Alabama Class of 2027 Rankings: Official Release

Jamarkius Smith RHP / Reeltown , AL / 2027

No. 1: The class of 2027 in Alabama is headlined by two premier right-handed pitchers, but RHP Jamarkius Smith ultimately got the nod at the No. 1 spot after a breakout summer showing electric stuff on the mound in multiple viewings, including the Prep Baseball Jr. Future Games. The athletic, twitchy 6-foot-2, 160-pound right-hander already has some feel to pitch using a 92 mph fastball and a wipeout slider as his primary secondary.

From 7/28/23: "RHP Jamarkius Smith (Reeltown, 2027) is as impressive of a young prospect that we’ve seen in some time, and continues to elevate his presence with each viewing. Listed as 6-foot-2, 160-pounds, the rising freshman is a natural athlete that has tons of twitch. Getting the start in the nightcap for Team Alabama 14U (2), the electric right-hander tossed three no-hit innings and racked up a handful of strikeouts during the outing. Using a loose and whippy arm action, Smith fired 88-92 mph bullets throughout his outing and still showed the ability to grab higher velocities later in his outing. The offering possesses tons of arm-side run thanks to a true ¾ arm slot, and tunnels it with a wipeout mid-70s slider that registered spin rates near the 2500 rpm range consistently. Yes, the velocity is what immediately jumps out for a pitcher of his age, but the advanced feel for spin and the ability to locate it to various parts of the zone is what truly makes him such an elite talent. There is still so much more in the tank with the highest of upsides, and he continues to cement himself as a must-follow for the coming years."

- Austin Sharp, AL Scouting Director

Andrew Bennett RHP / Mobile Christian, AL / 2027

No. 2: Falling right behind Smith at No. 2 is another talented freshman right-hander in RHP Andrew Bennett. Comparing to Smith, Bennett has the more impressive frame standing 6-foot-3, 200-pounds and routinely works his fastball in the upper-80's, which he showed at the 2022 Prep Baseball Jr. Future Games. He possesses a low-effort delivery and knows how to mix his offerings, and may have just as much upside as Smith. 

From 6/9/22: "RHP Andrew Bennett (Mobile Christian, 2027) was thoroughly impressive in his first PBR event showing some electric stuff stuff on the mound as a rising eighth-grader. Bennett stands a long and lanky 6-foot-1, 175-pounds with long limbs and will obviously carry much more strength as he grows and matures. In this look, the right-hander worked around the 85-86 mph range with his fastball and touched 87.4 mph on one of his first few pitches with spin near 2300 rpm. Bennett's ability to spin a sharp breaking ball at 74-75 mph with typical downward bite was equally as impressive, and posted spin up to 2600 rpm. Both spin metrics are both near the average for MLB pitchers. His long and slim frame paired with a fairly low-effort delivery definitely suggests for much more in the tank over the next five years."

- Austin Sharp, AL Scouting Director

Judson Harris OF / Gulf Shores , AL / 2027

No. 3: The first position player on the board in the initial list is OF Judson Harris, a multi-sport athlete who can affect the game in a variety of ways. The freshman is a super-athletic prospect that can impact the baseball at a high level, and is also coming off a stellar freshman campaign on the gridiron where he helped lead Gulf Shores to a perfect 15-0 record and a Class 5A State Championship at quarterback. He'll be attending the South AL Preseason All-State in just a few weeks, where he'll look to put his dynamic skill set on full display.

Braxton Williams 3B / RHP / Sparkman, AL / 2027

No. 4: You won't find many more prospects that are as physically-imposing as 3B/RHP Braxton Williams in this class, and he comes in at No. 4 in this first edition of this list. Standing 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, the physical right-hander demands attention when he steps in the box, where he looks to drive the ball with authority to the pull-side. The corner infielder never gets cheated with his swings and routinely generates high exits with each swing, and arguably has the best power in this young class.

JB Upton SS / Auburn , AL / 2027

No. 5: Up next, SS John Berry Upton rounds out the top-5 after a standout showing at this fall's AL/MS Border Battle. A twitchy switch-hitter with ability from both sides of the plate, Upton displays a keen understanding of working quality at-bat after quality at-bat and arguably possesses one of the top hit tools in this young class. He has quickness to his stroke from both sides of the plate with ability to manipulate planes, and is definitely a high follow for college recruiters to get acclimated with over the next couple of years.

From 10/17/23: "Uncommitted. 6-foot-0, 175-pounds. Athletic build with compact strength and quick twitch. Already has cemented himself as one of the top hitters in the 2027 class in AL, and showcased the bat well from both sides on the weekend. A true switch-hitter with advanced ability from both sides of the plate, the freshman possesses a quick stroke that leads a heavy barrel on an upward path through the zone. High contact rate hitter with good feel to hit and solid bat-to-ball skills. Consistent in-game performer and delivered firm contact to all fields during his round of BP. Early movement to back side during load and utilizes a toe-tap trigger that allows him to be on-time with each pitch. Possesses quick hands and creates good extension out front with use of his strong lower-half. Smooth defender at the shortstop position with an 80 mph arm across the diamond and will continue to tick up as he develops. Well-rounded athlete across the board and clocked a 7.08 60 YD to go along with a 93.8 mph EV during BP. Certainly one to keep close tabs on over the next couple of years as the young freshman continues to develop."

