After a long offseason, the 2025 high school baseball season has finally arrived. This time of year is always a favorite, especially with the level of talent expected across the state this spring. From top to bottom, Alabama is loaded with skilled teams and players, and we’re excited to be back in action covering it all. The Prep Baseball Alabama staff will be on the ground all season, delivering in-depth coverage of marquee matchups, standout performances, and much more.  

To kick things off, we’re unveiling our preseason edition of the AHSAA 7A-1A Top-10 Polls. Our Prep Baseball staff carefully evaluated teams based on last season’s success, key departures, and returning impact players. Of course, these rankings will evolve throughout the spring, as new teams rise to the occasion and shake up the standings.

As we gear up for the first week of the season, let's dive into the top 10 teams in each classification.

NOTE: These records for each team reflect their results from multiple websites, including the official AHSAA website (DragonFly). 

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+ CLASS 7A

Rank	High School	Record	Previous Rank
1	Bob Jones	0-0	-
2	Thompson	0-0	-
3	Hewitt-Trussville	0-0	-
4	Central-Phenix City	0-0	-
5	Hoover	0-0	-
6	Fairhope	0-0	-
7	James Clemens	0-0	-
8	Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa	0-0	-
9	Enterprise	0-0	-
10	Vestavia Hills	0-0	-

Just Outside the Top-10 (Alphabetical Order): Auburn, Baker, Grissom, Mary G. Montgomery, Oak Mountain, Prattville, Sparkman, Tuscaloosa County

Classification Outlook: Breaking down Alabama’s largest classification, Bob Jones enters the season claiming the top spot as the defending Class 7A State Champions. With key returners like Zack Johnson (Alabama), the 2024 7A Hitter of the Year, along with top arms Jack Shaw (Wallace-Dothan CC) and Tanner Hermesch (Shelton State CC), they have a strong chance to contend once again. Thompson fields an equally talented roster, led by Ma'Kale Holden (Alabama), while Hewitt-Trussville returns several key contributors, including Steele Hall (Tennessee). Hoover is another powerhouse with experienced leaders Will Adams (Louisiana State) and Jaxson Wood (Tennessee), alongside William Andre (Samford), who will play a crucial role on the mound. Fairhope and James Clemens enter the season with strong rosters following deep playoff runs last year, while Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa moves up to Class 7A after capturing the Class 6A State Championship in 2024. Enterprise will also be a team to watch, with Brady Richardson (Troy) serving as a key all-around player, and Vestavia Hills, loaded with next-level talent, looks primed to compete at a high level this spring.

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+ CLASS 6A

Rank	High School	Record	Previous Rank
1	Hartselle	0-0	-
2	Chelsea	0-0	-
3	Oxford	0-0	-
4	Mountain Brook	0-0	-
5	Helena	0-0	-
6	Spanish Fort	0-0	-
7	Spain Park	0-0	-
8	Homewood	0-0	-
9	Gardendale	0-0	-
10	Buckhorn	0-0	-

Outside the Top-10 (Alphabetical Order): Athens, Baldwin County, Benjamin Russell, Cullman, Gulf Shores, Hazel Green, Hueytown, Northridge, Pike Road, Saraland, Wetumpka

Classification Outlook: Widely considered the deepest classification in Alabama, Class 6A is once again loaded with talent in 2025. Hartselle leads the pack with multiple Division I commitments, including Cole Miles (Jacksonville State), Easton Nelms (Samford), and Ty Marsh (Western Kentucky) anchoring the lineup. On the mound, Jace Meadows (Alabama-Huntsville) and Connor Stiles provide a strong foundation for the rotation. Chelsea, making the move down from Class 7A, boasts arguably the most talented pitching staff in the state. Grant Hill, Silas Osbourn, Branson Hogan, Payton Hunsaker (Nicholls State), and Jackson Price have the ability to shut down any lineup. Offensively, returners like Chase Lackey (Gadsden State CC), Paxton Stallings (Coastal Alabama-South CC), and Aiden Hughes (Coastal Alabama-South CC) are just a few that will help lead the charge. Mountain Brook returns a wealth of talent, highlighted by brothers Caleb Barnett (Alabama) and Paul Barnett, while Helena and Spanish Fort bring back key offensive pieces and remain consistently tough competitors. Spain Park, another team moving down from Class 7A, is always well-coached and poised to compete. Homewood and Gardendale look to build on last year’s playoff runs with key upperclassmen returners, while Buckhorn rounds out the group with an experienced, senior-heavy roster ready to make an impact this spring.

