A Season of Standouts
The 2026 All-Cov News baseball team brings together the most compelling stories from a year that saw county athletes dominate the diamond. From record‑breaking offensive numbers to dominant pitching displays, the selections reflect a blend of experience and fresh energy across the state's competitive regions.
Kendall Turner of the Newton Region 4-AAAAAA earned the prestigious Most Valuable Player award after posting a .447 batting average and a 1.432 OPS. His consistent hitting set the tone for a Newton squad that finished the season with a 25-10 record and captured the Region 4A-Division I Championship.
Levi Pickett from Eastside Region 8-AAAA was recognized as the Breakout Player of the Year. With a 2.16 ERA and 70 strikeouts, his emergence added a new dimension to the Eastside rotation and placed him among the rising stars highlighted by the committee.
Pitching excellence was further underscored by Chris Guillory of Newton, who claimed Pitcher of the Year honors with a 1.29 ERA and 93 strikeouts. The award shared the spotlight with Jake Frachiseur from Social Circle, who finished 8-2 with a 1.56 ERA, and Josh Brown, Jr. of Newton, who posted a 5-1 record and a 3.54 ERA.
Coach of the Year Chris Davis, also from Social Circle, guided his team to a 25-10 season and a Region 4A-Division I Championship. His leadership was instrumental in developing both the offensive and defensive identities of the squad, a feat that resonated throughout the local baseball community.
The first team roster reads like a who's who of county talent, featuring Eli Christian, Tripp Swords, Garrett Brooks, Brayden Allen, Ian Miller, Robert '38' Jackson, and Barrett Bramlett, each posting impressive statistics that contributed to their respective teams' successes. Second team selections such as Cooper Davis, Zach Smallwood, Bryce Grant, and Evan Kenley continued to demonstrate depth across the regions.
Beyond individual accolades, the selections highlighted a broader narrative of growth and competition. Rising stars like Levi Pickett, Tripp Swords, Raleigh Bolt, Bryce Grant, and Logan Moss were singled out for their potential to shape the next generation of county baseball. Their performances, alongside the established leaders, promise a vibrant future for the sport in Georgia.