Prep Baseball Report

Alabama Community College Fall Showcase 2022: Quick Hits


By Tad Slowik
Special Assistant, Scouting


Alabama’s JUCO programs were center stage this week, given the platform to showcase their talents at the Alabama Community College Fall Showcase in Hoover, Ala., on Tuesday, Sept. 13, providing everyone with a preview of the teams that’ll be competing for a berth in Grand Junction’s World Series in 2023.

Many pro scouts and college recruiters were on hand enjoying both the weather and the talent, fit with non-stop action. The energy of the players helped reignite the healthy rivalries among these area programs, generating fierce competition for a fall exhibition. If the games were this competitive in September, it’ll be enthralling to watch these groups battle next March.

Here is a quick look at some of the top performing pitchers and position players from this week’s exhibitions.

PITCHERS

+ Anthony Patterson, RHP, Central Alabama: Strong, durable athletic body with a very quick arm. His 91-94 mph fastball comes out easy and gets on hitters quickly, with life; locates quality fastballs in the zone. Has a tight, true slider, 82-84 mph, with a sharp, late break. Still developing with a very high upside.

+ Will Varmette, RHP, Wallace State-Hanceville: Strong, solid prototypical pitcher's frame. Quick arm speed produces a fastball, 89-92 mph (T94), with some late life. Effective spin on a sharp, late slider, 77-79 mph. Ability to repeat delivery and throw strikes.

+ Sawyer Toney, RHP, Shelton State: Strong, solid build; produces some arm speed. Fastball was 88-90 mph with late life. Slider had quality spin with a sharp, late break and some diving action, 77-78 mph. Showed feel for split change, 79-80 mph, with drop to it. Has ability to throw strikes with all three pitches. 

+ Kade Snell, LHP, Wallace-Dothan: Very strong, durable pitcher's physique. Hides the ball well with delivery and the ball gets on hitters quickly. Effective four-pitch mix; fastball was 88-90 mph, late life. Deception on a tight slider, 81-82 mph, with sharp, late action. Curveball, 75-76 mph, is also deceptive with sharp, late bite. Maintained arm speed effectively with his changeup, featuring some fading action. Athletic to repeat delivery and throw strikes with all four pitches. Plus future command. Aggressive and really competes. Complete, advanced left-hander.

+ Francisco Minaya, RHP, Calhoun: The strong, athletic, 6-foot-6 Minaya has quick arm speed and the ball comes out of his hand easily. Fastball, 89-92 mph, with some life in the zone. Effective spin on a deceptive slider, 77-79 mph, sharp, downer action. Athletic enough to repeat delivery and throw strikes. Big upside. 

+ Ethan Atkinson, LHP, Calhoun: Athletic body with live, quick arm. Deception in delivery. Hides the ball well and gets on hitters quickly. Fastball, 86-88 mph, has late life; locates fastballs consistently to both sides of the plate. Effective spin on a tight, late slider, 78-79 mph, some diving action. He has deception and feel for a change. Changes speeds and keeps hitters off balance. Chance to command all three pitches in the near future. 

POSITION PLAYERS

+ Trey Higgins, OF, Snead State: Transfer from Mississippi State and a former high school quarterback prospect. Very strong at a physical  6-foot-4, 210 pounds, as an athlete who can run. Switch-hitter with an advanced approach from both sides. Ability to barrel balls up featuring plus power from both sides. Defensively, has instincts to run down balls and is capable of playing all outfield positions. Big upside offensively enhanced by the ability to steal bases.

+ Carter Frederick, OF, Snead State: Strong, physical athlete listed at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds. Can run and go get it in the outfield; throws are accurate with carry. High offensive potential stemming from a quality approach at the plate, with the ability to drive balls to all fields. Can square it up and make consistent hard contact. Plus raw power, middle-of-the-order type of hitter.

+ Josh Shuler, OF, Calhoun: Strong 6-foot-3, 225-pound live-bodied athlete who can run and is better underway. Instincts in the outfield to run balls down with a strong, accurate arm. Big potential offensively with the ability to make loud contact and steal bases. Has raw power to drive the ball out of the park. With more experience and minor adjustments at the plate and can make an impact at the next level. 

+ Harold Moore, CF, Lurleen B. Wallace: Strong, athletic body. Useful instincts on defense and closing speed to cover both gaps in center field. Strong, accurate throws with plenty of carry; can become a plus defender. Quality approach at the plate from the left side with ability to square balls up consistently. Ball comes off his bat quickly with raw power. Quick first step to steal bases. Upside potential offensively.

+ Aiden McGinnis, OF, Bevill State: Strong, physical left-handed hitter with a quality approach at the plate. Has a quick, compact stroke capable of barreling the ball up. Ability to drive the ball to all fields with power potential. Solid defender. 

+ Alex Balisteri, CF, Calhoun: Strong athlete. Switch-hitter with advanced approach at the plate. Balanced in the box, shows the ability to track pitches well. Will square the ball up consistently and drive to all fields; gap-type power. A 6.50 runner who has potential to steal bases. Instincts to cover ground and close on balls in the outfield. Demonstrates intangibles and feel for the game. 

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