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2026 West Lauderdale Knights Team Preview

February 9, 2026
Prep Baseball Mississippi Staff

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: West Lauderdale Knights
Head Coach: Jason Smith
MHSAA Classification: 4A
District Number: District 5
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 30-6 (State Champions)

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:


+ Top Returning Pitchers:

  • RHP Rylan Kennedy (2027)
  • LHP Parker Rawson (2026)

More Names to Know

2027s:

TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

2026 OUTLOOK

+ Fresh off a dominant 30–6 run to a 4A state title, West Lauderdale enters the spring carrying both confidence and continuity. Head coach Jason Smith brings back a loaded group that looks capable of picking right back up where last season left off, with experience spread across the lineup and plenty of two-way depth to lean on.

The offense is anchored by a deep 2026 class that knows how to win. Dalyn Marshall (2026) is a tone-setter on both sides of the ball, while Landry Maxwell and Zayden Moore give the Knights athleticism and production in the outfield. Cooper Rainer (2026) provides stability up the middle, and Brayden Warren (2026) adds left-handed power and versatility at first base. The 2027s bring just as much intrigue, led by Cody Pigford (2027, Meridian CC), whose ability to contribute behind the plate, at third, or on the mound makes him a matchup problem nightly. Rylan Kennedy (2027) and Xavier Thompson (2027) round out a lineup that has very few soft spots.

On the mound, Kennedy headlines the returning arms after logging meaningful innings during the title run, while Parker Rawson (2026) gives West Lauderdale a dependable left-handed look that can change the feel of a series. With multiple position players capable of taking the ball, pitching depth once again shapes up as a major strength.

There’s also no shortage of young talent pushing from behind. Tanner Spears (2027) and Travion Mosley (2027) add athletic upside, while underclassmen Braylon Dixon (2028) and Micah Thompson (2028) are names to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

With a championship standard firmly established and a roster built on balance rather than reliance on one star, West Lauderdale looks every bit the part of a program prepared to defend its crown in District 5.

Find more information on West Lauderdale’s 2026 season below:

+ Follow them on X: @WLBaseball50
+ Find more 2026 team previews on our MHSAA Season Preview page

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