Prep Baseball Report

AHSAA Class 7A-1A Top-10: Preseason


PBR Alabama Staff

After a lengthy off-season that seemed much longer than it actually lasted, the 2023 high school season is finally upon us after a long wait. It's easily our favorite time of the year for many reasons, mostly because of how talented the competition should be this spring. In all parts of the state, there is plenty of talent spread throughout Alabama and we're excited to get back to cover the high school season. The PBR Alabama staff will be out in full-force throughout the duration of the season with wall-to-wall coverage of big games, standout performances from players, and much more. 

Kicking off the spring, we've compiled our first edition of the AHSAA 7A-1A Top-10 Polls for the preseason. Our PBR staff worked diligently at ranking these teams, while looking at their last season accomplishments along with key losses and returning impact players. These polls are by no means going to stay the same throughout the season, as there are sure to be many teams find their way into the rankings throughout the spring. 

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

 

+ CLASS 7A

All three teams at the top in Class 7A made a strong case for the No. 1 spot, but in the end, it was ultimately Hoover who claimed No. 1. The Buccaneers may have one of their most talented rosters in recent years, but will compete in a loaded Area 5. Central-Phenix City, the defending 7A Champions, and Auburn follow closely behind at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, after matching up in the Final 4 the past two seasons. Hewitt-Trussville come in at No. 4 after finishing as the runner-up in 7A a season ago and have some key pieces coming back offensively. Right behind the Huskies, Vestavia Hills starts the season at No. 5 after making a late playoff push last spring to the Final 4 and have a lot of those players returning. Bob Jones, who comes in at No. 6, has a couple frontline starters on the mound and will feature a veteran lineup, and Tuscaloosa County follows closely at No. 7 with one of the more experienced rosters in the classification. James Clemens looks to have a balanced roster coming in at No. 8, while Spain Park also has plenty of experienced juniors and seniors on their roster at No. 9. Rounding it out at No. 10, Baker also looks poised for a strong season after reaching the Elite 8 and winning 20+ games a season ago.

Rank High School Record Previous Rank
1 Hoover 0-0 -
2 Central-Phenix City 0-0 -
3 Auburn 0-0 -
4 Hewitt-Trussville 0-0 -
5 Vestavia Hills 0-0 -
6 Bob Jones 0-0 -
7 Tuscaloosa County 0-0 -
8 James Clemens 0-0 -
9 Spain Park 0-0 -
10 Baker 0-0 -

 

Just Outside the Top-10 (Alphabetical Order): Chelsea, Daphne, Enterprise, Fairhope, Oak Mountain, Prattville, Sparkman, Thompson

+ CLASS 6A

Hartselle leads the field at No. 1 after winning the 6A State Championship and going 39-4 a year ago, and return most of their firepower offensively. Oxford follows closely behind them at No. 2 and look to be one of the more complete teams with a load of experience coming back both at the plate. Mountain Brook and Stanhope Elmore come in at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively with a small amount of separation between the two teams. The Spartans look poised for a playoff run, while the Mustangs will boast one of the top pitching rotations in the classifications. Coming off a year where they were ranked inside the Top-5 for the majority of the season, Saraland comes in at No. 5 with a potent lineup and experienced pitching staff returning. Hazel Green and Gardendale look to be talented and tough squads at No. 5 and No. 6 respectively, with Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa behind them at No. 7 after reaching the Final 4 a season ago. Rounding it out, Mortimer Jordan has a strong 1/2 punch in their pitching rotation at No. 9 and Wetumpka looking for another 20+-win season using some experienced players coming back.

Rank High School Record Previous Rank
1 Hartselle 0-0 -
2 Oxford 0-0 -
3 Mountain Brook 0-0 -
4 Stanhope Elmore 0-0 -
5 Saraland 0-0 -
6 Hazel Green 0-0 -
7 Gardendale 0-0 -
8 Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 0-0 -
9 Mortimer Jordan 0-0 -
10 Wetumpka 0-0 -

 

Outside the Top-10 (Alphabetical Order): Athens, Briarwood Christian, Buckhorn, Cullman, Faith Academy, Helena, Hueytown, Northridge, Pelham, Pell City, Spanish Fort

