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: Godley Wildcats
Head Coach: Ben Ogle (24-8 at Godley .. 42 Career Wins overall)
UIL Classification: 4A-12
Team Strengths: Pitching
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 24-8, (2025 District Champions, 4A Area Finalist)
Key Players Lost: OF Byron McClure (Pratt CC, District Defensive POY), RHP Jackson Duke (Southern Arkansas University Tech, 2nd Team All-District P)

 

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ROSTER PREVIEW

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• 3B Crosby Carmichael (2026; Blinn JC)
  
• RHP Grayson Crane (2026) - 1st Team All-District P
• LHP/1B Tabor Anderson (2027) - District Utility POY
• SS Ryder Papasan (2027) - 1st Team All-District SS
• C Braxton Spohn (2027) - 1st Team All-District C
• Number of Returning Position Players: 5
• Number of Returning Starting Pitchers: 2
• Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 3

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TOP NEWCOMERS

• LHP/OF Lathen Hankins (2027)
• LHP/OF Brady Phillips (2027)

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FRESHMEN TO FOLLOW

• CIF Kasen Stevens (2029)
• OF Jacob Jones (2029)
• UTL Ethan Skinner (2029)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The Godley Wildcats enter the 2026 season following a highly successful 2025 campaign, which saw them finish 24-8, win their district, and advance to the Area Round in the state’s 4A classification. Under Head Coach Ben Ogle, who enters his second season at the helm, the team’s core strength is expected to be on the mound.

The returning talent is anchored by several All-District honorees, including 1st Team All-District selections SS Ryder Papasan (2027), C Braxton Spohn (2027), and RHP Grayson Crane (2026). Additionally, LHP/1B Tabor Anderson (2027) returns as the District Utility Player of the Year. Though the team lost key players like District Defensive POY OF Byron McClure, the coaching staff will look to the returning core to take the next step offensively this year.

To round out the roster, Godley welcomes newcomers LHP/OF Lathen Hankins (2027) and LHP/OF Brady Phillips (2027), with each having the potential to impact both the lineup and the pitching staff in 2026. The program's future is further secured by a talented group of freshmen, including CIF Kasen Stevens, OF Jacob Jones, and UTL Ethan Skinner. With pitching and defense as clear strengths, the Wildcats are well-positioned to compete in the state’s 4A class again this spring.

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COACH’S QUOTE

“Returning a strong core from the 2025 team that re-claimed the district title. Team will be very strong on the mound/defensively and will be looking to bounce back offensively. Very bright future ahead for the Wildcats.”

- Ben Ogle, Godley Head Coach

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Find more information on the 2026 Godley program below:

+ 2026 Godley Schedule
+ Follow on X/Twitter: @godleybaseball
+ Prep Baseball Texas Team Preview Page

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