Birmingham Preseason ID: Quick Hits
January 7, 2025
BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Birmingham Preseason ID was held on Sunday, January 5th at StrongBox Indoor Facility in Birmingham, AL. This event was an open event that consisted of prospects from the 2025-2029 classes. These players went through extended pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman and Blast Motion, ran the 30 yard dash using VALD Performance, and much more. Pitchers were able to throw in simulated bullpens during the workout and were able to get numbers and metrics off of our Trackman unit, such as pitch velocity, spin rate, horizontal & vertical movement & much more. There were some players who showed up and continued to build off of prior performances, but there were also some new names who jumped onto our radar with a strong showing on Sunday.
Continuing our post-event coverage for this event, we take a look back at some of the top performeres from the showcase. Please continue to check back over the next week, as we will release other leaderboards and individual scouting reports on each player present at the event.
View entire event stats HERE.
 |
Jaxson Wood SS / Hoover, AL / 2026Tennessee recruit. 5-foot-8, 163-pounds. Smaller in stature, but plays much bigger than size. Tons of athleticism and quick-twitch. The No. 3 prospect and top-ranked shortstop in the 2026 class in Alabama. Has added some size and about 15 pounds since the last viewing and it showed offensively. High motor, high energy player. Advanced offensive ability with quality hit tool and has since added some more power to his overall game. Hits from a wider, athletic stance with good rhythm and a controlled stride/leg kick, which allows him to be on-time. Clean path to the baseball with present bat speed and quick hands. Creates space and separates well. Ball jumps off more than the frame would suggest with a top EV of 103.0 mph, which led the event. Also led the event or was near the top in numerous other offensive categories, including average EV (95.1 mph, 1st), max estimated distance (393 ft., 1st), average hand speed (22.6 mph, 1st), average bat speed (76.5 mph, 1st), and average rotational acceleration (23.3 G, 1st). Put together a strong showing from a numbers/metric standpoint, and has the track record of in-game performance to back it up as a multi-year starter for a powerhouse Hoover program. Advanced barrel skills and natural feel for the sweet spot allows him to square up firm contact more often than not, whether it be in a BP or gameplay setting. Projects to stick in the middle of the infield defensively with athletic actions/footwork and a reliable glove, whether it be at shortstop or second base in the future.
|
 |
Grant Hill RHP / Chelsea, AL / 2026Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 189-pounds. Long-levered, high-waisted build with big projection and room to add strength in the future. Ranked No. 6 overall and the top uncommitted prospect in the 2026 class in Alabama. Former Prep Baseball Future Games attendee from this past summer and currently holds some notable Division 1 offers. Can really pitch with competitive traits and a true three-pitch mix. Seems to pitch better in bigger moments and delivered some big-time outings late in the season for Chelsea last spring as a sophomore. Repeatable delivery with extension (6.8 ft. avg.) and quality movement patterns. Higher 3/4 arm slot with solid whip to arm action. Features a fastball that ranges 87-89 mph and up to 89.6 mph with an average of 2346 RPM and a 19.7 in. induced vertical break, allowing it carry some extra life through the zone. Has good command for it and can move it around the zone. Slider has sharp, late horizontal bite to it ranging 75-77 mph and registering an average spin rate of 2364 RPM with an average of -15.6 in. horizontal movement. Can tunnel the pitch off the fastball and shows the ability to land it beneath the zone for chases. Changeup is another quality pitch in the arsenal and is a weapon against left-handed hitters, sitting 81-83 mph with an average of 13.9 in. horizontal movement. Starter profile with one of the better three-pitch mixes in the class. High-level follow for this spring and should be on a shortlist of names for college recruiters to see this spring in Alabama.
