North AL Preseason All-State: Quick Hits
January 7, 2024
HARTSELLE, AL - The North AL Preseason All-State was held on Saturday, January 6th at Hartselle High School in Hartselle, AL. This event was an invite-only event that consisted of some of the top prospects from the 2024-2028 classes. These players went through extended pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman and Blast Motion, ran the 30 yard dash using Swift Performance, and much more. Pitchers were able to throw in simulated bullpens during the workout and were able to get numbers and metrics off of our Trackman unit, such as pitch velocity, spin rate, horizontal & vertical movement & much more. There were some players who showed up and continued to build off of prior performances, but there were also some new names who jumped onto our radar with a strong showing on Saturday.
Kicking off our post-event coverage for this event, we take a look back at some of the top performers and standouts from Saturday. Continuing over the course of the next week or so, we will release different statistical leaderboards for the event then transition into releasing individual scouting reports for each player in attendance.
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Caleb Barnett 3B / RHP / Mountain Brook, AL / 2025Alabama recruit. 6-foot-5, 215-pounds. Long and projectable build that will hold future strength. Current No. 1 prospect in the 2025 class in AL and lived up to the hype on both ends during the event. Ultra-talented two-way prospect with massive ceilings both at the plate and on the mound, and remains to be seen if he chooses to pick one or stay with both in the future. One of the louder rounds of BP with multiple triple digit exits and a top EV at 102.5 mph. Long levers and present strength allows him to turn the barrel with impressive bat speed; immense power potential. Equally as impressive on the mound, where he worked 89-90 mph and touched 90.8 mph with his fastball. Back-spins the heater well registering spin rates in the 2300-2400 rpm range and gets 18-20 in. of induced vertical break, allowing it to play up even more. Breaking ball features sharp bite in the low-70's and has a great feel to turn over a fading changeup in the upper-70's, both of which are routinely poured into the strike zone. Continues to show up at PBR events and leave our staff ultra-impressed, and looks poised for a stellar junior campaign.
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Braden Booth 3B / RHP / Bob Jones , AL / 2024Mississippi State recruit. 6-foot-2, 205-pounds. One of the top hitters in the state of AL, regardless of graduating class, and is ranked inside the top-200 nationally in the senior class. Dynamic two-way talent with upside to both, but our staff continues to be extremely impressed with the right-handed bat and the resume it's built by performing against elite competiton at a high level over the past few years. Hits from an athletic, upright stance and utilizes a short leg kick for trigger; simple path to the baseball and stays on it using a two-handed finish. Recorded multiple triple digit exits during his round of BP with a max EV at 103.3 mph, second-best from the event. Possesses excellent feel for the barrel and consistently produces in-game. Also a talented right-handed pitcher that has been in the low-90's, but opted not to throw in preparation for the high school season. Looks to be poised for another huge senior season this spring.
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Andrew Allen RHP / Alexandria , AL / 2024Rankings StateRank: 32 / POS: 10
Arkansas State recruit. 6-foot-2, 210-pounds. Top-10 ranked right-handed pitcher in the senior class in AL and continues to make impressive jumps in each viewing. After a breakout junior campaign and summer circuit that led to his commitment, the right-hander started off his senior season with a standout showing at this event. Uses a short, compact arm action and repeats his unique delivery well; consistently poured in strikes using his quality three-pitch reportoire throughout his extended bullpen. Able to locate his fastball to either side of the plate while sitting 89-90 mph with the offering and spinning it at a high level registering spin rates north of the 2500 rpm mark. Breaking ball is a solid out-pitch with good tilt and downward bite in the 75-78 mph range; also showcased a diving changeup anywhere from 79-81 mph. Pitch-ability has always stood out over the past few years, and now has the premium stuff to add to it. Bulldog mentality on the mound and challenges hitters.
