The Alabama Top Prospect Games were held on Wednesday, June 23rd at Choccolocco Park in Oxford. Players were put through a positional workout in the morning and then each player played in one of the three games that followed in the afternoon. Today, we continue to take a look at each player in attendance as we we look at the outfielders from Wedneday's event.  

Throughout the week we will continue our positional breakdown of all of the players in attendance, but today let's take a look at the 20 outfielders from the event.  

 

OUTFIELDERS

Ryan Cole, OF/RHP, (2023) Spain Park

6-foot-1, 190-pound athletic lengthy frame. In the 60-yard dash, he clocked a time of 7.16. Began in an open stance with a small load, then used a short stride. Had a loose uphill swing plane, and his bat speed was explosive. The right-handed hitter's best exit velocity was 95 mph. He recorded an outfield position velocity of 83 mph, showing consistent footwork and a clean exchange.  Dean does a nice job staying synched up during the swing while using his strong lower half throughout. He also does a nice job of creating some carry off the barrel. 

 Rynzo Crutcher, LHP/OF, (2022) Grissom

5-foot-11, 165-pound proportional athletic frame. During the event, ran the 60-yard dash in 7.09. Begins in a balanced stance with a compact load and uses a small leg kick. Bat speed is efficient as he exhibits an upward swing plane with a high finishm showing an up the middle approach (89 mph EV). From the outfield, his best throws to the plate were registered at 86 mph with athletic footwork and a clean exchange. On the mound, showed quick arm speed and threw from a high ¾ arm slot. Up-tempo type delivery. The fastball (84-85 mph) showed some late arm side action as the ball seems to explode out of the hand. The 12/6 breaking ball (71-72 mph) simply disappears to hitters, showing late depth and hitters seem to swing over the top of the pitch. The changeup (72-75 mph) shows legit deception as the pitch comes out of the same arm slot. 

Jay Faulkner, OF/SS, (2022) Vestavia Hills

5-foot-10, 195-pound solid sturdy frame. Started in a tall balanced stance with a compact load, and used a quick stride to get the barrel to the zone on time. Showed nice bat speed and a short upward swing plane and good extension on his finish. Gap to gap approach with an exit velocity of 87 mph. From the outfield, his best throws to the plate were registered at 82 mp and has smooth footwork, and a clean exchange. Showed long arm action and an-over-the-top slot. During the event, recorded a 60 time of 7.43.  Very simple bat path from the 2022 grad with some strength in the hands and carry to both gaps off the barrel. 

 Hess Fridley III, OF/RHP, (2022) Hoover

5-foot-9, 150-pound athletic solid frame. Ran well in the 60-yard dash, clocking a speedy time of 6.78. Starts in a tall balanced stance with a quick load with a long stride. Solid bat speed was present and he showed a simple flat swing plane and good extension on his finish with a gap to gap approach. Fridley  had an exit velocity of 92 mph and was up to 81 mph from the OF with a clean exchange and smooth footwork. Very consistent accuracy to the plate, used an-over-the-top slot with a short arm action. 

Slade Haney, OF/RHP, (2022) Donoho

6-foot, 180-pound projectable physical frame. In the 60-yard dash, he clocked a time of 7.72. Began in an athletic quiet stance with a controlled load, using a toe tap approach. Bat speed was efficient, as he  used a short, level swing plane and an up the middle approach. Haney had a max exit velocity of 94 mph (TrackMan). His best position velocity in the outfield was registered at 82 mph with a clean exchange and rhythmic footwork. On the mound, showed consistent arm speed with a ¾ arm angle. Up-tempo type pitcher. The fastball (77-78 mph, T79 mph) showed some late ASR as he also commanded both sides of the plate with the pitch. The 11/5 breaking ball (67-68 mph) showed tight spin and was difficult for hitters to pick up. 

 Devin Howell, OF/3B, (2023) Ohatchee

5-foot-11, 170-pound athletic projectable frame. Clocked a time of 7.02 in the 60-yard dash. At the plate, Howell's best exit velocity was 85 mph via Trackman. Begins in a balanced stance with a small load and  uses a toe tap as a timing mechanism. Bat speed is quick and exhibits an uphill simple swing plane with a mostly pull side approach. Smooth action in the outfield with developing arm strength (72 mph OF velocity). Showed a long arm action with an-over-the-top slot.  Howell shows some present strength in the hands and handles the barrel well throughout the hitting zone. 

 Aaron Johnson, OF/2B, (2023) Alexandria

5-foot-10, 135-pound lean athletic frame. Clocked a 60 time of 7.28 at the event. Offensively, the left-handed hitter had a max exit velocity of 82 mph while starting in an open tall stance with a fairly big load. Had a loose upward swing plane while using a top tap approach and showed nice bat speed with a line drive approach. In the outfield, his throws to the plate were maxed out at 78 mph with choppy footwork and a developing exchange. Johnson has a lot of movement in ths set up and swing  but does a solid job of handing pitches on both halves of the plate and shows solid ability to use the entire field. 

