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2026 Upperman Bees Team Preview

January 8, 2026
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: Upperman Bees
Head Coach: Wes Shanks
TSSAA Classification: AAA
District: 7AAA
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 27-14 (State Tournament Appearance)

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:


+ Top Returning Pitchers: 

  • Chris Wirsing
  • Braiden Wolke
  • Jackson Green
  • Dawson Mullins

TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

  • Jackson Green (2029)
  • Dawson Mullins (2029)
  • Andrew Hedrick (2028)
  • Sawyer Brown (2029)
  • Tayvin Hughes (2029)
  • Dalton Mathis (2029)
  • Denton Huddleston (2029)

2026 OUTLOOK

+ Upperman heads into the 2026 season coming off a 27–14 campaign that culminated in a State Tournament appearance, continuing the Bees’ run as one of the more consistent programs in Class AAA. Under head coach Wes Shanks, Upperman reloads with a roster that blends proven production at the top with an influx of high-upside underclassmen. While the Bees will be tasked with replacing significant graduated innings and offense, the returning core and emerging young talent give this group a chance to remain competitive in a tough 7AAA slate.

The identity of this team starts with 2027 INF/RHP Chris Wirsing, one of the premier two-way players in the state. Wirsing was the engine for Upperman a year ago, leading the lineup with a .396 average, 55 hits, and 31 RBIs while also anchoring the staff with 67 innings, a 2.30 ERA, and 71 punchouts. The returning District 7AAA MVP brings elite bat-to-ball skills, toughness, and a true competitor’s edge, and he’ll once again be leaned on in big moments. With a low-90s fastball and middle-of-the-order production.

Offensively, Upperman returns several key pieces around Wirsing. Jackson College (MI) commit Braden Green provides a steady left-handed bat that hit .333 a year ago and is poised for an expanded role in the middle of the order. Fellow Jackson College commit Carson Shupe gives the Bees a durable presence behind the plate and positional flexibility in the infield, projecting as a run-producing bat tasked with replacing lost offense. Braiden Wolke adds versatility as a reliable defender and swing piece, while a talented freshman class, including Denton Huddleston and Dawson Mullins who will be asked to grow up quickly and fill key roles defensively and at the top of the lineup.

On the mound, Upperman’s staff will look different, but the pieces are intriguing. Wirsing again headlines the group, with Wolke competing for a frontline role after logging high-leverage postseason experience. Freshman Jackson Green enters with confidence and pedigree after a dominant middle school run, bringing a low-80s fastball and advanced feel for the strike zone. Mullins adds athleticism and competitiveness to the mix, while additional underclass arms like Andrew Hedrick, Sawyer Brown, Tayvin Hughes, and Dalton Mathis provide depth and developmental upside.

With a true alpha in Wirsing, experienced bats in the middle, and a wave of talented freshmen stepping into meaningful roles, Upperman enters 2026 as a team built on toughness, versatility, and upside. If the young arms mature quickly and the offense replaces departed production, the Bees have the makeup to once again push toward the postseason and make noise in Class AAA.

Find more information on Upperman HS’s 2026 season below:

+ Follow them on X: @Baseball_UHS | Instagram: @UppermanBaseball
+ Find more 2026 team previews on our TSSAA Season Preview page

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