Prep Baseball Report

North AL Preseason All-State: Quick Hits, Infielders


Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

HARTSELLE, AL - The North AL Preseason All-State, one of the top events of the year, was held on Saturday, January 18th at Hartselle HS Indoor in Hartselle, AL. This event was an invite-only 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 due to weather, 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 Saturday.

Kicking off our post-event coverage for this event, we continue our Quick Hits edition by highlighting some of the top infielders in attendance at the event. 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. 

Caleb Barnett 3B / RHP / Mountain Brook, AL / 2025

Alabama recruit. 6-foot-6, 220-pounds. Long, projectable levers with future room to add. The No. 1-ranked prospect in the 2025 class in Alabama and No. 30 in the country overall. Easily the top overall performer from the event going through it as a positional player. Hits from a balanced, square right-handed stance and utilizes a simple, controlled stride for timing while creating some separation with his hands during the load. Gets the barrel on-plane early and keeps it in the zone for a good while using a mostly upward path through contact. Has a clean, fluid swing with good control of his longer levers. Advanced feel for the barrel with quality hit/power tool, and is a consistent in-game performer with both. Pairs some present strength with elite bat and hand quickness to help impact the baseball at a premium level, as the right-hander consistently hammered balls to the pull-side gap with ease throughout his round of BP. Just absurd Trackman numbers coming out of his round, leading the event in top exit velocity (109.0 mph), average exit velocity (104.3 mph), and max estimated distance (417 ft.), all of which are Prep Baseball AL showcase records. Continues to increase his MLB Draft stock, and will look to continue to do so a the upcoming Prep Baseball Super 60 in Chicago, IL in a week.

Hunter Elmore 1B / American Christian, AL / 2028

Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 238-pounds. Imposing, physical build with proportional strength. Currently ranked No. 3 in the 2028 class in Alabama, and did more than enough at this event to continue to boost his stock and surpassed expectations. A real power threat, the current freshman more than just a physical right-hander who just hits for power, as he has flashed an advanced hit tool from the right side of the plate in the past and did so at this event, as well. An advanced offensive profile, Elmore has a chance to hit for a long time. From the right side of the plate, the freshman hits from a square stance and utilizes a simple stride for timing trigger to get down on-time. He showcases a smooth, powerful swing with a clean barrel path through the zone. Doesn't appear to take much effort to drive the ball for higher exits, as he consistently hammered the back of the net with loud contact throughout his round of BP. A true gap-to-gap hitter who can use the opposite side of the field, the right-hander peaked at a top EV of 98.1 mph while averaging 95.4 mph. Eye-opening offensive performance who will be a high-level name in the state to get acclimated for the coming years.

Paul Barnett SS / RHP / Mountain Brook, AL / 2027

Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 176-pounds. Lean, projectable frame. Quick-twitch athlete who showcased some of the highest two-way abilities at this event. Ranked No. 4 in the 2027 class in Alabama and top-100 nationally. Has made incredible strides and significant improvements over the last two years in terms of physicality and ability. Offensively, the right-hander has an athletic swing with good balance throughout using a controlled stride for timing. Like his older brother, Barnett impacts the baseball at a such a high level using elite hand quickness (82.3 mph avg. hand speed) and some present strength. A gap-to-gap hitter, the right-hander appears to be tapping into some more power while still holding an advanced hit tool. On the barrel with consistent loud contact to the pull-side, peaking at 102.5 mph and averaging 97.5 mph. On the mound, the right-hander flashes the same type of exciting upside there with premium stuff and untapped potential. Using a quick, compact arm action, Barnett peaked at 92.3 mph with his fastball while ranging consistently 90-92 mph with natural arm side run and an average of 2293 RPM. Breaking ball showcases sharp, 11-5 break with late downward action, averaging 2167 RPM and looking like a swing-and-miss pitch. Also possesses a 75-76 mph changeup with killed spin (1082 RPM avg.) and diving action. Overall, there's substantial upside and ceilings on both sides of the ball with some of the more advanced two-way ability we've seen in quite some time for a prospect of his age. Looks primed for a huge spring/summer.

Steven Cavaco 1B / Huntsville, AL / 2025

Ohio State recruit. 5-foot-11, 186-pounds. Medium, athletic build with some present strength. A first baseman defensively who has some experience playing corner outfield, but certainly no denying the future is with the left-handed bat. One of the top first baseman in the 2025 class in Alabama, the senior has one of the our favorite swings in the class and showed off some added physicality with roughly 15 pounds of added weight since June. Using a square stance and medium stride to get down on-time, the left-hander possesses a smooth, efficient swing that seemed to routinely find the barrel during his roud of BP. Barrel works on an upward plane, allowing him to drive the ball gap-to-gap. He stays short throughout the swing while being quick and direct to the point of contact, and impacts the baseball gap-to-gap using some recently-added physicality and quality hand/bat quickness. Flashes more hit tool right now with ability to add more power to his reportoire in the future. All over the barrel during BP, peaking at a top EV of 105.5 mph and averaging 100.5 mph. Also a solid overall athlete who clocked a 3.91 30-yard dash, giving him enough athleticism to make a potential move to a corner outfield spot in the future if neeeded.

