Georgia High School Baseball Thriving With Top Talent

State produces MLB stars and national top teams as prep season kicks off

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Georgia high school baseball is thriving, with the state producing top MLB talent like Matt Olson, Michael Harris, Garrett Whitlock, and Byron Buxton. Several Georgia teams are ranked in the national top 50, led by Etowah, Blessed Trinity, and Parkview, which are loaded with elite prospects committed to top college programs. The depth of talent across all classifications of Georgia high school baseball is remarkable, with the state championship games set to take place at professional and college stadiums.

Why it matters

Georgia has long been known as a football powerhouse, but the state's high school baseball scene is also thriving, producing an impressive pipeline of talent for college and professional teams. The depth of talent across the state highlights Georgia's status as a national hub for baseball development, drawing the attention of scouts and fans alike.

The details

Several Georgia high school stars are expected to be high draft picks in the 2026 MLB draft, including Etowah's Trevor Condon, Blessed Trinity's Joseph Contreras, and Parkview's Malachi Washington. The state will host a pair of high-profile tournaments at the LakePoint Sports Complex in February, featuring many of the top teams. Additionally, Gwinnett Stadium will host a weekly doubleheader series showcasing some of metro Atlanta's best programs.

  • The Georgia Dugout Club tournaments will take place on February 20-21 and February 27-28.
  • The Gwinnett Stadium doubleheader series begins on February 17 and runs through March 23.

The players

Matt Olson

A three-time MLB All-Star first baseman for the Atlanta Braves, Olson was a record-breaking pitcher and first baseman for the Parkview Panthers in high school before being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2012.

Michael Harris

The 2022 National League Rookie of the Year Award winner and centerfielder for the Atlanta Braves, Harris played his high school ball for the Stockbridge Tigers before being drafted in 2019.

Garrett Whitlock

A right-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and member of the United States World Baseball Classic team, Whitlock is from Snellville and played his high school ball at Providence Christian Academy in Gwinnett County, graduating in 2015.

Byron Buxton

A two-time MLB All-Star and Platinum Glove winner for the Minnesota Twins, who also represents the United States World Baseball Classic team, Buxton is from Baxley and played at Appling County High School before being drafted second overall in 2012.

Trevor Condon

A speedy centerfielder ranked 32nd in the MLB Prospect Rankings, Condon is committed to the University of Tennessee and plays for Etowah High School, which is ranked 5th nationally.

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What they’re saying

“We know that these fields will enable future generations to chase their dreams, on and off the diamond, just like Hank did.”

— Derek Schiller, Braves President and CEO (Press release)

What’s next

The GHSA state championships will be held at Advent Park (home of the Rome Emperors), Synovous Park (home of the Columbus Clingstones), J.I. Clement Stadium (home of Georgia Southern), and Gwinnett Stadium (home of the Gwinnett Stripers) from May 22-27. The GIAA finals will take place May 28-30 at J.I. Clements Stadium in Statesboro.

The takeaway

Georgia's high school baseball scene is thriving, with the state producing an impressive pipeline of talent that is drawing national attention. The depth of talent across all classifications, the high-profile tournaments and weekly showcases, and the state's commitment to upgrading baseball facilities demonstrate the state's status as a national hub for baseball development.