 Will Keller, OF/SS, (2023) Tuscaloosa County

5-foot-11, 170-pound lean athletic frame. In the box, Keller clocked an exit velocity of 94 mph while starting in an open athletic stance and using a leg kick approach. Bat speed was above average as he used a simple upward swing plane with a mostly gap to gap approach. In the outfield, his throws to the plate topped at 76 mph with smooth footwork and a clean exchange. Fields the ball to the side with consistent accuracy to the plate. Recorded a 60 time of 7.21 at the event.  Keller showed the ability to handle the bat well from both sides but seemed to be a bit more "natural" with the ability to create more juice from the left side. 

 Patch Lyman, OF/LHP, (2022) Mountain Brook

6-foot-3, 190-pound long proportional frame. Begins in a balanced stance with a compact load while using a toe tap to trigger the swing. Showed above average bat speed and a simple level swing plane. With a mostly up the middle approach, Lyman had a max exit velocity of 91 mph. From the outfield, throws were up to  79 mph with a natural exchange and consistent footwork. Showed a high ¾ slot and a long arm action with consistent accuracy to the plate. In the 60-yard dash, recorded a time of 7.57.  Lyman simply shows up at events and continues to hit. The approach at the plate is definite middle to oppo as he does a nice job staying inside contact while also staying through the hitting zone with the barrel. Because of this, he shows some definite carry to the backside. 

 Hunter Nichols, OF, (2023) Murphy

5-foot-9, 185-pound proportional solid frame. During batting practice, Nichols recorded an exit velocity of 88 mph while starting in a balanced wide stance with a tight load and a short stride. Showed solid bat speed and a simple flat swing plane and level finish with an opposite field approach. In the outfield, his best throws to the plate topped out at 78 mph and has a developing exchange. Used a long arm action and an-over-the-top slot. In the 60-yard dash, recorded a time of 7.24.  Not much of a stride to trigger the swing as he worked the hands inside contact, showing a mostly opposite field approach. 

 Tait Nunnally, OF/LHP, (2023) Pell City

6-foot-1, 175-pound athletic proportional frame. Started in an open stance with a smooth load, then used a toe tap to start the swing. Had a simple uphill swing plane and explosive bat speed with a definite gap to gap approach with an exit velocity of During the event, recorded a 60 time of 7.43. On the mound, threw from a low ¾ arm angle and showed the same consistent arm path with all pitches. . Up-tempo type pitcher. There is some easy strength in the hands on the swing as the 2023 grade showed juice to all fields, including hammering two balls to the pull side gap in gameplay. Nunnally presents a unique look from the left side as he creates a ton of arm side action on the fastball (77-78 mph, T79 mph)from that low slot. The breaking ball (68-70 mph) shows more slider type action with late action and can be a major weapon vs. LH hitters.

Cole O'Brien, RHP/OF, (2022) Decatur Heritage Christian

6-foot-3, 180-pound lengthy athletic frame. During the event, clocked a 60 time of 7.41. During batting practice, O'Brien recorded an exit velocity of 95 mph while starting in an open crouched stance with a tight load of the hands and using a leg kick approach. Bat speed was explosive while using an upward swing plane and high finish and a definite pull side approach. In the outfield, his best throw of the day was clocked at 85 mph with a quick exchange and athletic footwork. Had a long arm action and an-over-the-top slot with consistent accuracy to the base. On the mound, showed quick arm speed with a high ¾ arm angle. Slow-tempo type pitcher and shows easy, clean mechanics. Sat with his fastball at 82-83 mph with a max of 84 mph and had very consistent command with the pitch. Had very consistent control and deceiving action on his changeup (76-77). O'Brien does a nice job of repeating clean mechanics and the arm path is clean and efficient. He does a nice job of creating sink and arm side action on the fastball while also a tight, slider-type breaking ball (70-72 mph). Real feel for 3 pitches and a definite 2022 arm to keep an eye on.  

 Grant Rakers, OF, (2022) Oak Mountain

5-foot-11, 170-pound athletic proportional frame. Began in a balanced stance with a compact load while using a small leg kick. Bat speed is efficient and he displays a short upward swing plane and an up the middle approach with an exit velocity up to 91 mph. Above average from the outfield, he made throws to the plate with velocity up to 78 mph with a quick exchange and rhythmic footwork. Showed consistent accuracy to the plate with a long arm action and an-over-the-top slot. In the 60-yard dash, recorded a time of 7.09. The offensive ability of the 2022 grad has continued to progress as he shows well with the bat each time we see him. 

Jake Smith, OF/SS, (2022) Providence Christian

5-foot-10, 197-pound athletic physical frame. During batting practice, Smith recorded an exit velocity of 97 mph.while beginning in an athletic quiet stance with a controlled load. Has a simple uphill swing plane and electric bat speed with a high finish and a definite gap to gap approach. Showed nice arm strength from the OF as he was up to 87 mph with consistent accuracy to the plate. The athletic recruit showcased his speed with a sub-seven 60 time of 6.71.  Smith is one of the top uncommitted 2022 hitters in the state. There is not a lot of extra movement in the swing but he uses his physical frame to create a ton of juice all over the field. Does a nice job creating backspin and carry off of the barrel. He just conrinues to produce huge numbers and results each time we see him. He doubles as both a quality OF while also being able to play on the dirt as well. 

