PBRT Alabama Open: Day 1 Standouts
June 10, 2023
PBR Alabama Staff
ALBERTVILLE, AL - The PBRT Alabama Open got kicked off yesterday in Albertville, AL at the state-of-the-art Sand Mountain Sports Complex, which features four artificial-turf fields. It was a picture-perfect day of baseball with great weather for first day of pool play games over the two age divisions (15U & 17U). Our scouts were on hand for all games played, and there were plenty of standout performances throughout the day, both at the plate and on the mound. Teams and players were well-represented throughout the southeast part of the country, making for a perfect day of baseball.
Before we get cranked up with Day 2 of the tournament, our staff went back to take a look and highlight a few of the top performers from action on Day 1.
Day 1 Standouts
|
Jamarkius Smith RHP / OF / Reeltown , AL / 2027
+ RHP/SS Jamarkius Smith (Beehive, 2027) was far and away the most impressive prospect to touch the diamond on Day 1 of the tournament, showcasing some electric stuff on the bump in a short stint to open pool play. Already having cemented himself as one of the top arms in the young rising freshman class, Smith is a special multi-sport prospect that is listed at 6-foot-1, 165-pounds with dynamic athleticism that shows up in everything he does. Working on just a 30-40 pitch count, the right-hander held 87-90 mph with serious arm side run throughout his outing that consistently overpowered hitters in the zone. Albeit the velocity is very impressive for a prospect of his age, what stood out the most was his ability and feel to spin a late-breaking slider that operated at 74-76 mph and registered spin rates near the 2600 rpm mark. He collected some uncomfortable swings-and-misses with the offering, and showed the ability to land it arm-side against left-handed hitters. Smith works from a true ¾ arm slot that produces a fast, whippy arm and is an athletic mover down the mound. It’s obvious to see how talented Smith was during the outing, as he caught the attention of many in attendance with wipeout stuff. Although he’s still got much more development and physical maturation to come in the next few years, he is certainly once to circle and keep close tabs on moving forward.
|
|
Camden Cobb C / Vincent , AL / 2024
+ C Camden Cobb (Excel Baseball, 2024) has springboarded his success from earlier this spring, where he helped lead Vincent HS to a Class 2A State Finals appearance, to this summer playing with Excel Baseball and making an impact on both sides. Listed at 5-foot-10, 180-pounds, the uncommitted junior possesses a prototypical catcher's build that carries present throughout his frame. Offensively, the right-hander hits from a square base with an early movement for load, and creates tons of extension out front the ability to keep his barrel in the zone for a while. He belted once well over the wall to the opposite field in the lone viewing we had on Day 1, but it was a good one. Behind the plate defensively, Cobb has quality leadership traits and receives well with adequate arm strength and accuracy on throws to second base both in between innings and during gameplay. After a strong spring and a solid start to his summer, Cobb is a good uncommitted prospect in the 2024 class in AL to follow over the course of the next few months.
|
|
Jackson Land RHP / OF / Chelsea, AL / 2025
+ RHP/OF Jackson Land (Excel Baseball, 2025) caught the attention of our staff just a few weeks ago at the Excel Scout Day with some impressive results across the board, and continued to enjoy a solid start to the summer on Day 1 of the tournament. Standing a strong and athletic 6-foot-1, 180-pounds, the rising junior showcased some swing-and-miss stuff on the mound in a relief appearance where he kept the game close and gave his team a chance to win it offensively. Coming out of a longer arm stroke and a typical high ¾ arm slot, Land operated almost exclusively at 85-86 mph with his fastball that jumped out of the hand and carried well through the zone. The right-hander’s go-to offering to get a chase in any count was his power curveball that showcased true 12-6 shape at mostly 72-75 mph and registered spin rates near 2600 rpm. He can also handle the bat well, posting a 7.03 60 YD, 87 mph, and a 94.8 mph EV during the workout a couple weeks ago.
|
|
Sam Jackson 1B / RHP / Lee-Scott Academy, AL / 2025
+ 1B Sam Jackson (Alabama Raiders, 2025) was on the barrel from the get-go once he rolled into Sand Mountain Park playing in the early slot of games on Day 1 of the tournament. Listed at 6-foot-3, 190-pounds, the rising junior has plenty of physical strength throughout his frame and uses it well in his offensive profile. Hitting in the heart of the order, the right-hander looked hitter-ish in multiple viewings that included multiple loud hits with one going for a missile over the wall in center field for a home run. Jackson has a physical presence to himself hitting in the right side of the box, and uses quick hands that helps lead a heavy barrel through the zone that consistently delivered firm contact in both games. In just the few viewings from Day 1, the right-hander seems to be an all-fields hitter and can hit for power, as well. Another good one in the rising junior class in AL to follow throughout the summer.
