TENNESSEE - We're excited to unveil our Power 25 countdown rankings around the state. Our Prep Baseball staff worked diligently at ranking these top 25 teams, while looking at their records, scores, and player performances over the previous season. These rankings will obviously continue to change as teams play more games as the season goes on. But for now, let's begin our countdown on our 2026 Power 25.

Today, we begin our countdown by looking at the No. 3 spot, which belongs to the Nolensville Knights.

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POWER 25 COUNTDOWN: NO. 3 📊

NOLENSVILLE KNIGHTS

The Nolensville High baseball program finished the 2025 season going 24-14 and was put out by Independence in region play. Going into the spring, the Knights are loaded with a team that hits for power and a pitching staff with some horsepower. 

The Knights come into 2026 with a senior heavy squad. Leading the lineup is 2026 Oregon State commit OF/1B Kael Barney is a super projectable left-handed bat with a big frame standing at 6’4 190 lbs. Kael has a power profile that is one of the most impressive in the state that should lead to a double digit home run year. Kael is a sneaky pick to skyrocket on draft boards this spring. 2026 Oregon State commit INF Kyson Barney is Senior Game alum and is the twin brother of Kael and possesses a similar build as his brother. Kyson is a right-handed hitter that can play anywhere in the infield with long limbs and a strong arm up to 90 MPH. At the plate, Kyson has huge upside with power to both gaps and some speed as a 6.9 runner. 2026 Duke commit C Evan McElvain is a Senior Game alum and returns as the starting catcher which he has done since his freshman year. At the plate, Evan has a swing first mentality and has really come into his own with some power that shows up with exit velocities over 100 MPH. At catcher, Evan has an absolute cannon with a catcher velocity at 80 MPH and a pop time between 1.85-1.9. 2026 Northwest Mississippi CC commit INF/C Griffin Hendrickson is another Knight with good size standing at 6’1 210 lbs. Griffin has some good power with exit velocities up to 102 MPH. In the field, Griffin can play the hot corners or at catcher where he could stick at the next level. 2027 OF Ryan Newell is an athletic left-handed bat that is also a two sport athlete. Ryan has a good mix of power and speed with exit velocities up to 102 MPH. This spring, Ryan will be counted on to be the tone setter as the leadoff hitter and centerfielder for the Knights. 

The rotation will also be an area of strength for the Knights as they have top end arms and depth. The ace of the staff will be 2026 Virginia commit RHP Wyatt Clatur who has a projectable frame at 6’3 195 lbs. One the mound, Wyatt has a fastball up to 95 MPH 

and a nasty slider to go along with it. Another big arm that pro scouts will be locked into this spring, Wyatt has all of the intangibles and upside to pitch for a long time. 2027 Northwestern commit RHP/INF Parker Vandercook is Future Game alum and has a fastball that is up to 90 MPH that he throws from a lower, deceptive slot. Parker also has a projectable frame at 6’3 190 lbs and is extremely young for his class which bolds well for his outlook long term. Parker should also have a role offensively for the Knights.  2027 LHP Hutch Weaver is the third member of the rotation for the Knights. Hutch has a fastball in the mid-80s and multiple offspeed offerings that he will throw in any count. In 2025, Hutch came up clutch for the Knights pitching multiple big games where he dominated, propelling the team into the regional round. 2026 Walters State commit

RHP/OF Aiden Oppenheimer transferred in last year for Nolensville and pitched mostly out of the bullpen. Aiden is a fast mover on the mound with a fastball up to 92 MPH and a bigger breaking ball. 2026 Vol State commit Hayden Hupka is another bullpen arm for the Knights with a fastball up to 87 MPH and a good mix of secondary pitches that he is confident to throw in any count. 2026 Maryville College commit RHP Caleb Gilbert has pitched in multiple roles for the Knights with a fastball up to 87 MPH and good offspeed. 

Caleb has been a high leverage guy for Nolensville, coming into big spots and attacking the zone. 

The Nolensville Knights were the state championship runner-up in 2024 and will look to get back to Murfreesboro with a loaded group of upperclassmen. With a scary lineup and pitching rotation depth, the Knights will be feared in May.

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UPCOMING 2026 EVENTS ⤵️

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
Memphis Rising Stars ID	03/15	USA Stadium (Millington, TN)
Nashville Rising Stars ID	03/29	Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, TN)
Knoxville Rising Stars ID	04/04	Grace Christian Academy (Knoxville, TN)

 

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