After a busy summer full of events, the Class of 2026 Player Rankings was long overdue for an update as these players have just started their sophomore year. There were a ton of new names who entered into the fold, as well as a number of others who continue to elevate their game, warranting plenty of movement and expansion (now 75 players) to the list. Most of the same names are still inside the Top-10 from the last update, but there's some shakeup within.

Yesterday, our staff updated the state’s present sophomore class formally, expanding the list to feature 75 names with plenty of movement throughout. We detailed the new top-10 extensively inside our official release, which you can find HERE. 

Today we’re highlighting some names that rose up our rankings, with detailed scout notes from our year-long coverage that consisted of showcases, tournaments, spring looks, etc. These prospects are trending upward as they begin their sophomore seasons and with all of them uncommitted, too. 

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Learn more about a handful of arrow-up 2026 graduates below. 

Cross Tonsmeire OF / Vestavia hills, AL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 14 / POS: 2 Tonsmeire makes one of the more sizable jumps inside the Top-20 jumping up to No. 14 in this update after showcasing well in multiple viewings this summer. With a 6-foot-0, 200-pound build and quality combo of strength and athleticism, the outfielder is a close name to follow over the next couple of years with gap-to-gap pop from the right side of the plate and good athletic ability all-around. See his report from this summer below: "Tonsmeire (Vestavia Hills, 2026) showcased well all tournament long for Excel Baseball National hitting in the heart of their order and taking consistent quality at-bats. Listed at 6-foot-0, 200-pounds, the right-hander possesses an advanced frame with tons of present strength, twitch, and athleticism that jumps out immediately. A multi-sport athlete that plays football, the outfielder ranks inside the Top-20 in the current rising sophomore class in AL and has a potential for future jumps. Hitting from the right side of the plate, Tonsmeire exhibits a selective, gap-to-gap approach and has present bat speed to his operation. A previous sub-7.0 runner, he can impact the baseball at a high level and has an advanced approach showing good ability to work the count and widen out with two strikes when he needs to. One of the top outfielders in the 2026 class in AL."

Brooks Mellown RHP / Tuscaloosa County, AL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 19 / POS: 5 Mellown was one the notable debuts in the previous update to the list before the summer, and after seeing him in an extended look at this summer's PBRT AL Open, he makes another jump up to No. 19 in this update. Listed at 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, the right-hander has a frame that immediately stands out with present strength to the build and possesses a mid-to-upper-80's fastball on the mound. After throwing some innings for his high school club this past spring, he'll certainly continue to see a heavier workload and will be one to follow for the next couple of years. See his report from this summer below: "Mellown (Tuscaloosa County, 2026) is coming off of a spring where he tossed some meaningful innings for a quality 7A program that won over 30 games on the season. After getting a quick viewing of the right-hander earlier in the spring in a relief outing, Mellown was given the ball for a start on Day 2 of the tournament and showed signs of already making a jump in just a few short months. Standing 6-foot-3, 190-pounds with some present strength and more on the way, the right-hander worked his fastball up to 86 mph in the first inning of his outing while working primarily in the low-80s with some arm-side run. His primary go-to offering for chase was a late-biting slider that tunneled well off of the heater at 74-75 mph. He collected numerous swings-and-misses with the offering and showed the ability to land it glove-side in late counts. Although the right-hander may have not thrown his best game, the arsenal of pitches and stronger, advanced frame has much to dream on in the future as he continues to develop and progress."

Wyatt Williams C / Thompson, AL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 23 / POS: 2 Williams is another rising sophomore that made his debut in the previous update, and after his showing at this summer's Birmingham Open, it warranted another jump as he rises to No. 23 in this update. Standing a solidly-built 6-foot-2, 185-pounds, the backstop saw tons of meaningful playing time as a freshman for one of the top teams statewide this spring. He possesses pull-side pop with an inclined barrel path and doesn't take much effort to drive the ball to the gaps. See his report from this summer below: "6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Showcased well during his PBR showcase debut and reaffirmed his ability with a strong day after earning some significant playing time for one of the top programs in Class 7A as a freshman this spring. Possesses some present strength to his frame, but certainly will carry more down the road as he continues to develop. Hitting from a taller, upright stance, the right-hander has a quicker load, slotting the hands back and allowing them to work cleanly through the zone. He has a heavy barrel that delivered consistent gap-to-gap pop and has already shown some glimpses of power during in-game looks. Good catch-and-throw skills, as well."

Noah Cain OF / Bayside Academy, AL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 28 / POS: 3 Cain rises a few spots up to No. 28 in this update after a strong spring offensively as the leadoff hitter for Bayside Academy and a standout showing at the South Alabama Games this summer. The left-hander possesses excellent bat-to-ball skills at the plate with hitter-ish tendencies and the ability to use the whole field in his approach. See his report from this summer below: "5-foot-9, 155-pounds. Athletic build with some compact strength in the lower-half. Enjoyed a really strong day, especially on the offensive side, with a quality showing in the workout and a 3-for-3 performance during gameplay. Coming off of a freshman campaign where he heavily contributed for one of the top teams in the Mobile area. Simple setup with efficient rhythm throughout; uses a controlled leg kick for timing. Showed the ability to change planes and uses the whole field within his approach. Hitter-ish type characteristics and has a knack for consistently finding the sweet spot. Solid athlete clocking a 7.06 60 YD and was up to 82 mph from the outfield. Good one to keep close tabs on for the next couple of years."

Cole Miles OF / Hartselle , AL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 29 / POS: 4 Miles enjoyed a big summer playing for SBG Sox and was a standout in multiple looks during the PBR 15U National Championship, where he looked noticeably stronger and exhibited an athletic 6-foot-1, 185-pound build. A three-sport athlete, Miles has quality tools across the board and turns the barrel with tons of intent to it with present bat speed. See his report below: "Miles (Hartselle, 2026) was one of two 2026 players playing up on the Alabama 2025 squad, but Miles easily showed that he belonged with that type of competition. Being one of the more consistent hitters on that team, Miles showed some impressive strength and power potential both during BP and in gameplay. Taking aggressive swings throughout the weekend, the 5-11, 150-pounder was consistently on the barrel with a couple of hits recorded during gameplay."

 

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