The Alabama Top Prospect Games will be held this Wednesday, June 23rd, at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, AL. Many of the top uncommitted 2022 & 2023 prospects in the state of Alabama will be in attendance, looking to impress in front of the many college coaches who will be in attendance with the NCAA dead period recently being lifted. CLICK HERE to view the roster & teams for this event.

Our staff will be using this event to select players to represent Alabama at the 2021 PBR Future Games & PBR Jr. Future Games. The Future Games is the summer's ultimate recruiting event for 2023 and 2024 uncommitted prospects. Last year's event was attended by more than 300 college coaches. This event will take place July 29 - August 1 at LakePoint in Cartersville, GA. Last year's PBR Future Games team featured 13 players from this 2020 Top Prospect Games, and this year should be no different.

Upon arriving and getting checked in at 8:15-8:40 AM, position players will go through a pro-style workout, and then take batting practice before taking place in gameplay against pitchers. During batting practice, players will be using our Blast Motion sensors, as well as a Trackman B1 Unit to record numbers that will be imported into their profiles for college coaches to see.

TRACKMAN:
TrackMan is the global leader in ball-tracking accuracy. Following a Prep Baseball Report event, all players will get unrivaled access to their performance data in the Trackman interactive app. Players can create custom dashboards that unlock both hitting and pitching data.

Pitching Features Include:

• Pitching data access includes: release speed, spin rate, spin axis, release height, extension, horizontal and vertical break, and location on each pitch 

• See each pitch trajectory in 3D from multiple viewpoints

• Create defined tags to label and compare pitches

• Pin pitches together to create tunneling visualizations between different pitch types

• Visualize each pitch location

Hitting Features Include:

• Hitting data access includes: Exit speed, distance traveled, launch angle, launch direction, spin rate, contact depth and contact side/height for each swing.

• Visualize plate coverage

• Pairing of all data points on each swing

BLAST:
Blast is the global leader in swing analysis and used by nearly every MLB organization. Following a Prep Baseball Report event, players will receive access to BlastConnect in the Blast App, that unlocks critical insights and actionable data from their performance.

Features Include:

• Swing Analysis and Blast Motion hitting assessment

• Professional-level swing analytics to help players improve their hitting performance

• Free 30-day trial to Blast Premium Services subscription

 

Names to Keep an Eye on

+ SS Noah Jones (Wetumpka, 2022) should be a name for recruiters to know in the rising senior class, as his ability to perform at all levels has solidified himself as one of the top uncommitted players in the class. Was a steady leader for the 6A Indians this spring, and is starting to see more power offensively as he's filled out his frame. Steady hands up the middle that can play multiple positions on the infield.

+ OF/SS Jake Smith (Providence Christian, 2022) will surely be at the top of the statistical leaderboards at the end of this event, as he's shown 6.58-speed at prior PBR events and posted a 101 mph exit velocity, as well. Stocky, athletic 5-10, 200-pound frame has plenty of strength throughout. Quick twitch actions at the plate, barreling up line drives at each look over the past year. 

+ RHP Tyler Wilson (Hoover, 2023) led the Bucs to a 7A Title appearance for his efforts out of the bullpen this past spring, as he was arguably as consistent as anyone for the Hoover pitching staff. Fastball can creep up to 89 mph, and uses a sharp, late-breaking knuckle curve in the low-70's as a solid out-pitch. Still plenty of projection coming on a slim 6-2, 165-pound frame.

+ 3B/RHP Braden Booth (Bob Jones, 2024) will be the lone rising underclassmen at the event this Wednesday, but his play certainly won't suggest he's only a rising sophomore. Booth carries in a strong track record of being able to hit against strong competition, as he logged many at-bats for a loaded 7A Patriots team this spring. Has also seen a bump in velocity as of late, which has reached 87 mph at previous PBR events.

+ C/SS Cade Carr (Hoover, 2023) saw his role increase significantly throughout the better part of the 7A Bucs' season, which included a 7A runner-up finish. Carr was a catalyst at the top of the order for Hoover and showed plenty of versatility defensively playing multiple positions when needed. Ability to hit for line drives using an athletic 5-10, 165-pound frame. Seems to have the "it" factor, and is an elite competitor. Has shown 1.87 pop times behind the plate, but can also play at 3rd base or shortstop and not skip a beat.

+ 3B Christopher Johnston (Vestavia Hills, 2023) got some quality at-bats this spring for a talented 7A Rebels squad, and will see his role continue to expand over the next couple of years. Sturdy 6-1, 195-pound body, well-built frame and also possesses some high-end athleticism with 6.76 speed at previous PBR events. Short, simple stroke from the right side generates plenty of pop to the pull side, and has already hit multiple HR's at LakePoint to start this summer.

