Updated & Expanded 2022 Alabama Rankings
June 18, 2021
We're roughly a month into the 2021 summer circuit, but our staff has been out in full-force covering showcases, tournaments at LakePoint Sports and Sand Mountain Sports Complex, and other events so far. We've got a good look at plenty of prospects so far, especially the 2022 class. With many talented players still uncommitted and college coaches out recruiting, these players are still attempting to elevate their status as a prospect heading into their final season of high school.
Today, we release and updated and expanded version of the Class of 2022 Player Rankings for the state of Alabama. The Top-10 stays intact for the most part, but there a few changes, especially inside the Top-50. In addition to this update, there have been 65 players added to the previous 200 players on this list in a fairly large expansion. These rankings will be sure to change over the next year and a half, but for now, let's take a look at the update for June of 2021.
The Top-5
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Landon Russell SS / RHP / Russell County, AL / 2022No change at the top spot. Russell possesses an electric fastball that crept up to 93 mph this spring, while comfortably sitting in the upper-80's & low-90's with tons of life to it. Tight, late-breaking slider in upper-70's. Athletic 6-1, 160 frame with premium athleticism. Has ran a 6.71 60 YD at prior PBR events, and handles the bat well when he is not pitching. Commitment: Auburn |
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Riley Quick RHP / Hewitt Trussville, AL / 2022Quick climbed up to the No. 2 spot in the midseason update this spring, and he continued to turn in quality outing after quality outing for the 7A Huskies. 6-6, 250-pound body that generates extension on a long stride during delivery, makes the fastball that has been up to 92 mph seem quicker. Features a short, tight slider in the low-80's with minimal, late action. Also shows an upper-70's changeup to left-handed hitters. Plenty of upside on the mound, but is also a prized football recruit on the gridiron. Uncommitted |
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Elliott Bray RHP / OF / Hartselle, AL / 2022Bray makes the biggest jump within the Top-10, as he leaps up to No. 3 after a big spring on the mound for the 6A runner-up Hartselle Tigers. Noticeable strength added to a 6-2, 215-pound frame, durable body and holds velocity well throughout outings. Works a heavy fastball in the upper-80's primarily, but reached 92 mph at the 6A State Finals this spring. Excellent feel for a hard 12/6 breaking ball in the upper-70's and a late-fading changeup in the low-80's. Strike thrower. Commitment: Auburn |
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Drew Nelson LHP / OF / Pike Liberal Arts, AL / 2022Nelson was a horse on the mound for Pike Liberal Arts who won the Class AAA State Championship this spring. The 6-0, 185-pound southpaw played a huge role in the Patriots' success, both at the plate and on the mound. A big-game pitcher with elite competitiveness and pitchability using a true three-pitch mix. Fastball works in the upper-80's, but can play up at times due to a mid-70's changeup with sink/fade. Also showed command for a big 1/7 breaking ball. Confidence in all three offerings, repeatable delivery, pounds the zone. Future Gamer in 2019. Commitment: Auburn |
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Alex Wade OF / RHP / Madison Academy, AL / 2022Wade has been inside the Top-5 since the first launch of these rankings, and his performance for the Mustangs this spring shows no reason for him to be outside this list. Long 6-3, 185-pound frame, excellent athlete with 6.79 speed at prior events. Extra base hit machine with 21 doubles and three triples this spring and was a menace on the base paths with a perfect 30/30 on stolen bases. Former Future Gamer in 2019. Commitment: Auburn |
Notable Debuts & Risers
+ RHP/SS Mason Swinney (Phil Campbell) jumps up into the Top-15 after a breakout campaign for the Phil Campbell Bobcats, leading them to a 3A State Championships on the mound and at the plate. Features a fastball that crept up to 90 mph in Montgomery, while comfortably sitting in the mid-80's. Posted big numbers on the mound, including a no-hitter in the semifinals against a talent-laded lineup. Hit for some power at the plate, as well. Athletic 6-2, 175-pounds, but has added some physicality as of late. Committed to the University of Alabama roughly a month ago.
+ RHP JT Blackwood (Hartselle) pitched some meaningful innings on a loaded pitching staff for the 6A runner-up Hartselle Tigers in 2021, and finds himself inside the Top-25 in this update. Doubling as the quarterback on the gridiron, the 6-1, 200-pound right-handed pitcher saw his status elevate as a baseball prospect with his performance this spring. Pitches at 86-87 mph with the fastball and can run it up into the upper-80's on occasion. Features a wipeout slider at 75-77 with 10-4 break and spin into the 2600's. Another established arm to keep an eye on over the next year.
+ 3B Davis Randolph (Northridge) is another name who has continued to make a name for himself over the past few months. Led the 6A Jaguars to a Final 4 appearance hitting in the cleanup spot, and put on an impressive display of power during his BP round at the TPL Scout Day earlier this summer. 6-4, 180-pound frame that ran a 7.08 laser-timed 60 YD at the event. Chance for more power down the road, present bat speed, and some versatility defensively with the athleticism and size.
+ 1B Brody Capps (Central Phenix-City) was a huge part of the Central Phenix City offense this spring that produced over 30+ wins and a Final 4 appearance in Class 7A. Medium 6-1, 180-pound frame with quick hands and the ability to spray. Consistently on the barrel at each look and showed no issue against velocity, going 3-for-3 with a HR against a mid-90's arm. Covers the plate well and has excellent pitch recognition. Still more room for some possible strength & physicality down the road.
+ RHP Howell Polk (Mountain Brook) is a prospect that has quickly gained momentum over the past few weeks with his performance at the State Games of Georgia at LakePoint and the Excel Scout Day just last week. 6-1, 185-pound frame, was 80-82 mph just last September at a tournament, but has seen a sizable jump as of late. Ranged 86-89 mph in both looks, but ran the fastball up to 91 mph at the Excel Scout Day. Also showed some feel for a SL/BB/CH secondary mix.
+ 1B Sheldon Ott (Houston Academy) is another prospect who our staff has been able to see in multiple capacities already this summer. Imposing presence at 6-5, 225-pounds, present power from the left side and really stays connected upon impact. Consistent low-90's exit velocities at prior events this spring, and translated to gameplay with multiple extra base hits at LakePoint a few weeks ago. Also up to 85 mph with high spin on the mound from the left side.
+ RHP Tucker Jackson (Houston Academy) was a personal favorite from last week's Alabama All-State Games event, showing an excellent feel for a three-pitch mix in the look. Athletic 6-0, 185-pound frame, short & compact arm stroke coming from the ear. Ran the fastball up to 89 mph, but has reportedly been into the low-90's this past spring. Flashed plenty of depth on a 73-74 mph breaking ball, and the changeup at 79 mph had fade with an average of 11 in. of horizontal break.
Top Uncommitted Players
| Position | Name | High School |
| RHP | Riley Quick | Hewitt-Trussville |
| C | Matt Miller | Hewitt-Trussville |
| C | Colton Wood | Faith Academy |
| RHP | JT Blackwood | Hartselle |
| SS | Noah Jones | Wetumpka |
| OF | Jake Smith | Providence Christian |
| 3B | Kyle Morrison | Wetumpka |
| 3B | Davis Randolph | Northridge |
| SS | Caleb Johnson | Central Phenix City |
| 1B | Brody Capps | Central Phenix City |
| 3B | Patrick McGlon | Auburn |
| C/OF | Pierce Hanna | Vestavia Hills |
| 3B | Travis Stauter | Prattville |
| LHP | Steven Cash | Bibb County |
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL RANKINGS
Upcoming Events
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Underclass Games (Invite-Only) | AL | 06/22 | Choccolocco Park |
| 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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