Updated Class of 2026 Alabama Rankings
December 4, 2024
As the year winds down and players prep for the upcoming Spring, we've continued to evolve the 2026 Alabama Rankings and update it for the final time in 2024 with a few small changes inside the top-155. As the build-up for the high school season is in full swing, we shine the light on a few of the prospects who have elevated their status as candidates for the upcoming MLB Draft as well as the top uncommitted prospects by position.
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As always, the evaluation process is a fluid and ongoing process with multiple viewings in order to get the best feel for players abilities. It’s important to note that as players continue their development some show marked improvement at a much more rapid pace. That doesn’t indicate that other players got worse or went backwards, it’s just how player development works. As the year unfolds, players make improvements and new prospects pop up on the radar expanding the Prep Baseball rankings universe. In addition to the evaluations of players, our scouts, both those in Alabama and nationally, have also had multiple discussions with each other to review our individual lists and then make adjustments based on what we've each seen.
To view the Class of 2026 Rankings, CLICK HERE.
The Top-10 in the Class of 2026
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John Stowers C / St. Paul's Episcopal, AL / 2026"Auburn recruit. 5-foot-11, 195-pounds. Definite proportional strength throughout with ideal catcher's build and still room to add. One of the top backstops in the 2026 class nationally, and was his usual self during the two-day event. Ranked No. 1 in the 2026 class in Alabama, Stowers has one of the better hit/defend tool combos in his class and showcased both over the past two days. Known for his ability to slug after belting 14 home runs this past spring, the rising junior showed off that clean left-handed swing that generated high exits with wood during his round of BP. He generates such easy gap-to-gap power using his strength and a loose, whippy barrel that works on a mostly uphill path through the zone. Equally as talented as a defender, Stowers also led the event posting 1.87-1.94 pop times and a top velocity of 79 mph using a lightning fast transfer and above-average arm strength with accuracy." |
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Will Adams LHP / 1B / Hoover, AL / 2026"Adams was featured as one of the arms that made up an elite pitching matchup between a pair of teams ranked inside the top-20 in the Alabama Power 25 and was lights out for the majority of his outing. Listed at 6-foot-2, 195-pounds, the Alabama recruit is one of the top prospects in the 2026 class in AL and possesses some high-level two-way abilities. We've seen the left-handed bat this spring, but the arm was what made such a big impact during yesterday's contest, as he was in cruise control for most of his outing facing a potent lineup with multiple SEC commitments. Operating mostly 86-89 mph with the fastball, the southpaw worked up to 90 mph in the 1st inning and owned the inner-half of the plate against right-handed hitters. While being able to move the fastball around the zone, the changeup was the primary secondary offerings yesterday and was one of the best changeups we've seen this spring. Possessing excellent feel to turn it over, the offering featured diving action after starting off on the same plane as the fastball, and generated plenty of swings-and-misses operating 77-79 mph. Although he mixed it in every once in a while, the breaking ball showed some sweeping action and ranged 77-78 mph as a quality third offering to round out his arsenal. After striking out the first 8/9 hitters he faced, Adams finished as the tough-luck loser going 5.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, & 12 K on 102 pitches, 66 for strikes. Also one of the more feared hitters in the state of Alabama with just as much upside and ability there." |
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Jaxson Wood SS / 2B / Hoover, AL / 2026"Wood has quickly become one of our favorite infielders to watch throughout the state simply due to the energy that brings to the game. On one of the top baseball programs in the state and in the southeast, the Tennessee recruit holds down the shortstop position and sets the tone at the top of the order. Wood, the No. 3-ranked prospect in the junior class in AL, took some strong cuts in Game 1 of the double-header yesterday while driving in a run and attempting to get a rally started in the final inning trailing by one. Slotted in the leadoff spot in the order, the freshman delivered a firm single the other way on an elevated fastball up and away and made a noticeable adjustment keeping his weight back and letting the ball travel before sending an accurate barrel to contact. He has a fluid approach and swings it much bigger than his 5-foot-9, 155-pound frame would suggest with the ability to hit to all fields. He also added in an RBI sacrifice fly out earlier in the game on a liner to left field, and finished the contest going 1-for-2 with an RBI." |
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Wyatt Shelley 1B / RHP / Headland, AL / 2026"Shelley was the hero in game one after coming in to limit the Vols threat in the 8th inning by recording a pop out and strike out to end the inning. During the outing, the Auburn recruit operated at 87-88 mph with heavy feel to it while showing a curveball in the mid 70’s. He turned around in the bottom half and delivered the walk-off single to win the game. Shelley is 6-foot-3, 215-pound sophomore that lived up to his top 10 ranking in his class. Wyatt showed a mature approach at the plate, after getting intentionally walked a couple of times early in the day, continuing to stay with in himself and use the entire field. He showed some raw power to all fields with a short and compact swing that keeps the barrel in the zone a long time." |
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Levi Nickoli SS / RHP / Homewood, AL / 2026"Nickoli has easily cemented himself as a must-know prospect, albeit in limited viewings, in the 2026 class in Alabama and has produced loud ouputs both times we've seen him so far this spring. Listed at 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, the Auburn recruit possesses one of the better swings throughout the state, and while he's a switch-hitter, he swung it primarily from the left side and displayed a mature approach throughout the contest. Having a wiry frame with some quality athleticism throughout his game, the sophomore has hit for some high volumes of power this spring with three home runs in his last two days. Sitting balanced in his stance, Nickoli utilizes a short, quick trigger for timing used it to get down on-time facing upper-80s in this matchup. After working the at-bat with two strikes and laying off some tough pitches to work the count to 3-2, the left-hander ambushed a middle-middle fastball and launched it well over the RF wall for a booming grand slam in his second at-bat. He possesses a heavy barrel to contact and complements it with above-average bat speed, and keeps the barrel on-plane and in the hitting zone for quite some time. The sophomore possesses one of the higher ceilings in the class with an advanced bat that should continue to hit for average and more power in the future as he gains strength and continues to develop. Also an upper-80s right-hander pitcher on the mound, as well." |