 Christian Sutphin, OF/RHP, (2022) Grissom

6-foot-1, 215-pound mature sturdy frame. Started in an open stance with a compact load while using a small leg kick. There is a lot of bat speed and he uses an upward rotational swing plane. Sutphin clocked an exit velocity of 93 mph via Trackman. Was up to 85 mph on throws form the OF with a natural exchange and shrt, choppy footwork. During the event, clocked a 60 time of 7.68. On the mound, showed quick arm speed and a high ¾ arm angle. Slow-tempo type pitcher. He has fading action into RH hitters on his changeup (69-70). Sutphin continues to show legit power to the pullside gap as he consistently hammered balls there during his BP round. The fastball (80-81 mph) showed nice downward tilt as he showed the ability to also command the pitch down in the zone and to the glove side. The breaking ball (65-66 mph) is more of a traditional 12/6 breaker with late down action as the pitch neared the plate.

JohnRobert Thompson, OF/RHP, (2023) Spain Park

5-foot-9, 140-pound. In the box, the right-handed hitter clocked an exit velocity of 86 mph while starting in a tall open stance. He uses a toe tap approach to trigger the swing and shows plenty of bat speed. Shows an uphill swing plane and high finish and showed some loud contact during his BP round with a mostly pull side approach. In the outfield, he used momentum and arm strength to record throws up to 88 mph with smooth footwork and a solid, quick exchange. Displayed speed and athleticism at the event, recording a 60 time of 6.96. On the mound, showed an long arm action and a high ¾ arm angle and up-tempo delivery. On the mound, Thompson showed a very clean arm path and nice tempo in the delivery. Continued to mix the fastball (81-83 mph) with late arm side action and a quality breaking ball (71-73 mph) with tight 11/5 action. Really attacks hitters from the mound. 

 Chris Walker, OF/SS, (2023) Sparkman

5-foot-10, 150-pound lean athletic frame. Performed well in the 60-yard dash, clocking a speedy time of 6.83. During batting practice, Walker clocked an exit velocity up to 90 mph. His offensive setup  consisted of a wide balanced stance and a short stride to get the swing started. He exhibits nice bat speed while showing an upward swing plane and high finish. In the outfield, his best throw to the plate topped out at 79 mph, showing nice, rhythmic footwork and a natural exchange. Athletic outfielder that has continued to progress and make strides over the last year and a half. 

Jonathan Austin West, OF/LHP, (2022) Alexandria

5-foot-10, 180-pound mature solid frame. Recorded a time of 7.58 in the 60-yard dash. Offensively, he started in an open stance with a small load while using a quick stride. Has an an inside-out swing plane and developing bat speed and an opposite field approach. West clocked an exit velocity of 80 mph according to Trackman. From the outfield, his best throw to the plate was up to 75 mph from a high ¾ slot with a short arm action. On the mound, West was able to command the fastball (75-76 mph, T78mph, 2 seam) very well to the arm side as the pitch seemed to take off late. The southpaw hides the ball from hitters very well in the delivery while the breaking ball (68-69 mph) showed late depth.   

 Brandon Wilbanks, OF/1B, (2023) Sparkman

6-foot, 155-pound slim athletic frame. Started in an open stance and used a toe tap approach to start the swing. Showed an uphill swing plane with above average bat speed and good extension on his finish and a definite gap to gap approach. Wilbanks had a max exit velocity of 86 mph during batting practice. In the outfield, his best throw of the day was clocked at 76 mph to the plate while showing aggressive footwork and a fluid exchange. In the outfield, he used sed an-over-the-top slot and a short arm action. Clocked a time of 7.37 in the 60-yard dash.  Wilbanks showed some lossesness in the hands with some pop to all fields from the left side. 

 Cameron Winebarger, OF/RHP, (2022) Buckhorn

6-foot-1, 181-pound lengthy physical frame. Showed his athleticism during the event with a sub-seven 60 (6.97). Started in a quiet stance with a smooth load, while using a small leg kick to create some juice off the barrel. Winebarger used a simple uphill swing plane and high finish while showing a gap to gap approach. Showed an exit velocity during BP of 98 mph, via Trackman. From the outfield, he made throws to the plate up to 86 mph while showing a long arm action with an-over-the-top slot. On the mound, he showed quick arm speed from an over-the-top arm angle. Shows easy effort in his delivery. Winebarger shows plenty of juice off the barrel and the ability to handle pitches in all parts of the zone. He did a nice job of getting the barrel to contact on both halves of the plate, showing some carry off the bat. Worked the lower half of the zone with all of his pitches and showed the ability to mix pitches in any count. Showed solid feel for the 11/5 breaking ball (70-71 mph) as the pitch showed late depth while the fastball (81-82 mph) really took off into RH hitters.

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