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: Elkhart Elks
Head Coach: Micah Blackmon (Overall Record at Elkhart: 12-15 …Career Wins: 60)
UIL Classification: 3A-20
Team Strengths: Defense
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 12-15 (3A Bi-District Finalists)
Key Players Lost: N/A

 

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ROSTER PREVIEW

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• OF Coyt Cooper (2026) - Defensive Player of The Year
• OF Johnny Wayne Franklin Jr. (2026) - 1st Team All-District
• CIF Callyn Franklin (2026) - 1st Team All-District
• INF/RHP Parker Jones (2026)
• INF Nicholas Rodriguez (2026)
• OF Riley Phillips (2027) - 2nd Team All-District
• INF/RHP Cole Horton (2027) - 2nd Team All-District
• Number of Returning Position Players: 9
• Number of Returning Starting Pitchers: 2
• Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 4

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TOP NEWCOMERS

• INF/P Dylan Smith (2029)
• UTL/LHP Aaron Black (2029)
• C Ethin Cartwright (2029)

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FRESHMEN TO FOLLOW

• INF/P Dylan Smith (2029)
• UTL/LHP Aaron Black (2029)
• C Ethin Cartwright (2029)

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COACH’S QUOTE

“Elkhart will continue to build on the success of last season after returning to the playoffs in 2025. Elkhart won 12 games in 2025 and 6 in district after winning only 5 total and 0 in district the previous 2 seasons. They look to have a good core of upperclassmen and have a few young faces that look to make a push into the starting lineup.”

- Micah Blackmon, Elkhart Head Coach

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The Elkhart Elks are poised to build upon a successful 2025 season behind a strong defense heading into 2026. After enduring two years without a district win, the program achieved a significant turnaround last year, finishing with a 12-15 overall record and securing six district victories. This resurgence culminated in a 3A Bi-District finish.

The Elks' roster remains remarkably stable, losing no key players from the previous year while returning nine position players, two starting pitchers, and four relief pitchers. This veteran core is led by standout seniors, including Defensive Player of the Year OF Coyt Cooper and First Team All-District selections OF Johnny Wayne Franklin Jr. and CIF Callyn Franklin. They are supported by returning contributors such as INF/RHP Parker Jones, INF Nicholas Rodriguez, and second-team all-district juniors Riley Phillips and Cole Horton.

Looking toward the future, the program is also integrating fresh talent to bolster its depth. Key newcomers and freshmen to follow include INF/P Dylan Smith, UTL/LHP Aaron Black, and C Ethin Cartwright. With a seasoned group of upperclassmen and a promising wave of young athletes, Elkhart enters the 2026 season with the momentum and experience necessary to compete for a deeper run in the 3A postseason.

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Find more information on the 2026 Elkhart program below:

+ Prep Baseball Texas Team Preview Page

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