+ C/QB1 Colton Wood (2022) busted onto the recruiting scene this past summer at our South Alabama Select event in Mobile. Standing a stout 6-0, 175 pounds, Wood did everything at that event at a high level, and showed that he can do all of those things in-game yesterday. Hitting in the heart of the Rams’ lineup, Wood belted two home runs in the earlier game to the pull side, and drove another ball to deep center field that was misplayed by the outfielder, allowing him to reach in the nightcap. He uses rhythm on pre-pitch, then gets square & synced and shoots some quick & powerful hips & hands through contact. A 6.83 runner at the event this fall, Wood has many tools. Combine that with the ability to hit for power and average in-game, Wood is regarded as one of the top catchers in the ‘22 class in Alabama.

C Colton Wood (3/12/21)

+Due to a mercy rule victory in their previous game, Faith Academy’s game at 7:00 started earlier than I anticipated. When I walked up to the stadium, the opposing team had bases loaded and had already scored against RHP Drew Druckenmiller (2021, Jones County CC). The Rams’ bullpen was active, but Druckenmiller was able to pitch his way out of the 1st. From there, the right-handed pitcher was in complete control of that lineup for the next 4+ innings on the mound. Fastball was sitting 85-86 mph, and bumped a couple of 87’s earlier on. Paired that with a banger of a breaking ball at 71-72 mph with hard/late bite. Worked off of a high fastball & low breaking ball that tunneled well. Although he may not have had his best stuff early on, Druckenmiller pitched with pure guts and emotion for 5 ⅔ innings. He finished not allowing a hit, gave up one run, walked five (only one after the 1st) and punched out nine in the outing. Impressive showing of toughness for the former Future Gamer.

RHP Drew Druckenmiller (3/12/21)

+ OF Ryan Storey (2022, South Alabama) has been as steady as they come at the plate for the Huskies. Storey can do so many things offensively to beat you. He’s got a diverse skill set that allows him to play to his strengths, although there are not many weaknesses. Recorded three hits in a victory today, one of those being a double down the left field line in the 2nd. One Storey reached 2nd, he quickly looked to make it to 2nd with only one out in the outing. He did just that, showing great instincts on the base paths and swiping 3rd on an excellent dirt-ball read. Singled back up the middle for his two other hits, and logged three RBI’s in this contest.  

OF Ryan Storey (3/12/21)

+ It was my first time seeing RHP Jacob Peters (2021, Southern Union CC) since he attended our Top Prospect Games event this past summer. Just like he showed at the event, Peters displayed not only control, but command for all three of his pitches in his start on Friday. Filled up the zone early & often with an 82-84 mph fastball that generated arm side run to both sides of the plate. Showed tight spin and hard, late action to a 76-77 mph slider that has present swing & miss. Even flashed a few changeups that mimicked his fastball movement to left-handed hitters in this outing. Held his velocity efficiently through six shutout innings, and only allowed three hits, two walks and punched out nine.

RHP Jacob Peters (3/12/21)

+ 1B Cole Berry (2021) has to be regarded as one of the top uncommitted hitters left in the ‘21 Alabama class. Standing a physical 6-2, 205 pounds from the left side of the box, Berry has a solid track record of performing well at the plate during gameplay in the high school and summer seasons. Hitting in the 2-hole last night for the Rams, the left-handed hitter led his team by driving in four runs on the night. One at-bat that stood out came in the 6th inning. With runners on 2nd & 3rd, Berry handled a pitch low & away professionally. Instead of trying to pull it, he went with it and guided it to left field for a two run single. Generates solid torque with a strong lower and couples that with efficient bat speed. Should be finding a college program very soon.

1B Cole Berry (3/12/21)

+ C Tyler Jon Santos (2021, Southern Union CC) has always been an excellent defender behind the dish with solid traits to go along with it, but the bat stood out in a big way yesterday. Hitting in the middle of a loaded Helena lineup, Santos drove a fastball over the plate to the deepest part of the yard, banging it off the wall in LCF near the 355 ft. sign for a double. There’s a lot of compact strength packed into 5-9, 220 pounds from the right side of the plate, and that translates to some power that we saw yesterday. Always has been known for how well he defends at the catching position. Receives well with good flexibility in the hips, has the ability to potentially shut down opponent’s running games, and is an excellent blocker. Santos has enjoyed a good start to his senior season thus far.

