Sept. 8 All State Games Scout Analysis: Infielders

The infield position at the All State Games was loaded as twenty-five players showed up to showcase their abilities. Several of these infielders also threw an inning during one of the afternoon games. As a whole, the group showed solid defensive actions in the dirt. Let’s check out each infielder.

Jacob Peters (2021, SS/RHP, Helena) On the mound he was ultra impressive with a FB that sat 82-84 mph and seemed to have late rising life during his inning of work. The arm action was clean and the body stayed tight throughout the delivery. Really pounded the strike zone and the breaking ball showed slider type spin at 76- 77 mph. The CH had tumble at 77-78 mph with deceptive arm speed. Really competed on the bump. Nice footwork and nice flexibility in the hips with plenty of arm strength (86 mph) across the diamond. At the plate, started with a slightly open stance and narrow with the feet. Really got his swing started on time and showed a solid middle of the field approach. Very simple approach with a level swing path and nice extension through the swing.

Walker Stallworth (2021, RHP/1B, Charles Henderson) Clean, effortless delivery from this ‘21 grad. Had some nice ASR on his FB that sat 82-85 mph and was up to 85 mph with spin rates mid 2000’s to low 2100’s. The breaking ball showed nice depth at 68-70 and was a definite two plane pitch. Even swing path and nice extension through the hitting zone. The set up was even and the barrel stayed through the zone a long time allowing him to stay on balls very well. Showed a big time middle of the field approach with some back spin off of the bat. At 1B, the feet were plus and he showed legit defensive skills. Was as impressive as any 1B we have seen during defensive work. Uncanny ability to pick balls in the dirt, making it look easy. Was also 85 mph across the diamond. 

Tanner Jones (2021, RHP/1B, Thorsby) High ¾ arm slot for this impressive ‘21 RHP. The depth on the breaking ball is legit and he was able to command that pitch very well. Also threw a different breaking ball with slider action but both worked 68-69 mph in the zone. The CH was 70-71 mph with deceptive movement. The delivery was very balanced and the FB was legit at 84-85 mph consistently and up to 86 mph several pitches. Showed the ability to command the FB down in the zone. Very impressive ‘21 RHP. Was 84 mph across the diamond and came off the bag well to start the 3-6 DP. Defends well at 1B. At the plate, he showed nice pull side juice from an athletic setup. Slight tilt in the swing path and uses his lower half in the swing very well. The ball really bounced off of the barrel.  

Davis Gillespie (2022, SS/2B, Oak Mountain) Clean arm path and nice delivery from a high ¾ arm slot. The FB stays down in the zone consistently at 81-82 mph and bumping 83 mph a few times. Everything he threw was around the plate and he had a quick, clean inning of work. The breaking ball has slider type action with sharp “bite” at 71-72 mph. The CH was 72-73 mph with deception. Could be a very interesting ‘22 arm. Fluid, athletic actions in the dirt and the glove presentation is solid. Does a nice job getting himself in position for a nice hop and has nice arm strength across the dirt, with a quick transfer. At the plate, starts with an open, crouched stance and does a nice job getting the hands back to launch the swing. Showed nice gap to gap power with a slightly tilted swing path. 

Sam Baker (2021, SS/2B, Hooper Academy) Athletic MIF that has some flare to his game. His pre fielding footwork is superb and the arm strength is no question. The transfer is quick and he showed nice glove work out in front of him. Plays very low to the ground. At the plate, there is some strength in the hands and he does a nice job of staying short with the hands and barrel. Slightly open, leg kick approach with definite tilt in the swing path which created carry off of the bat. Strength across his game is stronger than you may think. Like this athletic ‘21 MIF. 

Landon Leake (2021, SS/OF, Helena) Fluid actions at SS and showed plus footwork and the ball carried out of the hand on his throws. Nice flexibility in the hips and the glove work is solid. Solid make up defensively. At the plate he started with a slightly open stance and did a nice job staying synced up with his lower and top half. The approach was a definite middle one and he did a nice job of keeping the back elbow slotted against the body in the swing, resulting in a very short, simple swing. Quick hands at the plate and stayed balanced throughout. 

Caleb McGinnis (2020, 3B/RHP. Hokes Bluff) Another RHP that worked from a high ¾ slot and the FB showed some sink at 80-81 mph and up to 82 mph (we have seen him up to 85 mph previously). Ground ball pitcher that stayed around the zone with all of his pitches. The breaking ball showed some depth at 68-69 mph. Big time competitor on the mound. Offensively, he has some pop at the plate as the barrel creates some violence in the zone. Does a nice job keeping the barrel in the hitting zone. Had a loud L8 and a 2B that he crushed in the game. Doesn’t try to do too much at the plate and showed a middle of the field approach with slight tilt in the swing path. Nice pre field presentation with the glove and the feet are in great position to make throws after the quick transfer. Looked very athletic on the backhand play. 

