2026 High School Team Preview: Pickens Dragons

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: Pickens Dragons 
Head Coach:  Adam Williams 
Classification: GHSA Class 3A
Region: 6-2A
2025 Record (Finish): 32-7, Final Four 
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 6
Team Strengths: Veteran Team who is focused and wants to play for each other and win. 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS 

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

It was an enormous year for the Pickens Dragons a season ago with a trip to their first ever Final Four along with eclipsing the most wins in school history. Coach Williams and staff return an experienced, veteran core with talent throughout and look poised to make a run again in ‘26. It all starts with the former future gamer and two-way RHP/SS AJ Rice. The Auburn commit paces the team on both sides of the ball and put up video game numbers that included a 14-1 record with 145k’s and a .82 ERA in 75 IP. as SP1 last season. Swiss-army knife production will come from ‘26 RHP/UTL Christian Starks who is armed with senior leadership and experience as he will hold a large two-way role. Senior C Kam Jenkins is equipped with a high-level defensive makeup and real impact in the barrel as he presents immense value for the Dragons on both sides of the ball. Committed senior transfer OF Robert Turner (Gadsden) plays with his hair on fire at all times as he supplies a potent hit/speed combo to the top of the order and anchors the outfield defense with an impact glove in CF. Junior 1B/C Boogie Lowit will provide consistency to the lineup as he boasts a track record of hitting and has added noticeable strength to the frame this off-season. 2027 MIF Jennings Allen brings present bat-to-ball skills that can stick anywhere in the lineup with a strong glove up-the-middle to match. Junior OF Matthew Davis Jr. was a steady producer a season ago and returns the experience to help navigate the demands of region play. Transfer addition 2027 RHP/3B Everett Grubbs will look to provide two-way value and has a chance to be a big piece for the pitching staff as he possesses pitchability with feel for a deep mix from a low slot. The junior talent rolls on with C/OF Drew Dunlap who could fill a multitude of roles defensively with plenty of upside at the plate in a physical 6-foot-3 frame. Fellow 2027’s RHP Dylan Walls and RHP Jackson Nunn are battle-tested arms who gained invaluable experience a year ago and return to hold down spots in the rotation. Two more juniors, RHP Chase Hulsey and RHP MT Crenshaw, will have a chance to fill multiple roles as they bolster the depth of the pitching staff. Former Junior Future Gamer 2028 OF Truitt Grubbs looks to get his feet wet at the varsity level and give consistency to the outfield with a chance to earn an everyday role. Sophomore C Jackson Walker showed well in our looks over the summer circuit and strengthens the depth of the lineup. More underclass talent consists of 2028 OF Zach Williams, 2028 SS/3B Eddie Whaley , 2028 C/OF Jackson Hooper, and 2029 C/RHP Cal Morrison who could see time with a chance to make an impact as well. This is one of the deepest rosters in all of 3A and the pieces are in place for Pickens as they look to surpass their mark from a year ago, and bring a state title to the "First Mountain City".

Find more information on the 2026 Pickens program below:

+ Follow them on X: @PHSbaseballGA 
+ 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