C Tyler Jon Santos (3/12/21)

+ LHP Eli Copenhaver (2021, South Alabama) is undoubtedly known as the ace for a talented 7A Spain Park ballclub. He was handed the ball and tasked with going up against a gritty Spanish Fort lineup for seven innings. Working 83-85 mph with the fastball, Copenhaver showed that he was an elite competitor on the mound. He pounded the zone to both sides and multiple quadrants throughout his outing and wasn’t afraid to work inside to LHH’s & RHH”s. His slider was extremely tough on left-handed hitters with hard, sweeping action to it that came out of the hand looking like a fastball. Maintained his velocity well in the seven innings he worked with his last pitch of the game hitting 85 mph. Yielded four hits, one earned run, one walk with six strikeouts. Not overpowering, but the competitiveness and ability to pitch makes Copenhaver a tough matchup for any lineup.

LHP Eli Copenhaver (3/12/21)

+ SS/OF Evan Smallwood (2023) easily had the biggest swing of the game in a 4-2 win over Spanish Fort. Hitting at the top of the order for the 7A Jaguars, Smallwood is playing a big role early on in his tenure at the varsity level. At 5-11, 170 pounds, the right-handed hitting shortstop stepped up to the plate in a huge spot with a chance to blow things open in the 4th. With the bases loaded, Smallwood jumped on the first pitch he saw against a reliever and lined it down the left field line for a bases-clearing, three-run double that proved to be the difference in the game. Line drive-type hitter that has some twitch and solid actions for a sophomore. Showed some versatility playing different positions (SS, CF) for Spain Park in this contest. 

SS Evan Smallwood (3/12/21)

+ 3B Cole Edwards (2023) is another sophomore that is leading the way offensively for a successful 7A Jaguars team. Standing out physically and not looking like a sophomore, Edwards boasts a strong, athletic 6-3, 195 pound frame. Didn’t show up much on the stat sheet during this contest, but made solid contact in a couple of his at-bats with nothing to show for. Facing an SEC arm, Edwards showed no trouble handling some velocity by lining a fastball back up the middle, but was the victim of a diving play by the center fielder in the 4th. Stays connected throughout his swing and impacts the baseball at a high level. Going to be interesting to see how he progresses as a prospect over the next 2 ½ years.

3B Cole Edwards (3/12/21)

+ OF Pierce Dutton (2023) has been one of my favorite players to watch so far at the East Alabama Classic. Plays the game with swagger and confidence, both offensively and in center field defensively. An athletic 5-10, 160 pounder from the left side of the box, Dutton belted a grand slam in Thursday night’s contest and continued on an upward trend with the bat in this game. Showed off the power again in one at-bat, hooking one just right off the foul pole in right field that would’ve been a no-doubter off the bat. Facing an established senior arm, Dutton handled multiple L/L situations professionally in his three at-bats. He singled up the middle on a breaking ball (clip below) down in the zone and laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt in two of his at-bats on the night. Robbed multiple hitters of extra bases on diving plays in center field, and tracks the ball significantly well with efficient, direct routes to the ball. Continuing to cement himself as one of the top sophomores down in the Mobile area.

6A No. 2 Helena (8) vs. 6A Gulf Shores (0)

Location: Central Phenix City HS

Helena

Jacob Peters - W, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K’s

Ryan Storey - 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI’s, 2 R’s

Tyler Jon Santos - 2-4, 2B

Brody Moss - 3B, 2 RBI’s, R

Gulf Shores

Jackson Achimon - 2B, BB

7A No. 1 Auburn (9) vs. 7A Baker (4)

Location: Auburn HS

Auburn

Ryan Austin - 2-3, HR, 2 RBI’s, 2 R’s, BB

Riley Austin - 3-4, RBI, R

Ryan Olson - 2-3, 2 RBI’s, R, BB

Baker

Jayven Williams - 1-3, 2 R’s, BB

Carter Colvin - 1-2, 2B, 2 R’s, 2 BB’s

6A No. 1 Faith Academy (12) vs. 7A Sparkman (1)

