With the 2026 Alabama high school baseball season getting underway, attention across the Tuscaloosa area is already turning to the top players expected to make the biggest impact this spring.
AHSAA teams opened the year with the first throwing period on Jan. 12 before moving into full practices on Jan. 19. The regular season officially began Thursday, Feb. 19, setting the stage for another competitive year on diamonds across the state.
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The postseason calendar is set to begin April 24-25 with first-round playoff matchups for Class 1A through 6A teams. The following week, May 1-2, brings second-round games for those classifications along with first-round action for Class 7A programs. A final round is scheduled for May 8-9, followed by the semifinals on May 15-16. The season concludes with the AHSAA State Baseball Finals from May 18-22 in Oxford and Jacksonville.
Below are the nominees for the 2026 Tuscaloosa News preseason baseball player of the year. Nominees were selected by area coaches from our preseason players to watch list. Voting will remain open until noon Wednesday, March 4.
2026 Tuscaloosa News preseason baseball player of the year nomineesAmerican Christian’s Hunter Elmore (sophomore, first base/pitcher)
Why:Â Elmore hit .377 last season with 11 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 36 RBIs.
May 16, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; ACA’s Blake Jackson (11) and ACA’s Hunter Elmore (27) celebrate at Jacksonville State University. ACA came from four runs down to win 7-5 and claim the 5A AHSAA baseball championship over St. Paul’s. Elmore was named the MVP.
Brookwood’s Judson Bryant (senior, outfielder)
Why:Â Bryant hit .326 with a .468 on-base percentage, 20 RBIs, six doubles and one home run last season.
Mar 17, 2025; Tuscaloosa AL, USA; Hale County shortstop Kolt Young takes a throw wide of second base as Brookwood runner Judson Bryant steals second. Brookwood defeated Hale County 6-1 Monday in Brookwood.
Central’s Armani White (junior, shortstop/pitcher/catcher)
Why:Â White hit .306 with a .385 on-base percentage, totaling 26 hits, 14 RBIs, seven extra-base hits and 12 stolen bases, while also pitching 41 innings with 59 strikeouts and a 2.56 ERA last season.
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Fayette County’s Brayden Unger (senior, center fielder/pitcher)
Why:Â Unger hit a .323 and tied for the team lead with 31 hits while batting near the top of the lineup.
Sipsey Valley’s Andrew White (13) takes a throw to get Fayette County’s Brayden Unger (7) at first at Sipsey Valley High Monday, April 14, 2025.
Lamar County’s Ridge Brown (junior, pitcher/first baseman)
Why:Â Brown hit .250 with a .377 on-base percentage and went 5-2 on the mound with a 1.35 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 46 innings last season. He has 209 career strikeouts since eighth grade.
Northridge’s Evan Malone (senior, right-handed pitcher/utility)
Why: Malone is signed with the University of Alabama. He turned in a dominant junior campaign, posting 52.1 innings pitched, 23 hits, 15 runs (10 earned), 17 walks and 88 strikeouts, with an 11.8 K/7IP, 0.80 WHIP and 0.19 ERA.
Apr 18, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Northridge’s Evan Malone (23) takes a lead from third against Helena in the first round of the high school baseball playoffs at Northridge High.
Sulligent’s Ethan Stiles (senior, pitcher/shortstop)
Why:Â Stiles hit .352 and posted a 3.90 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 45.2 innings last season.
Vote now for 2026 Tuscaloosa News preseason baseball player of the year
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Vote for Tuscaloosa’s 2026 preseason baseball player of the year