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Prep Baseball North Alabama Showdown: Preview

March 14, 2024
Prep Baseball Alabama Staff

 

We are excited to announce the second annual Prep Baseball North AL Showdown, an event that has been expanded to 10 quality high school programs in the state of Alabama for the 2024 high school season. The Prep Baseball North AL Showdown will be a three-day event that will begin on Thursday, March 14th and conclude on Saturday, March 16th at two local host sites that includes Hazel Green HS and James Clemens HS.

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The 2023 PBR North AL Showdown was the second of its kind with nine teams participating in the event at James Clemens HS and Hazel Green HS. Many of those teams would go on to make the playoffs in their respective classifications and make deep runs throughout, including Etowah HS who went on to win the Class 4A State Championship. There will be much more information coming as we get closer to the event, but for now, let's take a look at the seven participating teams and the schedule for the 2024 Prep Baseball North AL Showdown.

If you want to see the full schedule for this Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, CLICK HERE.

+ Decatur Heritage Christian Eagles

Head Coach: Jay Mitchell
Team Twitter: @DHCA_Baseball
Class Ranking: Class 3A No. 1
Schedule:

  • Decatur Heritage vs. Hazel Green (Thursday, 5:00 PM, Hazel Green HS)
  • Decatur Heritage vs. James Clemens (Friday, 4:00 PM, James Clemens HS)
  • Decatur Heritage vs. Father Ryan (Saturday, 12:30 PM, James Clemens HS)

    + The Decatur Heritage Eagles should once again be one of the top competitors in Class 3A this spring, and bolster a strong pitching staff on the mound with multiple pitchers who has high-velocity fastball's. RHP Brady Wilson (Auburn, 2025) leads the staff this spring and has a fastball that can creap into the low-90's using a towering frame with physicality and returns a good bit of experience from last season. OF/RHP Bo Mitchell (2025) is another talented junior who anchors the heart of the order with plenty of exerpience, while others players like 1B/RHP Bryant Sparkman (2025), SS/RHP Paxton Tarver (2025), and C Ford Sparkman (2026) are some more notable returnees who should play a pivotal role in this year's success. The Eagles also have some other players who look primed for breakout seasons, and should once again be in store for another potential deep playoff run in Class 3A.

    + Father Ryan Irish

    Head Coach: Michael Mascari
    Team Twitter: @Baseball_FRHS
    Class Ranking: N/A
    Schedule:

    • Father Ryan vs. Grissom (Thursday, 6:30 PM, James Clemens HS)
    • Father Ryan vs. James Clemens (Friday, 6:30 PM, James Clemens HS)
    • Father Ryan vs. Decatur Heritage (Saturday, 12:30 PM, James Clemens HS)
    • Father Ryan vs. Sparkman (Saturday, 3:00 PM, James Clemens HS)

    + The Irish cross the stateline and return for another year of competing the event after a strong showing last year. On the mound, they'll once again rely on LHP Matthew Shorey (Vanderbilt, 2024), who is one of the top left-handed pitchers in the 2024 class in Tennessee. A high pitch-ability southpaw, Shorey possesses a fastball that consistently sits in the upper-80's and pairs it with two above-average secondary offerings. He'll once again be a key piece to their success this spring, as will a few more players on their roster. SS Andrew Hermanson (Indianapolis, 2024) and RHP Aidan Carr (Centre College, 2024) are two more upperclassmen who have signed to go on to play at the next level, and will both play integral parts for the Irish this spring. In addition to these players, Father Ryan will also have more talented prospects on their roster we're excited to see this weekend.

