The Alabama Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the PBR Scouting Staff during the season. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more. 

Continue to check back over the course of the week, as the Alabama Scouting Staff will add scouting reports daily.

 

Friday, March 11th

+ RHP Thrasher Steed (Gulf Shores, 2022) took the ball in the Dolphin's first game of the weekend and was forced to battle through a tough lineup throughout his outing. The Chipola CC signee stands a durable 6-foot-4, 210-pounder who broad shoulders and a starter profile with three quality offerings that he showed in his start. Steed worked 89-91 mph with his fastball that featured arm-side run coming out of a high 3/4 slot, but seemed to lose the command for the pitch towards the back-end of his outing. The right-hander showed two quality off-speed offerings with an upper-70's slider with sharp, lateral break and a low-80's changeup with fade. Although the senior right-hander didn't have his best command as he was tagged with the loss in this start, there's a lot to like in the future with an impressive frame and feel for all three pitches that he's shown in the past.

Thrasher Steed (3/11/22)

+ SS/RHP Connor Gatwood (Baker, 2024) was a big winner at the South Alabama Preseason All-State event held a couple of months ago, and his showing in-game against quality competition further cemented himself as a high upside two-way prospect. At 6-foot-3, 170-pounds, the sophomore has really made an impact hitting towards the bottom of a veteran lineup and has showed some power in a small sample size already this spring. In a double-header yesterday, Gatwood got off some quality swings with not much to show for outside of a triple in their first game. The sophomore starts in an upright stance with minimal pre-pitch movement, allowing him to be on-time facing the arms that he saw yesterday. He's posted good numbers at previous showcases, and with his ability to hit in-game complemented by his projectable & athletic frame, it should only increase his stock as he carries more strength in the future.

Connor Gatwood (3/11/22)

+ 3B/RHP Davis Randolph (Northridge, 2022) delivered in a big way in Game 1 as the Jaguars came back for a 6-5 win on Friday. The Shelton State recruit had several big at-bats on the day as his day started with an RBI single in the 3rd inning to tie things up at 1-1. Randolph would drive in his team’s second run of the day in the 5th inning as he delivered a sacrifice fly to close the gap to 3-2. For the day, Randolph was 2-for-4 with four runs driven in, one walk and one stolen base. 

Davis Randolph (3/11/22)

+ OF/LHP Joshua Bybee (Madison Academy, 2023) had a productive day for the Mustangs as the designated hitter out of the seven-hole in the lineup. The junior shows a middle-to-opposite field approach from a mostly level bat path. The setup is simple with a direct path to contact with the hands. Both of his base hits on Friday appeared to be replicas of each other as he simply got a pitch over the outer half and served it to left field.  

Joshua Bybee (3/11/22)

+ RHP/OF Bodie Vail (Northridge, 2022) got the win on the mound in Game 1 Friday and also helped himself with the bat as well. The Shelton State recruit established the fastball at 85-86 mph with sink to the bottom half of the zone and maintained his velocity into the later innings. The fastball seemed to play up a bit as Vail was able to show that quality breaking ball at 74-75 mph that our staff has seen on several different occasions. His breaking ball is a high quality pitch. Offensively, Vail was 2-for-4 with an RBI to help the Jags get the 6-5 win in Game 1. 

Bodie Vail (3/11/22)

+ OF Alex Wade (Madison Academy, 2022) has been a mainstay in the Mustang lineup over the years and continues to produce in the three-hole for his team. Noticeably bigger and stronger, Wade has no trouble handling pitches to all quadrants of the zone with power all over the field. The Auburn commit was 3-for-5 on the day with an RBI, to go along with two walks and a stolen base. Obviously, Wade is pitched differently, but he continues to show advanced plate discipline. On another note, in a time where it doesn’t happen a lot, it is a joy to watch Wade get the down the 1B line on every ball off the bat. This is one of the first things that caught my eye on Friday. 

Alex Wade (3/11/22)

+ C Whitt Winfield (Northridge, 2022) had a productive day with the bat in the Jaguar doubleheader sweep on Friday. He was 3-for-7 with a double and a run batted in. The Shelton State commit is well-synced in the box and does a solid job of using his strong lower-half. Winfield uses an uphill bat path that creates backspin and carry, mainly to the pull-side. The defensive actions behind the plate have improved significantly, including the catch-and-throw piece. The senior also showed impressive speed and athleticism at 6-foot-2, 210-pounds as he stole three bases on the day.

Whitt Winfield (3/11/22)

 

Thursday, March 10th

+ RHP/SS Landon Russell (Central Phenix City, 2022) delivered another quality start en route to earning the win in his start for the Red Devils on Thursday. Regarded as one of the top two-way athletes in the state, the Auburn signee worked a quality three-pitch mix effectively throughout his six innings of work. Russell consistently operated at 87-88 mph throughout his outing and grabbed a 90 mph in the 3rd, while mixing in a tight slider and changeup as off-speed offerings. He showed the ability to spin his slider in all counts and land it in the zone, while also showing confidence in his changeup as a solid third offering to both-sided hitters. Russell was in cruise control throughout the middle of the game, and finished going 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB & 10 K’s. He also recorded a triple at the plate in the leadoff spot offensively.

