The past few days have seen a large number of very talented players across the state sign their scholarship papers and we wish all of those players the best in their upcoming high school season and in their college careers. The 2022 class is a very deep class with a large number of quality players still uncommitted as the high school season gets closer. Today, we take a look at some of those players that are still uncommitted, but should find a home to play after high school.

 

UNCOMMITTED SENIORS

JT Blackwood RHP / Hartselle, AL / 2022 6-2, 200-pounder came out slinging 87-88 (2300 rpm) fastballs with run & tail to the arm side early on before settling into the mid-80’s in the later innings. Excellent feel for a 76-77 mph (2600 rpm) slider to both right and left-handed hitters that induced chase late in counts. Changeup also worked well off the fastball at 80-81 mph with the same action as the fastball. The final line may have been a bit deceiving with seven runs allowed, but only three were earned. Left some pitches over the plate to left-handed hitters, but was dominant against the few right-handers in the lineup.

Brody Capps 1B / Central Phenix City, AL / 2022 Hitting in the cleanup spot, the 6-2, 190-pound corner infielder led the charge offensively all weekend in this Elite 8 series. Facing a tall task in Game 1 against a mid-90’s fastball, Capps showed no issue handling velocity by going 3-for-3 with a home run and 3 RBI’s. Caught a changeup over the plate to homer to center field in his 1st at-bat and added a pair of singles over the following at-bats. Showed quick enough hands, even with two strikes, to be able to get to a fastball and drive it to all fields. Has hit every time we’ve seen him this year, and is arguably the hottest hitter in Alabama. Big time hitter here.

Pierce Hanna C / OF / Vestavia Hills, AL / 2022 5-foot-10, 190-pound solid physical frame. In the 60-yard dash, his time was 7.72. Solid approach during  batting practice as his best exit velocity was 94 mph. Began in an open tall stance with a small load, then used a leg kick to generate some juice. Bat speed is explosive while using a loose uphill swing plane and high finish. Was able to create a lot of loud contact and found multiple barrels with a pull side approach during BP. Behind the plate, he made throws to 2B up to 73 mph while showing a clean exchange and smooth footwork. Consistent pop time of 1.98-2.09 from a arrow setup with above average flexibility. Consistent accuracy to the bag, used a high ¾ slot with a quick arm action.

Matt Miller C / RHP / Hewitt-Trussville, AL / 2022 Standing at 6-3, 225 pounds, Miller recorded three hits with two of those being doubles out of the 4-hole in a talented lineup. In his first at-bat, the physical backstop worked the count and caught an elevated 83 mph fastball up in the zone and lined it down the LF line for a RBI double to get his team on the board. It’s a simple, crouched setup at the plate & gets into his lower-half well to hit for power to all fields. He also added two more hits throughout the game, with one being another double. He’s got the feel to hit for power to power alleys, especially to the LCF gap. Defensively, Miller is also one of the top defensive catchers that our staff has seen so far this year. He’s got efficient flexibility and strong forearms to receive well, especially the ball down in the zone. He didn’t show his arm off in-game, but throws to 2nd base in-between innings showed carry and accuracy.

Sheldon Ott 1B / LHP / Houston Academy, AL / 2022 6-foot-5, 225-pound physical  athletic frame. Started in a wide stance with a controlled load, then used a toe tap. Explosive bat speed. High finish, upward rotational swing. Pull side approach. 93 mph exit velocity, average 76.42 mph. 73.06 mph bat speed average. 20.62 mph hand speed average. Soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange on the infield. Glove-work is shown out front. 74 mph infield velocity. Loose arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy.

Bodie Vail OF / RHP / Northridge, AL / 2022 6-foot-1, 175-pound athletic frame. At the plate, Vail clocked an exit velocity of 87 mph. Started in an athletic stance then used a controlled stride. Had some bat speed. Found lots of barrels with some loud contacts. Gap to gap approach. In the outfield, his best throws to the infield topped out at 88 mph; had smooth footwork and sure hands. Decent accuracy to the bag, used a quick arm action and a high ¾ slot.

Whitt Winfield C / 1B / Northridge, AL / 2022 Stout 6-2, 210-pounder with present strength throughout the frame. Hits from a balanced, upright stance and works with an uphill plane through the zone. Has shown gap-to-gap power with good barrel accuracy from the right side. Short swing & repeats it well. Uses a toe-tap trigger on pre-pitch. Good catch-and-throw skills behind the plate with 1.88-1.98 pop times and a 77 mph carry on throws to 2nd. Athletic behind the plate and receives well. Has been a 6.80-runner at previous events.

Jordan Evans SS / Tuscaloosa Academy, AL / 2022 Stocky frame with strength in the lower-half, but can also move very well around the bases. Blasted a no-doubt home run in the 3rd over the monster in left field, and added two other hits in the contest. Finished 3-for-4 with a single, double, home run and three RBI’s hitting out of the two-hole. Glove is solid up the middle and could move to 3rd or 2nd base easily in the future if needed.

