who will carry a huge role in the middle infield and RHP/INF Arion Wyatt who holds tons of projection in a lean 6-foot-4 frame and will have a chance to make an impact on both sides of the ball. Freshman RHP Henry Schulz also has a chance to gain invaluable experience on the mound as well. The standard has been set for this program as they are expecting to repeat as region champs and they are hungry for a chance to push past the first round of playoffs.

Find more information on the 2026 Maynard Jackson program below:

+ Follow them on X: @mjagsbaseball
+ 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