Alabama Future Games Analysis: Pitcher Only's

Alabama Future Games Recap- Pitcher Only's

The Future Games at LakePoint was filled with quality arms from all of the country. Team Alabama had plenty of quality arms that impressed the 300+ college coaches in attendance. Take a look at the guys that showed up to pitch only at the event. There were several other high quality arms from Alabama that pitched, and their pitching notes will be featured in their positional write up. We also included two additional arms from Alabama that were very impressive for the ‘23 grad team that participated in the Junior Future Games. 

Cole Cheatham (2021, LHP, Ardmore) The ‘21 left hander was very impressive in his 2 innings of work on Friday, August 2. The velocity was up from previous appearances as he sat 86-88 mph and bumped 89 mph a few times. The breaking ball is legit (and has been) and shows true late depth to hitters. The FB showed typical ASR from the left side and the mechanics were clean. Has a very high ceiling. Should continue to progress as he adds strength and weight to a slender frame. 

Trey Mooney (2021, RHP, Oxford) Impressive work by the ‘21 grad as he showed a FB in the mid 80’s, topping at 85 mph in both appearances he made (1 inning each). Strong lower half with clean mechanics. Showed nice ability to be able to mix 3 pitches vs. hitters. The breaking ball was very sharp at times and the changeup has the ability to be a weapon with nice tumble into RH hitters. 

Drew Druckenmiller (2021, RHP, Faith Academy) Bulldog type on the mound that really creates some downhill plane on the FB. Broad shoulders and a strong lower half on the ‘21 RHP really fits his demeanor on the mound. The FB showed late life and seemed to tie up hitters as he sat 84-86 mph and bumped 88 mph a few times. The breaking took nice 12/6 shape and he was able to locate the pitch down in the zone. 

Carson Howard (2021, RHP, Saint James) Not the most physical looking pitcher on the mound but don’t let that fool you at all. This guy is a competitor and can flat pitch. Simple, athletic mechanics on the mound shows no wasted movement and he does a very nice job of hiding the ball from hitters. The arm action is very quick and the velocity matches that. The ‘21 grad commanded both sides of the plate at 86-88 mph and was up to 89 mph on several pitches. The breaking ball showed very tight spin and broke very late. The breaking ball is a definite swing and miss pitch vs. RH hitters. 

Steven Cash (2022, LHP, Bibb County) The ‘22 southpaw showed very nice feel on three different pitches. The arm action really creates some ASR on the FB and he was able to pitch backwards in the count. The FB sat 79-81 mph and he touched 83 mph a few times. The FB seemed to be a bit quicker than it appeared due to his ability and feel for both of his secondary pitches. The changeup is plus and is thrown from the same arm slot and the arm speed remains the same as well, which really created deception for hitters. The breaking ball shows tight spin and is a true curve ball over the top. Interesting young arm to follow. 

Ryan Strachan (2023, RHP/SS, Sparkman) Speaking of young arms, this ‘23 grad was downright dominant in the Junior Future Games with an electric FB that consistently sat 82-85 mph but was up to 87 mph on many of his deliveries to the plate. Although he was able to throw the FB by most his hitters, he also showed a well shaped slider type breaking ball at 71-72 mph. The appearance of this secondary pitch really made him unhittable to a number of hitters. Also a big time bat that shows serious juice to all fields and was an extra base hit machine in the Junior Future Games. Look for this ‘23 to make a significant jump when our ‘23 rankings are updated. 

Banks Langston (2023, RHP/OF, Florence) Another young arm that made a name for himself in the Junior Future Games. Made some big time plays in CF as well but no doubt his future is on the bump. No wasted movement in the delivery with solid mechanics allows him to consistently stay around the zone. Easy, repeatable mechanics and very solid demeanor on the mound as he seems to never get rattled. Clean arm action with a FB that sat 79-82 mph and bumped 84 mph. The breaking ball is tight and shows solid slider type action. Really has a feel for how to pitch.  

We will continue our analysis of the Alabama players at the Future Games over the next few days. Next we will look at the catchers from the Yellowhammer State. 

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