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: Weatherford Kangaroos
Head Coach: Jason Lee (10 Years as Head Coach 202-120, District Coach of the Year 2016, 2022, 2023 … Regional Semi-finalist in 2023 … Playoffs all 10 years)
UIL Classification: 6A-3
Team Strengths: Pitching & Defense
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 13-18 (6A Bi-District Finalists)
Key Players Lost:

• SS Colton McClure (Amarillo JC)
• UTL Caiden Hubbard (Southeastern Oklahoma)
• SS/2B Rhys Vindiola (Grayson JC)
• 3B/2B Bryce Smith (Ranger JC)
• 1B Ayden Thomas (Frank Phillips JC)

   

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ROSTER PREVIEW

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TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

• C Jett Vindiola (2026; Kansas State commit) - District Defensive Player of the Year
  
• RHP Landon Carlisle (2026; Grayson JC commit) - 1st Team All-District Pitcher
  
• OF Brooks Kerbow (2026) - 1st Team All-District Outfield
• 1B/3B Jonah Elms (2026; Howard JC commit)
  
• SS Fabian Ortega (2026)
• RHP/1B Cutter Kennedy (2027) - 1st Team All-District Pitcher
  
• Number of Returning Position Players: 4
• Number of Returning Starting Pitchers: 2
• Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 0

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TOP NEWCOMERS

• OF Logan Chaix (2027)
  
• INF Luke Couch (2028)
• RHP Reed Tidwell (2028)
• RHP Kannen Kent (2028)
  

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FRESHMEN TO FOLLOW

• C/INF Grayson Nye (2029)

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SEMLER’S PROSPECT TO FOLLOW & NOTED UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS

“2026 C/LHH Jett Vindiola: 6'3 205. Athletic, 6.88 60. Will add strength, projectable build/frame. Receives well, accurate throws to 2nd with carry. Impressive pop times in workout, in-game pop time of 1.98. Hard contact off barrel showing power to pull side. Athletic, LHH/C can impact baseball, shows ability to throw.”

- Max Semler, North Texas Scouting Director

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COACH’S QUOTE

“We have a very good group of seniors this year that have done a great job leading throughout the offseason. We will lean on these seniors to lead us through a tough District. I feel like we have some strong pitching and will play good defense that should keep us in games.”

- Jason Lee, Weatherford Head Coach

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The Weatherford Kangaroos enter the 2026 season looking to build upon their 6A Bi-District Finalist finish in 2025. Under the veteran leadership of Head Coach Jason Lee, who enters his 11th year with a 202-120 record and a perfect 10-for-10 streak of playoff appearances, the Kangaroos are expected to rely heavily on their established strengths in pitching and defense. Although the team graduated several key contributors to the collegiate ranks, including shortstop Colton McClure and utility player Caiden Hubbard, the roster remains anchored by a solid core of four returning position players and two starting pitchers.

The team's defensive and battery core is led by standout junior catcher Jett Vindiola, a Kansas State commit and the reigning District Defensive Player of the Year. Vindiola is noted for his athletic 6'3" frame, 1.98 in-game pop time, and pull-side power at the plate. On the mound, the Kangaroos return significant talent in RHP Landon Carlisle, a Grayson JC commit, and sophomore RHP/1B Cutter Kennedy, both of whom earned 1st Team All-District honors last season. They are joined by returning starters Brooks Kerbow in the outfield and Jonah Elms at the corners, providing a seasoned foundation for the varsity lineup.

Beyond the veteran presence, Weatherford is set to integrate a promising group of newcomers and underclassmen to bolster their depth. Sophomore outfielder Logan Chaix and a trio of freshmen; infielder Luke Couch and pitchers Reed Tidwell and Kannen Kent, are expected to make an immediate impact at the varsity level. Additionally, freshman catcher/infielder Grayson Nye is highlighted as a player to watch for the future. This blend of decorated upperclassmen and emerging young talent positions the Kangaroos to remain highly competitive within the state’s 6A class again as they hope to make a deeper playoff run this spring.

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Find more information on the 2026 Weatherford program below:

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

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