2026 Power 25 Countdown: No. 18 Cookeville Cavaliers

The Cookeville High baseball program finished the 2025 season going 21-9 and getting put out in the district tournament. Going into the spring, the Cavs return 7 out of the 9 players in their lineup along with their ace on the mound. The Cavs should have high expectations going into the spring with a veteran team and multiple big arms transferring in. 

Leading the charge for Cookeville will be former Future Games alum 27 C KJ Anderson who is also an Auburn commit. KJ is a rare athlete at the catcher position and runs a 6.76 60 along with big size at 6’0 200 lbs. With a pop time in the 1.8’s and 83 MPH arm. KJ can stick at the catcher position long term. At the plate, KJ is a left-handed hitter with big time pop that should only get better as he progresses. Returning to the top of the lineup will be 2026 OF Ty Harrison who is a Tennessee Tech commit. Ty is a rangy outfielder that runs with big size at 6’1 180 lbs. At the plate, Ty is a left-handed hitter who has a good blend of power and average. In the leadoff spot will be 2026 MIF Tyler Smith who is as solid as they come with more of an old school mentality. At the plate, Tyler is a menace for opposing pitchers with an ability to foul pitches off and find his way on base. Tyler is the definition of a tone setter. 2026 LHP/1B Landen Severance is Carson Newman commit who will create the pop in the middle of the lineup for the Cavs. On the mound, Landen returns as the ace with a mid-80’s fastball and a changeup that is devastating to right-handed hitters. 

The Cavaliers also picked up two big time transfers that will make immediate impacts on the mound. 2026 RHP Case Collins is a transfer from Lebanon High and should step right into the top of the rotation. Case stands at a towering 6’4 180 lbs and possesses a fastball up to 90 MPH paired with multiple breaking balls with spin rates at 2500. An absolutely huge pickup for an already strong team. 2028 MIF/RHP Griffin Templeton is another transfer that should have a good chance to not only crack the rotation but the lineup as well. On the mound, Griffin has been up to 88 MPH with a good feel for his offspeed pitches. At the plate, Griffin will be a high average guy with good barrel control and should push to start in the infield for Cookeville. 

Cookeville is a sleeper pick for us as they go into a new district and region in which they should be the heavy favorites to come out of. With a veteran lineup and pitching staff, there is no reason Cookeville can’t make a big run in May.