Updated & Expanded 2023 Alabama Rankings
April 14, 2021
The high school season is quickly approaching the biggest part of the season with the AHSAA State Playoffs just around the corner in the next couple of weeks. With this, out PBR Alabama Scouting Staff has been out in full force this spring to check out many of these sophomores who are making a big impact for their high school squads. This year is when recruiting should really start to pick up for these prospects as they try to carry momentum into this summer. We've expanded this list to 150 players who we have seen at past showcases, high school games, scout days, etc. We've got a sizable shuffle within in the Top-10 with a new face coming in at No. 10..
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The Top-10
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Walter Ford 3B / RHP / Hoover, AL / 2023There's no reason for Walter Ford not to retain the No. 1 spot in this list after being at the top for some time now. Ford has hit for power with five HR's in middle of the 7A Hoover HS lineup this spring and has also ran the fastball up to 94 mph this spring. Ford has also made a jump in our 2023 Overall Player Rankings reaching the Top-35 in the country. At 6-3, 195 pounds, Ford can still see more projection down the road with added strength to an athletic frame with premium tools both at the plate and on the mound. Commitment: Alabama |
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Stone Lawless C / 3B / Huntsville , AL / 2023Lawless has started off his sophomore season on an offensive tear while leading the 7A Huntsville Panthers in the middle of the order. At a strong 6-3, 200 pounds, the right-handed hitting backstop belted a home run in last night's contest against Sparkman to add to his already impressive power numbers. Excellent catch & throw skills that has shown the ability to throw runners out from his knees thanks to a cannon of an arm this spring. Another player in the Top-60 of the 2023 Overall Player Rankings. Commitment: Tennessee |
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Coleman Mizell OF / LHP / Hartselle , AL / 2023Mizell got a late start to his high school baseball season due to playing basketball, but ever since joining the squad, the sophomore has made an immediate impact at the top of the 6A Hartselle lineup that features numerous upperclassmen committed or signed to college programs. Standing 6-3, 205 pounds, Mizell has tons of elite tools scattered across the board. The sophomore was clocked at 6.82 on a laser-timed 60 YD at this summer's PBR Future Games and reached an exit velocity of 95.06 mph on Trackman during batting practice. Impressive combo of strength, power and athleticism. Commitment: Alabama |
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Matthew Heiberger LHP / OF / Oak Mountain , AL / 2023Heiberger bursted onto the recruiting scene this past summer as a talented southpaw. Coming out to baseball after winning a 7A basketball title roughly a month ago, the sophomore has looked in midseason form in both looks over the past few weeks. Fastball has reached 89 mph both times we saw him, and paired the heater with a breaking ball and changeup that flashed swing & miss. Ball comes out easy with a low-effort, 3/4 arm slot at a projectable, athletic 6-3, 175 pounds. Garnering SEC interest. Uncommitted |
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Colton Wombles C / OF / Russell County , AL / 2023A mainstay within the Top-5 ever since this list was debuted a couple years ago, Wombles continues to be a steady as they come offensively. A consistent in-game performer against any competition, the 5-8, 175 pound backstop possesses compact strength hitting from a balanced stance with quick hands. The leading hitter for 6A Russell County, Wombles can also run a bit with a 6.82 60 YD recorded at past events with 1.80-1.90 pop times. Commitment: Auburn |
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Sam Robertson SS / 2B / Oxford , AL / 2023One of three sophomores who played up at this past summer's PBR Future Games, Robertson recently committed to Auburn after a solid start to his sophomore campaign. Robertson has been hitting in the leadoff/2-spot ever since Game 1 for 6A Oxford and has handled excellent arms well in-game. The tools are what jump out for Robertson, running a 6.61 laser-timed 60 YD, excellent arm strength at 88 mph across the diamond, and an exit velocity right around 90 mph. Premium athlete. Commitment: Auburn |