+ CLASS 5A

Class 5A looks to once again be filled with quality teams from top-to-bottom on this list with multiple quality programs moving up from Class 4A and down from Class 6A. Holtville takes the No. 1 spot to start the season after finishing as the 5A runner-up's a season ago, and will feature numerous returners from last year's team. Shelby County made a deep push throughout the playoffs last spring after being ranked No. 1 for most of the season and winning 30+ games, and come in at No. 2 with many experienced returners back this spring. Headland and Russellville follow closely behind at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively, and will both feature two new head coaches leading the helm heading into the spring. At No. 5, Leeds returns nearly everyone from last year's squad that reached the Sweet 16, while Madison Academy looks to be strong once again this spring sitting at No. 6. Mobile Christian (4A) and Gulf Shores (6A) debut at No. 7 and No. 8 respectively in their first season in Class 5A after being one the top teams in their previous classification a season ago. Rounding it out, Jasper also drops down from Class 6A and debut at No. 9, while Alexandria will feature many juniors and seniors that had a large impact on last year's playoff team.

Rank High School Record Previous Rank
1 Holtville 0-0 -
2 Shelby County 0-0 -
3 Headland 0-0 -
4 Russellville 0-0 -
5 Leeds 0-0 -
6 Madison Academy 0-0 -
7 Mobile Christian 0-0 -
8 Gulf Shores 0-0 -
9 Jasper 0-0 -
10 Alexandria 0-0 -

 

Outside the Top-10 (Alphabetical Order): Arab, Beauregard, Boaz, Elmore County, Greenville, Hayden, John Carroll Catholic, Scottsboro, St. Clair County, St. Paul's Episcopal

+ CLASS 4A

With two-time defending 4A Champion Mobile Christian moving up to Class 5A this spring, Class 4A seems to be wide-open with quality programs up and down this list. Etowah comes in at No. 1 with a strong offense and pitching staff coming back after finishing as the 4A runner-up's a season ago. Bayside Academy debuts at No. 2 after moving up from Class 3A and will feature multiple pitchers that have either signed or committed to programs at the Division 1 level, while UMS-Wright comes in at No. 4 and looks poised for a strong season in the southern part of the state. Also moving up from Class 3A, Trinity Presbyterian comes in at No. 5 and will look to make their impact this spring in their new classification. Following behind them, Bibb County, Hamilton, and Oneonta comes in at No. 6, No. 7, and No. 8 respectively after reaching the late rounds of last year's playoffs. All three of these teams return some key pieces to their lineup and on the mound that played large roles a season ago. At No. 9, American Christian Academy is consistently a powerhouse in the classification, while North Jackson will look to build on last year's Sweet 16 appearance this spring at No. 10.

Rank High School Record Previous Rank
1 Etowah 0-0 -
2 Bayside Academy 0-0 -
3 Corner 0-0 -
4 UMS-Wright 0-0 -
5 Trinity Presbyterian 0-0 -
6 Bibb County 0-0 -
7 Hamilton 0-0 -
8 Oneonta 0-0 -
9 American Christian Academy 0-0 -
10 North Jackson 0-0 -

 

Outside the Top-10 (Alphabetical Order): Andalusia, Jacksonville, Madison County, Montevallo, Munford, New Hope, Priceville, St. John Paul II, TR Miller, West Limestone, Westminster Christian

+ CLASS 3A

After finishing as the 3A runner-up's a season ago and defending 3A Champion Trinity Presbyterian moving to Class 4A, Piedmont debuts as the No. 1 team in the classification with many key players back this spring, especially offensively. Debuting at No. 2, Gordo has been a consistent powerhouse in Class 4A over the past few years and will look to have the same impact moving down a classification this year. Phil Campbell follows closely at No. 3 with nearly all of last year's team coming back and adding a key transfer to this year's roster, while Decatur Heritage moves up from Class 2A and comes in at No. 4 after finishing as the runner-up in their previous classification a season ago. Thomasville comes in at No. 5 after reaching the Final 4 last season, and Opp once again looks strong this spring at No. 6. Lauderdale County and Saint James, who drops down from Class 4A, come in at No. 7 and No. 8 respectively looking to build off of solid seasons in 2022, and Houston Academy and Providence Christian are two quality programs down in the Dothan area at No. 9 and No. 10, respectively.