    + Florence Falcons

    Head Coach: Todd Nelms
    Team Twitter: @FloFalBaseball
    Class Ranking: Class 7A "Just Outside the Top-10"
    Schedule:

    • Florence vs. Sparkman (Thursday, 12:00 PM, Hazel Green HS)

    + The Falcons appear to have a strong roster of returning talent coming back this spring in hopes of coming back to form in Class 7A in 2024. SS Easton Nelms (2025) is one of the top uncommitted prospects in the 2025 class in Alabama and hopes to have another huge year after a strong showing on the summer circuit. The left-handed hitter should hit at the top of their lineup and also throw some meaningful innings on the back-end, as well. 1B Cruz Files (Bevill State CC, 2024) is another returning upperclassmen who should drive in plenty of runs this spring, while 3B Will Aston (2025), OF/LHP Eli Martin (2025), LHP/OF Henry Thomas Blanke (2025), and OF Preston Solomon (2025) are also expected to be heavy contrbutors to this year's team. Expect Florence to have a strong year competing in the northern part of the state in Class 7A this spring.

    + Grissom Tigers

    Head Coach: Jeremy Brown
    Team Twitter: @GrissomBSB
    Class Ranking: N/A
    Schedule:

    • Grissom vs. James Clemens (Thursday, 1:30 PM, James Clemens HS)
    • Grissom vs. Father Ryan (Thursday, 6:30 PM, James Clemens HS)
    • Grissom vs. Hazel Green (Friday, 4:00 PM, Hazel Green HS)

    + The Tigers really seemed to hit their stride and play their best baseball during the middle part of the season last year, accumulating wins over Oxford, James Clemens, Hazel Green, Alexandria, Northridge, and others throughout the regular season. Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Tigers needed to sweep arch-rival Huntsville in their final area series and took Game 1 by score of 11-1, but ultimately fell 7-1 in Game 2 to end their season. Shifting the focus to this season, the Tigers return more than half of their positional starters and bring back six pitchers who saw time on the mound last spring. UTL/RHP Charlie Cassingham (2025) is a multi-year starter at the varsity level and brings back plenty of experience to the plate and on the mound. The uncommitted junior has a contact-oriented approach from the left side of the plate and features a mid-80s fastball on the mound with a hammer breaking ball. SS/RHP Joshua Burrell, Jr. (2025) is another junior infielder who really took a big step last spring and looks poised to have a breakout 2024 campaign, while INF Grayson Stroble (2025), 1B/RHP Garrett Blacklock (2025), and 1B/LHP Braydon Weaver (2025) are four more juniors who are expected to have integral roles on this year's team. 

    + Hartselle Tigers

    Head Coach: William Booth
    Team Twitter: @HartselleBSB
    Class Ranking: Class 6A No. 1
    Schedule:

    • Hartselle vs. James Clemens (Thursday, 4:00 PM, James Clemens HS)

    + The Hartselle Tigers captured the Class 6A State Championship back in 2022 with one of the most dominant seasons we've seen over the past few seasons, and also reached the Elite 8 in Class 6A a season ago. Being one of the top programs in the state of Alabama, expectations are always high, and this year seems to be no different. The Tigers should be able to generate plenty of offense this season with numerous hitters already signed to play baseball at the collegiate level. Looking at the offense, returning players like OF/RHP Peyton Steele (Alabama, 2024), INF Josey Williamson (Alabama, 2024), INF Cade Miles (Jacksonville State, 2024), C Cam Palahach (Northwest-Shoals CC, 2024), 1B Lawson Williams (Northwest-Shoals CC, 2024), UTL/RHP Brody Leathers (2024), and OF/RHP Landon Blackwood (2024) are all senior returning hitters who have delivered some big swings over the past couple of seasons and will look to lead the offense this season. In addition to these names, others players like OF/RHP Keaton Lance (2025), OF/RHP Cole Miles (2026), and INF/RHP Asher Doepel (2026) are sure to step into important roles this spring and provide some production offensively. On the mound, the Tigers have some experienced returners, but will need some other arms to step up and provide depth to their rotation. RHP Nick Chumley (Lawson State CC, 2024), RHP Jace Meadows (2025), and LHP/OF Andrew Coleman (2024) are a trio of senior pitchers who should throw some important innings on the mound for the Tigers this spring.

