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Future Games: Team Alabama, Outfielder Takeaways

August 3, 2024
Prep Baseball Alabama Staff

 

From Wednesday, July 24, through Sunday, July 28, Prep Baseball is hosting the next edition of its prestigious Future Games at LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson, GA., featuring the country's best uncommitted talent. And, for the first time ever, the Future Games is hosting not just its typical set of incoming juniors and freshmen, but also a 17U division of uncommitted Class of 2025 players who will participate in the inaugural Senior Future Games.

On the first day of the 2024 Future Games, all players representing grad classes 2025, 2026, and 2028 will be participating in a pro-style workout in front of a fleet of Division I coaches alongside fellow prospects representing nearly every state in the nation.

Inside this piece, we'll be breaking down some of the top performers and listing our takeaways from Team Alabama the the four-day event at LakePoint Sports.

+ Click here to view all captured statistics from the 16U Division of the Workout Day.

Outfielders

+ OF Kahden Smith (Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, 2026) is a prospect who certainly has had to keep his phone charged over the last few days, as he showcased some elite athleticism and game-changing abilties throughout the course of the event. Coming into the Future Games as a relative unknown, the prized two-sport star put on a show during the workout portion of the event, clocking a 6.61 60-yard dash and a 103.4 mph EV, the best from any player on Team Alabama. Measuring in at 6-foot-0, 173-pounds, Smith has a dynamic combination of twitch and athleticism that allows him to affect the game in more ways than one. After sending multiple balls out of the yard to LF during the workout, the twitchy right-hander recorded a single and a stolen base with a few walks scattered in during gameplay, but we've seen him hit at a much higher level, including this spring's Class 6A State Finals. He has elite bat speed registering an average of 81.1 mph, per Blast Motion, and a strong feel for the barrel that should continue to tap into more power. Also made a web-gem diving play in the LCF gap during gameplay that caught the attention of many coaches watching. Holds multiple P4 football offers as a WR on the gridirion, as well.

+ OF/RHP Layton Pohl (New Hope, 2026) may possess the largest set of tools out of any prospect on Team Alabama, showing big gap-to-gap power and a 93 mph fastball on the mound. Listed at 5-foot-11, 190-pounds, the right-hander is certainly put together well with mass throughout the frame and well-rounded athleticism. Generating upper-90 EVs and a top EV of 101.1 mph during BP, Pohl has some of the easiest pull-side juice in the class. He leads a quick, whippy barrel through the zone with elite bat speed, allowing the ball to jump off with carry to the gaps. Recorded a pair of base hits during gameplay with a bit of a lengthy swing, but certainly hard to ignore the outputs over the week. Also ran a 6.79 60-yard dash. On the mound, he offers up even more ability and possibly a higher upside there. Working down the mound with aggressive intent, the right-hander topped at 93.3 mph while sitting 88-92 mph and battling the elements during his outing. He also gets sizable sweeping action to his mid-70s slider that shows some tunnel, and should only continue to improve as he gets a better feel for it. High-level two-way prospect to follow in the 2026 class in AL.

+ OF Cole Miles (Hartselle, 2026) is another prospect who we've seen hit at a high-level over the long haul outside of the smaller sample size from this event. Listed at 5-foot-11, 184-pounds, the junior possesses a mature, athletic build with proportional strength. Miles stays balanced throughout his right-handed swing while creating easy pop to all fields and showing no issue to work to the opposite field. He stays short throughout and is quick, direct to contact with a more compact swing. More of a gap-to-gap hitter right now that hits for extra bases, but should continue to see higher volumes of power output in the future with more to come. He carries a professional, mature approach to the right-handed box, and was a key contributor to consistent powerhouse Hartselle's deep run to the Class 6A State Finals this past spring. Also clocked a 6.85 60-yard dash during the workout. Another high-follow outfielder in the 2026 class in AL.

+ OF Cross Tonsmeire (Vestavia Hills, 2026) is another Team Alabama outfielder who is sure to be receiving phone calls from college coaches now that the August 1st date has passed. An athletic 6-foot-0, 189-pound outfielder, Tonsmeire possesses a strong build with a physical, compact lower-half to his frame. While not having much to show for in the box score from gameplay, there's still plenty left to be intrigued about after a strong workout and a quality spring for one of the top programs in the state. Using a simple right-handed operation, Tonsmeire shows the ability to drive the ball to the pull-side with some authority, registering a top EV of 95.9 mph during his round of BP. Hitting off a firm back-side, the junior has some ability to flick and incorporates his stronger frame to his advantage with each swing. Showing a patient approach, the right-hander was also able to draw a few walks during gameplay. Another really good athlete clocking a 6.75 60-yard dash during the workout and working up 86 mph on throws to the plate from the outfield.

 

Upcoming Fall Events

SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
Alabama Fall Games August 25th, 2024 University of Montevallo (Montevallo, AL)
AL/MS Border Battle (Invite-Only) October 12th-13th, 2024 Northeast Mississippi CC (Booneville, MS)
Central Alabama Fall ID October 20th, 2024 Prattville High School (Prattville, AL)
North Alabama Fall ID October 27th, 2024 James Clemens High School (Madison, AL)

 

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