The Observer’s 2026 high school baseball preview: Here are teams, players to watch
On Wednesday, the 2026 N.C. high school baseball season begins. Today, The Observer is releasing its annual preview, featuring the top teams, players and storylines in the region.
Teams to watch
Charlotte Catholic: The Cougars, No. 1 in The Observer’s preseason Sweet 16, return a wealth of talent from a 22-win team a year ago, including five college commits. Charlotte Catholic’s strength is in its pitching staff with a senior trio of Ben Bordeaux (Queens University signee, 53 strikeouts, 2.37 earned-run average); Alex Hoffman (Virginia Tech signee, 57 strikeouts, 3.56 ERA) and Quinn O’Rourke (University of Arizona commit, 47 strikeouts, 2.93 ERA). Senior catcher Paul Greeley ( Sewanee signee, .327 batting average) and senior shortstop Cooper Gornet (N.C. State signee, .391) will also play key roles.
Charlotte Christian: The Knights boast one of the state’s best pitching staffs with three Division I commits — seniors Jack Beard (Gardner-Webb signee; 7-0, 2.40 ERA), Russ Berger (Columbia University signee; 3-1, 2.53 ERA) and junior Will Parrish (N.C. State commit; 2-1, 1.91 ERA). Also back are seniors Drew Darling (Belmont Abbey signee; .263, 14 RBI), Jack McGrath (Hampden-Sydney College commit; three home runs, 15 RBIs), and junior Matty Carroll (Maryland commit; .310, four doubles, 15 RBIs).
Hough: The Huskies return seven starters from a team that went 19-5 last year. Hough is led by what should be potent offense again. It features two-time all-state senior outfielder Jaxon Matthews (Clemson commit; .431, four home runs, career .494 hitter); senior all-state shortstop Derek Guzman (North Carolina A&T commit; .422, 10 doubles, five home runs); and infielder Matthew Nesta (.383, eight doubles, 15 stolen bases).
Metrolina Christian: The Warriors boast two of the top players in state in senior right-handed pitcher Chase Kiker (Clemson commit) and junior outfielder Jacob Seamon (LSU). That duo leads a team that went 28-3 and was NCISAA 4A state runner-up last season. This year, Kiker (2024 Charlotte Observer player of the year), who missed half of last season with an injury, is back to lead the Metrolina Christian pitching staff with a fastball that hits 95-miles per hour. Kiker also hit .450 at the plate. Meanwhile, Seamon hit .361 with 10 home runs, eight doubles, 22 RBI, stealing 25 bases as a sophomore.
Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks’ lineup features four senior college commits from a team that won 21 games and advanced to the 4A state quarterfinals last year. Marvin Ridge will feature senior shortstop Lucas DelaCruz (Virginia Tech commit) and senior catcher Dean Larkin (Queens University commit). Seniors Logan D’Amico (Wake Forest commit) and Colin Slep provide experience on the mound.
Providence: The Panthers boasts seven college baseball commits, including six seniors in third baseman Jackson Debe (Wingate University commit; hit .395 last year), catcher/first baseman Julio Gonzalez (Caldwell Community College commit), outfielder Asher Lyon (Lenoir Community College commit), outfielder Jack Pejot (Gaston Community College commit), pitcher/outfielder Michael Pitsiniagas (Wingate University commit) and pitcher Parks Rhyne (Wingate University commit). Junior pitcher/outfielder Jaxson Haynes (University of South Carolina commit) will also play a key role.
Players to watch
Gavin Barber, Mooresville: The Blue Devils’ senior first baseman/pitcher (.344, four home runs, 34 RBI) is an Appalachian State football signee. He is part of a talented group that includes pitcher Cole Harvey (88-mph fastball), Cole Intoppa (two-year starting pitcher/shortstop) and Tanner Waugh (.294, two home runs).
Brayden Bartholomew, South Mecklenburg: The Sabres’ senior right-handed pitcher/designated hitter is a Carelton College commit. He returns with senior catcher Spence Sciotto (Catawba Valley Community College commit) and could help South Mecklenburg contend for a Greater Charlotte Athletic 7A/8A conference crown.
Austin Baxter, Hopewell: The Titans’ junior all-conference infielder (.339, four doubles, 24 RBI) returns with junior infielder Luis Garcia (.403, four doubles, 22 RBI) and outfielder Connor Kullman (.405), 14 RBI, 17 runs).
Corey Bean, Lake Norman Charter: The Knights’ senior catcher and closer hit .421 at the plate, had zero errors in 130 chances behind the plate and is a key pitcher along with senior Trevor Cook (90 mph fastball) and sophomore Garrett Burris (89 mph fastball).
Grayson DeBerry, Butler: The Bulldogs’ junior infielder/pitcher plays multiple roles, hitting .276 while also pitching with a fastball in the upper 80s.