    + Hazel Green Trojans

    Head Coach: Mitchell Wright
    Team Twitter: @HGHS_Baseball
    Class Ranking: N/A
    Schedule:

    • Hazel Green vs. Sparkman (Thursday, 2:30 PM, Hazel Green HS)
    • Hazel Green vs. Decatur Heritage (Thursday, 5:00 PM, Hazel Green HS)
    • Hazel Green vs. Grissom (Friday, 4:00 PM, Hazel Green HS)
    • Hazel Green vs. Muscle Shoals (Friday, 6:30 PM, Hazel Green HS)

    + The Trojans, who finished as the winner's of their area over Buckhorn and Lee-Huntsville, hosted the 1st round of the playoffs and advanced to the Sweet 16 with a clean sweep of Homewood. Matching up with Gardendale in the 2nd round, they were eliminated in two games in that round to close their season with a 23-16 record. This spring, the Trojans bring back a strong 1-2 punch on the mound and will bolster an athletic lineup that can do a number of things to generate runs. INF Tarpley Priest (2024) is going to be a big part of their offensive success this spring once again and looks to be back to full strength after dealing with a nagging injury last year. He's been a staple in the heart of their order over the past couple of seasons and looks primed for his best season yet. Speaking of the 1-2 punch on mound, RHP/INF Jackson Hunter (Alabama, 2024) and LHP Blake Saltzman (Alabama-Huntsville, 2024) should compliment each other well at the top of the rotation. Hunter, a top-10 prospect in the 2024 class in AL, can reach the low-90's with his fastball, while Saltzman is more of funky, prototypical southpaw who possesses a clean three-pitch mix. OF Jaden Charles (2025) has some exciting tools, including elite-level speed, and can affect the game in a variety of ways. He showcased some sneaky power last year as a sophomore at the top of their lineup and should continue to hit for higher volumes of it in the future. C Matthew Tucker (2024) is slated to take over behind the plate and is a real solid defender with some physicality at the plate, while INF/RHP Israel Navarro (2025) performed on the summer circuit and looks primed for a breakout spring. The junior is an excellent defender on the infield and should help out on the mound, as well. A few underclassmen to watch for this spring are RHP/1B Andrew Beaverson (2026), INF Bryce Zimmerman (2026), INF Colton Clark (2027), and OF Cole Ziak (2027), all of which have the talent to step into the varsity level and compete for significant playing time this spring for the Trojans. 

    + Hueytown Golden Gophers

    Head Coach: Billy Chandler
    Team Twitter: @GoldenGopherBB
    Class Ranking: Class 6A "Just Outside the Top-10"
    Schedule:

    • Hueytown vs. Sparkman (Saturday, 10:00 AM, James Clemens HS)

    + The Golden Gophers have really made a strong stretch of runs over the past few seasons, including winning over 25 games in their last three seasons and reaching the Sweet 16 in all of those years in the process. They should rely on some newer faces this spring, but Coach Chandler & co. always seem to field a competitive, talented team year in, and year out. The Golden Gophers should be a solid defensive team this spring, and should also feature a better lineup looking at it from top to bottom. C Jarret Kauhn (2025) started nearly every game behind the plate last season as a sophomore and is looking primed to have a breakout junior campaign as one of their more experienced players. The right-hander has good pop from the right side and should drive in a good amount of runs in the middle of their order. OF OJ Sealie (2024) is an all-fields hitter with decent speed from the right side of the plate who should play a large role offensively, while 1B/RHP Baker Davis (2025) is a two-way player who got some experience in the designated hitter role last season as a sophomore. Both of those players should contibute heavily, while UTL Myles Bradberry (2024) is a great teammate and plays the game hard. He's another returning upperclassmen who is a solid all-around player with good speed. 3B Cole Payne (2024) and RHP Tanner Vaughn (2024) are two more senior returners who are looking to have solid seasons, as Payne is a good defender with excellent plate discipline, while Vaughn is a strong option out of their bullpen with movement on all of his pitches. RHP Braden McCrary (2025) has plenty of upside on the both with a mid-80's fastball, and could have a breakout season after logging some meaningful innings on last year's pitching staff. INF/RHP Sam Vaughan (2025) missed the entire 2023 season due to an injury, but this staff thinks he's poised for a stellar junior season and already holds a couple JUCO offers. He should contribute both at the plate and on the mound for the Golden Gophers this spring. A couple of younger names to keep an eye out for this spring are INF Jose Irreaza (2026) and RHP/3B Will Vaughan (2027), both are looking to help out in any way as underclassmen this season. Irreaza is a strong defender, while Vaughan as a strong arm and could help out with depth on the mound this spring.

