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2026 Central Magnet Tigers Team Preview

December 26, 2025
Prep Baseball Tennessee Staff

The 2026 Tennessee 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 Tennessee.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Murfreesboro at the state tournament championships – 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 Tennessee. 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.

Please note that all Team Previews were submitted by High School Coaches.

High School: Central Magnet
Head Coach: Jason Patterson
TSSAA Classification: AAA
District: 8
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 23-12 (District Tournament)

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:

OF/INF John Roth (2026)

 
+ Top Returning Pitchers:

More Names to Know

2026s:

2027s:

  • C Truitt Surbaugh (2027)
  • 1B Henry Long (2027)

TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

  • Elijah Bonner (2028)
  • Braylen Dowell (2028)
  • Carter Shelton (2028)
  • Brady Yates (2029)
  • Grayson Laroy (2029)
  • Riley Flora (2029)
  • Brett Haney (2028)

2026 OUTLOOK

+ Central Magnet enters the 2026 season looking to build on a 23–12 campaign that ended in the District Tournament, as head coach Jason Patterson’s group prepares to compete once again in TSSAA AAA District 8. With a roster loaded with speed, athleticism, and emerging arms, the Tigers bring back a strong blend of proven production and high-upside youth, positioning themselves as a dangerous opponent throughout the spring.

Offensively, Central Magnet returns one of the more dynamic position-player cores in the district. Joseph Rowell (2027) is a catalyst at the top of the lineup after stealing more than 30 bases a season ago, while freshman standout Elijah Bonner (2028) made an immediate impact by hitting .390 with 18 doubles and also providing low-80s velocity on the mound. Fellow freshman Braylen Dowell (2028) was the leadoff hitter in 2024, posting an on-base percentage north of .450 while swiping 25 bags; his physical frame, two-way potential, and high ceiling give the Tigers a cornerstone piece moving forward. John Roth (2026) adds another dynamic element after a strong offensive season at shortstop and will shift to the outfield this year, where his athleticism projects to be elite defensively. Roth also brings speed and pop, having stolen 30 bases while showing power potential.

On the mound, Central Magnet features impressive depth, led by right-hander Tate Morris (2027), a mid-80s arm who headlines a pitching staff that returns multiple contributors. Bonner, Dowell, Roth, Mical Courtney, Brady Yates, and Riley Flora all add versatility and innings, giving the Tigers flexibility in how they deploy their arms. Courtney (2026) and Benson Reavis (2026) are key names to watch among the upperclass pitchers, while Riley Flora and Brady Yates—both part of a talented 2029 class—represent the next wave of arms in the program.

The roster is further strengthened by a deep group of players to know, including DH Thomas Sesler (2026), OF Jensen Spry (2026), catcher Truitt Surbaugh (2027), and first baseman Henry Long (2027). Impact underclassmen such as Carter Shelton (2028), Grayson Laroy (2029), and Brett Haney (2028) add depth and long-term upside. With elite team speed, positional versatility, and a growing pitching staff, Central Magnet has the pieces in place to be a factor in District 8 and push deeper into postseason play in 2026.

Find more information on Central Magnet’s 2026 season below:

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

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