JB Upton SS / Auburn, AL / 2027

Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 183-pounds. Strong, athletic build with compact strength. Another high-profile, highly-ranked infielder headlining a strong sophomore group in attendance. Quick-twitch athlete who is a switch-hitter who appears to have more natural ability from the left side, but can still swing it well from the right. From both sides of the plate, the No. 3-ranked prospect in the 2027 class in Alabama has a short stroke with a short, direct path to contact with an upward path allowing him to lift and drive to the pull-side gap. There's no wasted movement pre-pitch, as he gets his foot down early using a short, quick stride and minimal hand movement during the load, which allows him to be accurate with the barrel and routinely square up the baseball. Creates some extension and catches it out front on the barrel, allowing him to leverage the baseball and lift. There is a present hit tool in the profile with above-average power from both sides of the ball and the ability to hit for extra bases. Possesses athletic footwork on the infield with a strong arm across the infield, peaking at 87 mph. Can also play some outield, as well. Has the versatility to play numerous spots on the diamond. Clocked a 3.91 30-yard dash, one of the better times from the event. High-level prospect to get familiar with for the upcoming spring and summer.

Charlie Maniscalco SS / Oxford, AL / 2027

Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 174-pounds. Athletic build and has added some noticeable strength since the last look. One of the better players on Team Alabama's Junior Future Games squad two summers ago, Maniscalco looked more than back to full-strength at this event after dealing with an injury that forced him to miss last summer. Offensively, the left-hander possesses a smooth, athletic swing that found the sweep spot on the barrel more often than not during his impressive round of BP. Showing the ability to use the whole field in his approach, the sophomore has a quality hit tool and mostly line-drive approach with a chance to hit for higher volumes of power in the future. Takes aggressive swings while featuring an accurate barrel and a good feel for it. Upward path through contact with present bat speed. Starts in a narrow, upright stance and lags the barrel well through the zone with some whip to it. Defensively, he has athletic actions with good range and a reliable glove. Profiles to stick up the middle, whether at shortstop or second base, while showing an accurate arm across the infield and peaking at 83 mph. Strong performance on both sides of the ball at the event.

Brodie Johnson SS / Westbrook Christian, AL / 2026

Uncommitted. 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Athletic build. One of the top uncommitted infielders in the 2026 class in Alabama. Showcases an impressive hit tool and looks primed for a big junior campaign after leading his team to the Class 3A State Finals last spring. Hits from an athletic left-handed stance with weight sitting on the back-side before shifting forward during his load. Has efficient rhythm and uses a quick, early stride to get down on-time. Barrel works on a mostly upward path through contact while showing an accurate, clean barrel through the zone. Has a strong understanding for the sweet spot on the barrel and found it with consistency during his round of BP. Can really spray the ball to all fields within his approach with more line drives currently. One of the more polished swings from the event and has a strong track record of performing in-game with it. Posted a top EV of 95.0 mph during his round of BP. Defensively, he profiles to stick up the middle on the dirt with athletic actions and quality glove skills. Also clocked a 3.96 30-yard dash during the workout. Should be a quality name-to-know prospect to get eyes on this spring.

Andrew Petrock SS / Pelham, AL / 2026

Uncommitted. 5-foot-7, 161-pounds. Athletic frame with present compact strength. Another high-quality uncommitted infielder in the 2026 class in Alabama. Showcases an advanced hit tool from the right side of plate with a strong resume of in-game performance to back it up over the last couple of years. Offensively, the right-hander starts with his hands slotted higher and an upright, narrow stance. Gets the foot down quickly and square using a simple, efficient stride for timing. Takes aggressive swings and finds the sweet spot of the barrel more often than not. Possesses a quick barrel through the zone that works on an upward path. Top-of-the-order type hitter who showcases the ability to incoporate the whole field within his polished approach. Has the ability to hit for average, but also has some unassuming power for his size due to his strong intent, bat speed, and upward path throught contact. Lived on the barrel during his round of BP, peaking at a top EV of 98.6 mph and averaging 94.3 mph. Defensively, Petrock profiles to play a quality second-base on the infield with the ability to hit being the carrying tool right now.

