Inside the '22 Player Rankings: Alabama Top 5

Alex Wade OF / RHP / Madison Academy, AL / 2022

Member of Team Alabama at the 2019 PBR Future Games. At the plate, he continues to impress with his gap to gap power. Shows a tall, slightly open stance and has nice rhythm in the load. The hands have some quickness and he does a nice job of getting his back side through with the barrel. The swing path shows some tilt and he has carry off the barrel all over the field (97 mph exit velocity. In the OF there are no questions on defense as he can cover a ton of ground in the OF and the arm strength is there as he had the highest OF velocity (87 mph) at the event. Tall, lanky RHP that works from a low ¾ slot and shows some whip in the arm action. The FB showed nice arm side action and had spin rates in the low 1900’s to low 2000’s that was up to 83 MPH. The pitch showed sink and seemed “heavy”. The breaking ball was mid 70’s (low 2100 spin rates)  with slider action and the change up showed deception with tumble at 74-75 mph. Did a nice job of locating pitches his arm side. 

Commitment: Auburn

Landon Russell SS / RHP / Russell County, AL / 2022

Russell is a physical player with quick-twitch and athletic actions all over the field at 6 feet, 175 pounds. He can really pick it in the dirt, has plenty of arm strength, throwing 90 across the diamond, and is a plus runner with a 6.71 60. At the plate, he has easy juice from a tilted swing path and creates backspin off the barrel with a 97 mph exit velocity off a tee. If that isn’t enough, he jumps on the mound and shows a solid arsenal of secondary pitches to complement his 85-88 fastball, which can bump 89.

Commitment: Auburn

Elliott Bray RHP / 3B / Hartselle, AL / 2022

Was one of the more impressive players at the Top Prospect Games as he showed plus skills at several different places. The glove works very well on the infield and the arm strength is already considered plus at 87 mph across the diamond. The set up at the plate is solid with and even stance with the feet and the hands are set high in the stance. The toe tap approach allows for good rhythm in the swing with a slightly tilted bat path. The hands work and he showed plenty of pop middle to pull side. His stuff on the mound is real with a fastball already up to 85 mph and a hammer breaking ball that shows true 12/6 action. The changeup showed serious tumble into right handed hitters and he was able to locate all three pitches at any time. A big time name to follow in the ‘20 to class.

Commitment: Auburn

Aiden Macks OF / 1B / Robertsdale , AL / 2022

5-foot-11, 195-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and first baseman, thick frame with strength throughout, moves athletically, will only continue to add strength and firm up frame. Offensively was a standout performer during batting practice, the only prospect to leave the yard all morning, accomplishing it multiple times. At the plate, has a swagger about him in the box, takes a balanced setup, hanging leg stride, high hands drop on load, incorporates lower half well, good balance through contact.  Profiles as a power hitter with pull-side tendency, barrel works uphill as he elevates the ball with considerable force, 90 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.24 laser-timed 60.

Uncommitted

Cameron Keshock RHP / Spanish Fort, AL / 2022

Keshock, who is a physical 6-foot-5, 205 pounds, has really exploded on the scene lately. He has clean, easy mechanics and will continue to add more velocity as he incorporates his lower half more. The fastball already sits in the high 80s with some sink and arm-side run. He shows confidence in his secondary stuff—a breaking ball with 11/5 action, tight spin and late bite, as well as a changeup with deception and tumble.