June 4 Jr Futures/ Futures Games Trials Scout Analysis: Infielders

June 4 Infielders Scout Blog:

Fourteen infielders were on hand to showcase their skills on June 4 in Mobile and they did not disappoint. Several also showcased their talents on the mound as well. A few guys on hand really jumped out at the staff and made a name for themselves. This will conclude our positional analysis for the event held at The Performance Lab. (Note: Players that went through the workout at multiple positions will only have one analysis with all of their notes together.)

2021-2022:

Gabriel Broadus (2021, SS/2B, Faith Academy) 5’8 145 lbs.- Had an impressive day to say the least. Listed at 145 lbs. but plays much bigger than that. Has solid core strength and uses it well in all areas of his game. The speed plays big time as he ran the fastest 60 yard dash (6.52) at any event we have had. Athletic set up at the plate and shows quick twitch actions here as well. The hands have some strength and really stay inside the ball with a leg kick approach to create an explosive swing. Showed pop to all fields from a slightly open stance. Nice flexibility in the hips and the glove plays with no questions on the arm strength (86 mph). ‘21 that really turned heads at the event.

Michael Hopkinson (2021, SS/2B, Faith Academy) 5’11 160 lbs.- Another solid SS/2B from Faith Academy. Has really filled out since we saw him last and the added strength was on display. Has a solid set up at the plate are really short to contact which allows him to control the barrel very well with nice middle of the field pop. It looks easy for him with the barrel and the ball really comes off the barrel with slight tilt in the barrel path. Fluid actions with the feet during IF drills and really played low to the ground. The glove is legit and the arm strength allows him to play anywhere on the infield. Fluid actions with some flair to his game.

Bryce Knox (2021, 3B/SS, Fairhope) 6’1 190 lbs.-  Slightly open toe tap approach at the plate with some tilt in the swing path from the physical ‘21 grad. Showed some real strength in the hands which created a violent swing through the hitting zone. Was primarily middle of the field his entire BP round. Really stays through the zone with the barrel with a high finish. Nice low player at 3B with flexibility in the hips and solid glove presentation. Did a nice job of resetting the feet and staying through his throw across the diamond. Solid job of keeping his momentum moving with the throw. Strong, physical kid.

Caleb Hayles (2021, 3B/RHP, Spanish Fort) 6’2 175 lbs.- Lanky young player with nice actions and plenty of room to add weight and strength but the fundamentals are solid. During IF drills he did a very solid job of glove presentation away from him and the feet really allowed him to throw quickly after the catch. Solid feel with the glove and the position. Slightly open stance at the plate with the hands set back in the stance. Solid lower half with the swing and really gets through the zone with the barrel. Very balanced at the plate. On the mound, his mechanics were clean and he has more velocity in him in the future. Long arm action when the ball gets out of the glove and he creates some ASR on his upper 70’s- low 80’s FB.

Trevor Wilkerson (2022, RHP/1B, Foley) 6’2 195 lbs.- Physical ‘22 grad that really showed well in everything he did. Slightly open stance at the plate and did a very nice job of getting his hands back to the launch position and really creates some torque in the lower half. He does not get cheated at the plate with a short, powerful swing with some tilt in the bat path. Can be a big time bat down the road. Showed solid feel around the bag at 1B and some nimbleness in the feet. Seemed to have natural actions receiving throws at the bag and really fielded ground balls in front of him. On the mound, he commanded the bottom half of the zone with his FB and showed a real feel to locate to his glove side. Upper 70’s FB now but showed some pitchability and legit ASR. The breaking ball showed depth with true curve ball shape. One to follow in the ‘22 class.

Brody Hinton (2022, 3B/SS, Mobile Christian) 5’9 185 lbs.- Another nice looking ‘22 prospect that showed some physicality to his game. Slightly open stance at the plate and a simple, compact approach to the ball. Very nice bat speed and does a nice job with the transfer of the weight with the swing. Slight tilt in the bat path and stayed in the middle of the field during his BP round. The actions at 3B are really advanced and has some natural athletic actions with the glove. Really does a nice job using his momentum to finish plays with the throw. Showed nice lateral movement and a quick transfer.

Will Jordan (2022, SS/RHP, UMS Wright) 5’9 140 lbs.- Slightly open stance at the plate with a toe tap approach that shows a nice synched up swing. Does a very nice getting the back side though on the swing and his low hand set allows him to get on plane early. Showed nice lateral footwork in IF drills and did a nice job presenting the glove out front. Showed the ability to throw from different arm slots as well. On the mound, the mechanics were solid and the delivery showed easy athleticism with more velocity to develop in the future. The FB showed nice ASR into RH hitters and the breaking ball took 12/6 shape showing depth late. Showed the ability to locate the FB to both halves of the plate.