- Austin Sharp, AL Scouting Director

Rocco Maniscalco C / SS / Oxford, AL / 2027

No. 6: The top-ranked backstop in this freshman class is C/SS Rocco Maniscalco, who is coming off a stellar showing representing Team Alabama at this summer's Prep Baseball Jr. Future Games where he was all over the barrel throughout the week. Another switch-hitter on this list that possesses power from both sides of the plate, Maniscalco looks to be the next highly-touted prospect coming out of powerhouse Oxford who continues to churn out Division 1 players. The freshman carries himself with a different aura in everything he does and is sure to be a name-to-know for the future. 

From 7/25/23: "C/SS Rocco Maniscalco (Oxford HS, 2027) jumped out at this summer’s Excel Baseball Scout Day and has continued to enjoy a solid summer leading into this event. Standing 5-foot-11, 175-pounds, the switch-hitting backstop has present strength and should continue to add more in the future. From both sides of the plate, the rising freshman has a really simple movement through the zone, but leads a heavy barrel to contact that produces firm contact to all fields. He’s equally as impressive behind the plate with strong throws from the crouch posting sub-2.0 pop times at previous events with accuracy to the second base bag. Another good one to circle moving forward in the rising freshman class in AL."

- Austin Sharp, AL Scouting Director

Connor Greb SS / Spain Park, AL / 2027

No. 7: Leading a talented crop of younger prospects for powerhouse Spain Park, SS Connor Greb slides in at the No. 7 spot after performing well on the circuit with the bat over the past two years. Another former Prep Baseball Jr. Future Gamer, the smooth left-handed hitting shortstop showcases some of the top bat-to-ball ability in the young class to compliment some current physicality to his frame with more coming. Greb is an all-fields hitter with a simple, direct stroke from the left side that is sure to attract college recruiters over the next couple of years.

Brodie Wilson RHP / 1B / Faith Academy, AL / 2027

No. 8: The third-ranked pitcher in this young class who is also a former member of Team Alabama at the Prep Baseball Jr. Future Games is RHP/1B Brodie Wilson, who comes in at No. 8 in this update. Possessing some intriguing upside on both ends as a two-way prospect, Wilson has an advanced 6-foot-2, 190-pounds frame and routinely works in the mid-80s with his fastball with solid secondaries to compliment. On the mound, he exudes competitve traits while also being able to swing it with some power from the right side of the plate, as well. 

From 6/22/23: "6-foot-2, 190-pounds. Another impressive two-way prospect that jumped out in both ways during yesterday’s event has upside on both ends. Obvious physicality to his frame and still has much more development to come in the future, but has plenty to offer right now as a rising freshman. One of the quicker bats from the event hitting from the right side with the intent to drive the ball to both gaps. Features good linear connection throughout his swing and utilizes a controlled leg kick for timing and trigger. On the mound, the right-hander operated comfortably in the low-80s with his fastball coming out of a high ¾ arm slot while possessing a compact arm stroke. He generates quality arm-side run to the pitch, and showed the ability to move it to both halves of the zone. Both secondaries have good traits with the slider working 66-67 mph with good shape and also turning over some heavy-fading changeups in the low-70s."

- Austin Sharp, AL Scouting Director

Boston Brown RHP / Smiths Station, AL / 2027

No. 9: RHP Boston Brown is another physical-bodied right-handed pitcher that debuts inside the top-10 on this list. Listed at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds, Brown possesses a good bit of upside similiar to Wilson and sits mostly in the mid-80s with his sinking fastball and features a sharp-biting curveball that can be located in the zone. There's plenty to like and dream on with the stature and present mix, making him one of the top freshman pitchers in the state.

Charlie Taaffe SS / Vestavia Hills, AL / 2027

No. 10: A relative unknown heading into the fall, SS Charlie Taaffe made sure to make a lasting first impression at our Alabama Fall Games and rounds out the top-10. The shortstop possesses an athletic 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame with plenty of projection to it and some present physical strength now. From the right side, Taaffe has a simple offensive setup with an athletic swing that incorporates the lower-half well. He can also pick it a bit up the middle and is sure to stick on the left of the infield in the future. Finds the barrel often and has solid fundamentals all-around.

From 8/28/23: "5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Well-developed, athletic frame for a prospect of his age with equally as impressive skills all-around to complement it. Eye-opening performance in his first PBR showcase at yesterday’s event and did nearly everything at a high level for a current freshman. Hitting from a tall, narrow stance from the right side, the infielder has a controlled leg kick for timing and creates significant extension out front to help hit for some power, as showcased during his round of BP. He swings it with good intent and can turn the barrel with bat speed; gets on-plane early with mostly upward path through contact. Profiles as a future infielder that will stick on the left side with above-average arm strength for his age at 81 mph and clean actions during the defensive workout. Good athlete that clocked a 7.09 60 YD, as well. An early name-to-know for the future in the current 2027 class in AL."

- Austin Sharp, AL Scouting Director