Prep Baseball Report

South AL Preseason All-State: Pitcher Reports


PBR Alabama Staff

SARALAND, AL - The South AL Preseason All-State was held on Sunday, January 8th at Saraland High School in Saraland, AL. This event was an invite-only event that consisted of some of the top prospects from the 2023-2026 classes. These players went through extended pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman and Blast Motion, ran the 60 yard dash using Swift 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.

Today we wrap up our post-event content by taking a look at all of the pitchers at the event.

 

Dylan Ackerman, Daphne  (AL), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/3B Impressive '25 two-way talent, love the LH bat.
Body: 6-2, 186-pounds.
Delivery: Hybrid start from the 1B side of the rubber, easy flowing and controlled.
Arm Action: RH. Mid-to-high 3/4 arm action.
FB: T83.8, 82-83 mph. Works to both sides of the plate, in the zone. T2324, 2240 average rpm.
SL: 73-74 mph. Sweeper, late break. T2291, 2226 average rpm.
CH: 76-76 mph. Good feel, arm side action. T1376, 1376 average rpm.

Drey Barrett, Holtville (AL), 2024 Southern Miss
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-3, 200-pounds.
Delivery: Controlled delivery, up tempo.
Arm Action: RH. Mid 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T88.9, 88-89 mph. Heavy sinking action, down to RHH. T2281, 2182 average rpm.
SL: 77-80 mph. Late and tight breaker, swing and miss pitch. T2016, 1995 average rpm.
CH: 79-81 mph. Good feel, arm side action. T1979, 1662 average rpm.

DJ Blackwood, Daphne (AL), 2027
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-6, 130-pounds.
Delivery: Clean delivery, easy flowing and controlled.
Arm Action: LH. High 3/4 slot from a shorter arm strike.
FB: T73.1, 72-73 mph. The pitch takes off late to the arm side, commanded well in and around the zone.  T1881, 1685 average rpm.
CB: 62-63 mph. Got better with the pitch as the bullpen progressed, showing feel for spin.  T2243, 2101 average rpm.
CH: 69-70 mph. Best secondary offering, late fade and was consistently down in the zone.  T1638, 1547 average rpm.

Jack Blanchard, Daphne  (AL), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-10, 135-pounds.
Delivery: A lot of movement in the delivery, creates some deception for hitters.
Arm Action: RH. Low 3/4 slot
FB: T78.6, 77-78 mph. Solid arm-side action from that low 3/4 slot. Really runs in on RH hitters. A pitch that could really miss some barrels. T2173, 1964 average rpm.
CB: 65-66 mph. 11/5 shape, late movement.  T1794, 1791 average rpm.
SL: 66-66 mph. Very similar to the curveball, showed late action with solid command.  T1625, 1616 average rpm.
CH: 70-73 mph. Mostly straight until the very end, then shows tumble down and into RH hitters.  T1431, 1375 average rpm.

Charlie Cassingham, Grissom  (AL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP A '25 grad to keep an eye on over the next few years.
Body: 5-8, 150-pounds.
Delivery: Athletic, clean delivery. Looks easy, low effort actions. Repeats.
Arm Action: RH. Mid 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T85.1, 82-85 mph. Creates solid arm side action, commanded the pitch down in the zone.  T2169, 2059 average rpm.
CB: 70-72 mph. Created nice tilt on the pitch with solid 11/5 shape. Solid secondary offering. T2730, 2626 average rpm.
SL: 74-75 mph. Firmer breaking ball, thrown with fastball intent. Late action. T2449, 2449 average rpm.
CH: 77-77 mph. Solid deception out of the hand, with late fading action into RH hitters.  T1784, 1721 average rpm.

Timothy Will Fitzhugh, Daphne (AL), 2027
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Controlled, hybrid start delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Mid 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T67.1, 67-67 mph. Located well to both sides, showing some arm-side action.  T1761, 1753 average rpm.
SL: 61-66 mph. Showed late 11/5 action., commanded well to the gloveside.  T2046, 1849 average rpm.
CH: 64-64 mph. Showed some major sink and fade into RH hitters.  T1211, 1211 average rpm.