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+ CLASS 5A

Rank	High School	Record	Previous Rank
1	Faith Academy	0-0	-
2	St. Paul's Episcopal	0-0	-
3	Mobile Christian	0-0	-
4	Springville	0-0	-
5	American Christian	0-0	-
6	Madison Academy	0-0	-
7	Marbury	0-0	-
8	Russellville	0-0	-
9	Elmore County	0-0	-
10	Holtville	0-0	-

Outside the Top-10 (Alphabetical Order): Arab, Briarwood Christian, Corner, Headland, Lawrence County, Leeds, Moody, Priceville, Sardis, Shelby County, UMS-Wright, Valley

Classification Outlook: It's rare to see two teams from the same area ranked inside the top five—let alone three in the top three—but that's exactly the case in Class 5A this year. Faith Academy, St. Paul's Episcopal, and Mobile Christian all open the season atop the rankings, despite the reality that one of them won't make the playoffs by season’s end. Faith Academy boasts a strong mix of experienced juniors and seniors, led by Riley Hall (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC) and Brodie Wilson. St. Paul’s Episcopal features one of Alabama’s premier hitters in John Stowers (Auburn), alongside several key returners in the lineup. Coming off a runner-up finish, Mobile Christian is equally loaded with talent, bringing back a deep offensive core headlined by Damien Gatson (South Alabama). Springville, fresh off a semifinal run, returns nearly its entire lineup and adds firepower on the mound with hard-throwing right-hander Carter Samuelson (Alabama-Birmingham). Madison Academy and Marbury are both poised to take big strides this spring with strong returning groups, while perennial powerhouse Russellville looks to build on last season’s Elite 8 appearance. Rounding out the top teams, Elmore County and Holtville remain two of the strongest programs in central Alabama and are primed for another big year.

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+ CLASS 4A

Rank	High School	Record	Previous Rank
1	Deshler	0-0	-
2	Westbrook Christian	0-0	-
3	Orange Beach	0-0	-
4	Etowah	0-0	-
5	Tallassee	0-0	-
6	Bayside Academy	0-0	-
7	Trinity Presbyterian	0-0	-
8	Bibb County	0-0	-
9	Oak Grove	0-0	-
10	Alexandria	0-0	-

Outside the Top-10 (Alphabetical Order): Fayette County, Haleyville, Hamilton, Houston Academy, North Jackson, Opp, Westminster Christian

Classification Outlook: Deshler enters the season at the top spot after making a strong run to the Elite 8, where they were eliminated by Corner, the eventual Class 5A State Champions. With nearly their entire lineup and pitching staff returning, standout players like Jacob Alexander (Northwest-Shoals CC), Kaiden Fisher, Garrett Reid, Price Thornton, and Camden Fuller give them plenty of firepower heading into the spring. Westbrook Christian, moving up from Class 3A after a runner-up finish in 2024, returns almost its entire roster, including key players like Brodie Johnson, Dylan Rainey (Southwest Tennessee CC), Braden Kay, Brody Blevins, and Jacob Maples. Orange Beach looks to build on their impressive 31-win season with top returners Joel Chandler (Montevallo) and Colton Boyd, while Etowah brings back a wealth of experience from last year’s squad, including Jameson Scissum (Jacksonville State). Tallassee, coming off an Elite 8 run in Class 5A, is primed to make noise this spring, led by three-hole hitter Brue Milner. Bayside Academy, Trinity Presbyterian, and Bibb County have all become familiar names over the past decade, and Oak Grove hopes to build on a strong 2024 season with Jeremiah Fuller (Alabama-Birmingham) leading the charge offensively. Despite losing several key players from last year’s Class 5A State Championship team, Alexandria will rely on Bray Goode (South Alabama) to lead them on the mound this spring.

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+ CLASS 3A

Rank	High School	Record	Previous Rank
1	Prattville Christian	0-0	-
2	Glenwood	0-0	-
3	Thomasville	0-0	-
4	Piedmont	0-0	-
5	Lauderdale County	0-0	-
6	Gordo	0-0	-
7	Saint James	0-0	-
8	Collinsville	0-0	-
9	Providence Christian	0-0	-
10	Whitesburg Christian	0-0	-

Outside the Top-10 (Alphabetical Order): Colbert County, Excel, Fyffe, Lee-Scott Academy, Oakman, TR Miller, Wicksburg

