The 2026 Mississippi high school baseball season has arrived.
As MHSAA and MAIS hits the ground running for their first week of games, the Clarion Ledger has made three predictions and has looked at some top players around the state heading into the year.
Here are the Clarion Ledger’s predictions and top players to watch for the upcoming 2026 season.
Three predictions for MHSAA, MAIS baseball season
Presbyterian Christian wins MHSAA 3A title after move from MAIS
Presbyterian Christian won the MAIS 6A title last season against Hartfield Academy for the program’s first championship. The Bobcats have a chance at repeating, but in a whole new association, as they have moved to MHSAA 3A. Behind stars Bankston Walters, Jet Henderson and Tyner Flynt, PCS is one of the top teams in 3A.
Magnolia Heights starts … finishes 2026 season No. 1
It seems the dynasty isn’t stopping soon. After Magnolia Heights’ MAIS 5A title in 2025 and seven consecutive titles, the talent hasn’t slowed. The Chiefs have returners Cole Prosek, Christian Doty, Cayden Prestage and Devin Miller, all Division I commits. The clear preseason No. 1 team has the chance to remain in that top spot throughout the season and hunt for an eighth straight title.
Petal wins first title since 2011 in MHSAA 7A
The Panthers won consecutive MHSAA 6A titles in 2010-11, but have not reached a championship game since. Heading into the 2026 season, Petal could snap that streak. With returners Easton Gigr, Fisher Howell and transfer Tray Barnes will line up for the Panthers in the tough 7A class with Brandon, Lewsiburg, and Clinton.
30 top players to watch entering 2026 MHSAA, MAIS baseball season
Henry Abt, Hartfield Academy, Sr.: Abt, the Southern Miss signee, had a team-high .400 batting average with 44 hits and 14 stolen bases last season.
Trey Adcox, Brandon, Jr.: The New Orleans commit hit for .365 with 29 RBIs and 35 hits.
Crews Albritton, Tri-County Academy: Albritton hit for .367 with 33 hits, 32 RBIs and six home runs, helping Tri-County Academy to a MAIS 4A title.
Hayden Amis, Newton County, Sr.: The Pearl River College commit had a .422 batting average with 38 hits, 36 RBIs and four home runs.
Trey Barnes, Petal, Sr.: The Southern Miss signee transferred from Taylorsville and had a .421 batting average with 40 hits, 17 stolen bases and 29 RBIs.
Eric Booth Jr., Oak Grove, Sr.: The Vanderbilt signee hit for .467 with 53 runs, 42 hits, 25 RBIs, six home runs and 27 stolen bases.
Trent Buckley, Columbia Academy, Jr.: The Ole Miss commit had a .477 batting average with 51 RBIs and 15 home runs.
Logan Buckley, Columbia Academy, Sr.: The Southern Miss signee recorded a 1.34 ERA with an 8-3 record and 119 strikeouts.
Jax Coker, Tupelo Christian Prep, Sr.: Coker hit for .449 with four home runs, 27 RBIs and scored 34 runs. While on the mound had a 1.67 ERA.
Drew Davis, Sumrall, Jr.: The Alabama commit had a .410 batting average with 30 RBIs and 15 extra-base hits.
Ethan Dodson, Clinton, Sr.: The Memphis signee led Clinton with a .520 batting average, 51 hits and 42 RBIs.
Christian Doty, Magnolia Heights, Sr.: The Ole Miss signee helped Magnolia Heights to a 39-5 record and an MAIS 5A title.
Reed Duncan, Columbia Academy, Sr.: The Louisiana Tech signee had 15 RBIs with a 3.32 ERA.
Brayden Edmiston, New Hope, Sr.: The Northeast College signee was a preseason MaxPreps all-state team.
Tyner Flynt, Presbyterian Christian, Sr.: The Troy signee produced a 2.08 ERA with 93 strikeouts.
Reid Garrett, Caledonia, Sr.: The Liberty signee posted a 0.91 ERA with 102 strikeouts.
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Deuce Jenkins, Jackson Academy, Jr.: The Mississippi State commit had 31 hits with 26 RBIs and five home runs.
Tanner Harris, Lafayette, Sr.: The East Central College signee had a .291 batting average with an .885 OPS, 30 hits and 29 RBIs, helping Lafayette win the MHSAA 5A state title.
Fischer Howell, Petal, Jr.: The Mississippi State commit had a .427 batting average with 31 hits and 16 extra-base hits.
Alex Lambert, Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Sr.: The Jones College signee had a .343 batting average with 18 RBIs and 37 hits.
Taylor Latham, Hartfield Academy, Sr.: The Southern Miss signee had a 2.32 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 21 RBIs.
John Lindsey III, Petal, Sr.: The UAB signee hit for .368 with 17 RBIs.
Jackson Meeham, Northwst Rankin, Sr.: The Southern Miss signee recorded 66 strikeouts with a 3.04 ERA.
Jon Grey Morrisson, West Union, Sr.: The MHSAA 1A Mr. Baseball winner and Itawamba College signee, had a 1.95 ERA and 30 RBIs to lead West Union to a MHSAA 1A title.
Caden Nelson, Lewisburg, Sr.: Nelson, the Jones College signee, had a .479 batting average with 22 RBIs and 35 hits.
Cole Prosek, Magnolia Heights, Sr.: The Ole Miss signee had a .462 batting average with 54 hits, 16 home runs and 37 RBIs, helping Magnolia Heights win the MAIS 5A title.
Sullivan Reed, Lamar School, Jr.: The Mississippi State commit had a .616 batting average with 61 hits, 54 RBIs and nine home runs, and a 5-2 record on the mound.
Kevin Roberts Jr., Jackson Prep, Sr.: The Florida signee hit for .406 with a 1.066 OPS and 39 hits, 30 runs, 17 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and three home runs.
Justin San Miguel, Ocean Springs, Sr.: The Troy signee recorded 27 RBIs and a .304 batting average.
Hayden Wilson, Madison Central, Sr.: The Hinds College signee helped Madison Central to an MHSAA 7A title.
Bankston Walters, Presbyterian Christian, Sr.: The Southern Miss signee produced an 11-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and hit for .351 with 38 RBIs, while helping PCS win the MAIS 6A title.
Justin Word, Jackson Academy, Sr.: The Southern Miss signee hit for .349 with 25 RBIs and 31 stolen bases.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