Alex Gaston, Mobile Christian (AL), 2026
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-6, 160-pounds.
Delivery: Repeated delivery, worked exclusively from the stretch.
Arm Action: RH. Higher 3/4 slot.
FB: T78.8, 76-78 mph. Late arm side action, commanded well to the glove side.  T1964, 1779 average rpm.
CB: 68-71 mph. Quality 12/6 shape with command down in the zone.  T2289, 2260 average rpm.
SL: 69-69 mph. Threw one slider that showed minimal side-to-side action. T2129, 2129 average rpm.
CH: 73-73 mph. Showed well out of the hand with armside sinking action.  T1389, 1389 average rpm.

Aiden Gaston, Mobile Christian (AL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-7, 165-pounds.
Delivery: Controlled delivery, worked well down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Mid 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T74.3, 70-74 mph. Showed command to the gloveside with consistent armside action T1806, 1694 average rpm.
CB: 58-61 mph. Quality breaking ball with well-shaped 10/4 slurvy action.  T1904, 1811 average rpm.
CH: 62-64 mph. Thrown with fastball intent, late downward sink. T1293, 1243 average rpm.

Connor Gatwood, Baker (AL), 2024 South Alabama
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-4, 188-pounds.
Delivery: Controlled delivery, hybrid start.
Arm Action: RH. Live and loose arm, easy action.
FB: T93.7, 92-94 mph. Working both sides of the zone, effortless out of the hand. T2553, 2466 average rpm.
SL: 84-85 mph. Struggled with command at times. Hard sweeper. T2263, 2245 average rpm.
CH: 86-88 mph. Fading action arm side. T1796, 1705 average rpm.

Connor Gehr, Gulf Shores  (AL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP Uncommitted '24 RHP that continues to get better at every look.
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds.
Delivery: Up tempo delivery, hybrid start.
Arm Action: RH. Live arm, Mid 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T87.1, 85-87 mph. Late life down in the zone. T2378, 2299 average rpm.
CB: 74-75 mph. 11/5 shape, good depth and downward action. T2610, 2551 average rpm.
SL: 75-78 mph. Solid offering, late and tight. Struggled at times early. T2591, 2499 average rpm.
CH: 79-80 mph. Great feel, in the zone. Plays down. T1662, 1599 average rpm.

Bryson Goff, Saraland  (AL), 2023 East Central CC
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-4, 190-pounds.
Delivery: Out of the stretch, works down the mound.
Arm Action: LH. Mid 3/4 arm action.
FB: T84.8, 84-85 mph. Arm side, occasional cut at times. T2068, 2002 average rpm.
CB: 71-71 mph. 1/7 spin, in the zone. T1984, 1982 average rpm.
SL: 79-80 mph. Mimics the FB. T2070, 2060 average rpm.
CH: 74-75 mph. Fading action, arm side. T1372, 1356 average rpm.

Evan Hilliard, Saraland (AL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP 24 RHP that was impressive, following a big season on the mound last year for the Spartans.
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds.
Delivery: Bulldog-type mentality with a slightly up tempo delivery. repeats mechanics.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action from a high 3/4 slot. Pounded the zone with all pitches.
FB: T84.8, 84-85 mph. Attacked all quadrants of the zone while showing late 2-seam action. T2000, 1803 average rpm.
CB: 72-73 mph. Solid tilt out of the hand with well-shaped 11/5 action.  T2282, 2271 average rpm.
CH: 75-81 mph. May be his best pitch. Showed advanced deception and is an out pitch for him. Paired well with the fastball.  T1607, 1515 average rpm.

