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2026 Team Preview: Central (BR) High School

December 31, 2025
Alex Armand
Louisiana Scouting Director

The 2026 high school baseball season is right around the corner, and as always, excitement is building across the Bayou State. Programs from every corner of Louisiana have been hard at work this offseason—honing skills, building chemistry, and setting their sights on a return trip to Sulphur for the LHSAA State Championships. As is tradition, the state is once again loaded with talent, from seasoned veterans to rising underclassmen ready to make their mark.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll take an in-depth look at teams from every region as part of our comprehensive season preview series. These previews will lead right up to Opening Day, followed by the release of our Power 25 Rankings and the return of our always-popular Game of the Week feature.

Throughout the spring, Prep Baseball Louisiana will continue to be your one-stop source for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Be sure to check back weekly for our Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, updated Power 25 Rankings, and plenty of additional coverage highlighting the stories, performances, and programs that make Louisiana baseball special.

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.  If you have not received a questionnaire and would like to fill one out, please email State Director Alex Armand at [email protected]

 

High School Name: Central (BR) High School

Head Coach: Sham Gabehart

Classification: Class 5A (Non-Select D-I)

District: 4-5A

2025 Record: 23-13

2025 Playoff Finish: Regional Finalist

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4

No. of Returning Pitchers: 0

Team Strengths: Power & Defense

Top Upperclassmen (2026 & 2027 Class): 2026 RHP/INF Cole Guidroz (LSU-Eunice), 2026 OF/RHP Brayson Hartzog (Coastal Alabama North CC), 2026 1B Brady Wiles (Millsaps), 2027 C Cooper Austin, 2027 OF Reece Tillman, 2026 RHP Darian Diaz, 2026 RHP Evan Dauzat, 2027 1B/C Lane Billings

Top Underclassmen (2028 & 2029 Class): 2028 UTL Parker Simcoe, 2028 INF Aaron Keller, 2028 INF Chase Chandler, 2028 RHP Brodee Smith

 

Team Preview

The Central Wildcats enter 2026 with as much optimism as any program in the Baton Rouge area. After a 23-win campaign a year ago, Head Coach Sham Gabehart’s club believes it has the ingredients to take a significant step forward this spring. With more physicality throughout the lineup, improved team defense, and a deeper stable of arms, Central expects to be firmly in the state-title conversation.

The Wildcats should feature noticeably more thump in the lineup this season, with legitimate power threats scattered throughout the order. Defensively, they’ve made strides across the diamond, and while untested on the varsity stage, the pitching staff runs deeper than in years past, providing multiple options for innings.

The biggest question for Central is how quickly its arms — talented but largely unproven — can adjust to varsity speed. With no returning starters on the mound, early-season growth and development will be critical.

Top Returning Players

• Senior INF/RHP Cole Guidroz

A tough, competitive senior who will anchor the infield and provide a veteran presence in the middle of the order. Guidroz will also be counted on for important innings as one of the few upperclassmen with experience on the mound.

• Junior C Cooper Austin

A key piece behind the plate, Austin handles the staff well and brings leadership to a young group of arms. He should take another step forward offensively this spring.

• Junior OF Reece Tillman

An athletic outfielder who covers ground and brings energy to the top of the lineup. Tillman’s ability to get on base and cause havoc will be important to Central’s offensive identity.

• Senior OF/RHP Brayson Hartzog

One of the most athletic players on the roster, Hartzog will impact the Wildcats in multiple ways. He provides a power-speed blend in the outfield and will be a meaningful contributor on the mound as well.

• Senior 1B Brady Wiles

A physical corner infielder who brings middle-of-the-order impact. Wiles adds to the team’s renewed power profile and will be counted on to drive in runs consistently.

 

• Sophomore UTL Parker Simcoe

A versatile young talent who can plug into multiple spots defensively. Simcoe’s athleticism and baseball IQ make him an important piece of the Wildcats’ lineup construction.

• Sophomore INF Aaron Keller

Another sophomore expected to take on a significant role. Keller has advanced actions on the dirt and should continue to grow into his offensive game.

 

Upperclassmen Ready to Make an Impact

• Senior RHP Darian Diaz

A late-blooming arm with a fastball up to 88 mph. Diaz may emerge as one of the key rotation pieces as the Wildcats establish new leaders on the mound.

• Senior RHP Evan Dauzat

A change-of-pace look who can generate weak contact and attack lineups differently. Dauzat will be valuable in matchup situations and leverage innings.

• Junior C/1B Lane Billings

A strong addition to the roster, Billings brings depth at catcher and first base, along with an experienced bat that should help lengthen the lineup.

Underclassmen to Watch

• Sophomore RHP Brodee Smith

A young arm with upside who will compete for innings right away. Smith’s development will be a key storyline early in the season.

 

• Sophomore RHP/INF Chase Chandler

A dual-role athlete who brings versatility and a mature approach for his age. Chandler should see time both on the dirt and on the mound as he continues to progress.

 
Outlook

Central expects to be a legitimate state contender in 2026. The lineup has the potential to produce runs in bunches, with power threats scattered throughout the order, while the defense looks more polished than last year. The biggest variable remains the pitching staff — talented, deep, and competitive, but light on varsity experience. If the young arms settle in quickly, the Wildcats have the roster makeup to be one of the top programs in Class 5A this spring.

 

 

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