The Alabama Diamond Notes will focus on highlighting some top performances across the state based on nominations from high school coaches. We will highlight positions players, pitchers and two-way players every Tuesday of the high school season that had impressive weeks during their team's games. Special thank you to the many high school coaches that sent in nominations this week.

Check out our scout blog HERE for games our staff was able to get out and see last week.

 

Sam Mitchell RHP / 1B / Bob Jones, AL / 2023 The Alabama signee may be known for his exploits on the mound but the senior had a big week with the bat, as he helped the 7A No. 3 Patriots get off to a 6-1 start. Mitchell was 10-for-23 (.435 BA) with four doubles and two home runs. He also drove in 12 runs and scored six runs to go along with three walks.

Zackary Johnson C / OF / Bob Jones , AL / 2025 Johnson has been another key piece for the Patriots strong start to the 2023 season as he had a big week with the bat. The uncommitted sophomore was 8-for-22 (.364 BA) with a home run and two doubles to go along with five RBIs. Johnson also scored a run.

Ryan Strachan 3B / RHP / Sparkman, AL / 2023 Strachan, a Northwest-Shoals CC signee got off to a hot start in a two-way role for the Senators. He tossed five innings on the mound and only allowed one hit and one run while striking out four. With the bat, the senior was 6-for-14 (.429 BA) with two home runs and seven RBIs.

Brendon Byrd OF / LHP / Gulf Shores, AL / 2023 Byrd produced with the bat for the Dolphins against some quality arms to open the 2023 season. For the week, the uncommitted senior was 6-for-13 (.426 BA) with a triple while driving in six runs. He also scored four more runs and drew two walks during the week.

Connor Gehr SS / RHP / Gulf Shores , AL / 2024 Gehr was in serious consideration for Mizuno Player of the Week as he put up some gaudy numbers in a two-way role for the Dolphins. The uncommitted junior was 10-for-23 (.435 BA) with three doubles, two triples to go with nine RBIs. On the mound, Gehr tossed 11.2 innings (including a complete game win) while only allowing two hits and one run. He also punched out 21 hitters.

Carter JohnsONSS / RHP / Oxford , AL / 2024 The former Future Gamer and Alabama commit had a night to remember as he hit for the cycle Friday night versus Oak Mountain while also coming on in relief to get the win on the mound. For the week, Johnson tossed 5.1 innings in relief and did not allow a run while striking out 11 hitters. With the bat, Johnson was 6-for-16 (.375 BA) with two doubles, one triple and a home run.

Jake Thornton RHP / 3B / Madison County , AL / 2024 Thornton, an uncommitted junior, helped the Tigers get off to an undefeated start to the season and a No. 10 ranking in 4A. He was 5-for-10 (.500 BA) with two doubles and four RBIs and was also effective on the mound as well. He tossed seven innings and did not allow a run while striking out four and only allowing four hits.

Weslee Slaton C / Arab, AL / 2023 The Arab Knights make their debut at No. 8 in the 5A rankings this week after a 5-1 start to the season as Slaton has been a big part of that start to the season. In addition to playing solid defense, the uncommitted senior was 8-for-22 (.364 BA) with seven RBIs.

Mason Chisum OF / Enterprise, AL / 2023 Chisum, an uncommitted senior, helped Enterprise to a 4-1 ranking and No. 10 ranking in 7A this week with a couple of big wins. Chisum did a little bit of everything during the week as he was 4-for-7 (.571 BA) with a triple and three RBIs. He also swiped five bases for the Wildcats.

Drew Shiver OF / 3B / Enterprise, AL / 2023 Shiver was another integral piece to the Wildcats strong start to the 2023 season as the Wallace-Dothan CC signee was 6-for-13 (.462 BA) during the week. Shiver had two doubles and drove in five runs as well to go along with three stolen bases.

Charlie Harbin C / New Hope, AL / 2024 The uncommitted catcher helped the Indians get off to a 5-0 start and a No. 7 ranking in the recently released 4A poll. Harbin was 7-for-12 (.583 BA) with two home runs and also drove in eight runs. He also got on base ten additional times, via seven walks and three HBPs.

Riley Schutte LHP / OF / New Hope, AL / 2024 Schutte was impressive the last week in a two-way role for the New Hope Indians. On the mound, the southpaw tossed ten innings and only allowed three runs to go with 12 strikeouts. He has gotten off to a 2-0 start on the mound. Offensively, he was 7-for-11 (.636 BA) with four doubles while scoring ten runs. He also walked four times and was hit-by-pitch three more times.

Corbin Driskell C / RHP / Southside, AL / 2025 Driskell, an uncommitted sophomore, delivered in a two-way role this week for the Panthers. With the bat, he was 9-for-21 (.429 BA) with two doubles and three triples. He also drove in seven runs. On the mound, he tossed four innings and did not allow a run. He allowed only two hits and struck out nine opposing hitters.

Luke Davenport RHP / 3B / James Clemens, AL / 2024 Davenport, an Auburn commit, was simply dominant in his outing versus Smiths Station on Friday and in any other week may have been the Mizuno Pitcher of the Week after getting strong consideration this week. The junior twirled a seven-inning no-hitter with 17 strikeouts and only three walks. There were only five balls put in play versus Davenport.

Brady Gillespie LHP / OF / Springville, AL / 2023 The uncommitted senior was dominant in his start versus Gadsden City as he struck out ten hitters in his five innings on the mound. He did not allow a baserunner and only went to a three-ball count one time during his stint on the mound.

Tanner Hermesch SS / RHP / Bob Jones, AL / 2025 Opposing hitters only hit .132 against him during the week as he the uncommitted sophomore got off to a 3-0 start to the season. He tossed 10.1 innings during the week and did not allow a run while striking out 12 hitters. He only walked two hitters.

Blake Moon 1B / LHP / Arab, AL / 2023 The uncommitted senior got two starts on the week and was brilliant in both outings. He tossed a total of 11 innings over those two outings and only allowed five hits. He only allowed one run and only walked one hitter while striking out a total of 16 opposing hitters.

Hayes Harrison 1B / LHP / Oxford, AL / 2023 Harrison, a Northwest-Shoals CC signee, has been a mainstay for the Yellow Jackets over the last few years and 2023 looks to be more of the same. This week on the mound, the southpaw went 2-0 after throwing ten innings. He allowed seven hits and struck out 12 hitters while not walking a batter.

Spencer Nicholas LHP / 1B / Tuscaloosa County, AL / 2024 Nicholas has been a key component on the mound for the 7A No. 6 Wildcats and their 6-1 start to begin the 2023 season. The southpaw tossed 12 innings on the bump and did not allow an earned run. He allowed only four hits while striking out thirteen hitters.

Brady Richardson SS / RHP / Enterprise, AL / 2025 Richardson, a Troy commit, and a key two-way piece for the Wildcats got a big win on the mound versus 7A No. 2 Auburn this past weekend. The sophomore right-hander went six innings on the mound and allowed three runs while scattering four hits to get the win. He also struck out 12 hitters.

 

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