    + James Clemens Jets

    Head Coach: Johnny Johnson
    Team Twitter: @JCJetsBaseball
    Class Ranking: Class 7A No. 8
    Schedule:

    • James Clemens vs. Grissom (Thursday, 1:30 PM, James Clemens HS)
    • James Clemens vs. Hartselle (Thursday, 4:00 PM, James Clemens HS)
    • James Clemens vs. Decatur Heritage (Friday, 4:00 PM, James Clemens HS)
    • James Clemens vs. Father Ryan (Friday, 6:30 PM, James Clemens HS)

    + The Jets have become a stable inside the Class 7A playoffs over the past few seasons, as they finished as the runner-up in their area and reached the Sweet 16 in 2023. This season, expectations continue to rise as they hope to be one of the teams in a talented Class 7A to be making a strong push for a deep playoff run. They look to have the talent and depth on paper to do so with some familiar contributors from past seasons back on this year's roster. Most of these players have grown up playing together and hope to go out with a strong season, especially the senior class. OF Carson Loosier (2024) missed much of his junior season, came back and hit .353 in a small sample size. He's a tough out at the plate with good speed and will look to help lead the way offensively, as will 1B/LHP Satchel Wheeler (Snead State CC, 2024), INF Francisco Ramirez (2024), and 3B/RHP Ty Marsh (2025), who are notable returners from last season. Wheeler is a talented left-handed bat and two-way player, while Ramirez has good speed and Marsh is coming off a sophmore season where he lead the team in batting average at .372. Returning on the mound, RHP Cade McComb (2024), RHP Mason Busch (Snead State CC, 2024), and RHP/1B Luke Davenport (Auburn, 2024) should throw some significant innings on the mound. McComb is healthy now after missing some of last year and has a big improvements during the fall, while Busch posted 1.82 ERA in 54 IP as a junior. Davenport is one of the top right-handed pitchers in Alabama using some electric stuff and posted an 8-3 record with a 1.07 ERA and accumulated 101 K's in 58.2 IP. C JT Johnson (Snead State CC, 2024) has dealt with some nagging injuries over the past few seasons, but looks primed for a breakout season now taking over the catching duties behind the plate. OF David Sharp (2024) and OF/RHP Hayden Markfort (2024) should both be X-factors for this team and see significant playing time in the outfield, while INF/RHP Noah Jarrell (2025), 1B Trip Morgan (2025), and RHP Cody Hodges (2025) are a trio of juniors with a chance to make an impact in a variety of ways this spring. Taking a look at some underclassmen, OF/LHP Tyler Lewis (2026), RHP Will Votroubek (2026), INF/RHP Matthew Drinkwater (2026), and INF/RHP Jesse Isensee (2026) are sophomores who should compete for roles this season, while C/INF Hudson Smith (2027) and OF/RHP Will Congo (2027) are freshman who will be big factors for the Jets in the years to come.

    + Muscle Shoals Trojans

    Head Coach: Blake Beck
    Team Twitter: @MSHS_BSB
    Class Ranking: N/A
    Schedule:

    • Muscle Shoals vs. Hazel Green (Friday, 6:30 PM, Hazel Green HS)