Nathan Dowdy, Hickory Grove: The Lions’ junior (.406, 12 RBI, 18 stolen bases) anchors a veteran lineup with classmates Dean Colston (.360, five doubles, 11 RBI), Jack Dwyer (.284, 10 RBI) and Zach White (.265, six doubles, 13 RBI).
Tyler Gates, Lincolnton: The Wolves’ sophomore had a breakout freshman season, hitting over .300 while striking out 67 batters in 42.1 innings of work on the mound.
Dylan Folz, Community School of Davidson: The Spartans’ senior shortstop is a Queens University commit who hit .431 with three doubles, four triples, and is a key piece in the lineup with junior Cooper Parrish (.435), and sophomore Landon Whittington (.333, three home runs).
Owen Green, Ardrey Kell: The Knights’ senior, a Virginia Tech commit, is key player at the plate (.272, 22 RBI, 22 runs scored) and on the mound, along with two-way standout and classmate Colby Epperly (.431, 25 RBI, 3.03 ERA, 26 strikeouts).
Jaden Hawa, Charlotte Latin: The Hawks’ senior infielder, a William Peace University commit, hit .313 with seven doubles, 11 RBI and 20 runs scored last season.
Grant Ingram, Pine Lake Prep: The Pride senior, a four-year starter, hit .377 with nine home runs last season. He returns with senior pitcher Jeter Bynum (6-1, 3.47 ERA).
Logan James, Cuthbertson: The Cavaliers’ senior is a USC Upstate commit and reigning SCC player of the year. Last season, he hit .475 with three home runs, 29 RBI, 47 runs scored and 27 stolen bases, while also going 3-0 on the mound with five saves. James returns with senior catcher Robert Johnstone, who hit .451 at the plate with six doubles and 39 RBI last season.
Morgan Jones, Weddington: The Warriors’ senior outfielder, a Gaston Community College commit, will lead the offense (.351, 20 RBI, 23 runs scored) with junior pitcher Bennett Denton, an Appalachian State University commit (2.25 ERA, two wins, one save).
Teagan Jordan, Concord Academy: The Eagles’ senior left-handed pitcher/first baseman, a N.C. Wesleyan University commit, hit. 383 at the plate. He also struck out 61 batters on the mound.
Hayes Kiser, West Lincoln: The reigning Catawba Valley Athletic conference player of the year is a force at the plate hitting .435 with 11 doubles, 17 RBI and 21 runs scored last season.
Gavin McElhinny, Corvian Charter: The Cardinals’ senior, an N.C. Wesleyan University commit, looks to build on last season when he hit .370 with two home runs, 29 RBI and 25 stolen bases, but will have to lead a younger team that lost seven seniors to graduation.
Will Oehler, North Iredell: The Raiders’ senior catcher, a Brevard College commit, hit .374 with four home runs for a team that won 20 games last year.
Brady Richardson, Ballantyne Ridge: The Wolves’ all-conference shortstop returns to lead a Ballantyne Ridge team that returns its entire roster in Year 2 of the program.
Caden Tarr, Carmel Christian: The Cougars’ senior shortstop, a Lander University commit, hit .310 last season with six home runs and 27 RBIs.
Mike Scaletta, Covenant Day: The Lions’ senior pitcher (2-1, 1.78 ERA) will team with classmate Hunter Kincheloe (2.62 ERA) to lead Covenant Day on the mound.
Alex Stiefel, Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers’ senior will play a big role this year on what should be an improved Country Day team, after hitting .291 at the plate and striking out 49 batters with a 4.08 ERA on the mound last season.
Brandon Washington, East Lincoln: The Mustangs are led by senior trio of Washington (.417, 29 runs scored), Ethan Arledge Martin (.400, 12 RBI, 10 runs scored) and left-handed pitcher Tayden Dockins (3-0, 31 strikeouts, 3.20 ERA).
Trevor Yancey, Providence Day: The Chargers’ junior pitcher (University of Pittsburgh commit; 2.79 ERA, 66 strikeouts, 88-92 mph fastball) is part of a solid Providence Day rotation with classmate Owen Shirey (2.21 ERA, Division I recruit) and senior Thomas Daly (Denison University (OH) commit).
Notes
500-win watch: Providence baseball coach Danny Hignight has 495 wins going into this season. Hignight is 495-113 in his 22 years as the Panthers’ baseball coach, with 4A state championships in 2015 and 2022.
Moving on up: Former Cuthbertson junior varsity head coach Stuart James takes over the Cavaliers’ varsity program after the team enjoyed a school-record 25 wins last season.
No home-field advantage: South Mecklenburg baseball coach Samuel Skinner returns to his alma mater (class of 2001) after successful head coaching stints at Cuthbertson and Independence. However, this Sabres’ team will not have a home baseball field this season because of school construction.