Cole Morton 3B / C / Spanish Fort, AL / 2022 Strong 6-1, 190-pound frame and creates great extension out front, allowing him to hit for power as he showed in a game last spring. Ball comes off the bat very loud when he connects with it and makes solid contact. Drove home three runs on that one swing, which was a three-run home run to give his team the lead at that time. Plenty of pop to both gaps from the right side with a 91 mph EV at an event this past summer.

Patch Lyman 1B / OF / Mountain Brook , AL / 2022 6-foot-3, 200-pound lengthy solid build. At the plate, Lyman's 98 mph exit velocity ranks him 1st at the event. Began in an open wide stance with a quick load, then used a toe tap stride. Had a simple upward swing plane, explosive bat speed and high finish. Gap to gap approach. His best position velocity in the infield was registered at 80 mph; has rhythmic footwork, and a lengthy exchange. Used a high ¾ slot with a long arm action.

Marcus Locklear OF / RHP / Hoover , AL / 2022 6-1, 167-pounds. Long limbed, lean frame. Athletic delivery with a high leg-kick, drop and drive lower-half, utilizes his legs moving down the mound. Loose/quick arm action, high 3/4 slot. Fastball worked T88, 85-88 mph. Mostly straight action, flashed arm-side life. T2334, 2168 average rpm. Breaking ball was 65-67 mph. Gradual 12/6 action with feel for the zone.  T2133, 2087 average rpm. One of the top uncommitted arms in the 2022 class with a high upside.

Rynzo Crutcher LHP / OF / Grissom , AL / 2022 6-foot-0, 170-pound proportional, athletic frame. Showed quick arm speed and threw from a high ¾ arm slot. Up-tempo type delivery. The fastball (84-85 mph) showed some late arm side action as the ball seems to explode out of the hand. The 12/6 breaking ball (71-72 mph) simply disappears to hitters, showing late depth and hitters seem to swing over the top of the pitch. The changeup (72-75 mph) shows legit deception as the pitch comes out of the same arm slot.

Brexton Taft SS / 3B / American Christian, AL / 2022 5-foot-10, 162-pound athletic, proportional frame. Athletic stance with a controlled stride/leg kick. Uses a level plane through the zone with excellent feel to hit for line drives. Quick hand speed with good feel for the barrel. Posted a 93 mph EV. Rhythmic footwork on the infield with sure hands and adequate arm strength across the infield. Could move to 2nd base if needed. 84 mph INF velo. Ran a 7.01 laser-timed 60 YD.

Barrett Brown RHP / OF / East Limestone, AL / 2022 6-foot, 170-pound athletic frame. Confident in the box, the right-handed hitters best exit velocity was 98 mph. Started in a crouched stance with a quick load, then used a quick stride. Has above average bat speed, upward swing plane and good extension on his finish. Found some barrels in his rounds. Line drive approach. Above average his best position velocity in the outfield was registered at 85 mph; shows athletic footwork, and a quick exchange. Had a high ¾ slot and a quick arm action with consistent accuracy to the bag. Clocked a time of 6.88 in the 60-yard dash. Advanced on the mound, showing quick arm speed he had a very quick arm action with an over-the-top arm angle. Up-tempo type pitcher and uses some effort. Showed athletic balance point. Produced a fastball that came in at 82-83 mph with a max of 85 mph; had tailing action and control in the zone. His curveball (73-77) had command low in the zone and swing and miss action. His changeup (76-77) had fading action.

Harrison Long SS / OF / Opelika, AL / 2022 6-foot, 160-pound projectable frame. At the plate, the right-handed hitter showed his power in the box with a strong exit velocity of 93 mph. Begins in an athletic stance with a controlled load, then uses a quick stride just before his swing. Bat speed is above average and exhibits uphill swing plane. He Barreled up multiple balls with tons of loud contact. Line drive approach. From the outfield, his best throws to the bases were registered at 84 mph; had a clean exchange and smooth footwork. Showed a consistent arm action with consistent accuracy to the bag. Clocked a time of 7.06 in the 60-yard dash.

Cade Prestegard 3B / RHP / Huntsville, AL / 2022 6-4, 190-pounds. Long, mature frame that still has plenty of room for added development. Wide, crouched setup with controlled leg kick. Upward path to contact with pull-side power. 92.2 mph max exit velocity, averaged 87.06 mph. 327’ max distance. 81 mph INF velo. Has developed arm strength of late from a long, loose high 3/4 slot. Steady hands with a clean transfer, moves well side-to-side with fluid footwork. 7.39 runner in the 60.

Cooper Williamson SS / 2B / Huntsville , AL / 2022 5-11, 155-pounds. Athletic build with solid strength throughout. Athletic, tall setup with quick toe-tap load. Short path to contact, level plane, pull-side pop with hard line drives. 96.46 max exit velocity, averaged 81.76 mph. 332’ max distance. 82 mph INF velo. Loose action from a 3/4 slot. Showed the ability to throw from multiple arm angles. Soft hands in the infield; fluid footwork with a clean transfer, easy range to both sides of his glove. 6.90 runner in the 60.

 

 

We just released our Preseason All State events to be held before the high school season begins in January. This event has grown into a heavily attended event so this year we will have two different events with one being in the northern half of the state and the other to be held in the southern part of the state.

Click HERE to get information or to request an invite to one of the events. 

 

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