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Grant Hill RHP / Chelsea, AL / 2026"Hill more than looked the part of the top-ranked uncommitted pitcher in the 2026 class during his two-inning stint for Team Alabama to open the Future Games. Listed at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds, the right-hander boasts a high-waisted mature frame with the stuff and projection to pair. Operated mostly 87-88 mph and touched 89 mph during the appearance. Features two quality secondary offerings, one being a mid-70s slider with tunnel and a diving 81-83 mph changeup that was his best pitch in this look. Athletic mover down the mound and super-competitive traits. Long-limbed frame should continue to tap into more velocity down the road, but shows the pitch-ability now with three above-average offerings." |
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Evan Malone RHP / Northridge, AL / 2026"Malone is another highly-ranked right-hander in the 2026 class who did more than enough to boost his already-high stock. Measuring in at 6-foot-2, 219-pounds, the Alabama recruit is built like a starting pitcher with a strong, durable build and has the stuff to match. On the back-end of the summer, the right-hander was still able to sit 89-90 mph with the heater after being up to 92 mph a month ago with strong command for the pitch. The slider, ranging 78-80 mph, has real horizontal bite and shape and can be used against both-sided hitters to get a strike. He rounds out the arsenal with a 82 mph changeup that has good dive/sink to it, as well. Moves well and competes. Finished going 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 B, 1 HBP, 3 K." |
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Andrew Bennett RHP / Mobile Christian, AL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 3
"Bennett, a recent reclassification to the 2026 class, has been a buzz-worthy name over the past couple of years and has been ranked inside the top-3 in the 2027 class since the inception of the class. Listed at 6-foot-3, 200-pounds, Bennett is coming off an arm injury, but has shown an electric arsenal with a fastball that has been rumored to sitting in the low-90s before the injury. A Junior Future Game attendee, the right-hander showed an ease-of-effort delivery and complimented the fastball with a quality slider and changeup. His long, projectable frame paired with a fairly low-effort delivery definitely suggests for much more in the tank over the next couple of years and beyond." |
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Kahden Smith OF / Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, AL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 1
"Smith is a prospect who certainly has had to keep his phone charged over the last few days, as he showcased some elite athleticism and game-changing abilties throughout the course of the event. Coming into the Future Games as a relative unknown, the prized two-sport star put on a show during the workout portion of the event, clocking a 6.61 60-yard dash and a 103.4 mph EV, the best from any player on Team Alabama. Measuring in at 6-foot-0, 173-pounds, Smith has a dynamic combination of twitch and athleticism that allows him to affect the game in more ways than one. After sending multiple balls out of the yard to LF during the workout, the twitchy right-hander recorded a single and a stolen base with a few walks scattered in during gameplay, but we've seen him hit at a much higher level, including this spring's Class 6A State Finals. He has elite bat speed registering an average of 81.1 mph, per Blast Motion, and a strong feel for the barrel that should continue to tap into more power. Also made a web-gem diving play in the LCF gap during gameplay that caught the attention of many coaches watching. Holds multiple P4 football offers as a WR on the gridirion, as well." |
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Silas Osbourn RHP / Chelsea, AL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 4
"Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 185-pounds. Advanced build with future projection. Intriguing right-handed pitcher with impressive size and has the stuff to match it. Possesses one of the higher ceilings of all the pitchers in the class and will only continue to get better as he harnesses his stuff and command on the mound. Osbourn consistently worked in the 89-91 mph range throughout his extended bullpen, and posted some solid metrics on the fastball throughout. Spinning 2100-2200 rpm, the right-hander posted anywhere from 18-23 in. of induced vertical break on his fastball, which showed heavy sink when down and more ride/carry when elevated in the zone. He landed his firm slider at 76-78 mph inside the strike zone with consistency in this look, which registered spin rates mostly 2550-2650 rpm, and mixed in a fading changeup (78-81 mph; 13-15 in. HZM) and diving splitter (79-82 mph; 700-1000 rpm) to round out his four-pitch reportoire. Coming off an arm injury that sidelined him for most of the summer, but possesses one of the higher upsides in the class." |
Uncommitted By Position:
Pitchers: RHP Grant Hill | RHP Andrew Bennett | RHP Silas Osbourn | RHP/OF Layton Pohl | RHP/SS Brooks Mellown
C: C Jaylen Crocker | C Luke Houser | C Parker Daniels | C Ty Waters | C Wells Ganey
CINF: 3B/RHP Aaron Bailey | 3B Bryce Rivers | 1B Bryson Sheppard | 3B Angelo Santiago | 3B Brody Sabo
MINF: SS Braydon Wright | SS/RHP JaShaun Moten | INF Andrew Petrock | SS/RHP Xander Hughes | INF Hayden Anderson
OF: OF Kahden Smith | OF Cross Tonsmeire | OF Clayton Rice | OF Sawyer Pearsall | OF Aiden Craven
Upcoming Preseason Events
| SHOWCASE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Birmingham Preseason ID | January 5th, 2025 | StrongBox Indoor (Birmingham, AL) |
| Huntsville Preseason ID | January 8th, 2025 | Talley Performance (Huntsville, AL) |
| North AL Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) | January 11th, 2025 | Hartselle HS Indoor (Hartselle, AL) |
| South AL Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) | January 12th, 2025 | Orange Beach Sportsplex (Orange Beach, AL) |
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