Matt Hopkinson,   (AL), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds.
Delivery: Hybrid start from the 1B side of the rubber. Controlled delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Mid 3/4 arm action.
FB: T83.2, 81-83 mph. Moves arm side, late run. T2237, 2153 average rpm.
SL: 67-70 mph. Good feel in the zone, solid shape. T2197, 2099 average rpm.
CH: 70-73 mph. Locatees to both sides of the dish, backs up to the arm side. Plays down. T1875, 1814 average rpm.

Miles Drew Johnson, Fairhope (AL), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-0, 192-pounds.
Delivery: Hybrid start, closer to the 3B side of the rubber.
Arm Action: LH. Mid 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T79.6, 78-79 mph. Arm side running action. Plays in the zone. T1965, 1861 average rpm.
CB: 64-66 mph. 1/7 shape. In the zone. T1915, 1840 average rpm.
SL:  mph. Great feel for the offering, swing and miss pitch. T,  average rpm.
CH: 70-71 mph. Command improved with the bullpen, has some fade. T1398, 1348 average rpm.

Zach Jones, Fairhope (AL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds.
Delivery: Starts from the 1B side of the rubber, controlled tempo.
Arm Action: RH. Higher 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T81.6, 80-81 mph. Arm side run at times, in the zone. T2053, 1944 average rpm.
CB: 63-64 mph. Slurve shape. T2012, 1930 average rpm.
CH: 69-70 mph. Occasional cut, down. T1192, 1169 average rpm.

Ethan Kick, Spanish Fort  (AL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Hybrid start from the 1B side of the rubber, smooth, controlled.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm, mid 3/4 slot.
FB: T83.7, 82-84 mph. Arm side action, sinking. T2309, 2164 average rpm.
SL: 75-75 mph. Plays well off the FB, late downward action. T2442, 2187 average rpm.
CH: 75-75 mph. Occasional cut, has feel in the zone. T1748, 1748 average rpm.

Declan King, Fairhope (AL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds.
Delivery: Repeated the delivery well, working entirely from the stretch.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot from a longer arm action.
FB: T76.7, 75-76 mph. Was up in the zone early but commanded down later in the bullpen. Mostly straight with occasional movement.  T1970, 1770 average rpm.
CB: 62-63 mph. 11/5 breaker with more sweeping action.  T1531, 1407 average rpm.
CH: 62-65 mph. Arm slot was a little lower on the changeup, did create some late tumble.  T1277, 1197 average rpm.

Brody Lambert, Faith Academy (AL), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-10, 146-pounds.
Delivery: Slower, controlled tempo, does a nice job getting down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Over-the-top arm slot.
FB: T80.3, 79-80 mph. Creates nice tilt on pitch, commanding the bottom half of the zone.  T2119, 2036 average rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. Late hand break on the pitch. Showed solid 11/5 action. Consistently down in the zone with the pitch.  T1966, 1962 average rpm.
CH: 71-73 mph. Thrown with confidence, showed late arm side fade.  T1804, 1723 average rpm.

Coen Lambeth, Baldwin County (AL), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 203-pounds.
Delivery: Tall at delivery, controlled tempo and delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Higher 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T78.5, 74-78 mph. In the zone, arm side run. T2216, 2076 average rpm.
CB: 63-66 mph. 12/6 spin. T1877, 1824 average rpm.
CH: 72-72 mph. Mostly straight with deception. T1634, 1576 average rpm.

Braden Martin, Lee Scott (AL), 2027
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-9, 140-pounds.
Delivery: Worked exclusively out of the stretch, athletic delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Worked from a high 3/4 slot, showed a clean arm path.
FB: T74.9, 74-75 mph. Typical LHP 2-seam action. Pitch disappears to the glove side.  T1895, 1873 average rpm.
CB: 61-67 mph. 1/7 shape with late downward action. Commanded well to the lower half.  T1794, 1750 average rpm.
CH: 67-67 mph. Plays well off the fastball, from the same arm speed and release point. Another pitch that tumbles to the arm side.  T1673, 1673 average rpm.