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Jackson Hunter RHP / Hazel Green , AL / 2024Alabama recruit. 6-foot-3, 190-pounds. Another one ranked inside the top-10 in the senior class in AL and a top-500 nationally ranked prospect. Three-pitch mix on the mound continues to make sizable jumps in terms of velocity and metrics. Utilizies a clean, easy-flowing delivery with good mechanics. Showcased an electric fastball with carry through the zone sitting 88-91 mph with spin rates in the 2300 rpm range; was able to command it to multiple parts of the zone. Possesses a firm, late-breaking slider that sat 79-80 mph and posted some of the best spin rate numbers from the event north of 2800 rpm; profiles as a definite out-pitch and can command it to the bottom of the zone for swings-and-misses. Changeup is firm sitting 82-83 mph with late sink to the offering as a quality third offering. Has a starter's profile with three-pitch mix and strong frame that has added strength since the last look.
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Cade Miles SS / Hartselle , AL / 2024Rankings StateRank: 29 / POS: 6
Jacksonville State recruit. 6-foot-0, 180-pounds. Athletic build and has noticeably added plenty of mass over the off-season and translated to his smooth left-handed swing during BP. A former PBR Future Gamer from two summers ago, the senior infielder has an advanced offensive approach hitting from the left side and consistently peppered balls to the back of the next during his round, and registered a top EV at 98.7 mph with mutliple mid-90's readings. Hits from a balanced and wider setup and does a good job of incorporating his lower-half throughout his swing; possesses a line drive approach with a chance to hit for higher power outputs in the future with his added strength. As reliable as they come up the middle with the versatlity and arm strength to play multiple spots on the infield. High baseball IQ and makeup; was the best we've seen him at this event.
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Chase Cartron LHP / Huntsville, AL / 2024Rankings StateRank: 42 / POS: 2
Troy recruit. 6-foot-6, 215-pounds. Long and lanky build with some proportional strength to frame. One of the top-ranked left-handed pitchers in the 2024 class in AL. Another prospect from the event that showcased the best we've ever seen him during his extended bullpen. Hybrid windup working from the left side of the rubber and works at a very fast pace. Creates really good extension working down the mound and delivers a firm fastball through the zone that worked up to 90.5 mph while sitting in the 88-90 mph range throughout. Has decent command of his three offerings, including a tunneling slider in the mid-70's that he showed the ability to land in the strike zone. Changeup in the low-80's has a heavy feel to it and profiles as an above-average third offering. Has shown the ability to make sizable jumps in terms of velocity and certainly could hold more velocity in the near future.
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Payton Hunsaker LHP / Chelsea, AL / 2025Rankings StateRank: 42 / POS: 6
Uncommitted. 6-foot-4, 170-pounds. Long and lean frame with the highest of ceilings. Was recently featured on our Picks to Click article for the junior class in AL, and certainly looks well on his way to a breakout spring campaign on the mound. Has really bursted onto the recruiting scene over the past few months with multiple standout showings at PBR events, and showed he's already made a jump in velocity after working in the off-season. Prototypical left-handed pitcher that has a good feel for all of his pitches. After sitting in the low-80's at this past two events in the summer and fall, Hunsaker consistently worked in the 85-88 mph range with the same strike-throwing ability we've seen in the past. Fastball spins well at 2400 rpm and carries through the zone with 17-20 in. of induced vertical break, making it extremely difficult for hitters to get on-plane with. Can tunnel his slider in the upper-60's and registers spin rates around 2750 rpm; can locate it to the back-foot of the right-hander hitters. Also flashed fading changeup in the mid-70's. This is one you will want to get on early.
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Cross Tonsmeire OF / Vestavia Hills High School, AL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 2
Uncommitted. 6-foot-0, 200-pounds. Athletic build with tons of physical strength throughout frame. Very toosly prospect and is regarded as one of the top outfielders in the sophomore class in AL. Was consistently on the sweet spot throughout his round of BP with multiple exits in the low-90's. Gap-to-gap hitter that possesses present power to all fields. Short, simple right-handed swing that incorporates strength efficiently; consistent line drives to the back net and posted a top EV at 95.1 mph. Selective approach in-game and doesn't chase. Plus athlete that has been clocked in the sub-7.0's at an even this past summer. Ball jumps off the bat with present power and more to come in the future. Swings a very light bat with explosive bat speed and quick hands. A definite name to follow in the 2026 class in AL throughout the spring and into next summer.
