2026 KY High School Team Previews: Volume IV

February 6, 2026
Wil Hannah | Jamie Tessoff
KY Assistant Director | KY Scouting Director

Opening day for the KHSAA baseball season is quickly approaching and our staff has shifted focus to preparing for the spring! We’ve submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the state. Their responses have been flooding in, and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis! Read along for our next handful of team previews.

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East Jessamine Jaguars

Region 12 | District 46
Head Coach: Chris Lawson
Twitter/X: @EastJagBaseball

East Jessamine enters a transition year after heavy graduation losses, but talent remains throughout the roster.

2025 Recap
The Jaguars finished 18–16, ending the year as district runner-up.

Key Departures
East Jessamine lost nine seniors, all major contributors over the past two seasons.

Key Returners

Zeke Craft, OF/1B

Landon Frazier, SS/P

Elijiah Salsbury, C

Daniel Farmer
Landon Farmer
Devyn Wilkerson (Transfer)

Senior Leadership
Bryant Adams, Joey Schwenger, and Colton Hurst are expected to provide stability and leadership.

Team Identity
This Jaguars squad will blend young talent with limited varsity experience, leaning on returning leaders to guide a new core.

Outlook
With expectations at three, East Jessamine’s success will hinge on development and consistency as the season progresses.

Schedule Highlight
4th Annual Coach Erinn Thompson Memorial Tournament (May 1–2)
Participants include East Jessamine, Ashland Blazer, Rockcastle County, and South Laurel.

Bullitt Central Cougars

Region 6 | District 23
Head Coach: Chris Ryan
Twitter/X: @BCcougsbaseball

Bullitt Central enters 2026 as one of the more complete teams in the district, returning depth on the mound and defensive stability throughout the lineup.

2025 Recap
The Cougars finished 21–12, falling 2–1 to DeSales in the second round of the regional tournament.

Key Departures

Jordan Powell (EKU)

Returning Core
Bullitt Central brings back a deep and versatile group of contributors:

Henry Zimmerman, JR, P/IF
Owen Zimmerman, JR, C
Collin Waltrip, JR, P/1B (Spalding commit)
Mason Burton, JR, P/1B/OF
Easton Burkhardt, SO, IF/P
Kolton Begley, SO, IF/OF
Landon Sims, FR, IF/P

Team Strengths
The Cougars expect to feature plenty of starting pitching and remain sound defensively. While power numbers may dip compared to recent seasons, improved speed and athleticism across the field should help manufacture runs.

Outlook
With expectations at four, Bullitt Central has the depth and balance to contend for a district title and make noise in the region.

Key Matchups

@ Spencer County (March 20)
@ North Bullitt (March 31)
vs PRP (April 3)
vs Bullitt East (May 5)

Walton-Verona Bearcats

Region 8 | District 32
Head Coach: Andrew Sien
Twitter/X: @WVBatCats

Walton-Verona returns as a proven postseason program after another strong run in the 8th Region, bringing back impact arms and middle-of-the-order production.

2025 Recap
The Bearcats finished 20–15, earning 32nd District Runner-Up honors and advancing to the 8th Region semifinals.

Key Returners

Bronson Corpus, SR, RHP – EKU commit; front-line arm and staff leader.

Cole Dryden, RHP – Another key piece in the rotation.
Kainan Held, SR, INF – Spalding commit; consistent offensive producer.

Miles Lehmkuhl, SR, INF – Manchester commit; table-setter with experience.
Trever Bauwens, JR, C – Stabilizing presence behind the plate.

Team Identity
Walton-Verona’s strength lies in its balanced roster, featuring reliable pitching and a veteran lineup capable of competing with anyone on the schedule.

Outlook
With expectations at three, the Bearcats are positioned for another postseason push if health and consistency hold.

Schedule Highlights

Green County Wood Bat Tournament (April 7–9)
All “A” State Tournament (April 25)
Simon Kenton (May 5)

Edmonson County Wildcats

Region 3 | District 12
Head Coach: Michael Meredith

Edmonson County enters 2026 carrying both experience and emotion, as the program looks to honor the memory of a fallen teammate while continuing to compete.

2025 Recap
The Wildcats finished 11–13, earning district runner-up status before falling to Breckinridge County in the first round of the region.

Key Returners

Hunter Wilson, SR – .614 AVG, 88 K, 2.78 ERA; the heartbeat of the roster.

‘26 Hunter Wilson@EC_Baseball

Wilson goes opposite field with this for a 2B #KYOpen25 || @PrepbaseballKY pic.twitter.com/LePx2EN9aN
— Prep Baseball Scouting (@pbtscouting) June 28, 2025

Drew Pierce, SR – .382 AVG, 31 K on the mound.

Young Talent

Braxton Green, 8th Grade, P/IF – Already showing promise as a future cornerstone.

Team Identity
Edmonson returns 10 players with significant varsity experience and will rely on depth, effort, and unity as they navigate the season.

Outlook
Expectations sit at three, but emotional resilience and growth will define this group’s success.

Notable Games

District series vs Grayson County (April 21–22)
Whitesville Trinity (April 27–28)
Butler County (May 4–5)
March 31 vs Breckinridge County

Butler Traditional Bears

Region 6 | District 22
Head Coach: Troy Frazier
Twitter/X: @BTHSBaseball

Butler Traditional enters the 2026 season looking to build off a year of valuable experience while leaning into leadership and toughness as its foundation.

2025 Recap
The Bears finished 14–17, with their season ending in the first round of the Region 6 tournament. Despite inconsistencies, Butler showed flashes of competitiveness throughout the spring.

Key Departures

Carter Reitz
Cole Ungar
Jasean Gregory

Key Returners

Kody Coomer, SR, P/IF – The centerpiece of this Bears roster. Coomer’s versatility on the mound and in the field, combined with his leadership, makes him a critical figure for Butler’s success.

Team Identity
Leadership will be the calling card for this group as younger players are asked to step into larger roles around a senior-led core.

Outlook
With expectations set at three, Butler’s ceiling will depend on how quickly complementary pieces develop behind its senior leaders.

Notable Game

May 8 vs PRP (6:00 PM)

Graves County Eagles

Region 1 | District 3
Head Coach: Josh Byrd
Twitter/X: @BaseballGCHS

Fresh off a regional championship appearance, Graves County enters 2026 with confidence, toughness, and a deep, competitive pitching staff.

2025 Recap
The Eagles finished 18–12, capturing the Region 1 Championship.

Key Returners

Corey Toon, SS/P (’25) – One of the smoothest middle infielders in the region; crafty arm.
Cole Woodward, MIF/P (’26) – Three-pitch mix with breakout potential.

Max Ivey, OF/P (’26) – Speed and defensive range; 30+ steal threat.
Wilson Thomas, UTIL/P (’26) – Versatile with upside power.
Cole Hayden, CIF/P (’26) – Veteran presence with consistent hard contact.
Brady Futrell, RHP (’26) – Crafty competitor who consistently finds outs.

Youth Movement

Baker Elder
Beckett O’Guinn
Chase Stonecipher
Drake Prather

Team Identity
Graves County may not overwhelm opponents with velocity or raw power, but this is a scrappy, competitive group built to win tight games.

Outlook
With expectations at four, the Eagles aim to return to the regional championship stage once again.

Schedule Highlights

@ Marshall County (March 19 & May 12)
Illinois/Kentucky crossover events throughout April
@ McCracken County (May 1)