+ SS Jace Norton (Auburn, 2023) possesses plenty of upside standing a lean 6-3, 165-pounds and will look to build off a strong showing at this past January's Preseason All-State event. 6.98 laser-timed 60-YD at the event, and worked to all parts of the field during BP using a repeatable, low-effort stroke from the right side. Rangy defender up the middle as well, and carry a lot of momentum throughout the rest of the summer with another strong showing on Wednesday.

+ SS Peyton Watts (Oxford, 2023) was one of the more consistent hitters that led the 6A Yellow Jackets to a 32-8 record this spring. Smooth actions at the plate with a heavy barrel and defends well at multiple positions on the infield. Still a projectable 6-0, 160-pound frame, but had looked to have added some strength at multiple looks this spring. Will be at the PBR Future Games representing Team Alabama this summer.

+ LHP Rynzo Crutcher (Grissom, 2022) was one of the many quality arms that the 7A Tigers used to reach the 2nd round of the state playoffs this spring, where they almost took down the No. 1 Huskies in Game 3. 6-0, 170-pound southpaw with elite competitiveness on the mound that was used as a back-end arm this spring. Can run the fastball up into the upper-80's on occasions, and has two solid off speed offerings to compliment. Pounds the zone with all pitches and will be one to watch this Wednesday. 

+ C Brady McAbee (Northridge, 2023) was another prospect that made a loud statement at the Preseason All-State event his January, and carried that momentum throughout the spring as one of the leading hitters on a 6A Jaguars club the reached the Final Four. Physical & strong 6-1, 190-pounds, creates plenty of leverage using a left-handed swing and looks to lift with a heavy barrel through the zone. Also showed a 1.99 pop time behind the plate at the event in January.

+ C/OF Pierce Hanna (Vestavia Hills, 2022) is a prospect that shouldn't stay uncommitted for too much longer with a strong showing at this event on Wednesday. Compact strength in a 5-10, 190-pound frame that he uses to hit for extra bases. Strong upper body and shoots powerful hands through the zone to make solid contact. Has shown the ability to play both the catching position and a corner spot in the outfield.

+ SS Paxton Ponder (Cullman, 2023) jumped out last fall at an Excel Scout Day, and had a strong season for the 6A Bearcats playing both positions up the middle all year long. Athletic 5-11, 160-pounds with 6.77 speed at prior events. Flat path through the zone generates plenty of hard hit line drives at each look. Sure-handed defender up the middle with a strong arm across the diamond. Another prospect looking to make a big statement at this event on Wednesday.

 

Others to Watch

+ RHP Jackson Crow (Oxford, 2023)
+ RHP Jase Gray (Gadsden City, 2022)
+ SS Tucker Burns (Sparkman, 2022)
+ OF Connor Cosby (Auburn, 2023)
+ 2B Andrew Hunt (Oak Mountain, 2022)
+ RHP Luke Hyche (Briarwood, 2022)
+ C Carter Kimbrell (Oak Mountain, 2023)
+ OF Cameron Winebarger (Buckhorn, 2022)
+ 1B Brodie Morrow (Hartselle, 2022)
+ 3B Cade Prestegard (Huntsville, 2022)
+ C/3B Hudson Walburn (Vestavia Hills, 2023)
+ 1B Jackson Harris (Vestavia Hills, 2023)
+ OF Devin Howell (Ohatchee, 2023)
+ SS Evan Smallwood (Spain Park, 2023)
+ OF Christian Sutphin (Grissom, 2022)

 

*As always, there are sure to be more players from the event that stand out.

 

Itinerary

When:
Wednesday, June 23rd

Who:
2022 and 2023 grads, selected by invitation only

Where:
Choccolocco Park- Oxford (Back Fields)

Schedule:
Wednesday, June 23rd

All teams Position Players Check-In
8:15 - 8:40 am – Position Players Check-in
8:40 - 9:00 am – Stretch/Intro
9:00 am - 12:15 pm - Pro-Style Workout

Pitcher Only's will check-in one hour before their first scheduled game time.

*Position Players in Game 2 and 3 may leave after the workout but must return 30 minutes before game time. 

12:30 - Team 1 vs. Team 2
2:45 - Team 3 vs. Team 4
5:00 - Team 5 vs Team 6

*Times subject to change*

*NOTE: Games are simulated to regulate pitch counts and innings played.

 

 

Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only)	AL	06/23	Choccolocco Park
PBR at The Hank	AL	07/06	Hank Aaron Stadium
Columbus Summer I.D.	AL	07/13	Golden Park
2021 Southeast Unsigned Senior Games (Invite Only)	AL	07/27	LakePoint Sports
2021 PBR Future Games (Alabama Invite)	AL	07/28	LakePoint Sports Complex
PBR Junior Future Games	NATIONAL	07/28	LakePoint Sports

 

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