2026 Power 25 Countdown: No. 7 Briarcrest Christian Saints

The Briarcrest Christian School baseball program finished the 2025 season going 26-13 and getting put out by Lipscomb Academy in the state tournament. Going into the spring, the Saints return one of the most talented pitching rotations in the state. 

Leading the rotation as the ace and one of the best pitchers in the state is 2026 Texas commit LHP Phinn Beaird who is also a Future Game alum. Phinn is a left-handed pitcher that has an electric fastball that has been up to 92 MPH. The secondary offerings are just as impressive with a sharp slider in the low 80’s and a good changeup. 2026 North Alabama commit RHP Nate Powers will slot into that second spot in the rotation. Nate has a massive frame standing at 6’8 250 lbs and uses that to create horsepower with a fastball up to 90 MPH. Nate also possesses a nasty changeup that he can throw in any count. 2026 Memphis commit RHP Spencer Moore who is also a Senior Game alum and is another pitcher with a big frame standing at 6’2 190 lbs. Spencer has a great fastball up to 92 MPH with some developing offspeed pitches. The ceiling is very high for Spencer longterm. 

The Saints also return some important pieces in the lineup. 2027 Samford C Brayden Holland will return to hit in the 3 hole for the Saints where he was a mainstay as a sophomore. The Samford commit is a good defender with pop time in the 1.9 range. At the plate, Brayden shows a good feel for the barrel with power to all fields. 2026 Belmont commit INF Cole Photopulos will be at the top of the lineup for the Saints. Cole is a switch hitter with great length standing at 6’3 190 lbs and very twitchy actions. Cole has tremendous upside with a rare mix of power and speed that he has just scratched the surface with. In the field, Cole has the ability to play anywhere but could stick at third base with his size. 2026 USC Upstate commit INF Clayton Speck will be a middle of the order hitter and return to play shortstop. Clayton is another guy that is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of. At the plate, Clayton has a big power profile, hitting balls consistently over 100 MPH. 

Briarcrest comes into the year with all the pieces to win another state championship like they did in 2024. It will come down to the offense and defense complimenting the pitching staff which comes in as maybe the best in the state.