Landon Russell (3/10/22)

+ LHP Jack Smith (Hartselle, 2023) is an uncommitted southpaw that will undoubtedly see his recruitment take off after an impressive performance on Thursday evening. Smith, on a pitch count as he works his way back into shape, was dominant over his two inning stint. Solidly built, Smith showed a fastball at 88-90 mph with occasional cut and was able to work it to both halves of the plate. The breaking ball showed solid depth and was paired well with the fastball with the same arm speed at 74-75. A junior who has blown up of late. Smith had 5 Ks in two innings.

Jack Smith (3/10/22)

+ OF Preston Bedford (Central Phenix City, 2023) has proven to be a real offensive threat hitting towards the bottom-half of the lineup this spring and he continued to make an impact last night. The uncommitted junior was extremely efficient in his at-bats, as he reached base in all four plate appearances that included a home run and a double. Bedford has a clean and simple stroke from the left side with a confident approach. Using a simple setup, the junior creates easy lag with the barrel and has plenty of athleticism in his skill set. He also displayed quality plate discipline and zone awareness, as he worked two walks in his other at-bats on the night. 

Preston Bedford (3/10/22)

+ C Colton Wood (Faith Academy, 2022) was one of the lone bright spots for the Rams facing an upper-80’s arm on the mound. A Jones County CC signee, Wood has plenty of strength and athleticism packed into a 6-foot, 190-pound frame that continues to fill out well. Hitting in the two-spot for the Rams, the senior recorded three hits, including a double, in as many at-bats on Thursday. A former Southeast Unsigned Senior Games attendee, Wood uses rhythm and a controlled load on pre-pitch before getting back square. His final at-bat of the night was his best contact, as he matched plane on an elevated fastball and drove it back up the middle. Wood’s athleticism also translates to behind the plate, where he possesses flexibility and a strong arm on throws to 2nd. 

Colton Wood (3/10/22)

+ 1B Brody Capps (Central Phenix City, 2022) continues to be one of the more consistent hitters throughout the state, as the Wallace-Dothan CC signee seems to always get off quality swings in each look. Capps showed nothing less in his at-bats yesterday, as the senior went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and two RBI’s in the cleanup spot. The senior possesses a strong 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame that shows good actions and movements in the box with the ability to stay balanced and handle all parts of the zone. In the video below, Capps worked the count, spoiling a few two-strike offerings before getting one he could handle, and adjusting well to find the barrel for a hard-hit single up the middle.

Brody Capps (3/10/22)

+ OF Coleman Mizell (Hartselle, 2023) continues to hit at each look and that should not come as a surprise. The Alabama recruit continues to show power to all fields and also showed off the speed on Thursday beating out a routine ground ball to 2nd base. That speed from a 6-foot-3, 215-pounder is just one skill that makes Mizell a unique talent. On the day, Mizell was 3-for-5 with three walks, showing solid plate discipline and not chasing out of the zone. 

Coleman Mizell (3/10/22)

+ 1B/RHP Greyson Howard (Hartselle, 2023) is another key piece for the 6A No. 1 Tigers as he had a productive day with the bat. Howard is a key arm out of the bullpen, but it was the bat that was the big factor on Thursday. Hitting in the middle of a loaded lineup, Howard was 4-for-7 on the day with three doubles and two RBI’s. The uncommitted junior has an uphill path through the zone that creates carry with a mostly middle-to-pull approach. 

Greyson Howard (3/10/22)

+ SS Cade Miles (Hartselle, 2024) sometimes may fly under the radar a bit on such a talented team, but that is certainly not the case for the talented sophomore. Not your normal nine-hole hitter, Miles does more than just turn the lineup over as he reached base in all three plate appearances, going 2-for-2 with a walk in Game 1 on Thursday. The big blow was a three-run home run that easily left the park in right-center field. Miles shows easy actions in the field as well and is a definite high-follow in the 2024 class. 

Cade Miles (3/10/22)

+ C Canyon Pace (Russellville, 2022) is relegated to a DH role right now but should be back in his normal role behind the plate in a few weeks. The new role has certainly not slowed the Union University recruit down with the bat as he was 3-for-6 combined in both games Thursday. Pace shows a disciplined approach at the plate with a mostly pull-side approach, but shows a knack for shortening the swing up with two strikes and the ability to use the middle of the field. Look for Pace to continue to have a big year for the Golden Tigers with the bat. 

