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: Hawley Bearcats
Head Coach: Jaime Seago (Record at Hawley: 231-90 … Career Wins: 326 … State appearance in 2024 in the State Championship Game vs Collinsville)
UIL Classification: 2A-8
Team Strengths: Leadership
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 17-7 (2A Regional Semifinalists)
Key Players Lost:

• C Keagan Ables (Hardin-Simmons Football)

   

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• OF Aiden Romo (2026) - 1st Team All-District OF
• SS Drew Siller (2026) - 1st Team All-District SS
• 1B Jake Bristow (2027) - 1st Team All-District 1B
• Number of Returning Position Players: 6
• Number of Returning Starting Pitchers: 2
• Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 4

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TOP NEWCOMERS

• RHP/INF Jayden Navarrette (2028)
• P/C Jayden Espinoza (2028)

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FRESHMEN TO FOLLOW

• P/OF Derek Nieto (2029)

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DIRECTOR’S NOTE

“Young group that will be lead by three seniors who are hungry to make that long play-off run and try to get back to the state tourney. We will have young pitchers on the mound but they are competitors and need to learn to trust their defense and not overthrow in big moments.”

- Jaime Seago, Hawley Head Coach

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Building on the momentum of a successful 17-7 campaign that culminated in a 2A Regional Semifinal appearance, the Hawley Bearcats enter the 2026 season behind strong veteran leadership. The 2025 season served as a foundational period for this roster, focusing on young players learning to compete together.

The Bearcats' lineup remains formidable with the return of three 1st Team All-District standouts: outfielder Aiden Romo (2026), shortstop Drew Siller (2026), and first baseman Jake Bristow (2027). In total, the program welcomes back six returning position players, providing a solid core of experience heading into this season.

On the mound, Hawley will look to develop its pitching depth following the return of two starting pitchers and four relief arms. This rotation will be bolstered by a wave of young talent, including newcomers Jayden Navarrette and Jayden Espinoza, as well as freshman pitcher/outfielder Derek Nieto. This blend of decorated upperclassmen and hungry newcomers positions the Bearcats as a competitive force aiming for a deep postseason run again in 2026.

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Find more information on the 2026 Hawley program below:

+ Hawley 2026 Schedule
+ Follow on Facebook: Hawley Varsity Baseball
+ Prep Baseball Texas Team Preview Page

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