Prep Baseball Report

Alabama 2024 Rankings: Spring Update


PBR Alabama Staff

With the conclusion of the high school season for most teams and the summer circuit set to get underway in a few weeks, our staff has updated the state's 2024 Rankings for the second time in 2023. Our staff has been out covering games and scouting prospects throughout the entire state during past few months of the high school season, and there are many prospects who boosted their stock with their play. 

Below you'll learn more about these updated rankings for the state's current junior class that has been expanded to 200 players, including more information on prospects that climbed and those who debuted for the first time.

 

The TOP-5

RANK NAME POSITION HIGH SCHOOL COMMITMENT
1 Jackson Sanders LHP Valley Auburn
2 Henry Allen 3B Auburn Mississippi State
3 Carter Johnson SS Oxford Alabama
4 Braden Booth 3B/RHP Bob Jones Mississippi State
5 Christian Chatterton RHP Brooks Auburn

 

TOP RISERS & NOTABLE DEBUTS inside the Top-50

+ SS Carter Johnson (Oxford, 2024) is in the midst of leading the top-ranked program in Class 6A in a deep playoff run, as they are set to face-off against Cullman this week in the Final Four. Read up on what Shooter Hunt (PBR Vice President, Scouting) had to say on the Alabama recruit following last summer's PBR Future Games:

"Johnson was the biggest winner at the Future Games, and had the nation’s premier recruiting coordinators buzzing from coast-to-coast. High-waisted with an athletic, 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame, he first opened eyes with a stellar batting practice session. A left-handed hitter, Johnson turned the barrel with aggressive intent while still maintaining balance in the lower-half. The rotational acceleration stood out along with the fluid load of the hands as they quickly drove the barrel through the zone with some sneaky power to the pull side that should quickly evolve into more. The barrel accuracy showed up in game as the talented shortstop notched a pair of hits on the first day, and while he might have a chance at developing into a middle-of-the-order bat in the future, the floor is likely set in the top of an order. Raising his stock, the ball found the right part in the mitt with each ground ball, and a quick release provided accurate throws across the diamond from all angles. That arm strength should continue to grow, and it carried over to the mound where he was up over 88 mph with athletic movement patterns down the mound. There is an ease to the way that Johnson goes about his business, and it appears innate for him to play fast without being sped up. Overall, few players at the event created quite as much buzz as the young shortstop did, and it is likely that he will have his fair share of programs hoping for his commitment in the near future."

+ RHP Connor Gatwood (Baker, 2024) has exploded onto the baseball scene in the state over the past year, including standout performances at the PBR Future Games and the South AL Preseason All-State. A South Alabama recruit, Gatwood rises into the Top-10 in this update. See his report following one of his starts earlier this spring:

"Gatwood has been a big riser over the past year, including standout showings at PBR events like the PBR Future Games and the South AL Preseason All-State, where he’s already shown the ability to make big jumps over the course of just a few months. Gatwood, a member of Team Alabama at last summer’s PBR Future Games, has made noticeable progress to his frame that now stands 6-foot-5, 190-pounds. The South Alabama recruit took the ball in their first game of the East Alabama Classic and delivered a quality start working into the fifth inning. The junior, who sat 88-90 mph last summer, has seen an uptick in velocity and held 90-92 mph (2500 rpm) with tailing action throughout his outing while touching 93.3 mph in the early going. He showed some feel for his power slider at 83-84 mph, while mixing in some diving changeups at 83 mph to mostly left-handed hitters. It’s super easy out of the hand and doesn’t take much to generate high velocities with his fastball using a fairly low-effort delivery and a high ¾ release. Command wavered at times, but he showed the ability to get strikeouts in some big spots when needed. He finished going 4.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 4 BB, and 5 K on 72 pitchers, 41 of which were for strikes."

+ OF Drake McBride (Thompson, 2024) is another prospect that has helped lead his team throughout a deep playoff run, as Thompson, the No. 1-ranked team in Class 7A, prepares for their Final Four matchup this week. McBride, a Troy recruit, also rises into the Top-10 in this update. See his report from earlier this spring:

"McBride is regarded as one of the top outfielders throughout the state, regardless of graduating class, and possesses a dynamic skill set that impacts the game in a variety of ways. McBride, a Troy recruit, stands 6-foot-2, 170-pounds and continues to show the ability to hit for some power in the middle of the Warriors' lineup. The right-hander recorded a pair of doubles on the night and drove in three runs in the process en route to a 7-0 victory. McBride shows the ability to turn the barrel with ease from the right side of the plate and possesses some intriguing pull-side power. The ball seems to jump off of his barrel and doesn't look like it takes much effort to generate loud contact. The junior is a stellar athlete that can cover tons of ground in the outfield and possesses above average arm strength with carry on throws. He possesses some immense upside and is already ranked inside the Top-15 in the junior class in AL. He finished going 2-for-3 with two doubles and three RBI's during last night's contest."

+ RHP Luke Davenport (James Clemens, 2024) is another right-hander that makes a sizable jump in this update after enjoying a strong spring serving as the ace on the Jets' pitching staff. Davenport, an Auburn recruit, is a projectable right-hander that runs his fastball into the upper-80's with a quality slider. See his report from earlier this spring:

"Davenport earned the start in a quality matchup going against another high-level arm and ended up earning the win going the distance on the mound. Davenport, an Auburn recruit, is a projectable right-hander with a long and lean 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame that moves well down the slope on the mound. Using a quick arm action, Davenport produced a fastball that worked 86-88 mph with arm-side run for the majority of his outing and kept hitters off-balanced throughout using a two-pitch mix. The right-hander features a firm slider that ranged 74-76 mph and registered consistent spin rates near the 2600 rpm mark and has late two-plane break to the offering. He collected numerous whiffs with the pitch and generated some uncomfortable swings and at-bats during his outing, and spins it with good intent and plenty of conviction with the ability to land it in the strike zone. Although he has a longer frame, he is an athletic-mover on the mound and is certainly to see some jumps in terms of velocity over the coming years. He finished earning the win going 6 IP, 6 H, R, 3 BB, and 13 K’s on 105 pitches, 61 of which were for strikes."

