2022 SEC Recruiting Classes

Prep Baseball Report is conducting its annual review of recruiting classes, in which Nathan Rode and Shooter Hunt evaluate the current senior talent committed to programs in each of the Power Five conferences, as well as notable mid-majors—or as we like to call them, Power Majors—and the draft risk each of those classes carry. Numbers in the charts below denote where players are ranked in the 2022 Overall Rankings.

ALABAMA

OVERVIEW: Alabama crisscrossed North America for this class, pulling prospects from New York, Florida, Ohio, Ontario, Georgia, Nebraska and even Montana. Ford, formerly a 2023, has loud tools on both sides of the ball as one of the top two-way talents in the country. He has a simple approach and direct path that produces huge power from the right side. On the mound, he can run his fastball into the mid 90s and flashes a low-80s slider with plus potential. Shelton is a hitter through and through, using easy bat speed and excellent barrel control to hit hard line drives to all fields. His offensive profile will allow him to slot in anywhere on the diamond. Chaffee is a lean, athletic southpaw with a clean arm action that can run a fastball up to 90. Quick, who stands at 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, had offers to play offensive line for Power Five programs, but he’ll stick to pitching. He has been up to 92 with the ability to command his fastball to all quadrants. He also features a low-80s slider with late, minimal movement with the ability to miss barrels. Williams’ barrel explodes through the zone from the left side, producing big power. West has a knack for the barrel and using the whole field. Jones makes for an uncomfortable at-bat with an 88-91 fastball that has a ton of arm-side life. He kills spin on his changeup and can drop in an upper-70s slider for strikes. Ochoa stands out for his size and physicality with raw power from the right side. He has the actions and arm strength to stay on the left side, profiling well as a power hitter at the hot corner. Davis is long and lanky at 6-foot-4, 180 pounds with a loose, whippy arm. His fastball is up to 92 and he mixes in a 2/8 curveball in the low 70s. RHP Brock Blatter (Billings Central Catholic HS, MT) sits 88-91 and mixes in a low-80s slider and 83-84 changeup.

DRAFT RISK: Medium. Ford reclassed from 2023, meaning the Crimson Tide could see him sooner than anticipated--if he makes it to Tuscaloosa of course. Shelton performs everywhere he goes. Keep those two and they’re in excellent shape, but Ford will likely make the staff sweat until July.