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, April 22nd

+ SS Sam Robertson (Oxford, 2023) was the obvious offensive star for the Yellow Jackets on Friday in their 1st Round sweep. The Auburn recruit has continually shown an impressive set of tools (6.61 60, 88 mph IF velo, 90.1 EV), but Friday proved that continues to take the next step in his development as a player. Robertson collected six hits in nine at-bats over the course of the doubleheader, including a home run that easily carried over the fence in left field. Even more impressive was the ability from the junior shortstop to follow up that long ball with a definite middle of the field approach the rest of the day, which resulted in five more hits. This included the game-winner in Game 2 as his single up the middle scored the only run of the game in the 7th inning to give his team a 1-0 lead.

Sam Robertson (4/22/22)

+ RHP/SS Carter Johnson (Oxford, 2024) is a definite high level two-way prospect in the Alabama 2024 class. In Game 1 on Friday, we saw the bat-to-ball skills as he had a double to the pull side as part of a big sixth inning for the Jackets but he also had two other impressive swings to the pull side gap with nothing to show for it, while barely missing a home run. It was in Game 2 that Johsnon showed off his exploits on the mound as he turned in a 7 IP complete-game, no-hitter that the Jackets were able to win 1-0. In a high intense game, it seemed as though the bigger the moment the better Johnson got. Working from a low-effort delivery and high ¾ arm slot, the sophomore depended heavily on the fastball to both halves at 86-88 mph with occasional arm-side action.  He did mix in a 11/5 well-shaped breaking ball at 71-73 mph which he was able to feature as a swing-and-miss offering to right-handed hitters.

Carter Johnson (4/22/22)

+ RHP Reigh Jordan (Headland, 2022) was his usual dominant self on Friday in Game 1 of the 5A State Playoffs as he went 6 innings, allowing one earned Run while striking out seven. Jordan sat 88-90 with his fastball, occasionally touching 91. Jordan mixes in a late-breaking slider as well as a good feel for a change-up. Perhaps the most impressive part of his outing was his ability to locate and pound the strike zone. The senior right-hander pumped in 82% strikes and worked out of danger in the middle innings by locating all three pitches on command. Reigh has a consistent, yet explosive delivery that allows all three pitches to tunnel out of his hand and in return, get plenty of swing-and-miss. Jordan is also a dangerous presence in the middle of the Ram lineup as the three-hole hitter went a combined 3-for-6 with two runs scored, two walks and a stolen base.

Reigh Jordan (4/22/22)

+ SS Evan Taylor (Headland, 2024) is a glue piece two-hole hitter for the Headland Rams that simply does all of the little things right. This underrated ability from Taylor has allowed a more upperclassman led lineup to succeed throughout the season as well as in their first round sweep of Marbury. Taylor has an advanced feel at the plate and the ability to control the barrel on his compact, inside/out swing. Sandwiched in the middle of Southern Union recruit (And older brother) Tanner Taylor, as well as San Jacinto recruit Reigh Jordan, Evan Taylor has been able to spray the ball to all fields, occasional gap power, as well as the ability to get the bunt down when called upon. Taylor showed plus range and soft hands on multiple ground balls during the series as he recorded six assists from his 2nd base position. Taylor is a future shortstop and one to watch in the 2024 class.

Evan Taylor (4/22/22)

+ RHP Zach Hill (Hueytown, 2022) was very effective in his first playoff start this spring delivering a complete-game effort and only needing 92 pitches. Hill pitched with loads of confidence in his three-pitch arsenal throughout the contest and did a good job of keeping opposing hitters off-balanced. In a high-stakes game with tons on the line, the uncommitted senior seemed comfortable pitching in the big moments while consistently pounding the strike zone. The right-hander worked mostly 84-86 mph in this outing and touched 87 mph twice back in the earlier innings with occasional cut. He also mixed in a steady diet of deceptive, late-biting sliders at 72-74 mph and turned over a few quality changeups at 76-78 mph. He finished earning the W going 7 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 BB & 4 K's. 

Zach Hill (4/22/22)

 

Thursday, April 21st

+ RHP Samuel Schmidt (Hoover, 2023) was tasked with facing a potent 7A lineup in a winner-take-all tie-breaker game to determine if they made the playoffs next week, and he delivered his best outing of the year in a 10-0 victory. Schmidt, an uncommitted junior, stands a wiry 6-foot-0, 160-pound frame with athleticism in this delivery. The right-hander was almost un-hittable in his outing while mixing four above average offerings, including a devastating cutter. Schmidt, who was 85-86 mph in February, showed a bump in velocity working anywhere from 86-90 mph (2300 rpm) in his outing with good life to the pitch. The aforementioned cutter worked in the 77-80 mph (2400 rpm) range and was almost unfair for right-handed hitters when he commanded it to the glove side. It's easily an above average offering and has a chance to be a plus secondary offering with continued refinement. He also showed a 74-75 mph slider (2400 rpm) with more bite and vertical movement and a changeup at 82-83 mph, as well. When the stakes were high, the uncommitted right-hander turned in 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB & 10 K's while only needing 88 pitches (61 strikes) to earn the win.

