ALABAMA - With one class graduating from the high school ranks and moving onto the college level, it's time to introduce the next batch of high school prospects looking to make their impact on the state of Alabama. The class of 2026 in the state of Alabama is setting up to be one of the best we've seen over the past decade with loads of top-end talent and some prospects looking to make jumps over the course of the next four years.

Starting out with our initial list of these prospects, we've narrowed this list down to 30 players after spending time the last couple summers getting extended and multiple looks. This list is surely to expand and shuffle throughout over the next four years as these players continue to refine their skills and mature. At this point in the process, there were numerous other prospects outside of this list that are high quality players and are sure to crack into this list in the next few updates. For now, let's dive deeper into the Top-5 in this class starting with SS Steele Hall, who debuts at No. 1. 

 

The Top-5

Steele Hall SS / RHP / Daphne, AL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 Few have created the type of buzz that Hall has made over the past year, whether it be as the starting shortstop and leadoff hitter for 7A Daphne in the spring or receiving high reviews from Shooter Hunt and having LakePoint buzzing at night after turning around 90 mph for a no-doubter in the summer. No matter the setting or age group, the Tennessee recruit continues to show why he's a top prospect not just in Alabama, but in the country. The slick-fielding shortstop stands a lean/athletic 5-foot-10, 145-pounds with a physically developing frame and obvious room for projection. Steele has consistently shown the ability to handle all forms of pitchers/velocity at such a young age with surprising power hitting from the right side. He also has just as impressive defensive skills to match and plays with bounce, range and adequate arm strength on the left side of the infield. In addition to his play on the diamond, Hall can also run it up to 88 mph with high spin metrics on his fastball and breaking ball.

Braylon Nelson SS / RHP / UMS-Wright , AL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 2 Speaking of buzz, Nelson follows Hall closely and is another one who has already made a big name for himself at such a young age. Listed at 6-foot-5, 200-pounds, the towering right-handed hitter has arguably the best power in the class using a highly projectable frame that already generates easy juice in the box. With his already advanced frame and the ability he's shown to hit for power at this age, Nelson easily has the most upside in this class. There's plenty to like in the present and in the future with the makings of becoming a future middle-of-the-order run producer down the line.

John Stowers C / St. Paul's Episcopal, AL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 1 Just like Hall, Stowers was a member of Team Alabama at the PBR Jr. Future Games in the summer of 2021 and it's easy to see the physical growth he's already made since then. An Auburn recruit, Stowers looks noticeably more physical with the potential for much more strength to be carried in his 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame. Stowers' most impressive tool is arguably the power he brings into the left-handed box, as he's certainly a threat to leave the yard each time he steps up to the plate. He's shown that ability already in his young career after seeing playing time last spring as an eighth-grader. The backstop generates easy juice using his strong frame while working mostly uphill through the zone and showing a polished approach using the whole field. Behind the plate, Stowers has shown sub-2.0 pop times with a strong arm for his age with carry on throws to the second base bag.

Jaxson Wood SS / 2B / Hoover, AL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 3 Wood was ultra-impressive at this summer's AL Rising Stars ID, where he emerged as a top performer from the event and made his case as one of the top players in the class in AL. A Tennessee recruit standing 5-foot-9, 140-pounds, Wood is a high-level athlete with impressive skills across the board. With 6.89-speed, the infielder carries a mature approach to the right side of the plate where he works back up the middle. Using an athletic setup and a controlled leg kick, Wood stays on his back side well and fires some quick hands through the zone finding firm contact with nearly every swing. He also showcased as one of the top infielders in the class with stellar feet and lateral range. His hands work through the ball and stays under control while firing accurate throws near 80 mph across the infield.

Will Adams 1B / LHP / Hoover, AL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 1 Adams is another prospect, like Nelson, that has upside that is easy to see and dream on. A teammate of Wood at the 7A powerhouse, it certainly seems Adams is one of the next in line to make an impact on that program over the course of the next four years. Standing at 6-foot-1, 190-pounds, the left-hander has shown plenty to like both at the plate and on the mound. Our first viewing of the Alabama recruit was in the summer of 2021 where he immediately jumped out in both facets. On the mound, he worked in the low-80's and overpowered hitters with the pitch that will certainly make jumps in the coming years. At the plate, there wasn't much to show for in the box score, but you could see the swing works well from the left side along with his ability to repeat it.

 

Alabama 2026: Top 5

RANK	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
1	Steele Hall	AL	Daphne	2026	SS/RHP	Tennessee
2	Braylon Nelson	AL	UMS-Wright	2026	SS
3	John Stowers	AL	St. Paul's Episcopal	2026	C	Auburn
4	Jaxson Wood	AL	Hoover	2026	MIF	Tennessee
5	Will Adams	AL	Hoover	2026	1B/LHP	Alabama

 

Click Here to View the Full AL 2026 Rankings

 

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