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Seth Farni OF / LHP / UMS-Wright, AL / 2023Another prospect who has seen plenty of time inside the Top-10 for the duration of this list's existence, Farni's best tool is arguably his power from both sides of the plate. An athletic 6-0, 185 pound frame that generates significant power and torque due to strength in his lower-half and aggressive approach. Already has had a multi-home run games this spring hitting for 5A UMS-Wright and has been an excellent run producer. Solid runner at 7.10 laser-timed 60 YD and a 102 mph exit velocity at this year's Preseason All-State event in January. Commitment: Mississippi |
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RJ Hamilton SS / 2B / Hoover, AL / 2023Another one of those sophomores that played up on this past summer's PBR Future Games, Hamilton is a dual sport star for 7A Hoover both on the diamond and on the gridiron as a wide receiver. 5-10, 165 pound frame with superb athleticism and a quick first step out of the box. 6.69 laser-timed 60 YD at the Future Games and an exit velocity up to 92 mph. Some twitchy actions coupled with high level athleticism is what makes Hamilton one of the top sophomores in Alabama. Makeup off the charts. Commitment: Vanderbilt |
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Jaxon Milam SS / RHP / Glenwood , AL / 2023A prospect who has really come on this past year, using added strength and the ability to always perform at the plate to his advantage. Left-handed hitting middle infielder that also splits time at 3rd base with a strong arm across the infield. 6-1, 175 pounder that uses a middle of the field approach to hit, and has hit against some of the state's best arms this year. Easily one of the top uncommitted prospects still left on the board. Uncommitted |
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Josh Gunther RHP / 3B / Bayside Academy, AL / 2023Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 1
The one name who makes his debut inside the Top-10 in this update, and it's for good reason. Gunther has bursted onto the scene over the past year as a right-handed pitcher with a lively fastball and solid command of all pitches. Fastball has reached 89 mph to go along with slider, breaking ball and a changeup. Whippy arm action coming out of a 6-0, 192 pound frame and more velocity on the way. Consistently turning in quality outing after another this spring with a minuscule ERA. Uncommitted |
Big Risers Outside Top-10
+ SS Seth Smith (Mobile Christian) made the biggest splash of any player making their debut in the rankings, as he slides up into the Top-20 after making a name for himself this spring for Mobile Christian. Smooth, left-handed stroke with ability to adjust to pitches. Possesses juice to all fields with fluid actions defensively at shortstop at 6-2, 165 pounds.
+ 3B Cole Edwards (Spain Park) has put up some serious power numbers while leading the way offensively for the 7A Jaguars. An imposing 6-3, 200 pounds who stands out with the eye test, Edwards impacts the baseball at a high level with juice to the pull side and numerous home run's this spring. Defense is still improving at the hot corner, but the bat is certainly something that has stood out and is why he has moved inside the Top-15.
+ RHP Sam Mitchell (Bob Jones) is a 6-7, 200 pound right-handed pitcher who has quickly emerged as one of the top arms for 7A Bob Jones this spring. As a sophomore, the size and projection is what immediately jumps out with a fastball that reached 88 mph at LakePoint Sports Complex a few weeks ago. Certainly a ton to dream on over the next few years, as he slides into the Top-25 in this update.
+ C/SS Ty Sanderson (Grissom) has been well-documented for being able to slow the game down and perform at a high level in the middle of the order for 7A Grissom this year. A left-handed hitting backstop that could also be playing shortstop, Sanderson brings plenty of versatility to the table at 6-0, 175 pounds, and he slides inside the Top-30 here.
+ 1B Ben Pearman (Thompson) has always been known as a two-way talent with a fastball that has been in the mid 80's, but the bat has quickly taken the forefront this spring. Using a 6-2, 200 pound build, the right-handed hitting first baseman uses quick, explosive hand speed and strong hips to drive the baseball with authority at the plate. Slides in the Top-30 in this update.
+ 3B Chris Lynam (Grissom) is a big, physical hitter that possesses plenty of thump in a strong, durable, 6-0, 215 pounds. Another sophomore that has played a big role in the success for 7A Grissom, Lynam has been an extra base hit machine that has generated many runs hitting in the 3/4-spot in the lineup. Big jump inside the Top-35.
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