|
 |
Drew Jackson III OF / LHP / Tuscaloosa County, AL / 2028Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 174-pounds. Athletic, medium build. Recently debuted as the No. 4 prospect in the 2028 class in Alabama. An elite two-way talent with advanced ability and upside on both sides of the ball and showed it off at the event in a standout performance. Offensively, the left-handed hitter hits from an upright, slightly-open stance and works back to square using a normal toe-tap stride for timing. Already showing some ability to lag the barrel, which works an a clean, slightly-upward path through contact. All parts work together well and stay synced-up in the swing. Consistent pull-side line drives during his round of BP, peaking at 95.4 mph and posting a 361 ft. max estimated distance, both of which were near the top of each category as one of younger players in attendance at the event. Creates good leverage and repeats swing well with some power and more to come in the future. On the mound, the southpaw is equally as talented featuring a fastball that ranges 84-85 mph and up to 85.9 mph with 2440 RPM avg. and 19.8 in. induced vertical break. Spins two distinct breaking balls with the slider sitting 75-77 mph with more lateral shape, and the breaking ball showcasing more 1-7 bite at 77-78 mph. Both offerings record average spin rates north of 2350 RPM, as well. Rounds out the arsenal with a 78-79 mph fading changeup. Multi-sport prospect as a quarterback on the gridiron. High-level name to follow for the coming years.
|
 |
Parker Daniels C / Briarwood Christian, AL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 43 / POS: 4
Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 211-pounds. Strong, physical build with proportional strength. One of the bigger risers in the recent 2026 rankings update, as he moves up inside the top-5 and is regarded as one of the top uncommitted backstops in the class. Continues to attend Prep Baseball events and one-up his prior showing, as he once again was a clear offensive standout at this event. Offensive-minded prospect who projects to hit in the middle of an order and drive in runs with ability to slug. Hits from a balanced stance and uses shorter stride for timing. Really simple offensive operation with no wasted movements. Barrel works on an upward path through the zone and incorporates his strong lower-half in the swing and rotates through contact well. Possesses plenty of bat speed (72.6 mph avg.) and quick hands (21.0 mph avg.). Gap-to-gap approach with sizable power in his operation. Posted one of the better EVs from the event, peaking at 100.3 mph while consistently squaring up balls throughout his round of BP. Also led the event with a 79.82 Edge Score. Another talented uncommitted junior in Alabama to follow this spring.
|
 |
Aaron Bailey 3B / RHP / McAdory, AL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 18 / POS: 1
Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 221-pounds. Physical frame with proportional strength. Another former Prep Baseball Future Games attendee from this past summer who continues to build off of prior performances. Ranked as a top-20 prospect in the state of Alabama and possesses some of the best raw power in the class and showed it off at this event. Hits from an upright, slightly-open stance and utilizies a quicker leg kick for timing. Showcases elite bat and hand speed and uses his physicality to impact the baseball at such a high level. Consistent loud pull-side contact during his round of BP, peaking at an impressive 104.8 mph EV. Ball sounds different coming off the bat when squared up, and projects to be another middle-of-the-order, run-producing hitter in the future. Also posted a top max estimated distance of 374 ft., second-best from the event. Has also been a previous sub-7.0 runner at previous events and has a fastball that can reach the upper-80s on the mound. Toolsy uncommitted two-way prospect in the 2026 class in Alabama to follow this spring.
|
 |
Braden Lee 3B / Pelham, AL / 2027Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 184-pounds. Medium build with some present strength. Attending his first Prep Baseball showcase and made a quick first impression with a strong offensive showing at the event. Possesses a smooth, controlled left-handed swing that stays connected throughout and drives through the baseball at impact. Simple operation with typical leg kick for timing. More line-drive approach right now with a chance to tap into some more power in the future. Showed the ability to spray consistent firm contact to all fields throughout his round of BP, peaking at 93.4 mph EV. Has a strong feel for the barrel and works it on a mostly upward path through contact. First time seeing the sophomore this past weekend, and eager to follow him this spring and into the summer.
|
 |
Jack Pritchett RHP / Demopolis, AL / 2026Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Fairly lean, high-waisted build with some projection left. Another first-time attendee at a Prep Baseball event and ended up being one of the better pitchers to throw during the bullpen portion of the workout. Pitches from an up-tempo delivery with some ease of operation to it. Features a typical three-pitch mix and showcased a strong feel for all three offerings and landed them in the strike zone with consistency. Ranged 85-86 mph and peaked at 86.6 mph with his fastball while showing typical tailing action due to his 3/4 arm slot. Moved it east/west in the zone well and averaged 2253 RPM and posted 19.0 in. of induced vertical break. Pairs it with a shorter slider with more horizontal shape sitting 74-75 mph and a changeup with ranged 76-80 mph with an average of 16.7 in. of horizontal movement. Still appears to be more to tap into in the future as he continues to develop and grow into his frame. Intriguing uncommitted right-hander in the 2026 class in Alabama.
