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Alabama Fall Prospect Games: Quick Hits

October 25, 2021
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

The Alabama Fall Prospect Games were held this past Sunday, October 24th at the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, AL. This event consisted of players ranging from the classes of 2022-2025. These players went through an extended pro-style workout, took batting practice using Trackman and Blast Motion sensors. Pitchers were able to throw against hitters in simulated gameplay, and were able to get numbers and metrics off of our Trackman unit. There were some players who showed up and continued to build off of prior performances, but there were also some new names who jumped onto our radar with a strong showing on Sunday.

Kicking off our post-event coverage for this event, we take a look back at some of the top performers and standouts from the event. Continuing over the course of the next week or so, we will release Statistical Leaderboards for the event then transition into releasing individual scouting reports for each player in attendance.

 

+ RHP/OF Chris Billingsley, Jr. (Bibb County, 2023) was arguably the event's biggest winner with his performance he turned in on the mound. There's a lot to be said about the jump in terms of velocity that the 6-3, 170-pounder has made since attending this year's Preseason All-State event in January, where is fastball was sitting 76-78 mph. Fast forward to this past Sunday, Billingsley put an electric three-pitch arsenal on display against hitters who seemingly had no chance in the batter's box. He worked 87-89 mph with his fastball in this outing, and effectively mixed in two distinctly different breaking balls. Slider was a firm 76-77 mph (2600rpm's) & also used a 71 mph breaking ball (2700rpm's) with 12-6 shape. The right-now is really good for the junior, but it's easy to dream about the fact he could throw much harder one day.

+ C Mikey Vanderheyden (GW Long, 2025) has really stood out to our scouting staff in numerous looks over the course of the last few months, and this Sunday was no different. A former attendee at the PBR Jr. Future Games this past summer, the 5-10, 160-pounder has some special ability behind the plate for a prospect at such a young age. During the workout, he led all players in attendance with 2.03-2.12 pop times on throws to 2nd. He also showed that the bat was not far behind either, leaving the yard once during his BP round and showing glimpses of developing gap-to-gap pop. Played up with the upperclassman in gameplay, and didn't miss a beat behind the plate.

+ 3B/1B Ty McGraw (Gardendale, 2024) established himself as one of the top left-handed power hitters in the young sophomore class over the past few months, and the strong 6-1, 200-pounder continued to trend up at Sunday's event. From the start in one of the earlier rounds of BP, McGraw was peppering balls to the power alleys with a top EV at 95 mph, the highest out of anyone in his class in attendance. Using a strong lower-half, McGraw stays balanced well throughout his repeatable swing. He should be a high follow for the sophomore class moving forward.

+ RHP/OF Marcus Locklear (Hoover, 2022) showed signs of being a good pickup for some program at the next level in his short stint on the mound at Sunday's event. With solid athleticism packed into a 6-2, 170-pound frame, Locklear showed off a live arm in his inning of work, sitting anywhere from 85-88 mph. While he was able to establish his fastball for strikes the majority of his outing, the breaking ball is still developing, but showed quality 12-6 depth. With continued refinement of command, Locklear could be a solid arm at the next level.

+ RHP/SS Mykell Murrah (Elkmont, 2023) continues to do everything at a high level when we get looks on him. A naturally-gifted athlete who can play numerous positions, Murrah continued his steady trend upwards in multiple facets after a good showing this weekend. On the mound, the 5-10, 165-pounder exudes plenty of confidence & mound presence in his repertoire, as he worked 85-87 mph & mixed in a gradual breaking ball. Manipulates tempo & works quick. He also showed well in terms of offensive ability spraying line drives to all parts of the field during his round. Ran the third-best 60 YD at 6.79.

+ INF Kurt Kizer (Hewitt-Trussville, 2023) enjoyed a well-rounded showing at his first PBR showcase this weekend and has plenty to build on moving forward. A 5-11, 155-pounder who played a vital role for the Huskies' offensive last year as a sophomore, Kizer showed a knack for finding the barrel both during BP & during gameplay against some talented arms. Using a balanced setup & minimal movement on pre-pitch, the junior was always on-time in each at-bat and got off numerous quality swings throughout the day, including this double to the back side in his first at-bat.

+ C/3B John Boroff (Macon East, 2023) took arguably the most impressive round of BP at this weekend's event, as it consisted of a few balls leaving the yard and an event-best EV at 101.1 mph. A sturdy & physical 6-0, 200-pounder with present strength in the lower-half, Boroff took some violent swings during his round, driving consistent upper-90 EV's into the gaps with authority. Recorded the longest ball hit during BP at the event with a 391 ft. HR to the pull side.

+ RHP Luke Davenport (James Clemens, 2024) continues to build on each performance on the mound after a lights-out showing at the AL/MS Border Battle. Standing a long 6-3, 165-pounds with long legs and plenty of room for more strength, Davenport could be one of the top arms in the sophomore class when it's all said and done. In this look, he worked anywhere from 82-84 mph (2300rpm's) and fearlessly hammered the fastball to the inside part of the zone on right-handed hitters. Breaking ball featured late bit to it and 11-5 shape in the low-70's (2600rpm's). Pitches with poise and confidence.

+ 1B Grayson Kellett (Glencoe, 2022) showed signs of being an impact middle-of-the-order hitter at the next level with the way he swung the bat at this weekend's event. A strong 6-0, 205-pounder with real strength throughout, Kellett took some violent swings & had a lot to show for both in gameplay and during BP. He started off showing big power to the pull side during BP, posting a 96 mph EV in the process. That swing carried over into the gameplay, when he drove a fastball down the RF line for a triple.

+ A pair of uncommitted seniors from Huntsville HS definitely left their mark after turning in solid showings at this weekend's event, as SS Cooper Williamson (Huntsville, 2022) & 3B Cade Prestegard (Huntsville, 2022) were on the barrel all day. Williamson enjoyed a good pro-style workout in the morning as he posted a 7.02 60 YD, 78 mph INF velo & was near the top of the leaderboard with a 97 mph EV during BP. He also recorded a pair of hits in gameplay. Prestegard also took quality swings throughout the day, but the biggest one came on a no-doubter that sailed way over the RF fence for a home run during gameplay. Both should be solid additions for someone at the next level.

+ INF Casen Heaps (Russellville, 2023) showed the amount of progress that he's made since attending the Preseason All-State event earlier this year in January. He started the event off by running the fourth-best 60 YD time at 6.84, and then drove line drives to all fields during his BP round to record a 96 mph EV. Attacking with a flat path through the zone, Heaps showed impressive barrel control and the ability to make solid contact on each swing during his round. Also recorded a base hit during gameplay.

 

 

We are finalizing 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. Keep checking back for details on those events. 

Also, over the next two months we will be sending out team questionnaires to coaches to fill out about their 2022 teams. High school team previews will begin soon after the calendar flips to 2022. 

 

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