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]

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High School Name: DeQuincy High School

Head Coach: Brady Carlson

Classification: Class 2A (Non-Select D-IV)

District: 4-2A

2025 Record: 24-12

2025 Playoff Finish: State Semifinalist

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4

No. of Returning Pitchers: 2

Team Strengths: Pitching Experience

Top Upperclassmen (2026 & 2027 Class): 2026 RHP/UTL Turner Rodriguez, 2027 2B/OF Rowdy Griffin

Top Underclassmen (2028 & 2029 Class): 2028 RHP/1B Grant Rainwater, 2028 SS Noah Pettifield

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Team Preview

The DeQuincy Tigers are coming off another strong campaign that saw them advance all the way to the Non-Select Division IV State Semifinals in 2025, and although this year’s squad will feature plenty of new faces, the program’s identity under Head Coach Brady Carlson remains the same—pitching, defense, and tough, competitive baseball.

Team Strengths: Pitching & Defense

The Tigers will once again hang their hat on run prevention. With multiple quality arms returning and a solid defensive core behind them, DeQuincy should remain difficult to score on.

Leading the way is senior Turner Rodriguez, one of the most versatile and experienced players in Southwest Louisiana. The All-State and All-Southwest selection has been a starter since his freshman season and thrives under pressure. Rodriguez hit an even .400 last spring with 1 home run, 10 doubles, 3 triples, and 35 RBIs, while also going 7-2 on the mound, sitting in the mid-80s with excellent command and pitchability. His leadership and ability to impact the game in every phase will be critical to the Tigers’ success.

Junior Rowdy Griffin adds energy and consistency to the lineup. A scrappy, high-IQ player who fits perfectly into DeQuincy’s competitive style, Griffin hit .317 with 29 runs scored in 2025 and brings experience and stability to the top of the order.

Sophomore Grant Rainwater is another name to know after logging important innings as a freshman. The right-hander works in the low-to-mid 80s with feel for his fastball and solid command. Rainwater finished with a 3–4 record last spring and earned Second Team All-District honors, positioning himself as a potential breakout arm this season.

 

Rounding out the key returners is sophomore Noah Pettifield, who impressed as a freshman with his advanced defensive skill set and ability to handle the bat. Pettifield hit .345 with 24 RBIs, 31 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases in 2025, also earning Second Team All-District honors. He’s a steady, confident presence up the middle and is expected to take another big step forward in 2026.

Team Weaknesses: Hitting & Experience

DeQuincy graduated several key offensive pieces from last year’s lineup, meaning production at the plate may take time to develop. Coach Carlson and staff will rely on the returning core to set the tone early as younger players adjust to varsity pitching.

Outlook

While the Tigers may be young in spots, they check the boxes in the two areas that win ballgames—pitching and defense. Expect some early growing pains offensively, but the team’s speed, baseball IQ, and overall competitiveness should keep DeQuincy in every game. With Rodriguez leading a talented core that includes Griffin, Rainwater, and Pettifield, the Tigers once again have the makings of a postseason contender.

DeQuincy might be youthful, but their arms, athleticism, and defensive fundamentals give them a strong foundation to make another deep playoff push.

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Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
Louisiana Top Prospect Games: Upperclass (Invite-Only)	6/16/26	University of New Orleans (New Orleans, LA)
Louisiana Top Prospect Games: Underclass (Invite-Only)	6/23/26	University of Louisiana-Lafayette (Lafayette, LA)
New Orleans Summer ID	6/30/26	Tulane University (New Orleans, LA)