Rank High School Record Previous Rank
1 Piedmont 0-0 -
2 Gordo 0-0 -
3 Phil Campbell 0-0 -
4 Decatur Heritage 0-0 -
5 Thomasville 0-0 -
6 Opp 0-0 -
7 Lauderdale County 0-0 -
8 Saint James 0-0 -
9 Houston Academy 0-0 -
10 Providence Christian 0-0 -

 

Outside the Top-10 (Alphabetical Order): Alabama Christian Academy, Childersburg, Elkmont, Hale County, Hokes Bluff, Plainview, Straughn, Winfield, WS Neal

+ CLASS 2A

Defending 1A Champion GW Long regains the No. 1 spot after spending the majority of the season at the top last spring, but arch-rival Ariton returns nearly everyone from last year's season at No. 2, and will look to avenge back-to-back Final 4 series losses to the Rebels this spring. Vincent is coming off a season where they won 28 games and will look to continue to build off of last year's Elite 8 appearance at No. 3. Moving up from Class 1A, two-time defending champion Bayshore Christian looks to once again have a strong, competitive club in the Mobile area, while Mars Hill Bible comes in at No. 5 and seem to be in the mix at the end of the season every year. Pike Liberal Arts debuts at No. 6 in their first year playing in the AHSAA after winning four-consecutive Class AAA State Titles, while Lindsay Lane Christian Academy is another team that moves up from Class 1A at No. 7. Ider and Fayetteville are coming off strong seasons at No. 8 and No. 9 respectively, and Southeastern will look to build on last year's Sweet 16 appearance rounding it out at No. 10.

Rank High School Record Previous Rank
1 GW Long 0-0 -
2 Ariton 0-0 -
3 Vincent 0-0 -
4 Bayshore Christian 0-0 -
5 Mars Hill Bible 0-0 -
6 Pike Liberal Arts 0-0 -
7 Lindsay Lane Christian Academy 0-0 -
8 Ider 0-0 -
9 Fayetteville 0-0 -
10 Southeastern 0-0 -

 

Outside the Top-10 (Alphabetical Order): Clarke County, Collinsville, Donoho, Ranburne, Thorsby, Wicksburg

+ CLASS 1A

With multiple teams including Bayshore Christian, Lindsay Lane Christian Academy, and others moving up to Class 2A, Class 1A is another classification that seems to wide-open with quality competitors throughout. Sweet Water has always seemed to be a strong contender late in the playoffs, and look to have a strong team once again this spring. Appalachian comes in at No. 2 after winning 24 games a season ago and reaching the Elite 8, while Spring Garden and Leroy follow closely at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively after moving down from Class 2A. Millry is another powerhouse in the classification coming in at No. 5 with Covenant Christian right behind them at No. 6. Hackleburg comes in at No. 7 after winning 29 games a season ago, while Sumiton Christian will look to build off of last year's 23-win season. Rounding it out, Addison debuts at No. 9 after moving down from Class 2A, and Brantley comes in at No. 10.

Rank High School Record Previous Rank
1 Sweet Water 0-0 -
2 Appalachian 0-0 -
3 Spring Garden 0-0 -
4 Leroy 0-0 -
5 Millry 0-0 -
6 Covenant Christian 0-0 -
7 Hackleburg 0-0 -
8 Sumiton Christian 0-0 -
9 Addison 0-0 -
10 Brantley 0-0 -

 

Outside the Top-10 (Alphabetical Order): Berry, Choctaw County, Florala, Lynn, Maplesville, Pleasant Home, Ragland

 

Follow on Twitter: @PBR_Alabama
Follow on Instagram: @PBR_Alabama
Follow on Facebook: PBR Alabama

 

Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
Madison Rising Stars ID 5/28/23 Bob Jones HS (Madison, AL)
Top Prospect Games: Upperclass (Invite-Only) 6/13/23 Choccolocco Park (Oxford, AL)
Top Prospect Games: Underclass (Invite-Only) 6/14/23 Choccolocco Park (Oxford, AL)
Birmingham Open 6/21/23 Spain Park HS (Birmingham, AL)
Birmingham Rising Stars ID 6/21/23 Spain Park HS (Birmingham, AL)
Montgomery Open 6/28/23 Stanhope Elmore HS (Millbrook, AL)
All-State Games (Invite-Only) 7/11/23 Troy University (Troy, AL)
Mobile Rising Stars ID 7/18/23 TBD (Mobile, AL Area)
South Alabama Games (Invite-Only) 7/18/23 TBD (Mobile, AL Area)

 

+ 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: