The 2026 Mississippi high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound 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 Mississippi.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons at Pearl’s Trustmark Park, in the State Tournament finals at the end of May, 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 Mississippi. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings that’ll carry us into the opening week of action.

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 and updating the Power 25 rankings.

Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Baldwyn High School
Head Coach: Shannon Smith
MHSAA Classification: 2A
District Number: 1-2A
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 18-11 (Second Round Playoffs)

 

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ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:

• CF Maddox McCarley (2026, Bevill State CC)
• C Carson Richardson (2029)
• OF/INF Trey Craven (2026)
• OF Brayer Wesson (2027)

+ Top Returning Pitchers:

• P Rush Watkins (2028)

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TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

• INF Sam Guin (2029)
• INF Gavin Gamble (2028)

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2026 OUTLOOK

+ Baldwyn High School enters the 2026 season under head coach Shannon Smith looking to build on an 18–11 campaign that ended with a second-round playoff appearance. With a mix of proven production, and high-upside youth, the Bearcats bring momentum into the spring as they look to take another step forward in district and postseason play.

Offensively, Baldwyn returns one of the more accomplished groups in the classification. Maddox McCarley (2026), a Bevil State CC signee and the 2025 Region 1-1A Offensive Player of the Year, anchors the outfield in center field with both impact production and leadership. Trey Craven (2026) returns after earning First Team All-Division honors while hitting .406, and Brayer Wesson (2027) adds another proven bat after posting a .398 average and earning First Team All-Division recognition. Behind the plate, Carson Richardson (2029) brings rare upside for his age, already earning a No. 9 ranking in Prep Baseball’s initial 2029 class rankings, giving the Bearcats a cornerstone piece for the future.

On the mound, Baldwyn leans on a young but proven arm in Rush Watkins (2028), the 2025 Region 1-1A Pitcher of the Year, who headlines the returning pitching staff. His presence provides the Bearcats with a reliable option in big moments, while the development of underclassmen such as Sam Guin (2029) and Gavin Gamble (2028) adds depth and long-term upside across the infield. With impact returners, postseason experience, and emerging young talent, Baldwyn enters 2026 positioned to be a competitive force in Class 2A.

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Find more information on Baldwyn High School’s 2026 season below:

+ Follow them on X: @BaseballBaldwyn
+ Find more 2026 team previews on our MHSAA Season Preview page

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