2025 Geraldine Bulldogs Team Preview
January 31, 2025
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: Geraldine Bulldogs
Head Coach: Jamie Gilbert
Classification: AHSAA Class 3A
Area Number: Class 3A, Area 13
2024 Record (Finish): 10-15 (No Postseason)
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 3
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5
Team Strengths: Athleticism
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS
- UTL Jordon Lankford (2028)
- RHP Owen Walling (2025)
- C/RHP Braxton Franklin (2029)
- OF Jon Beck Wade (2028)
- INF Kooper Rogers (2028)
- INF Reece Wilson (2029)
TEAM OUTLOOK
The Geraldine Bulldogs enter the 2025 season with high hopes of making their way back to the playoffs in Class 3A while featuring a very young, but talented roster that will rely on numerous freshman and eighth-graders. As the season goes on, the coaching staff hopes those players can contiune to gain experience and confidence to have them playing their best at the end of the season.
Finishing in third place in their area a season ago, the Bulldogs ultimtely missed the playoffs with a final record of 10-15. The page has turned to 2025, however, as the program has plenty of optimism heading into first pitch in just a few weeks as they hope to return to the Class 3A playoffs. Looking at some notable returners and players to watch for, it all starts with UTL Jordon Lankford (2028), who brings back an incredible stat line from his eighth-grade season. In 2024, the switch-hitter hit .536 with 5 2Bs, 6 3Bs, and 19 RBIs at the plate and will look to improve on it this season. RHP Owen Walling (2025) is one of the few returning seniors this spring, as the right-handed will look to lead the charge on the mound after posting a 3.54 ERA a season ago. C/RHP Braxton Frankin (2029) played meaningful innings toward the end of the season in 2024 and should be a big contribution as a utility player this season, while OF Jon Beck Wade (2028) and INF Kooper Rogers (2028) are a pair of freshman who coming into the season looking to play key roles on this year's team offensively. INF Reece Wilson (2029) is another talented eighth-grader on the roster who will play a big part in the infield and in their lineup during his first year at the varsity level.
It's easy to see the Bulldogs have a fairly young roster and will depend on some freshman and eighth-graders at key positions, but many of those underclassmen already have varsity experience and are hoping to have breakout years this season. They'll compete in Class 3A, Area 13 against Collinsville, Fyffe, and Sylvania for a spot in the playoffs at the end of the regular season. The Bulldogs are hoping they can improve throughout the spring and be in contention for a playoff spot at the end of the season in 2025.
Find more information on the 2025 Geraldine High School program below:
+ Follow them on X: @GeraldineBSEBAL
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2025 HS Team Previews
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+ Prep Baseball Alabama on X
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