Connor Thames (2021, 2B/SS, Satsuma) 5’8 150 lbs.- Slightly open stance with a nice load of the hands to the launch position of the swing. Does a nice job getting his backside through creating some pop off of the barrel. The hands and barrel stayed inside the ball continually resulting in an inside out approach. High finish of the swing creates some tilt in the swing. Solid setup defensively and the fundamentals are solid. Could be a little bit more narrow with the knees when fielding the ball but he presents the glove out front and showed nice accuracy with his throws to 1B.

2023-2025:

Jaxon Milam (2023, SS/RHP, Russell County) 5’10 150 lbs.- Starts with a wide, even stance with the feet and does a very good job of staying through contact. There is some strength in the hands and he does a nice job of staying inside the ball throughout the swing. Very balanced approach and does a nice job involving his lower half. Solid feel on the IF with plus feet and legit arm strength. Showed the ability to throw from multiple arm slots. The glove works! On the mound he showed a FB up to 81 with long arm action. The mechanics are athletic (looks easy) and clean. POnded the bottom half of the zone with tilt on the FB. The change up showed very nice deception and can be a swing and miss pitch for him. Impressive ‘23 to follow.

Carson Gilley (2023, SS/2B, Central Phenix City) 5’5 135 lbs.- Love the actions of this ‘23 in every aspect of his game. Just a solid, fundamental approach to the game. The bat plays as he starts with an open stance and uses a leg kick approach to create some strength in the swing. Uses the hands well in the swing and really stays through the hitting zone. Does a nice job keeping the head still and showed the ability to handle anything on the inner half of the plate. Slight tilt in the swing path. Plays low to the ground on the IF and has nice feet gathering himself before the throw. Shows a quick transfer out of the glove.

Lane Griggs (2023, SS/2B, Russell County) 5’9 185 lbs.- Slightly open toe tap approach at the plate as he continually showed a middle of the field approach. Did a nice job of keeping his hands and barrel inside the ball with a flat barrel path, producing consistent line drives. Did a nice job using his legs and showed nice barrel control. Really moved well during IF drills and showed a very quick transfer, getting rid of the ball quickly. Loved the glove presentation and feel for the hot corner. On the mound, he showed a FB up to 77 mph and the ball really seemed to come out of the hand very clean. Was down in the zone and showed some action into RH hitters. The breaking ball had tight spin and took shape of a slider.

Sutton Snypes (2023, LHP/1B, UMS Wright) 5’9 148 lbs.- Slightly open stance and he stands tall in the box. Did a nice job of getting his front foot down on time to allow the barrel to follow. Does a nice job of keeping the head still and really worked the backside of the body through the swing. Showed a middle to pull approach. The swing finishes high creating slight tilt in the path. Showed solid feel around the bag at 1B and moved laterally very well starting the 3-6 DP off of the bag and was solid picking balls on throws across the diamond. Really like him on the mound as the arm action is clean and shows long action. Typical LHP ASR into LH hitters. Mechanics were very clean and easy and he spotted the FB to both sides of the plate. The breaking ball showed late depth. Tall, rangy frame with plenty of room to add strength. ‘23 arm to watch!

Lee Rodgers (2023, 1B/LHP, Gulf Shores) 5’8 132 lbs.- Slightly open from the left side with a toe tap approach to get timed up with the barrel. Showed an inside out approach consistently producing line drives with a flat bat path. Does a nice job of the pre set with the feet and gets the glove out in front of him when fielding ground balls. Natural instincts around the bag at 1B with nice footwork. On the mound, the LHP shows easy, clean mechanics and the ball seemed to have natural sink to it, to go along with nice ASR. The breaking ball showed some tight spin and can be a weapon vs. LH hitters.

Matthew Hopkinson (2026, 3B/RHP, Homeschool) 5’6 105 lbs.- The youngest player at the event did a very nice job of holding his own vs. the older players. Showed an even stance at the plate with a solid, level plane with the bat path. Does a nice job of using his lower half and really showed some top hand strength through the hitting zone. At 3B, the glove played well out in front of him and he did a nice job of keeping his momentum moving with his throws across the IF. Played the backhand very well and showed the ability to get rid of the ball very quickly. Solid IF actions from the ‘26 grad. On the mound, he did a nice job of staying balanced and really used his core strength and lower half. Spotted the FB to both sides of the plate very well and showed feel for a true breaking ball with depth, burying it in the bottom half of the zone. Solid fundamentals and will continue to develop as the years progress.

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