Alabama Class of 2024 Rankings: Preseason Update

February 6, 2024
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

As the first pitch of the 2024 high school season is close to just a week away, we expanded the 2024 AL Rankings to 250 prospects. As the build-up for the high school season is in full swing, we highlight some fresh faces in the rankings as well as the top uncommitted prospects by position.

+ To view the updated Player Rankings, CLICK HERE.
+ Interested in attending an event? CLICK HERE for event schedule.
+ To stay updated on news around the Yellowhammer State, CLICK HERE.
+ Follow us on Twitter, @PBR_ALABAMA.

As always, the evaluation process is a fluid and ongoing process with multiple viewings in order to get the best feel for players abilities. It’s important to note that as players continue their development some show marked improvement at a much more rapid pace. That doesn’t indicate that other players got worse or went backwards, it’s just how player development works. As the year unfolds, players make improvements and new prospects pop up on the radar expanding the PBR rankings universe. In addition to the evaluations of players, our scouts, both those in Alabama and nationally, have also had multiple discussions with each other to review our individual lists and then make adjustments based on what we've each seen.

Below, you will find some notable debuters inside the Top-250, top uncommitted prospects in their respective positions, and more. To view the Class of 2024 Rankings, CLICK HERE.

The Top-5

Carter Johnson SS / 3B / Oxford , AL / 2024

Rankings StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 4 / POS: 2

From 9/23/23 (Prep Baseball All-American Game): "Smooth in every facet of the game, Carter Johnson continues to excel at every stop. Left-handed hitter who starts with a high handset pre-load into a low hanging leg trigger. Keeps his back hip coiled extremely well with excellent barrel control through the zone. Stays well-balanced throughout with natural loft on impact and above-average pull-side power without selling out. Strong pitch recognition and bat speed only strengthen the hit tool profile, and can trend towards the top of the class. Never out of control defensively with flexibility and confident footwork, Johnson shows impressive range in all directions as well. Arm plays up with consistent carry and accuracy. Fluid hands and lightning-quick transfers may be the most impressive aspect of the Alabama commit’s defensive profile, and all in all looks to be plus glove on the left side of the infield."

SS Carter Johnson (9/21/23)

Connor Gatwood RHP / SS / Baker , AL / 2024

Rankings StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 27 / POS: 8

From 8/3/23: "Touching 98 mph in the first inning, uncommitted RHP Connor Gatwood (Baker HS, AL) struggled at times to find the strike zone with his heater, but at 6-foot-5, 195 pounds, he's super athletic with a quick arm and the raw talent is rare. He does need polish with his control and the lengthy time to the plate from the stretch that allowed a couple stolen bases, but time, instruction and repetitions are all he needs. Look for Gatwood to continue to climb follow lists this fall. He’s a potential Day One talent."

RHP Connor Gatwood (8/3/23)

Christian Chatterton RHP / SS / Brooks, AL / 2024

Rankings StateRank: 3 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 104 / POS: 36

From 1/7/23: "Chatterton (Brooks, 2024) continued his trend of one-upping his prior performance at a Preseason All-State event, as the Auburn recruit showed solid feel for his four-pitch mix during his extended bullpen. Also ranked inside the Top-5 in his respective graduation class, Chatterton worked his fastball up to 91.8 mph while working in the 90-91 mph range throughout. Standing 6-foot-0, 195-pounds is an athletic mover down the mound and does an excellent job of staying balanced over the rubber throughout his delivery. Coming out of a H 3/4 arm slot, the junior right-hander uses some effort and a strong lower-half throughout his delivery that produces a quick arm with a ball that seems to jump out of the hand with ride throughout the zone. Chatterton showed a tight slider at 76-78 mph (2300 rpm) and a 73-74 mph (2600 rpm) breaking ball with more depth and 11-5 shape as his primary secondaries, while also turning over some fading changeups at 76-77 mph. The junior is an impressive arm that continues to enjoy standout performances at this event over the course of the last three years."

RHP Christian Chatterton (1/7/23)

Henry Allen 3B / 1B / Auburn , AL / 2024

Rankings StateRank: 4 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 127 / POS: 9

From 6/27/23: "Nestled on the left side of an infield that features the top two players in the class (Rainer, Paino), Allen was not to be missed, and struck firm blows to each ball as he showcased some controlled aggression with each swing. Comfortable completing each situational task, his two-handed finish presented some emphasis for maintaining a longer stay of the barrel in the zone. Firm contact pervaded with big exit velocities on some line drives that seemed to reach the wall without hardly getting above eight feet off the ground. There was a keen, tunnel-vision approach to his rounds, including defensively where his strong arm stood out across the diamond."

3B Henry Allen (8/6/23)

Jackson Sanders LHP / OF / Valley , AL / 2024

Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 170 / POS: 22

From 6/27/23): "Sanders (Valley, 2024) is one of the top southpaws in the class and possesses some of the highest upside of any prospect on this list. An Auburn recruit, Sanders comes in at No. 5 in this update after a strong showing on the summer circuit. A long-limbed 6-foot-3, 190-pounder, Sanders works his fastball into the low-90s with a tight slider and gradual curveball as his primary secondaries. Still one of the top southpaws in the country in the current senior class, Sanders possesses some of the highest upside in the class in the Yellowhammer State thanks to his athletic build, swing-and-miss arsenal of pitches, and his elite competitiveness on the bump."