The 2026 Texas 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 Texas.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Austin at the UIL State Tournament in June, 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 Texas. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 30 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.

High School: Cleburne Yellowjackets
Head Coach: Ross Taylor (679-267 Record at Cleburne … 794-322 Overall Record … North All-Star Coach 2006 … West All-Stars 2010 … 2 State Appearances: 2004, 2012 … 17 District Coach of the Year … 14 All-County Coach of the Year)
UIL Classification: 8-5A
Team Strengths: Defense
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 21-10 (5A Bi-District Finalists)
Key Players Lost:

• 3B/RHP Vincent Martinez (Howard JC)

   

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ROSTER PREVIEW

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• RHP Carter Howe (2026; Frank Phillips JC) - 2nd Team All-District P
  
• OF Beaux Douthitt (2026) - District Co-Offensive Player of the Year
• OF Malachi Cunningham (2026) - All-District OF
  
• RHP/UTL Zander Ballenger (2026) - 2nd Team All-District P
• OF Dylan Staton (2026)
• SS Manny Aguilar (2027) - 2024 All-District SS
  
• Number of Returning Position Players: 6
• Number of Returning Starting Pitchers: 2
• Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 2

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TOP NEWCOMERS

• 1B Wyatt East (2027)
• 2B Ty Cavett (2027)
• 3B/RHP Ryan Finley (2027)

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FRESHMEN TO FOLLOW

• UTL Ryder Smith (2029)
• UTL Jax Murray (2029)

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COACH’S QUOTE

“We have a good group of returning players who should understand the level of competition they will see on a regular basis. We have four seniors who are being recruited, one has made a firm commitment the other three are still deciding.”

- Ross Taylor, Cleburne Head Coach

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The Cleburne Yellowjackets enter the 2026 season under the veteran leadership of Head Coach Ross Taylor, who brings an impressive career record of 794-322. Coming off a solid 2025 campaign where they finished as 5A Bi-District Finalists with a 21-10 record, the Yellowjackets identify defense as their primary team strength heading into the new year. While they must overcome the loss of key player Vincent Martinez to Howard JC, the roster remains deep with experienced talent across the field.

The squad is anchored by a strong core of six returning position players and a reliable pitching staff featuring two returning starters and two relief pitchers. Highlighting the returners are Frank Phillips JC commit RHP Carter Howe and District Co-Offensive Player of the Year, OF Beaux Douthitt. They are supported by a decorated group of All-District selections, including outfielder Malachi Cunningham, RHP/UTL Zander Ballenger, and shortstop Manny Aguilar.

In addition to their veteran presence, the Yellowjackets look to integrate promising underclassmen into the lineup. Newcomers such as 1B Wyatt East, 2B Ty Cavett, and 3B/RHP Ryan Finley are expected to make an impact. The program also has its sights on the future with freshmen utility players Ryder Smith and Jax Murray pegged as prospects to follow for the coming years. This blend of proven All-District performers and emerging young talent positions Cleburne as a competitive force in UIL Classification 8-5A.

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Find more information on the 2026 Cleburne program below:

+ Prep Baseball Texas Team Preview Page

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