|
|
Bo Mitchell OF / RHP / Decatur Heritage , AL / 2025
+ OF Bo Mitchell (Black Sox Baseball, 2025) was a key centerpiece to his squad’s offensive success either driving in runs or using his athletic skill set to his advantage and getting on base for the hitters behind him. Listed at 5-foot-11, 180-pounds, the rising junior enjoyed a strong spring offensively helping lead the Eagles to a deep playoff run, and has continued to do the same throughout the earlier part of the summer. A quality athlete, Mitchell showed the ability to cover all parts of the zone hitting from the right side and accumulated multiple hits throughout the day, with one going for a sharply-hit, two-RBI double to the opposite field in their first contest. The right-hander possesses adequate bat speed hitting in the leadoff spot and has accuracy to his barrel that works on a mostly level path through the zone. A strong table-setter hitting at the top of the order for their lineup.
|
|
+ 1B Braydon Weaver (Knights South, 2025) is an upcoming junior who started the morning slate of games off with several loud barrels from the left side. Was a key factor in the Knights South game one win this morning over at Sand Mountain Park. Weaver launched a pair of homeruns during game one. His second home run came on a 3-0 offering where he was clearly being pitched around, got the green light and didn’t miss. Physical and stronger look in the box from Weaver. 6-foot-1, 230-pound frame with plenty of strength and size. Easy juice to the pull side with some natural lift in the swing. Looks to punish the baseball.
|
|
Cade Kallaher OF / LHP / Chelsea, AL / 2026
+ OF/LHP Cade Kallaher (Excel Baseball, 2026) has a smaller and leaner frame at 5-foot-11, 160-pounds with room to add some added mass to the frame. Athletic prospect who shows plenty of upside to all aspects of his game. Shows really good bat-to-ball skills from the left side of the dish and can be a tough out for opposing arms. During game play on Friday, delivered with runners in scoring position for Excel as he laced a two-RBI single back up the middle of the field to extend their lead as they would go on to win by run rule.
|
|
+ INF Colin Watson (Kangaroo Court Roos Alabama 14U American, 2027) had an overall solid showing at the plate today for the Alabama Roos offense. Collected multiple knocks from the right side of the box. Uses a more mature approach at the plate as he uses the middle and opposite sides of the field. Roped a sharp liner during their second game Friday at Sand Mountain Park that found its way into right center where it resulted in an RBI single. Showed off the speed and athleticism and advanced on the misplayed ball in the alley and would eventually come around to score. Intriguing upcoming freshman to keep an eye on in the southern part of the state.
|
|
Henry Gimenez 1B / Mountain Brook, AL / 2026
+ 1B Henry Gimenez (Excel Baseball, 2026) a strong bodied and physical, rising sophomore at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds who hits in the heart of the Excel lineup. Came up in a bases loaded situation during their matchup on Friday and just missed a grand slam. Gimenez settled for a deep double that would one hop the fence in the gap and clear the bases to really shift all the momentum one sided. Well developed body and bigger frame who can use the middle and pull side to his advantage with easy pop.
|
|
+ OF Ian Cartwright (Excel Baseball, 2024) got hot early this morning bouncing a ball over the left field wall during his first at-bat for a ground-rule double. The outfielder later deposited a ball over the left-center field wall picking up a couple more RBIs. The uncommitted rising senior has an athletic build at 6-foot-0, 180-pounds. There is plenty of room to add mass to accompany his pre-existing pop. He's been a sub-7.0 runner in the past with multiple mid-90 EV's at prior events. Cartwright also looked natural in the outfield running down several balls in the gaps. Another quality prospect in the rising seniors class in AL still on the market.
|
|
Mac Graham SS / 3B / Calera, AL / 2025
+ SS Mac Graham (East Coast Sox 2025 Bham, 2025) looked impressive in the box all day at Albertville High School. His simple, mature approach came with many loud barrels including a two-run homer into left field. The rising junior shortstop from Calera has a solid, athletic frame at 6-foot-1, 180-pounds. Graham fields the ball well with a solid arm across the diamond. Will definitely be one to keep your eyes on for the next two years.
|
Other Notable Performers
Follow on Twitter: @PBR_Alabama
Follow on Instagram: @PBR_Alabama
Follow on Facebook: PBR Alabama
+ Click HERE to create a free profile.
+ Click HERE to purchase a subscription which gives you access to additional information on the site.
Related Content: