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: Nettleton Tigers
Head Coach: Brian Rea
MHSAA Classification: 3A
District Number: 4-3A
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 13-16 (First Round Playoffs)

 

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ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:

• OF Owen Roebuck (2026, Mississippi Delta CC)
• C/OF Travis Sullivan (2026)
• OF J.R. Williams (2026, Mississippi Delta CC)
• SS Reid Raper (2027)
• INF/C Benton Dabbs (2027)
• INF Paxton Humble (2028)

+ Top Returning Pitchers:

• RHP J.R. Williams (2026)
• LHP Owen Roebuck (2026)
• RHP Reid Raper (2027)
• RHP Ace Carroll (2026)

More Names to Know

2026s:

• OF/RHP Cayden Duran (2026)
• 1B Spencer Holland (2026)
• OF Brady Williams (2026)
• INF Brody Neal (2026)

2027s:

• OF/RHP Logan Dabbs (2027)
• OF Paxton Hall (2027)
• INF/RHP Grayson Rikard (2027)

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TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

• INF Paxton Humble (2028)
• UTL Weston Bynum (2028)
• 1B Ka'Darius Denman (2028)
• RHP Parker Baggett (2028)

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2026 OUTLOOK

+ Nettleton enters the 2026 season looking to turn the page after a 13–16 campaign and a first-round playoff exit in Class 3A. Under head coach Brian Rea, the Tigers return a large and experienced senior class, along with a strong group of underclass contributors, giving the program the pieces to take a step forward in District 4-3A. With returning production in the middle of the lineup and multiple arms capable of handling meaningful innings, Nettleton projects as a deeper and more competitive club this spring.

Offensively, the Tigers are led by a veteran outfield group that brings both production and athleticism. Owen Roebuck (2026, Mississippi Delta CC) returns as a middle-of-the-order presence whose left-handed bat and versatility make him a key run producer. Travis Sullivan (2026) provides a steady offensive foundation after hitting .364 in 2025, while offering flexibility between catcher and the outfield. J.R. Williams (2026, Mississippi Delta CC) adds another experienced bat and athletic defender in the outfield, giving Nettleton three upperclassmen who can impact the game on both sides of the ball.

The infield returns quality depth and upside as well. Reid Raper (2027) anchors the middle infield and brings leadership and defensive reliability at shortstop, while also contributing on the mound. Benton Dabbs (2027) provides physicality and versatility between the infield and catcher, adding lineup flexibility. Paxton Humble (2028) is a young infielder who already factors into varsity plans, bringing long-term upside and continued development to the infield mix.

On the mound, Nettleton brings back a solid group of arms that gives the Tigers options throughout the week. J.R. Williams and Owen Roebuck headline the staff, offering different looks from the right and left sides. Reid Raper continues to develop as a reliable option with the ability to handle leverage innings, while Ace Carroll (2026) adds depth and experience to the rotation. This group should allow the Tigers to better manage innings and matchups across district play.

Additional depth comes from a deep 2026 class that includes Cayden Duran, Spencer Holland, Brady Williams, and Brody Neal, all of whom provide competition and lineup options across the field. The 2027 group, highlighted by Logan Dabbs, Paxton Hall, and Grayson Rikard, continues to push forward and strengthen overall roster depth.

The next wave of Tigers is already making its presence felt. Along with Humble, Weston Bynum, K’Darius Denman, and Parker Baggett bring athleticism, physical upside, and pitching depth to the underclass group, giving the program important developmental pieces moving forward.

With a veteran senior core, improved pitching depth, and an influx of young talent, Nettleton enters the 2026 season positioned to be more consistent across the board. If the Tigers can translate returning offensive production into sustained run support and solidify roles on the mound, they have the tools in place to compete in District 4-3A and push deeper into the Class 3A postseason.

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Find more information on Nettleton’s 2026 season below:

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

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