    + After no making the postseason last year, the Trojans are sure to be motivated this spring with seven positional starters and six pitchers returning to this year's team, and there's been plenty of improvement across the board since last season. Competing against Hartselle, Cullman, and Decatur in an area is no easy task, but the Trojans are hoping those returners will help lead the way this spring. OF Jackson Jones (Gadsden State CC, 2024) is a big returning piece to the heart of their order this year, as he has major pop from the right side of the plate and should hit in the 2, 3, or 4 spot in their lineup. He will be expected to drive in plenty of runs offensively, as will 3B Sam Reed (2024), who is another senior returner that passes the eye test. Both players measure at 6-foot-4 and weight in above 200 pounds, so they carry a physical presence to the plate and should be major run-producers for the Trojans this season. 1B Sam Arnold (2025) is another power-hitting right-hander who has really improved over the past year and performed well at numerous PBR events over the past few months. He possesses gap-to-gap pop and should also help out on the mound, as well. Looking at some underclassmen, OF Cruise Baker (2026) and RHP/UTL Dylan Olive (2026) are a pair of sophomores who are coming off noteworthy performances at the North AL Preseason All-State in early January. Baker is a contact-oriented right-handed bat with elite athleticism, while Olive pitches in the mid-80's and can run it up into the upper-80's occasionally with a quality FB/SL/SPL mix. He had a strong freshman campaign last year and is looking poised for a breakout season this spring.

    + Sparkman Senators

    Head Coach: Ben Stevenson
    Team Twitter: @Sparkman_RBI
    Class Ranking: Class 7A "Just Outside the Top-10"
    Schedule:

    • Sparkman vs. Florence (Thursday, 12:00 PM, Hazel Green HS)
    • Sparkman vs. Hazel Green (Thursday, 2:30 PM, Hazel Green HS)
    • Sparkman vs. Hueytown (Saturday, 10:00 AM, James Clemens HS)
    • Sparkman vs. Father Ryan (Saturday, 3:00 PM, James Clemens HS)

    + The Senators played well enough down the stretch to win their area and host the 1st round of the playoffs in Class 7A, but were dealt a tough draw right out of the gate with Vestavia Hills HS, the eventual Class 7A State Champions. While they gave them a tough three-game series, the Senators were ultimately defeated in the decisive Game 3 by score of 7-2 to close their season with a 26-15 record. Looking to avenge last season's 1st round exit, the Senators will be relying on a couple familiar faces, but will need some other players to step into larger roles this spring. C Wyatt Shears (West Virginia State, 2024) is a three-year starter at the varsity level and was a reliable bat in the middle of their order last year. The senior is expected to help carry the torch this season, as is SS Easton Henderson (2024), another senior returner who is one of the better athletes on the team. He's also a solid defender and was a staple in their lineup last year as a junior. RHP/INF Ryan Everly (Wallace-Hanceville CC, 2024) has plenty of varsity experience under his belt, and returns as one of their top arms in the rotation with an upper-80's fastball. He should continue to throw important innings for the Senators and be a leader for this program. Other upperclassmen to watch for this spring are C Tre Augon (2025), RHP/INF RJ Freiholtz (2025), RHP/UTL Ryan Gross (2025), and OF Jayden Hammons (2025). The Senators look to have a strong group of underclassmen in their program, and they'll need some of them to step up and produce at the varsity level. LHP/OF Brenner VanDeWynckel (2026) has worked hard in the off-season after getting some innings on varsity last spring, while RHP/OF Miguel Lang (2026) is another sophomore with exciting potential. C Will Peccia (2026) and INF Jaylon Davis (2026) are two more sophomores looking to find their way into the lineup, while RHP/INF Braxton Williams (2027) while possesses huge upside as a two-way player and is a top-5 prospect in the 2027 class in AL.

     

    Upcoming Events

    SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
    Mobile Summer ID May 30th, 2024 Coastal Alabama-South CC (Bay Minette, AL)
    Yellowhammer State Games (Invite-Only) June 18th-19th, 2024 Sand Mountain Park (Albertville, AL)
    Birmingham Summer ID June 26th, 2024 Gardendale High School (Gardendale, AL)
    Birmingham Rising Stars ID June 26th, 2024 Gardendale High School (Gardendale, AL)
    Huntsville Rising Stars ID July 2nd, 2024 James Clemens High School (Madison, AL)
    Huntsville Summer ID July 2nd, 2024 James Clemens High School (Madison, AL)
    Montgomery Summer ID July 16th, 2024 Stanhope Elmore High School (Millbrook, AL)
    Montgomery Rising Stars ID July 16th, 2024 Stanhope Elmore High School (Millbrook, AL)

     

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