|
 |
Caleb Simpson RHP / 1B / Hoover, AL / 2027Rankings StateRank: 25 / POS: 8
Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 206-pounds. Stronger frame that has added roughly 25 pounds since this time last year. A top-25 ranked prospect in the 2027 class in Alabama and possesses some quality two-way ability and traits. Hits from a wider stance offensively and uses a medium stride/leg kick for timing. Separates well during his load and leads a fast, physical barrel to the point of contact, yielding higher exits during his round of BP and peaking at 99.2 mph. Flatter path through contact and keeps it on-plane for the majority of his swing. Gap-to-gap hitter who can back-spin firm contact to the pull-side gap. On the mound, the right-hander is equally as talented featuring a deliberate, low-effort delivery and a quality three-pitch mix. Sitting 84-85 mph and peaking at 85.5 mph with his fastball, Simpson generates plenty of arm-side run due to his 3/4 arm slot. His best secondary offering appeared to be a 73-75 mph slider, which averaged -8.2 in. of horizontal break and works well off of his fastball. Rounding out his arsenal, the changeup gets turned over well with good diving action and an average of 15.3 in. of horizontal movement. Talented two-way prospect in the 2027 class in Alabama to keep close tabs on this spring.
|
 |
Jackson Price RHP / Chelsea, AL / 2026Uncommitted. 5-foot-7, 170-pounds. Smaller build with a strong lower-half. Another talented, hard-throwing right-hander to add to the stable for Chelsea this spring. Possesses a really quick arm action coming out of a high 3/4 arm slot and flashed a solid four-pitch mix. Potential to be a really strong back-end arm with a lively fastball and a pair of distinct breaking balls that showed good bite. Consistently sitting in the 87-88 mph range and peaking at 88.2 mph. Averaged 2112 RPM with an induced vertical break of 18.4 mph and plays up some with a bit of deception. Recorded a Hop+ score of 107 with the MLB average being 100. Breaking ball ranged 70-71 mph with more 11-5 shape, while the slider at 75-76 mph featured more horizontal shape with both being landed for strikes. Also possesses a hard changeup sitting 80-82 mph with fading action (15.3 in. avg. horizontal movement). Uses strong lower-half to drive off the rubber well and looks to attack with the fastball. Another intriguing uncommitted right-hander in the 2026 class in Alabama.
|
 |
Wyatt Rath C / Northridge, AL / 2027Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 186-pounds. Solid frame that has added 15 pounds of good weight since the summer. Flashed some intriguing offensive ability being more physical in this viewing and added 8 mph to his previous top EV. Hits from a taller stance with hands separated from his body and utilizes a controlled leg kick for timing to get down square. Simple movement to contact and stays short to the baseball while using a strong top-hand to turn the barrel with good intent. Consistently on the barrel throughout his round of BP peaking at 95.5 mph with numerous low-90 EVs. Lived in the middle of the field with firm line drives with some carry. Barrel works upward through the zone and should see higher volumes of output as he continues to develop and grow into his frame. Led the event in the Blast Motion rotational acceleration category with an average of 23.3 G.
|
Upcoming Preseason Events
| SHOWCASE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Huntsville Preseason ID | January 8th, 2025 | Talley Performance (Huntsville, AL) |
| North AL Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) | January 11th, 2025 | Hartselle HS Indoor (Hartselle, AL) |
| South AL Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) | January 12th, 2025 | Orange Beach Sportsplex (Orange Beach, AL) |
+ Follow on Twitter: @PrepBaseballAL
+ Follow on Instagram: @PrepBaseballAL
+ Follow on Facebook: Prep Baseball Alabama
+ Click HERE to create a free profile.
+ Click HERE to purchase a subscription which gives you access to additional information on the site.
Related Content: