2026 High School Team Preview: Piedmont Academy Cougars

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: Piedmont Academy Cougars
Head Coach: Casey Moody
Classification: GIAA 3A
Region: 4A/3A District 6 
2025 Record (Finish): 14-13, Elite 8
Returning starters: 6
Team Strengths: Experience, line up and pitching

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS 

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

We were able to see the Piedmont Cougars in the Elite Eight last season as they were led by a core of talented juniors at the time. That senior class now returns with strengths on both sides of the ball as they look to lead the way and build off their finish from a year ago. 2026 OF Jack Adams brings a potent hit/speed combo to sparkplug the offense at the top as he hit for over a .400 avg. with 23 stolen bases a year ago. Senior RHP/UTL Zach Simmons gives swiss-army knife production and yields gamer qualities throughout. Simmons anchors the staff at the top and is a key piece in the order as he hit nearly .450 with 3 HR in ‘25. 2026 LHP/OF Nick Gervasio, a pitchability southpaw, returns the most innings pitched from the team last season and has consistently performed in our looks. Senior RHP/UTL Jamus Wingate has a chance to be an x-factor for Coach Moody as he sits in the upper 80’s to low 90’s on the mound and lives for the moment in the box. 2026 RHP/UTL Noah Doolittle rounds out the rotation and saw quality time a season ago as he could be tasked with a near everyday role in ‘26. Polishing off the senior class is MIF Tyler Griswell who offers high-floor tools with plenty of upside remaining. Boasts a quality hit/power combo and a consistent glove up-the-middle to match. Sophomore RHP/CIF Kooper Pounds got his feet wet at the varsity level last season as he looks to take on a larger role and provide two-way value. Two more underclass that could make an impact as well are 2028 C Levi Malin and 2028 INF/RHP Isaac Lockett. Talented experience litters the pitching staff and lineup as the pieces are in place for the Cougars to make a run at the state title.

Find more information on the 2026 Piedmont Academy program below:

+ Follow them on X: @25Cougsbaseball
+ 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