Brady Richardson, Enterprise (AL), 2025 Troy
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds.
Delivery: Quicker tempo delivery, higher leg lift.
Arm Action: RH. Mid 3/4 arm action.
FB: T82.8, 80-83 mph. Works down in the zone to both sides. T2104, 1982 average rpm.
CB: 71-72 mph. 11/5 break, hard downward action late. T2198, 2130 average rpm.
CH: 71-74 mph. Settled into the offering later in the pen, good feel with arm side fade. T1599, 1474 average rpm.

Jake Sasser, Fairhope  (AL), 2027
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 145-pounds.
Delivery: Worked entirely from the stretch. Simple, low-effort delivery.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot. Shorter arm action.
FB: T73.8, 67-74 mph. Located the pitch well down in the zone, showing some sink.  T2086, 1993 average rpm.
CB: 58-58 mph. Late action, commanded well to the outer half of the plate.  T1065, 1065 average rpm.
SL: 63-63 mph. Very similar to the curveball, showing minimal 10/4 break. T1823, 1823 average rpm.
CH: 72-72 mph. Showed deception out of the hand. Was up in the zone with the pitch at times. T2065, 2065 average rpm.

Trey Scott, Headland (AL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Repeats well, works down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Mid 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T80.4, 80-80 mph. Down in the zone, arm side action. T1740, 1641 average rpm.
SL: 68-68 mph. Sweeping action, late break. T1763, 1715 average rpm.
CH: 69-69 mph. Late fade. T1034, 1034 average rpm.

Alex Sherman, UMS-Wright Preparatory  (AL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds.
Delivery: Slower, controlled delivery. Showed solid mechanics, using the lower half well in the delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Higher 3/4 action. Showed advanced command with all pitches.
FB: T86.3, 84-86 mph. Created solid tilt with the pitch, "heavy" fastball located down in the zone.  T2360, 2248 average rpm.
CB: 71-71 mph. Quality 11/5 shape that he was able to "spot up" to both sides of the plate. T2226, 2226 average rpm.
SL: 74-75 mph. Tight spin with late movement. Quality pitch. T2218, 2185 average rpm.
CH: 77-78 mph. Confident throwing the changeup with fastball intent out of the hand. Late tumble.  T1966, 1900 average rpm.

Drew Shiver, Enterprise (AL), 2023 Wallace CC-Dothan
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds.
Delivery: Slower tempo delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Higher 3/4 arm action.
FB: T83.7, 81-84 mph. In the zone, has some arm side run at times. T2132, 2053 average rpm.
CB: 60-63 mph. 11/5 shape, slows the arm down at times. T2134, 2078 average rpm.
CH: 66-67 mph. Has feel, works in the zone with some arm side action. T1667, 1596 average rpm.

Jackson Stallworth, Stanhope Elmore (AL), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP/1B Sophomore southpaw that was really impressive on the mound, also handled the bat well. A definite '25 to follow.
Body: 6-1, 215-pounds.
Delivery: Good tempo and controlled. Smooth delivery.
Arm Action: LH. High 3/4 arm action.
FB: T86.8, 83-86 mph. Arm side run, gets on the hitter late. T2152, 2074 average rpm.
CB: 68-77 mph. 1/7 shape, tends to slow the arm down. T2074, 2074 average rpm.
SL: 72-74 mph. Tighter spin, down in the zone. T2286, 2274 average rpm.
CH: 70-70 mph. Typical LHP tumble, T2251, 2251 average rpm.

Zach Stevens, Stanhope Elmore (AL), 2023 South Alabama
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds.
Delivery: Repeats the delivery well, up tempo.
Arm Action: RH. Mid 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T92.3, 91-92 mph. Down in the zone, late life. T2315, 2213 average rpm.
CB: 76-76 mph. Tight and late break, sharper action. T2680, 2680 average rpm.
SL: 76-78 mph. 11/5 spin, hard and late break. T2802, 2732 average rpm.
CH: 76-81 mph. Swing and miss potential pitch, good feel. T1513, 1386 average rpm.

