Five to Follow: Uncommitted '22 Position Players

The Alabama '22 class continues to take shape but several players have already jumped on the radar of college coaches. Today we look at just a few of those impressive '22 uncommitted position players from across the state.

Drew Nelson (2022, LHP/OF, Pike Liberal Arts) Has definite two way potential. Showed 90 mph from the OF with a quick transfer. The throws stayed on line and he did a nice job keeping his momentum moving through his throws. At the plate, he showed a very simple approach with no wasted movement but created plenty of pop off the barrel from an even stance. Was able to handle pitches on both sides of the plate. Really gets the barrel through the hitting zone. The bat path shows slight tilt. Very clean mechanics on the mound with big time arm side action on the FB which has been up to 86 mph and solid feel for both secondary pitches. 

Lucas Steele (2022, C, Hoover) After seeing Steele this summer at the PBRT Southeast Summer Championships, we walked away very impressed with him, both offensively and defensively. He was constantly barreling up balls in Hoover from the left side for Excel Blue Wave. He shows a mature approach at the plate while using the whole field. Defensively, Steele controlled the opposing team’s running game behind the plate. He also handled Excel’s pitchers well for his age. Look for Steele to have a big season this spring for Hoover High School.

Grant Jay (2022, C/OF, Mobile Christian) We have seen Jay a multitude of times and all he does is show a plus offensive approach each time. There is present strength in the swing right now and he does this from a very controlled approach. Very compact and there is a small leg kick to create juice to all fields from a tilted swing path. Has shown 95 mph exit velo and run a 6.92 60. We have seen Jay at his primary position of C plenty of times and he shows nice C/T skills (1.97 pop time). Shows plenty of arm strength form the OF at 87 mph and the glove works well at 3B and was 83 mph across the infield. Plenty capable of performing well at his secondary positions. 

JW Hopkins (2022, 1B/3B, Bob Jones) Continues to produce with the bat each time we see. Physical ‘22 grad that has big time juice at the plate, as evidenced by his 102 mph exit velocity off the tee. Shows an even stance with the feet with a wide base and has a slight crouch in the stance. The swing shows some violence in it and there is definite tilt in the swing path. Really keeps the barrel through the zone and shows a LCF to pull side approach with some backspin. At 1B, he shows well picking balls out of the dirt and he shows natural actions around the bag. Showed well coming off the bag and starting the 3-6-3 DP.

Lawson Stricklin (2022, C/3B, Decatur) Another good looking ‘22 catcher in the state tha does a nice job using his strong lower half in his swing as he starts from an open stance. Nice load of the hands to the launch position and shows a nice gap to gap approach. Has some present strength now and some tilt in his bat path. The offensive approach has improved. Very solid defensively and is a very nice catch and throw backstop.  Pop times in the very low 2.0’s. Athletic movements behind the plate and does a nice job extending the plate. Shows very nice block and recovery skills on balls in the dirt. Love the demeanor as he simply just goes about his business on the field.