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: Lafayette Commodores
Head Coach: John Walker
MHSAA Classification: MHSAA 5A
District Number: Region 1
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 27-8 (State Champions)

 

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ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:

• C Tanner Harris (2026, East Central CC)
• CF Caleb Guest (2026, Meridian CC)
• 3B/C Easton Thompson (2026, Northwest Mississippi CC)
• SS Collin Waldrip (2026, Itawamba CC)
• OF Levi Hamm (2026, Northwest Mississippi CC)
• C/INF Taylor John (2026)
• 2B Lane Theobald (2027)

+ Top Returning Pitchers:

• RHP Brett Williams (2026, Holmes CC)
• LHP Levi Hamm (2026)
• RHP Tanner Harris (2026)
• RHP Easton Thompson (2026)
• RHP Caleb Guest (2026)

More Names to Know

2026s:

• RHP/1B Carter Ewing (2026)
• OF Javin Mitchell (2026)
• OF Lawson Fortner (2026)
• RHP Ian Robinson (2026)

2027s:

• RHP Jake McMinn (2027)
• RHP Emmett Thompson (2027)

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TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

• Luke Loper (2028) 
• RT Winters (2029)

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2026 OUTLOOK

+ Fresh off a 27–8 championship run, Lafayette enters the new season with the confidence of a program that knows how to finish, and head coach John Walker brings back a veteran-heavy group capable of defending the 5A crown.

The Commodores’ lineup is stacked with experienced bats and defensive versatility, led by a senior-laden core of 2026s. Tanner Harris (East Central CC) anchors things behind the plate and also factors in on the mound, while Collin Waldrip (Itawamba CC) provides a steady presence at shortstop. Caleb Guest (Meridian CC) brings range and athleticism in center field, Easton Thompson (Northwest Mississippi CC) adds flexibility as a corner bat who can catch, and Levi Hamm (Northwest Mississippi CC) impacts the game on both sides as an outfield presence and left-handed arm. Taylor John and Lane Theobald round out an infield group that can mix and match depending on matchups.

On the mound, Lafayette’s depth is once again a major strength. Brett Williams (Holmes CC) returns as a reliable right-handed option, with Hamm giving the Commodores a quality left-handed look. Harris, Thompson, and Guest all add trusted innings, allowing Lafayette to stay aggressive with pitching usage throughout a series. That depth should keep pressure on opposing lineups and shorten games late.

There’s no shortage of complementary pieces, either. Carter Ewing, Ian Robinson, and a trio of athletic outfielders in Javin Mitchell and Lawson Fortner provide added depth, while younger arms Jake McMinn and Emmett Thompson continue to develop. Underclassmen Luke Loper (2028) and RT Winters (2029) are names to file away early as potential future contributors.

With championship experience, lineup balance, and a deep pitching staff, Lafayette looks well-positioned to remain a force in Region 1 and make another run deep into May if the pieces continue to click.

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Find more information on Lafayette’s 2026 season below:

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

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