Jase Gray (2022, RHP/3B, Gadsden City) High ¾ slot on this RHP that really stayed down in the zone with both pitches he showed. The FB was up to 82 mph and consistently sat 80-81 mph with some late movement. The breaking ball was well shaped with tight spin at 65-66 mph and a spin rate in the low 2000’s. Slightly open stance at the plate and stays tall throughout. Showed a pull side approach but had a nice barrel path with some tilt in the swing. Strong lower half in the swing. Defensively, the actions are solid at 3B and there is no issue with arm strength from the hot corner. The ball really took off out of his hand. 

Tristan Everly (2021, 3B/RHP, Sparkman) The FB was 79-80 mph and bumped 81 mph a few times. Worked from a mid ¾ slot and the FB showed late life vs. hitters. The breaking ball showed sider action at 68-73 mph and he was able to throw this pitch consistently for a strike. Had a very nice inning of work and was consistently around the zone.  Slightly open stance at the plate with a leg kick approach at the plate. The ball sounded different coming off his bat. Showed power to all fields and the ability to handle pitches in/out of the zone. Looks easy in the field as he never looked rushed getting to ground balls or making the throw. Quick transfer and easy carry on balls across the diamond.  

Weston Horton (2021, RHP/1B, Curry) Solid footwork around the bag at 1B and did a nice job of keeping the glove out in front on ground balls. Did a nice job on throws in the dirt as well. Long arm action and nice velocity out of the hand. Offensively, he had a very solid round of BP from an even stance and did a nice job with his lower half. A simple approach on the front side allows him to be “on time” with the barrel. Did a nice job of staying through the zone with the barrel and showed juice to both gaps. 

Jackson Mccreless (2021, SS/3B, Muscle Shoals) Physical looking MIF that does a nice job using his core strength with his game. There is some strength in the hands at the plate and he showed a short, compact swing and did a nice job getting extension. Used the lower half well and showed power to all fields. Good runner as well and was 88 mph exit velo off of the tee. Has a loud barrel. Defensively, the actions are solid and the arm strength is very nice across the dirt. Showed nice lateral movement and was very athletic with the glove on balls in front of him. A lot to like in this physical ‘21 grad. 

Harrison Stout (2020, SS/OF, Tuscaloosa County) Had 2 hits in game play, including a laser 3B. During BP, he showed a loud barrel with some pull side juice from a slightly tilted bat path. Put up some impressive numbers, throwing 81 mph across the infield and was 87 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Started with a slightly open stance and did a nice job getting his front foot down to trigger the swing. The approach was short and compact with some juice to the middle of the field from a slightly tilted swing path. Very good runner as well. Showed nice range in the IF and was very solid with the glove actions. 

Jay Faulkner (2022, SS/OF, Vestavia Hills) Showed an open stance at the plate and a slow, rhythmic load of the hands. Upright stance and some tilt in the bat path and did a nice job of keeping the barrel through the hitting zone. Solid actions on the ‘22 prospect in the dirt. Moved very well laterally and played very low to the ground with the glove. Did a nice job keeping his momentum moving through the throw. Did a nice job with the feet before fielding ground balls. 

Cade Horton (2021, 3B/1B, Bibb County) The corner infielder had the loudest barrel on the day as he put on a power display during BP, leaving the yard multiple times. Showing definite pull side juice, he was also 94 mph exit velocity off the tee. Slightly open setup and a solid leg kick approach. The swing is well synched and he uses the lower half extremely well from a definite tilted swing path. No doubt, he can hit! Defensively, the big bat may be better suited at 1B at the next level but he shows solid set up with the glove and moves well enough to play 3B as well. An interesting ‘21 bat to follow.  

Will Vinyard (2021, 1B/RHP, St. Anne Pacelli) The arm worked from a high ¾ slot and the FB had some “cut” to it. He was up to 80 mph on a few pitches but sat 78-79 mph during his inning of work. Did a very nice job of pitching “downhill” and located in the lower half of the zone. The breaking ball showed tight spin and was more of a slider at 68-70 mph. Very slightly opened with the feet and the hands set high in the stance at the plate. Small leg kick approach allows him to be on time and he created some nice rhythm in the swing. Really handled the barrel well and used the entire field. Nice fundamentals on the dirt and really moved well fielding the ground balls and into the throw. Showed a quick transfer as well. Impressive ‘21 grad.  

Samuel Bowling (2020, 2B/OF, Florence) Impressed defensively on the dirt. Loved how he worked the feet before fielding ground balls and the glove was presented out in front. Did a nice job gathering himself after fielding and getting everything moving with the throw. At the plate, he started with an open stance and was mainly upright in his stance. Did a nice job gathering his weight over his backside and really kept the barrel and hands inside the ball, showing off of a middle of the field approach. The swing path has some tilt in in. Athletic enough to play OF as well. 

Carter Clark (2021, 2B/SS, Trinity Presbyterian) Has some quick twitch actions in his game. The glove works and the feet are “plus” with natural, easy actions in the dirt. The arm strength is nice and he showed nice lateral movement. May project at 2B in the future. At the plate, the switch hitter has natural instincts from both sides. He showed a slightly open stance from both sides and a pull side approach as well. Handles the bat very well and looks like a prototypical 2 hole type hitter. Simple toe tap approach on the front side. 

