The Kansas high school baseball season kicks off on Mar. 19, opening day for regular season action under KSHSAA regulations. Leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2026 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down to the official Prep Baseball Kansas Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today.

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2026 SEASON OUTLOOK

No. of Returning Position Players: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5

Top Returners:

• Brayden Wheat (2026) - CF/P, 5'11 180 lbs, R/R
  • Coffeyville CC signee 
  • 1st Team All-League and Honorable Mention All-State Pitcher. He is a bulldog on the mound, goes right at the hitters. Has the same approach when he is hitting, a very tough out. He has been a starter since his freshman year, became a great team leader last season.
• Zach Schaffer (2026) - SS/P, 6'1 165 lbs, R/R
  • 1st Team All-League. He bounced back and forth between 2B and SS and had the 3rd most innings on the mound. Team leader who is always talking and letting guys know the situations. Has been a starter since his sophomore year. Has a plan at the plate and attacks the pitches he wants to drive. Runs the bases very well.
• Brylan Sommer (2026) - SS/P, 6'2, 155 lbs, R/R
  • 2nd Team All-League. Was new to our school last year and had a slow start but always had a great attitude. 2nd half of the season really got things going on the mound and at the plate. He is a guy that leads by example.
• Aiden Steele (2026) - 3B/P, 6'1, 175 lbs, R/R
  • 2nd Team All-League. Plays a very solid 3rd base, makes it look easy. Could get some late innings on the mound. Great all-around Leader!
    

Top Newcomers:

• Christian Barnett (2026) - OF/P, 5'10 175 lbs, R/R
  • He has been a State Qualifier in Track, but during the last two summers has played American Legion baseball for me. He can track a baseball and has good speed in the outfield and on the bases. He could be a very nice piece to add to the lineup and possibly the pitching staff.

Key Players Lost:

• Jack Dykes (Allen County CC)

Coach’s Insight: “We have a lot of talent coming back from last year. This group of boys have played a lot of baseball together. We have most of the innings coming back from the mound and most of the lineup. The depth we have is nice, we have guys that didn't get much if any varsity time last year that will be pushing the starters to keep their spots. Having a senior heavy group, making sure that they enjoy the year and do not put added pressure on themselves will be important. Getting them to continue to focus on consistency at the plate. Make adjustments when needed but also believing in their approach. If one doesn't get the job done, it is a team and we expect the next guy to get it done.” – Travis Persinger, head coach

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Find more information on the 2026 Anderson County program below:

+ Visit Prep Baseball Kansas’ 2026 KSHSAA Team Previews page to learn more.

+ If you are a high school coach and didn’t receive our questionnaire, please click HERE to fill out the form

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