Deep South Invite: Alabama Quick Hits

Alabama Quick Hits from the 10.14.18 Deep South Invite:

The Deep South Invite was held on Sunday, October 14 at Auburn University as some of the top underclass players from the states of Alabama and Georgia came together for a big time fall event. Over the next few days we will look at some of the top performers from the state of Alabama. Today, let’s take a quick look at just a few of the standouts that jumped out at the event:

Noah Threatt (2020, OF, St. Clair County) fast twitch actions that showed natural instincts in the OF with above average arm strength and consistent throws to the plate. A nice approach at the plate with some juice in the middle of the field plus some pull side pop. Really worked counts in the game.

Andrew Dutton (2020, 2B/SS, Westbrook Christian) just a solid baseball player with plenty of arm strength to play SS with above average glovework. Plays low to the ground and understands the game. Nice balanced stance and load from the left side and showed a loud round of BP, good runner as well.

Austin Embrey (2020, C/3B, Russell County) a big time talent behind the plate that just looks the part back there. Nice loose hips which allow him to move easily with a low set stance. As good as we have seen behind the plate and has the ability to shut down opposing running games with legit high 1.8 and low 1.9 pop times which were all right on the bag. Threw nothing above a 1.91 to 2B.

Caleb McGinnis (2020, RHP/3B, Hokes Bluff) in his 3rd PBR event he has already shown significant improvement since June 5. Has changed his body in less than 5 months and it has tremendously paid off for him. Offensively he is a “grip and rip” guy that has an aggressive approach with tilt in his swing which produced some serious pull side power. On the mound is where he has really improved as well as he was up to 85 mph and was consistently down in the zone. He also showed a late breaking slider type action breaking ball as he pounded the zone with both pitches.

Parker Carlson (2021, RHP/3B, Faith Academy) one of the biggest stars on the day as he was electric on the mound. Has a loose arm action and really attacks hitters. Very projectible body that will continue to fill out and get stronger as he matures. His fastball had late life and was up to 88 mph with a tight breaking that showed tilt in the upper 70’s to 80. Look for him to jump into our 2021 rankings when they are updated. Big time arm!

Nick Hamlin (2021, RHP/OF, Oxford) one of several young arms at the event from Oxford HS that should make the Yellow Jackets very competitive in years to come, as they always are. Long, lanky frame (6’2 165 lbs) that will continue to fill out that makes him very projectible to go with his clean mechanics. Was able to continuously repeat mechanics and attacked hitters with a fastball anywhere from 81-85 mph and tight spin on the breaking ball.  

Jackson McKenzie (2023, 1B/LHP, Fairhope) the lone 2023 grad at the event from Alabama but was in no way out of his league. Advanced physical makeup that projects well, the only question is as a LHP, a 1B or both. On the mound he pitched in the upper 70’s and really creates down action with an over the top late breaking curveball which showed serious depth. At the plate, his approach is beyond his years and he showed big time juice to all fields and does a good job of staying inside the baseball.

Trey Mooney (2021, RHP/1B, Oxford) another 2021 RHP from Oxford that was very similar to his Oxford teammate (Hamlin) showing the ability to command both sides of the plate. With a fastball in the low 80’s (topping at 84) his breaking ball was a very effective pitch vs. hitters as it came from the exact same arm slot and was difficult to pick up.

Mikel Pryor (2021, 1B/3B, Sparkman) big, physical kid (6’2 210 lbs.) that really stood out in the morning BP round with a middle of the field approach and serious gap to gap juice. That pop transferred over to the game as he had a loud 2B to LF and showed off some good speed legging out the 2B. Did a very good job at 1B as well, showing the ability to handle balls in the dirt.

Jackson Huguley (2020, 1B/3B, Russell County) all the guy did was HIT! He was plenty good at 1B during drills and gameplay but his bat is what spoke the most. His BP showcased serious pop and everything he hit was laced with backspin, creating carry on the ball. In the game, he absolutely smoked two scud missiles, one was a 2B with an exit speed of 93 mph off of an 85 mph FB. Big, strong kid.

Jay Thomason (2020, 3B/1B, Auburn) very solid actions on the IF showing off plenty of arm across the diamond to go with an advanced set up with the glove and his feet. Can really swing the bat from the left side with a middle of the field approach and quick enough hands to get to FB’s on the inner half. Had a 3B down the RF line with an exit velocity of 100 mph off of the bat. Does a lot of things very well. Air Force commit.

Cole Strachan (2020, 1B/3B, Sparkman) showed good footwork around the bag at 1B and was very smooth with the glove. Similar to Huguley, he had a very good day offensively. During his BP round he didn’t try to do too much but simply barreled everything thrown to him. Has a definite middle of the field approach which is fairly advanced. During game play he had a loud line out to CF. A strong, physical player (6’0 200 lbs.) that will be an intriguing follow with the bat. 

There were many other impressive players at the event from the state of Alabama. Over the next few days we will continue to spotlight more players from the event. Follow us on twitter at @PBR_Alabama and check out the content on our webpage (www.prepbaseballreport.com).