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: Palo Duro Dons
Head Coach: Tyson Wormsbaker (162 career wins … COTY 2012 at Trimble Tech … COTY 2023 at Palo Duro)
UIL Classification: 3-5A
Team Strengths: Pitching & Defense
2025 Record: 8-19
Key Players Lost:

• Charlie Love - 4 time All-District Selection
• Izaiah Lopez - 2 time All-District Selection

   

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ROSTER PREVIEW

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• OF/UTL Jabrelyn Wilson (2026; Bethany College) - 3 time All-District Selection
• RHP Hunter Braddock (2027) - 1.90 ERA in 2025
• SS Domanik Mata (2028) - 2025 All-District SS
• Number of Returning Position Players: 5
• Number of Returning Starting Pitchers: 4
• Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: N/A

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COACH’S QUOTE

“Program that is developing players from scratch. We average about 1-2 freshmen each year that have ever played organized ball before. We try to outwork our competition and give our kids the best opportunity that we can year-round to be competitive.”

- Tyson Wormsbaker, Palo Duro Head Coach

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The Palo Duro Dons enter the 2026 season under Head Coach Tyson Wormsbaker, who brings 162 career wins and a 2023 Coach of the Year title to the program. Following an 8-19 record in 2025, the team has identified pitching and defense as its primary strengths for the upcoming year. While the roster must adapt to the loss of key multi-time All-District selections Charlie Love and Izaiah Lopez, the squad retains a solid foundation with five returning position players and four starting pitchers.

The 2026 campaign will be anchored by several decorated veterans and promising underclassmen. Leading the returning core is senior Jabrelyn Wilson, a three-time All-District outfielder and utility player committed to Bethany College. He is joined by junior right-handed pitcher Hunter Braddock, who is coming off an impressive 1.90 ERA in 2025, and sophomore shortstop Domanik Mata, who earned All-District honors as a freshman. With this blend of experience and emerging talent, the Dons aim to leverage their defensive stability to compete effectively within the state’s 5A classification.

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Find more information on the 2026 Palo Duro program below:

+ Prep Baseball Texas Team Preview Page

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