+ RHP Riley Miller (Athens, 2024) is another former PBR Future Game on this list that rises up into the Top-25 after leading the Golden Eagles' pitching staff this spring. Miller, an Alabama-Birmingham recruit, has made a jump in velocity where he touched 92 mph in the PBR North AL Showdown. See his report from earlier this spring:

"Miller has been a prospect that we’ve been intrigued with over the past couple of years showing some two-way ability, but he showed that his ability on the mound may have more upside in the future with a quality start facing a talented lineup this weekend. Listed at 6-foot-1, 190-pounds, the Alabama-Birmingham recruit and former PBR Future Gamer possesses some explosive athleticism in his game all-around and that translated to the mound during his outing. From the get-go, Miller pumped 90-91 mph with his fastball and even touched some 92’s pitching in some colder temperatures. The right-hander has a really quick and compact arm coming out of high ¾ slot and made some big pitches early on in his outing. He settled into mostly 89-91 mph during the middle innings, and still was able to generate weak contact and swings-and-misses with his fastball. Miller’s primary secondary offering was a short, developing slider that ranged 78-80 mph and will continue to get better as he gains more confidence in it, but was still a quality pitch during his outing. He worked mostly using his fastball, and was still able to be effective against a strong lineup. He finished going 4 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 BB, and 8 K’s on 89 pitches, 49 of which were for strikes."

+ RHP Andrew Allen (Alexandria, 2024) is a right-hander that we have been following closely over the past couple of years, and seems like he's really taken that next step this spring. Allen, one of the top uncommitted prospects in the junior class in AL, finished with 61.3 IP, 27 H, 6 ER, 15 BB, and 97 Ks this spring while accumulating a 0.68 ERA. See his report from a couple weeks ago:

"Allen got the start in Game 1 for the Valley Cubs and matched Moon pitch for pitch, allowing only one unearned run. The uncommitted junior showed an uptick in velocity as worked from a shorter arm strike and a higher 3/4 arm slot. Allen has a very physical lower-half that bodes well for the future as there is plenty of velocity that is still projectable in the next few years. Working from a simple up-tempo delivery, Allen attacks hitters usually mostly a two-pitch mix that he shows plenty of confidence in both offerings. The fastball showed some late arm-side action that also seemed to show some late life at 87-89 mph as bumped 90 mph twice early in the outing. In the later innings he settled in at more 86-87 mph but was still as effective. The breaking ball at 73-76 mph was used consistently as a swing-and-miss offering as the pitch showed sharp 11-5 action from the same arm slot and arm speed. He finished going 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, & 5 Ks."

+ SS Caden Collier (Ariton, 2024) has been a big piece for Ariton over the past couple of years and has been a big reason they've reached their third-consecutive Final Four in Class 2A. He makes his debut on this list in this update, and should be one to follow closely this summer. See his report from this week:

"Collier made a quick and lasting impression on our staff in this week's playoff doubleheader hitting in the leadoff spot for a talented Purple Cats' lineup. Standing 5-foot-10, 160-pounds, Collier cemented himself as an uncommitted prospect in the junior class to know heading into this summer while recording numerous hits throughout the day in addition to dominating the routine play at the shortstop position. Hitting from the right side, Collier is an athlete that possesses a slightly open stance that works back to square using a quick leg kick for trigger, and meets the ball at contact with a mostly level path. He shows the innate ability to find the sweet spot with nearly each swing, and finished going 6-for-9 with four doubles, four RBIs, six runs scored, and four walks during their three-games series. He is no-doubt a catalyst in their lineup and is a consummate gamer that can impact the game in a variety of ways, as displayed in this past week's playoff series. He is certainly going to be one to follow closely moving forward this summer in the junior class in AL.

+ C Ethan Crook (Thompson, 2024) has also helped lead the way for Thompson this spring, but in addition to his offensive ability, his skills behind the plate are equally as intriguing. Another top uncommitted prospect in the junior class in AL, Crook makes his debut in this update and comes in ranked inside the Top-50. See his report from earlier this spring in the PBR AL Kickoff Classic:

"Crook was another Warrior that enjoyed a strong weekend to help kick-off his junior campaign recording a total of four hits across three games. Although he posted some strong offensive stat lines hitting in the heart of the order for Thompson, the uncommitted junior was just as impressive with his efforts behind the plate all weekend long. Standing 5-foot-11, 175-pounds, Crook was one of our favorite defensive catchers from the event and worked extremely hard for his pitching staff behind the plate. The junior has excellent mobility from the crouch and quiet receiving skills with strong wrists and sub-2.0 pop times with carry and accuracy on throws to the second-base bag. Offensively, the right-hander has a simple setup and quick load using a toe-tap trigger, and showed some bat speed through the zone along with some power potential."

 

TOP-5 UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS

RANK NAME POSITION HIGH SCHOOL
20 Brendan Conner RHP/3B Corner
28 Brooks Womble SS Saraland
31 Andrew Allen RHP Alexandria
34 Mason Blasche 3B/RHP Hoover
35 Connor Gehr RHP Gulf Shores

  

*CLICK HERE FOR THE 2024 RANKINGS*

 

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 Faith Academy (Mobile, AL)
South Alabama Games (Invite-Only) 7/18/23 Faith Academy (Mobile, AL)

 

+ 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: