​The 2026 Texas high school baseball season was full of surprising finishes, outstanding individual achievements and memorable postseason moments.Now with the high school baseball season officially in the books, it’s time to answer a major question — Who was the Big Country’s best baseball player during the 2026 season?We want to hear from you! The Reporter-News has selected 16 of the Big Country’s top high school baseball players as finalists for the 2026 Readers’ Choice All-Big Country Baseball MVP.1 / 15Argyle’s Jakson Overton winds up to deliver a pitch during Game 3 of the Eagles’ regional finals series against the Abilene Wylie Bulldogs in the 5A DII UIL Baseball Playoffs on Saturday, May 23, in Graham. Argyle won 6-3 to clinch the series.(Andrew McCulloch)Finalists were selected based upon statistics, individual accolades, team success and feedback from area coaches.The Readers’ Choice All-Big Country Baseball MVP poll will open on Wednesday, July 15, and close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28.Here is a closer look at every candidate for the Abilene Reporter-News’ Readers’ Choice All-Big Country Baseball MVP for the 2026 Texas high school baseball season:Athletes listed in alphabetical order below.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMore: Fan Vote: Who should be the ARN’s 2026 All-Big Country Softball MVP?More: Coleman coach John Elder steps down after 16 yearsMore: Gordon, Hamlin baseball standouts named to 1A UIL All-Tournament TeamP/INF Carson Boone, Abilene Cooper, Jr.Boone, a first team all-district pick in District 4-5A, anchored the Cougars’ pitching staff during a strong junior season where he recorded a 2.44 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 54⅓ innings pitched. He also batted .358 with 23 RBIs, five doubles, three triples and a home run offensively.OF Gavin Brooks, Tuscola Jim Ned, Sr.Brooks was recognized as District 6-3A’s Offensive MVP after he helped the Indians reach the 3A DI regional final by hitting .419 with 55 runs scored, 19 stolen bases, three triples and two home runs.P Carson Cochran, Cisco, Sr.Cochran — the District 7-2A Pitcher of the Year — logged 60 innings on the mound for the Loboes, tallying an 8-3 record with 84 strikeouts and a 1.05 ERA while also recording five shutouts and a no-hitter.P/C Brandt Cox, Ira, Sr.Cox was one of the Lone Star State’s sharpest pitchers in Class 1A, logging an 8-1 record with 67 strikeouts and 1.45 ERA in 38 ⅔ innings pitched for the Bulldogs to earn District 5-1A Pitcher of the Year honors. He also hit .408 with 27 runs scored, 22 RBIs, 16 stolen bases, six doubles and a home run.P/3B Hunter Eddington, Coleman, Jr.Eddington was named Co-MVP of District 7-2A after notching an 8-3 record with a 1.06 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 59⅓ innings pitched for Coleman. He also posted a .364 batting average with 22 RBIs, two doubles and two triples offensively.P/3B/OF George Ferguson, Abilene High, Jr.Ferguson was one of the most dominant pitchers in all of Texas high sc