Easton Nelms SS / Hartselle, AL / 2025

Samford recruit. 6-foot-1, 190-pounds. Athletic build with some present strength. A previous standout at numerous events over the past year, the senior infielder continues to showcase an impressive feel to hit from the left side. A two-time Future Gamer in 2023 and 2024, Nelms enjoyed one of the bigger summers out of players who attended our events and capped it off with a stellar showing at the Senior Future Games and his commitment shortly after. Looking for a strong senior year, the left-hander has one of the better left-handed swings in his class and while showing a strong hit tool and some power at the plate. Starting from an upright position and slightly-open stance, Nelms uses a bigger leg kick and really shifts his weight forward during his load. Incorporates the lower-half well during the swing and generates strength from the ground-up. Has good rhyhtm and leads the barrel through the zone on an upward path. Has some power in the profile, but more hit tool right now with potential to hit for more as he develops and adds strength in the future. Quality round of BP driving balls gap-to-gap and peaking at 98.2 mph. A well-rounded athlete, Nelms also clocked a 3.869 30-yard dash during the workout, one of the better times from the event.

Noah Crosby 1B / Mountain Brook, AL / 2026

Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 224-pounds. Physical build with imposing presence. Has been a top perfomer at a few events over the past year, but was an obvious standout at this event showcasing some of the biggest power out of most players in attendance. A quality uncommitted junior to follow, Crosby carries a strong presence into the right-hander's box and looks to drive the ball with authority using his pull-side approach. Hitting from a tall, slightly-open stance, the right-hander hits off a strong back side and utilizes a leg kick for timing trigger while creating some separation with the hands. Barrel gets on-plane early with premium bat speed (78.9 mph avg.) before working on an upward path through the zone. Shows the ability to impact the baseball at a really high level and had one of the loudest rounds of BP from the event. Consistently hammering balls to the pull-side, the right-hander registered a top EV of 104.4 mph while averaging 96.3 mph throughout his round of BP. Power tool carrying the offensive profile currently and will be a quality name to get eyes on this spring and into the summer.

Charlie Cassingham SS / Grissom, AL / 2025

South Alabama recruit. 5-foot-7, 147-pounds. Lean, athletic build. Another quality left-handed bat who carries a strong track record of in-game performance. Start in an open stance and works back square using a medium stride for timing. All parts work together in the swing well with the ability to repeat the swing. Barrel works on a level path through the zone and showcases a more line-drive approach from the left side of the plate. Advanced feel for the barrel with standout hit tool that has performed at a high-level, especially on the summer circuit in 2024. Can use the whole field within his approach and has present quick hands. Profiles to hit at the top of the order with ability to move the ball around and a low chase rate. Defensively, projects to be a second baseman more than likely with a strong arm across the infield, peaking at 89 mph. Also clocked a 3.85 30-yard dash during the workout.

Ty Marsh 3B / Hartselle, AL / 2025

Western Kentucky recruit. 5-foot-11, 198-pounds. Natural strength to build with potential to add more in the future. Advanded left-handed hitter with quality hit/power tool combination. Offensively, the senior starts in a square, balanced stance and keeps weight sitting on the back-side throughout his swing. Showcases a short, simple stride for timing and gets down early. Looks to lift an impact the baseball gap-to-gap within his approach using his strength and quick barrel through the zone. Barrel works on a mostly upward path through contact with ability to back-spin the baseball and generate higher exits to the pull-side gap. Consistent two-handed finishes with ability to change planes with the barrel at times. Loud round of BP, peaking at 99.0 mph and averaging 92.9 mph. 

 

Matthew Drinkwater 3B / RHP / James Clemens, AL / 2026

Uncommitted. 6-foot-0, 193-pounds. Lean, athelic build with some projection. Continues to make quality strides as a two-way prospect and showcased that ability with a standout showing on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the right-hander has an athletic operation with a present feel to hit using a short, efficient swing. Keeps the back elbow tucked during the swing, which helps him stay short and compact. Barrel works on an upward path with some bat speed and present hand quickness. Utilizes the whole field within his approach and should continue to hit for more power he develops and adds more weight to his current build. Posted a top EV of 97.7 mph and averaged 92.0 mph during his round of BP. Well-rounded positional player prospect. On the mound, the right-hander has a smooth, low-effort delivery while working primarily out of the stretch. Looked to be playing catch at 60 ft. while sitting 85-86 mph and peaking at 86.6 mph with a running fastball. Back-spins the fastball efficiently from a higher slot and allowing it to carry through the zone, averaging 2450 RPM Has a present feel for spin on a sharp breaking ball that showcases sharp, 11-5 bite at 71-75 mph and 2337 RPM. Can also turn over fading changeup ranging 79-80 mph. Talented uncommitted two-way prospect in the 2026 class in Alabama who continues to get better on both sides of the ball.

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