After a busy summer stocked full of events and tournaments, the PBR Alabama Staff has come together over the past few weeks and worked to update and expand the 2021 Alabama Player Rankings. There were many late nights and some tough discussions about players across the state. 

Click HERE for the full version of the Updated and Expanded 2021 Player Rankings.

 

 

Top 10 Breakdown

+ We start off the top of the list with three top tier arms that all made very solid cases to be in the #1 spot. All are committed to powerhouse SEC programs and possess high upside. In the end, '21 LHP Maddux Bruns (UMS-Wright) and Mississippi State recruit claimed the top spot after a strong summer circuit. Making one of the biggest leaps in the last update to #3, Bruns probably has the best upside when you're talking about pitchers in this class. The 6-foot-2, 210 pound southpaw has seen a major jump in terms of velocity, as he consistently sits in the low-to-mid 90's and can reach 97 mph with his fastball. Features a sharp breaking curveball and a deceptive slider while showing some feel for a changeup. Control can be an issue at times, but there is no denying the upside and potential Bruns possesses.

+ Coming in behind Bruns in the Updated 2021 Player Rankings is '21 LHP Pico Kohn (Chilton County, Mississippi State recruit). In the #2 spot, Kohn has been one of most consistent pitchers in the state of Alabama over the past two years for Chilton County. The southpaw continues to post video-game numbers for stat lines. At approximately 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Kohn screams projection on the mound. His fastball primarily works in the upper-80's and can bump 90 mph on occasions, but seems to get on hitters quicker thanks to some deception in the delivery. Secondary offerings show swing & miss and there's more in the tank in this left-hander.

+ Moving on to the #3 spot is a name that we have grown familiar to seeing at the top for the last couple years. '21 RHP Grant Taylor (Florence, Louisiana State recruit) comes in to this edition of the '21 Player Rankings after seeing a little more velocity on the fastball this summer, as he reached 92 mph at the National Program Invitational at LakePoint Sports Complex in June. From the right-side, Taylor exhibits a burly 6-foot-2, 205 pound frame on the mound. Throws a pretty heavy fastball that has some late life when down in the zone. Breaking ball shows 10/4 break and potential for swing & miss.

+ After three arms taking over at the top of the rankings, there are tons of hitters in this class that are sure to make a splash once they get on campus. One of those hitters comes in at #4 is '21 C Max Soliz Jr. (Bob Jones, Arkansas recruit), who made a big leap from #12 in the last update. After moving from Texas about six months ago, Soliz Jr. made a huge statement in his first year at Bob Jones with his stick and has continued to swing it well throughout the summer. The 6-foot-5, 220 pound backstop generates electric bat speed and does not get cheated at the plate. Power is his best tool.

+ Rounding out the Top 5, '21 RHP Grant Cherry (Vestavia Hills, Tennessee recruit) checks in after committing to Tennessee almost a month ago. A mainstay in the Rebel pitching rotation for the past couple of years, Cherry displays an electric fastball that shows late life & ride to it. Ranges from upper-80's to low-90's. Breaking ball has hard, sharp bite to it and gets many swings & misses with it. Durable frame on the mound that projects to be a starter in Knoxville.

+ A bat that has been consistently in the Top 8 over the past couple of years is '21 3B/1B Slate Alford (Bob Jones, Auburn recruit), who comes in at #6. From the right-side of the plate, Alford exhibits some notable strength with the ability to hit for extra bases. Balls really seem to jump off his bat and sounds different. Standing at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he defends well at the hot corner. Had a strong season offensively for a star-studded Bob Jones team before the season got shut down.

+ Coming in at the #7 and #8 spots in the rankings is a pair of elite right-handed arms that are committed to SEC power programs. '21 RHP Samuel Dutton (Westbrook Christian, Louisiana State recruit) is a name that has consistently been inside the Top 10 for the past couple of years. Fastball usually lives in the upper-80's with great command for the pitch. Pairs that with a sharp, 11/5 breaking ball that plays well off the fastball. At 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, Dutton is a big-time competitor on the mound and pitched some big games for the USA 15u National Team in 2018. 

+ Talking about talented arms in the 2021 class, you can't forget about '21 RHP Chase Allsup (Dothan, Auburn recruit). Allsup carries an impressive fastball that can reach the low-90's on some occasions with solid secondary stuff to compliment it. 6-foot-2, 215 pound body that has good command of all pitches. 

+ Rounding out the Top 10, we have two high-level bats that are currently committed to SEC programs. At #9, '21 OF Trey Higgins (Oxford, Mississippi State recruit) immediately stands out with his physicality and power at the plate. A switch-hitter, Higgins is an exceptional athlete that doubles as QB1 for the Oxford Yellow Jackets in the fall. Really seemed to blow up last summer, as you can check out the bomb he hit at the PBRT Southeast Summer Championships in Hoover, AL below.

+ Coming in at #10 after making a significant jump from last year's event is '21 SS Aidan Stewart (Next Level Academy, Missouri recruit). A former Future Gamer in 2019, Stewart is another premier bat in the 2021 AL class. Listed as a switch-hitter, the 6-foot-5, 200 pounder looks to be more comfortable from the left-side. Really seemed to take off at the dish after the Future Games and stood out at numerous PBR tournaments. Broke the PBR Future Games Infield Velocity record last year as he topped at 94 mph across the infield. 

 

Number	Name	High School	Commitment
1	Maddux Bruns	UMS-Wright	Mississippi State
2	Pico Kohn	Chilton County	Mississippi State
3	Grant Taylor	Florence	Louisiana State
4	Max Soliz, Jr.	Bob Jones	Arkansas
5	Grant Cherry	Vestavia Hills	Tennessee
6	Slate Alford	Bob Jones	Auburn
7	Samuel Dutton	Westbrook Christian	Louisiana State
8	Chase Allsup	Dothan	Auburn
9	Trey Higgins	Oxford	Mississippi State
10	Aidan Stewart	Next Level Academy	Missouri

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