Location: Opelika HS

Faith Academy

Colton Wood - 3-3, 2 HR’s, 4 RBI’s, 2 R’s

Michael Hopkinson - 2-4, HR, 3 RBI’s, 2 R’s

Parker Carlson - W, 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 K’s; 2 2B’s, 2 RBI’s

Sparkman

Dillon Ysalgue - HR, RBI

7A No. 8 Spain Park (4) vs. 6A Spanish Fort (2)

Location: Smiths Station HS

Spain Park

Eli Copenhaver - W, 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R (1 ER), BB, 6 K’s

Evan Smallwood - 2B, 3 RBI’s

Trent Thompson - 2-3, BB

Spanish Fort

Cole Morton - 2-3, 2B, R

Pierce Dutton - 1-2, RBI, R

Brady Garcia - 3 IP, H, 1 R (0 ER), 4 BB, 5 K’s

6A No. 2 Helena (7) vs. 7A Fairhope (6)

Location: Central Phenix City HS

Helena

Connor Gibbs - 2-4, 2B, R

Mac Turner - 2-4, 2 RBI’s

Logan Green - 2 RBI’s, 2 BB’s; SV, IP, H, BB

Fairhope

Brendan Guerry - 2-4, HR, 2 RBI’s, R

Cameron Brock - 2B, 2 RBI’s

Hayden Phillips - 2-3, 3B, RBI, R

6A No. 7 Saraland (6) vs. 6A Russell County (4)

Location: Russell County HS

Saraland

Cam Warren - 2-4, 2B, RBI; W, 7 IP, 7 H, 4 R (3 ER), BB, 5 K’s

Kline Smith - 2-4, 2 RBI’s R

CT Englebert - 3B, RBI, R

Russell County

Mason Dozier - 2-3, 2 RBI’s

Bobby Cook - 1-3, 2 RBI’s

7A No. 1 Auburn (5) vs. 7A Sparkman (3)

Location: Auburn HS

Auburn

Will Turner - 2-3, HR, RBI, R, BB

Riley Austin - 2-3, RBI, BB

Ryan Olson - W, 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K’s

Sparkman

Jakob Lewis - 2-3, RBI, BB

Tucker Burns - 3-3, 2B, R

6A No. 1 Faith Academy (10) vs. 6A Opelika (1)

Location: Opelika HS

Faith Academy

Cole Berry - 2-4, 4 RBI’s, BB

Michael Hopkinson - 2-3, RBI, R, 2 BB’s

Christian Burnette - 2-3, 2B, 2 R’s, BB

Dakota Saranthus - 1-2, RBI, 2 R’s, 2 BB’s

Drew Druckenmiller - W, 5.2 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 9 K’s

Opelika

Harrison Long - 1-3, R, BB

7A No. 6 Smiths Station (6) vs. 7A Baker (5)

Location: Smiths Station HS

Smiths Station

Logan Collins - 3-5, HR, 2B, 4 RBI’s, 2 R’s

Luke Hasty - 2-3, 2B, 2 BB’s

Gavin Blair - W, 5 IP in relief, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 8 K’s

Baker

Carter Colvin - 2-4, HR, 2 RBI’s, 2 R’s

Charles Tyler Jones - 2B, 2 RBI’s

Jayven Williams - 2-3, 2 R’s, BB

7A No. 2 Central Phenix City (13) vs. 7A Fairhope (3)

Location: Central Phenix City HS

Central Phenix City

Zion Morris - 2-3, HR, 3 RBI’s, 3 R’s

Bryce Sanders - W, 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), BB, 5 K’s; 1-3, 3 RBI’s

Cole Kehoe - 1-2, 2 RBI’s, 3 R’s

Fairhope

Hayden Jones - 1-3, 2B, RBI, R

6A Russell County (6) vs. 7A Tuscaloosa County (5)

Location: Russell County HS

Russell County

Oliver Cantrell - 2-3, 2B, 3 RBI’s, R

Landon Russell - 2B, RBI, R

Mason Dozier - 3B, RBI, R

Tuscaloosa County

Landen Borden - 2-4, 2 2B’s, RBI, R

Connor White - 2-3, R