Classification Outlook: Kicking off the Class 3A rankings, Prattville Christian claims the top spot behind a strong pitching staff featuring Ethan Walls (Chipola CC) and Jack Diefenderfer. Glenwood makes an immediate impact at No. 2 after moving up from the AISA level, led by Mason McCraine (Auburn), who hit over .550 with 10 home runs last season, making them a serious contender for the top position. Defending Class 3A State Champion Thomasville returns key contributors Diego Bryant and Dallas Bryant, while Piedmont remains a consistently tough and competitive program with a seasoned senior class. Lauderdale County follows closely, with Skylar Tucker (Bevill State CC) and Hudson Lash leading the way, while perennial powerhouse Gordo looks to continue its tradition of deep playoff runs. Saint James features a formidable pitching duo in Tabor Offord (Lurleen B. Wallace CC) and Charlie Cutler, while Collinsville moves up from Class 2A but retains nearly its entire roster from last season. Providence Christian aims to replicate last year’s Final 4 run, and Whitesburg Christian, also making the jump from Class 2A, will rely on Luke Holbrook (Montevallo) to lead the way this spring.

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+ CLASS 2A

Rank	High School	Record	Previous Rank
1	Ariton	0-0	-
2	Vincent	0-0	-
3	Mars Hill Bible	0-0	-
4	Pike Liberal Arts	0-0	-
5	GW Long	0-0	-
6	Sumiton Christian	0-0	-
7	Bayshore Christian	0-0	-
8	Tuscaloosa Academy	0-0	-
9	Red Bay	0-0	-
10	Decatur Heritage Christian	0-0	-

Outside the Top-10 (Alphabetical Order): Cottonwood, Donoho, Lindsay Lane Christian, North Sand Mountain, Reeltown, St. Luke's Episcopal, Susan B. Moore, Washington County

Classification Outlook: Reigning Class 2A State Champion Ariton claims the top spot to start the season, returning key contributors Easton Kilpatrick and Aven Cook while also adding Wells Ganey to the mix. Vincent, led by multi-year starters Aiden Poe (Air Force) and Casen Fields, has its sights set on a return to the State Finals after an Elite 8 exit in 2024. Last year’s runner-up, Mars Hill Bible, is poised for another deep run with key returners Cam Isbell (Freed-Hardeman) and Brooks Campbell. Pike Liberal Arts, coming off a 28-win season, returns eight pitchers from last year’s Elite 8 squad and looks to build on that success. GW Long remains one of the perennial contenders in Class 2A, consistently among the state’s top programs. Sumiton Christian, fresh off a Class 1A state title, makes the jump to 2A and looks like a serious contender once again with standouts Austin Hubbard, Austin Scobey, and Colton Glass being a few of the returners to lead the charge. Bayshore Christian, with Jack Malone (Lurleen B. Wallace CC) returning, aims to replicate last year’s Final 4 run. Tuscaloosa Academy will lean on experienced starters Ellis Hamiter and Preston Lancaster after a tough first-round playoff draw against Ariton last spring. Red Bay returns a deep roster from its Final 4 team, while Decatur Heritage rounds out the top 10, led by Brady Wilson (Auburn) and Olsen Howard.

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+ CLASS 1A

Rank	High School	Record	Previous Rank
1	Florala	0-0	-
2	Hackleburg	0-0	-
3	Millry	0-0	-
4	Coosa Christian	0-0	-
5	Appalachian	0-0	-
6	Sweet Water	0-0	-
7	Fayetteville	0-0	-
8	Brantley	0-0	-
9	Leroy	0-0	-
10	Lynn	0-0	-

Outside the Top-10 (Alphabetical Order): Addison, Maplesville, South Lamar, University Charter

Classification Outlook: After spending much of last season at No. 1, Florala enters 2025 in the top spot once again, led by key returners Dalton Jackson (Coastal Alabama-North CC) and Easton Walsh (Lurleen B. Wallace CC). Hackleburg and Millry follow closely behind after making deep postseason runs in 2024, positioning themselves as strong contenders this spring. Coosa Christian looks to build on last year’s semifinal appearance, while Appalachian, the 2023 State Champions, reached the Elite 8 last season and aims for a return to the finals. Despite key departures from their runner-up squad, Sweet Water remains a perennial powerhouse, expected to be a tough and competitive team once again. Fayetteville, moving down from Class 2A, brings a talented roster that should compete at a high level in Class 1A, while Brantley looks poised for another strong season. Rounding out the top 10, Leroy and Lynn enter the season coming off Sweet 16 appearances and will look to make deeper playoff pushes in 2025.