Brody Tuinder, Mary G Montgomery (AL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds.
Delivery: Controlled delivery, works well down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot, longer arm strike.
FB: T81.2, 80-81 mph. Showed late life with late run into RH hitters.  T2090, 1942 average rpm.
CB: 67-68 mph. Well-shaped 11/5 shape that he commanded well to the gloveside.  T2086, 2019 average rpm.
SL: 74-74 mph. Threw once, was very similar to the curveball, tight spin.  T1744, 1744 average rpm.
CH: 75-77 mph. Showed solid feel for the pitch with late tumble into RH hitters.  T1844, 1822 average rpm.
 
Tanner Waldrop, Auburn  (AL), 2024 Auburn
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds.
Delivery: Controlled and up tempo.
Arm Action: RH. Mid 3/4 arm action, quick arm.
FB: T86.6, 83-87 mph. Two seam sinking action. Arm side action. T2389, 2315 average rpm.
SL: 75-75 mph. Tight and late breaking action. T2475, 2443 average rpm.
CH: 77-78 mph. Fading down in the zone. T1340, 1338 average rpm.

Cam Warren, Saraland  (AL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/OF High level '24 player in a dual capacity.
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds.
Delivery: Slower tempo, controlled delivery and actions on the mound.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot, very quick arm action.
FB: T85.8, 84-86 mph. Showed the ability to locate the pitch up in the zone with late arm side run. T2254, 2210 average rpm.
CB: 66-78 mph. Showed 11/5 shape with late action. Difficult to pick up the spin.  T1928, 1877 average rpm.
SL: 72-74 mph. Tighter spin, thrown with fastball conviction. Quality side-to-side action. T2359, 2338 average rpm.
CH: 77-78 mph. Fading action with tumble to the lower half of the zone.  T1917, 1793 average rpm.

Will Watts, Orange Beach (AL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Controlled tempo, getting down the mound well.
Arm Action: RH. Over-the-top slot from a longer arm action.
FB: T81, 76-81 mph. Showed some action to the armside on most pitches. Nice downward tilt on the pitch.  T2021, 1888 average rpm.
CB: 69-73 mph. Really tight spin on the breaking ball, hard to pick up out of the hand. Showed quality late movement.  T2012, 2012 average rpm.
SL: 72-75 mph. More of a power breaking ball with 10/4 action. Solid  feel for the pitch.  T2096, 1856 average rpm.
CH: 75-76 mph. Solid deception out of the hand. Got on the side a bit, creating glove side movement.  T1629, 1627 average rpm.

Wyatt Williams, Bayside  (AL), 2026
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP A '26 prospect that impressed during BP.
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Long delivery, controlled with the tempo.
Arm Action: RH. Higher 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T78.5, 74-78 mph. Occasional cut at times. T2039, 1726 average rpm.
CB: 63-66 mph. 11/5 spin. T2196, 1998 average rpm.
SL: 76-76 mph. Tighter spin, late break. T2002, 2002 average rpm.
CH: 71-72 mph. Late fade. T1318, 1227 average rpm.

Aiden Wright, Dale County  (AL), 2023 Enterprise State CC
Positional Profile: OF/RHP Uncommitted '23 that impressed in a two-way role at the event.
Body: 6-1, 205-pounds. 
Delivery: Hybrid start, controlled.
Arm Action: RH. Mid 3/4 arm action.
FB: T87.5, 86-88 mph. Arm side run, plays down. T2182, 2110 average rpm.
SL: 71-76 mph. In the zone, has good feel. T2332, 2161 average rpm.
CH: 77-77 mph. Late arm side fading action, comfortable in the zone. T1830, 1830 average rpm.