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2025 Gardendale Rockets Team Preview

February 10, 2025
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

The 2025 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds 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 Alabama.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the Jacksonville/Oxford/Montgomery area at the AISA or AHSAA state championships, 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 Alabama. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing our scheduled podcasts and releasing our preseason top-10 rankings in each AHSAA classification.

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, updating the top-10 ranks in each AHSAA classification, as well updating our Power 25 overall rankings. One thing, especially, you don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state, as well as the recaps and previews of the big games we’re covering.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: Gardendale Rockets
Head Coach: Ryan Keedy
Classification: AHSAA Class 6A
Area Number: Class 6A, Area 12
2024 Record (Finish): 26-10 (Eliminated in Sweet Sixteen)
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5
No. of Returning Pitchers: 3
Team Strengths: Experience, Defense

 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2025

Class of 2026

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Gardendale Rockets enter the 2025 season following a strong 2024 campaign, where they secured 26 wins and advanced to the Sweet 16 in a competitive Class 6A field. While they will rely on some new faces to step into key roles this spring, the Rockets return several key players who were instrumental in last year’s success.

The Rockets remained a top-10 team in Class 6A for most of the 2024 season, finishing strong by sweeping their area opponents to close out the regular season. Earning home-field advantage for the first round of the playoffs, Gardendale defeated Hazel Green in two games to advance to the Sweet 16, where they faced Athens. In a tightly contested series, the Rockets ultimately fell in Game 3, concluding their season with a 26-10 record. Heading into 2025, Gardendale returns a strong core with five positional starters and three pitchers, giving them an experienced roster anchored by solid defense. Leading the way is 1B Caiden Combs (Auburn, 2025), who earned Class 6A First Team All-State honors after a dominant junior campaign. In 2024, Combs posted outstanding numbers, hitting .520 with 13 doubles, seven home runs, and 54 RBIs while also excelling on the mound with an 8-2 record and a 0.81 ERA. He will once again be a key piece to the Rockets’ success this spring. Several seniors will also play vital roles, including INF Carson Burdette (Wallace-Hanceville CC, 2025), INF Adam Yazel (Calhoun CC, 2025), OF Jackson Firestone (Calhoun CC, 2025), and OF Cody Florence (2025). Burdette brings leadership and a disciplined approach at the plate, while Yazel is a versatile defender capable of playing multiple positions. Firestone and Florence add key offensive production and provide strong defensive play in the outfield. Among the underclassmen, UTL Caleb Banks (2026) and INF Gunner Wyatt (2026) are expected to see increased roles on offense, while RHP Austin Webb (2026) will be a key contributor on the mound. With a blend of experienced veterans and emerging talent, the Rockets have the pieces in place for another strong season in 2025.

Going into the 2025 season, the Rockets will look to continue their recent trend of success over the past few years and only add to a loaded field of teams in Class 6A. They'll compete in Class 6A, Area 12 against Clay Chalkville and Pinson Valley for a spot in the playoffs at the end of the regular season. With a blend of experienced veterans and emerging talent, the Rockets have the pieces in place for another strong season in 2025.

Find more information on the 2025 Gardendale High School program below:

+ Follow them on X: @GdaleHSBaseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2025 HS Team Previews

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL ALABAMA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Alabama on X
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Facebook

 

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