2026 High School Team Preview: Walton Raiders

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: Walton Raiders
Head Coach: Shane Amos
Classification: GHSA Class 6A
Region: 5-6A
2025 Record (Finish): 33-8, State Champions
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4
Team Strengths: Strength throughout the line-up

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS 

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

Nothing better than getting hot in the playoffs and that’s exactly what the Raiders did to end 2025, going 10-1 in the playoffs en route to a 6A State Championship. Returning a talented blend of committed, veteran talent combined with an influx of young pieces that contribute early, Coach Amos has the roster to make yet another run this spring. It starts with the spark plug at the top of the lineup, who also offers a plus glove in CF, and that’s senior OF Walker Killimett. The multi-year starter for the Raiders brings the gamer mentality to this lineup paired with an on-base machine of an offensive profile. Two more committed seniors in Devin Krohn and Logan Wideman will likely fill out the outfield and provide much-needed production to the middle of the lineup with a track record of coming through in the clutch moments. Senior 1B Todd Haley brings a full bill of health into 2026 and can bring a high-floor hit/power combo while being one of the vocal leaders on the roster. The middle infield will be brand new for the Raiders in 2026 after graduating two D1 commits, and look for sophomore MIF Max Maher to be a front runner to earn a major role, offering a well-rounded profile that’s only getting stronger and could be poised for a breakout. Another sophomore in C/RHP Dom Rossy who earned quality time as a freshman while making some big strides in the summer/fall and could be a mainstay in the lineup this spring. If you’re looking for an x-factor for the Raiders, a pair of uncommitted juniors in 3B Rylin Lyemance and newcomer 1B Bobby Frierson can fill that role with both offering high-upside bats that thrived across the travel circuit in 2025. Despite losing some upperclass talent on the mound from last year’s team, Walton returns battle-tested arms that’s lead by a pair of seniors in RHP Nolan Farhner and RHP Luke Wheeler, who will be mainstays in the rotation. Sophomore arms in LHP Lleyton Bradley and RHP Chase Bredickas will be ready to contribute as well after getting their feet wet in the playoffs last year. Another weapon on the mound for Walton is senior RHP Westin Chen, who can contribute in nearly every role for this staff. The schedule will be a gauntlet for the Raiders but have the pieces to weather the storm and could be ready for yet another run to Coolray Field.

Find more information on the 2026 Walton Raider below:

+ Follow them on X: @Walton_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