Samuel Schmidt (4/21/22)

+ OF Drake McBride (Thompson, 2024) was one of the lone bright spots offensively for the Warriors in a crucial area doubleheader to determine a playoff spot. After seeing McBride at the TPL Scout Day last summer, it was easy to see the potential tools the sophomore possessed at that time, running a 6.66 60 YD and showing an athletic frame at 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Fast-forward to last night, McBride showed glimpses of power in Game 1 of the doubleheader with a pair of solo home runs to left field facing an upper-80's arm on the mound. McBride uses a balanced and athletic stance hitting from the right side, and gets on plane early showing a swift and effortless stroke through the hitting zone with bat speed. As he continues to mature and fill out his frame with strength, McBride is certainly an easy follow in the sophomore class if he continues to show the ability to hit for extra bases and maintain that same athleticism.

Drake McBride (4/21/22)

+ OF Ryan Cole (Spain Park, 2023) delivered the big hit on a night where there were plenty of momentum swings in a crucial game for the Jaguars. Cole, a 7.05-runner, shows an easy, balanced approach at the plate from a slightly-open stance and very small leg kick. The junior outfielder helped Spain Park take an early 2-0 lead as he worked a fairly long at-bat and eventually delivered a sacrifice fly. In the fifth inning, Cole had a very loud at-bat with no results as he hammered an inner-half fastball for a laser which was unfortunately right at the left fielder. In the 7th inning, with the score tied 4-4 and runners on 1st and 2nd base, Cole worked the count to 2-2 and got a pitch out over the plate and promptly drove it over the center fielder’s head for a two-RBI double. Those runs would eventually be the difference in the 6-4 Jaguar victory.

Ryan Cole (4/21/22)

Tuesday, April 19th

+ RHP Cooper Pennington (Shelby County, 2026) certainly does not look like an eighth-grader at 6-foot-2, 205-pounds and his stuff on the mound seems more advanced, as well. The 8th grader, who also started on the football field this year for the Wildcats, comes from an athletic family and he certainly seems headed in the same direction. While also a power bat from the left side, it was on the mound where Pennington impressed on Tuesday as he got the ball in the 7th inning to preserve a Wildcat win and get in his work for the upcoming playoff series. The fastball was consistently 82-83 mph and bumped 84 mph with angle and downward tilt. While he didn't show his off-speed arsenal much, both pitches seemed to be quality offerings. The breaking ball was 71-73 mph with late depth on the pitch. The change up played very well off the fastball and showed deception and tumble into right-handed hitters. A definite 2026 to keep eyes on. 

Cooper Pennington (4/19/22)

+ SS Carter Sheehan (Shelby County, 2023) hits at the top of the Wildcat order and definitely sets the table for the offense. The uncommitted junior collected three hits on the day and showed the ability to handle pitches on both halves of the plate. Sheehan, a 6.81 runner, started things off in the first inning as he hammered a double to the wall in right center field. Later, he extended an at-bat and with two strikes was able to get the barrel to a pitch on the inner half for a single to the pull side. Sheehan shows plenty of range and arm strength to stay at shortstop at the next level. Hard-nosed competitor. 

Carter Sheehan (4/19/22)

+ RHP Connor Aderholt (Shelby County, 2022) has been a mainstay in the Wildcat lineup and on the mound over the years and has produced over the long haul in a two-way role. The Snead State CC signee was his normal self on the mound on Tuesday as he worked the first inning in preparation for his state playoff start this weekend. Working from a high ¾ slot, the senior showed a fastball at 85-86 mph with heavy arm-side action as he was able to command to all quadrants of the zone. The slider at 75-78 mph is a definite swing-and-miss pitch that Aderholt can mix in any count. He consistently located it well to the glove side as the pitch started in the zone and simply disappeared from right-handed hitters. Aderholt has been the definition of consistency each time he takes the bump and the Wildcats hope that continues for a few more weeks.

Conner Aderholt (4/19/22)

+ OF/LHP Harrison Mims (Providence Christian, 2023) has been a big part of the Eagles' success over the past year, both at the plate and on the mound. After tossing a scoreless inning of work in a final tune-up for their first playoff series this weekend, Mims wasted no time getting Providence Christian on the board in the 2nd inning. Hitting with a pair of runners in scoring position, the uncommitted junior showed maturity in handling a pitch on the outer-half and driving it right field for an RBI single that could've scored two if it wasn't hit as hard as it was. Hitting at the top of the order for the Eagles, Mims swings with violence and intent from the right side of the dish while showing the ability to use the whole field in his approach. He uses a quick barrel that stays through the zone for a while and creates quality extension out front using a strong, compact 5-foot-10, 190-pound frame. 

Harrison Mims (4/19/22)

+ C Matt Dave Snell (Providence Christian, 2023) is another quality uncommitted junior hitting in the heart of the Eagles' order who stood out in a variety of ways in their final tune-up for their playoff series this weekend. Snell has a 5-foot-8, 180-pound frame that features some strength in the lower with a catcher's build. Hitting in the three-hole, the uncommitted backstop recorded a pair of hits in their contest yesterday with one going to each side of the field in his four at-bats. His ability behind the plate is probably what stood out the most with advanced receiving skills and the ability to stick that pitch at the bottom of the zone for called strikes. He caught a clean game behind the dish and shut down the opponent's running game with solid catch-and-throw skills, as well.

Matt Dave Snell (4/19/22)

 

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