Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2026 spring season. Team previews touch on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Oregon Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Team Previews are generated through a mixture of coaches' responses gathered through our perennial coaches questionnaires, as well as insight from Prep Baseball Staff. Stay tuned the next several weeks for the unveiling of Team Previews and the complete Power 25.

Today, we spotlight the #14 ranked Lincoln Cardinals. 

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High School: Lincoln Cardinals   
Head Coach: C.J. Watson
Division: 6A
League/Conference: PIL
2025 Record (Finish): 14-14
2025 Playoff Finish: 6A state first round

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5
No. of Returning Pitchers: 6
Key Players Lost: Nolan Winthrop, Quinn Stevens, Liam Eldridge, Hayden Rogers

TEAM OUTLOOK

Starting Pitching: Jack Aleskus, Graeme Warner-McGee, Harrison Mayhew, Finley Cunningham

Bullpen: Wolfe Roberts, Hunter Arana, Elliott Bakke, Alex Olbeter

Top Seniors: Graeme Warner-McGee, Blake Timothy, Harrison Mayhew, Alex Olbeter, Elliott Bakke

Top Juniors: Jack Aleskus, Grady Wilmot, Reed Eldridge, Finley Cunningham

Underclassmen to watch: '28 Hunter Arana, '28 Tyler Kim

Areas to watch: Replacing pitching, 1B

Team Strengths: Pitching depth, returning talent

Coaches Outlook: “We believe we bring back a roster that displays talent, depth, and ability to compete with the best teams in Oregon. Our team compliments itself well with the ability to pitch and defend, while applying pressure on offense that can win in a variety of ways. Our players have become more physical and confident this off season which have created lofty expectations." - CJ Watson, Head Coach

Overall Summary

Lincoln heads into the 2026 season as a team Prep Baseball expects to take a step forward after a .500 finish last spring. The Cardinals bring back a majority of their varsity roster, including a wealth of pitching to anchor their team. Senior two-way talent Graeme Warner-McGee headlines Lincoln as one of the more tooled up players in the state. The 6'3 righty has run his fastball up near 90 MPH in showcase looks with plenty of swing and miss present on the mound, in addition to being a 6.8 runner who can post triple digit exit velocities. Warner-McGee was recently named to Prep Baseball Oregon's Player of the Year watchlist and will be closely monitored. Junior lefthander Jack Aleskus returns as the top arm from a season ago, providing a strike thrower who eats innings consistently. Harrison Mayhew can do it all on the field and on the bump, filling a variety of roles last spring. Junior Finley Cunningham provides a different look from the left side, with the ability to change speeds and induce weak contact. Offensively, Blake Timothy provides a dynamic presence atop the lineup with plus plus speed at the high school level. Timothy can man center field with ease and steal plenty of bases in his senior spring. Portland commit Grady Wilmot will also be a key player, playing a clean shortstop with big time power potential. Head coach CJ Watson is circling games against Sherwood, South Salem and Grant as key games for the Cardinals this season. Expect Lincoln to lean on their upperclass talent to improve in a big way in 2026.

Find more information on the 2026 Lincoln program below:

+ Follow them on IG: @Lincolncards_Baseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Oregon Preseason Power 25 homepage

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