Jacob Little (2021, SS/RHP, Southside) This ‘21 grad is just a competitor all over the field, including the mound. He threw from several different arm angles and did not let hitters get comfortable in the box, throwing several different pitches at any time in the count. The breaking ball showed tight spin at 67-69 mph and he did a very nice job creating movement on his FB that was up to 76 mph. The delivery was very athletic. Narrow, open stance at the plate from the left side with some definite tilt in the swing path and a pull side approach. Uses a leg kick approach to gather some power in the swing. Hard nosed player in the dirt that is fundamentally solid in all aspects and shows a quick transfer from catch to throw. The glove action is solid. Again, this guy is a competitor that simply gets after it on the field.  

Andrew Burns (2022, 3B/2B, Boaz) Very compact approach at the plate with power to all fields. The set up is simple as the hands are set fairly high and the feet are slightly open. Really stays short with the barrel and the back elbow stays in the slotted position. Really finishes the swing and keeps the barrel on the ball from a tilted swing plane. The bat plays big time. Well synced swing and really uses the lower half in the swing. Does a nice job of hitting off of a firm front side. Like the actions in the dirt as he does a nice job finding the big hop and really presents the glove out in front. Athletic enough to play a few different infield positions. 

Walton Reid (2022, SS/RHP, Florence) Young ‘22 prospect that showed a nice clean arm on the mound from a high ¾ slot and stayed tall throughout the delivery. The FB showed some nice ASR at 77-78 mph, topping at 79 mph. The tall, lean RHP pounded the zone with the FB and will be an interesting follow on the mound. Really projectable in the field and at the plate and projects as a nice player. Tall set up at the plate with some quickness in the hands. Starts with an even stance and has slight tilt in his bat path. Really handled the bat very well and will add some juice as he continues to add strength and physically matures over the next few years. The actions in the dirt are fundamentally solid. Really works through the ball and shows solid footwork before and after the catch. Stays through his throws very well. Interesting ‘22 to follow.   

Matt Manley (2023, RHP/SS, Madison Academy) Clean arm action from this young ‘23 grad showing a ¾ arm slot. The potential is there as his FB showed some late life at 76-77 mph and bumped 78 mph a few times. The breaking ball was 67-68 mph and showed some nice downward tilt. No wasted movement in the athletic delivery. Offensively, the ‘23 grad did a nice job of staying through contact with the barrel and showed a level swing path. The feet started even and he showed a middle of the field approach during BP. Very simple, compact approach with no wasted action at the plate. In the field, the glove work is smooth with solid presentation. The feet work well and he did a nice job gathering himself from catch to throw. A lot to like in this ‘23 grad.

Brody Hinton (2022, 3B/SS, Mobile Christian) Slightly open with the feet and an upright stance at the plate. Does a nice job with a small leg kick which allows him to get timed up very well. The bat path has some tilt in it and he does a nice job using his strong lower half in his swing. There is definite pop in the bat and he really showed the ability to drive balls to both gaps.  Solid defender at 3B who showed natural actions on ground balls. Moved very well laterally and did a nice job gathering himself after fielding the ground ball. Physical build, nice ‘22 prospect to follow. 

Logan James (2021, SS/RHP, Deshler) Clean, effortless delivery that pounded the bottom half of the zone from a high ¾ arm slot. The slider showed real tight spin and he was able to throw the pitch for a strike at 68-69 mph. The FB was 76-77 mph on every delivery. Attacked the strike zone with both pitches. Open stance with the feet at the plate and shows some tilt in the swing path. Did a nice job finishing high through the swing and used his lower half very well The ball really came off of the bat and he showed some pull side pop. Instinctive player on the dirt and does a very nice job with the feet before fielding ground balls. The transfer from glove to throw is very quick and he moves naturally through this throws to 1B.

Josh Mackey (2022, 1B/RHP, Huntsville) The FB was consistent low 70’s (70-72 mph) and was up to 74 mph. The pitch did show some late sink to it as he delivered it from a high ¾ slot. Showed a very smooth delivery and feel for his breaking, flipping it in for strikes at 67-68 mph during his inning of work. Showed a middle/oppo approach during his BP round with some pop to the backside. Started with an open stance and showed a fairly short swing approach and really forced the top hand through contact. The hands are set high in the stance and there is some tilt in the swing path. Sound defensive actions at 1B and showed nice feet around the bag and coming off of the bag. Did a nice job working the feet before the throw. 

Preston Junkin (2021, LHP/1B, Brooks) ‘21 LHP that has definite feel on the mound for how to pitch. The mid ¾ slot really creates some ASR on the FB, that was 72-74 mph and up to 75 mph. Did a nice job working both sides of the plate with the FB. The breaking ball was 54-58 mph with really nice depth. He got several swing and misses on the breaking ball. Had 2 hits during game play and showed a nice setup in BP, driving balls to all fields. Has definitely improved his offensive game since we last saw him. An even set up with the feet and a simple, short approach with the hands allow him to handle pitches on both sides of the plate. There is some tilt in the bat path and he showed juice to the backside. Natural actions at 1B and the glove was solid. Did a nice job of handling balls in the dirt.