Canyon Pace (3/10/22)

+ OF Caleb Freeman (Etowah, 2023) really stood out on Thursday, as it’s evident the speedy outfielder has a ton of high level skills. Freeman can legitimately cover gap-to-gap in the outfield and showed very solid arm strength during pregame. Hitting out of the two-hole, Freeman made his impression early as he staked the Blue Devils to an early 2-0 with a long ball over the fence in left field. The uncommitted junior continually got off good swings all day as he showed power to all fields during a 3-for-5 day with the bat. A lot of tools to like with Freeman. 

Caleb Freeman (3/10/22)

+ RHP Blaze Gerhart (Etowah, 2024) got the start in Game 1 versus Russellville and the uncommitted sophomore turned in 4 2/3 innings of quality work for the Blue Devils. The first time through the order, Gerhart mostly stayed with the fastball at 82-84, 85 mph and was brilliant working to both sides of the plate. The arm-side action of the pitch created some uncomfortable at-bats for several right-handed hitters. The second time through, Gerhart began to mix in a quality breaking ball at 72-74 mph that he showed that he could throw for a strike and as a swing-and-miss pitch. Impressive outing for Gerhart. 

Blaze Gerhart (3/10/22)

+ RHP Banks Langston (Russellville, 2023) worked around some trouble in the first inning and turned in a quality outing for the Golden Tigers. Although he did not factor into the decision, the uncommitted junior worked the fastball well to the glove side at 84-86 mph and continued to battle in a tight contest. Langston’s best pitch was the tight slider that he showed consistency with at 77-78 mph. He stayed in the bottom half of the zone. Langston scattered three hits while giving up two earned runs over his five innings of work.

Banks Langston (3/10/22)

+ RHP AJ Hansen (McGill-Toolen, 2023) was brilliant Thursday night in his complete-game start, as the uncommitted junior scattered just four hits and only allowed one earned run while striking out nine hitters in the process. With a unique ¾ arm slot, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound right-hander's fastball gets on hitters quickly with sneaky velocity. Hansen topped out at 89 mph multiple times while consistently sitting 85-87 late into the game. His best pitch of the night was his breaking ball, throwing it to both sides of the plate with a sharp, late 12-6 break while mixing in a quality slider to round out his three-pitch mix.

AJ Hansen (3/10/22)

+ OF Aiden Macks (Robertsdale, 2022) turned in a solid showing offensively going 2-for-3 with a double on Thursday night. Using a compact frame at 5-foot-11, 185-pounds with present strength, the Lurleen B. Wallace CC signee showed a quick barrel with the ability to let the ball get deep in the zone in his at-bats. The middle of the order bat consistently hit line drives, with quality pull-side pop and an advanced, aggressive approach at the plate from the right side. The senior was also impressive defensively in the outfield, showing good range with an accurate, above average arm that kept multiple runners from advancing during the contest.

Aiden Macks (3/10/22)

 

Wednesday, March 9th

+ RHP Press Jefcoat (Pike Liberal Arts, 2022) delivered five brilliant innings of relief after being inserted earlier in the contest with the game still in the balance. A Pensacola State College signee, Jefcoat used mostly a quality two-pitch mix throughout his outing and touched 89 mph in the 6th while working 86-88 mph with his fastball. Although he showed the ability to get swings-and-misses with his fastball, the senior right-hander's calling card was his slider that featured sharp, late bite in the mid-70's & 2700 rpm's with the ability to consistently land it for strikes in the zone. He also showed competitive traits in the late innings, including striking out a pair and getting a pop-out to strand the bases loaded with no outs in the 7th to preserve a one-run victory. He finished earning the W and going 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 BB & 7 K's.

Press Jefcoat (3/9/22)

+ SS Cason Eubanks (Pike Liberal Arts, 2022) was extremely efficient hitting at the top of the order for the Patriots, as he reached base in three of his four plate appearances on the night. The senior middle infielder recorded a pair of singles and walked hitting out of the leadoff spot. Eubanks, a Georgia Southern signee, certainly showed the strides that he's made to his 5-foot-9, 170-pound frame while still maintaining the same high-level athleticism (6.68). He plays with bounce and uses a confident approach in the right side of the box that showed the ability to handle all parts of the zone. Eubanks is fairly selective & disciplined while not taking a pitch off in his at-bats. An instinctive base-runner that also made all the routine plays up the middle with lateral range.

Cason Eubanks (3/9/22)

+ LHP/OF Drew Nelson (Pike Liberal Arts, 2022) took the ball for the Patriots and had to battle through his two innings of work on the mound. An Auburn signee, Nelson opened up sitting 86-88 mph with his fastball and settled into more mid-80's in his second inning. He seemed to not have his usual feel for an advanced changeup and a 12-6 breaking ball, but on a day where he probably didn't have his best stuff, he still found a way to navigate his way through traffic and only allowed one run in two innings. The senior left-hander also showed that same two-way ability we've seen over the years, as he banged a stand-up double off the wall in left field and also walked twice. He continues to find a way to impact the game, both at the plate and on the mound.

Drew Nelson Pitching (3/9/22)

Drew Nelson Hitting (3/9/22)

 

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