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Cole Miles OF / Hartselle , AL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 24 / POS: 3
Uncommitted. 6-foot-0, 180-pounds. Athletic, proportionally-built prospect. Another tooled-up outfielder in the sophomore class in AL that has a chance to have a breakout this high school season after a successful summer circuit. Dual-sport athlete that excels on the gridiron in addition to his efforts on the diamond. Shattered previous numbers from his last PBR showcase and looked the part doing it. Wider base and uses a minimal stride length, but it doesn't keep him from delivering firm contact to the baseball with low-90 exits and a top EV at 96.1 mph. The sophomore's round of BP certainly sounded different compared to his peers, showing the ability to back-spin line drives working gap-to-gap within his approach. Impressive bat and hand speed for a prospect of his age; projects to be a future middle-of-the order hitter and will hit for extra bases. Another above-average athlete who can affect the game with his speed and quickness.
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James Lucas C / 3B / Vestavia Hills, AL / 2025Rankings StateRank: 71 / POS: 11
Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 195-pounds. Thick, physical frame that carries tons of present strength, especially in the lower-half. Built like a catcher with the carrying tool obviously being the power hitting from the right side. One of the top uncommitted backstops in the junior class in AL and could possibly move to a corner spot on the infield to get his bat in a lineup. Took arguably the loudest round of BP from the event and posted the top EV at 104.2 mph, which is an all-time PBR Alabama showcase record. Takes aggressive swings from the right side with the intent to drive the ball gap-to-gap with authority. Possesses elite bat speed and ranked top-3 in that category from the event with an average of 76.7 mph, per Blast Motion. Extremely strong at the point of contact; creates some extension out front allowing him to deliver firm contact to the baseball. Coming off a stellar summer and fall circuit and is already garnering interest from multiple college programs.
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Owen Edwards OF / LHP / Oak Mountain, AL / 2025Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Medium, athletic stature and has added some strength since seeing him at a scout day this past summer. Talented two-way prospect in the junior class in AL that excelled on both ends during yesterday's event. Logged some quality innings in relief for one of the better teams in the Birmingham metro area as a sophomore last spring, including an outing we saw him at where he worked up to 80 mph. Fast-forward to yesterday, the southpaw showed a jump in velocity after working in the off-season as he ranged 84-87 mph with his fastball that featured tailing action to the arm-side. Possesses solid feel for slower slider in the upper-60's that has good shape and will only continue to improve with more velocity. Turned over a few good changeups with fade, as well. Typical high 3/4 arm slot with produces a fast arm stroke. Also swung it well during BP with extension and a top EV at 92.7 mph. Another definite follow in the 2025 class in AL heading into this spring.
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Dylan Olive RHP / 3B / Muscle Shoals, AL / 2026Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Lean, athletic frame. A virtual unknown coming into his first PBR showcase for our staff, but made a lasting impression with quality work during his extended bullpen. Another two-way prospect, but caught our attention on the mound with an above-average repertoire of pitches in his arsenal. Possesses an athletic delivery and moves easy down the mound with fairly easy intent. Typical high 3/4 arm slot produced a tailing fastball that consistently sat in the 85-87 mph range and showed the ability to locate it around the strike zone. Firm slider that ranged 73-77 mph varied shape at times, but tunneled off of his fastball at times and should only continue to improve with development and refinement. Changeup in the upper-70's also featured the same tailing action as his fastball as a solid third offering. Still has a chance to add more velocity as he fills out his frame and adds strength in the future while setting a quality baseline for events in the future.
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Caleb Simpson RHP / Hoover, AL / 2027Rankings StateRank: 12 / POS: 5
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 178-pounds. A top-10 prospect in the freshman class in AL that debuted just a few weeks ago, and showed he is deserving of that recognition with quality showing on the mound at yesterday's event. Possesses a higher upside on the bump while effectively mixing three offerings throughout his extended bullpen. Primarily worked from the stretch and features a bit of a unique landing, bit doesn't stop him from producing advanced stuff as a young freshman. Easy intent coming from a high 3/4 arm slot and sat in the low-80's while touching 85 mph a couple of times; posted the top average spin rate on the offering at 2435 rpm and has some arm-side run. Breaking ball has typical 11-5 shape and solid bite to it while spinning near the 2300 rpm mark. Changeup operates in the mid-70's and has diving action. Still plenty of development to come as a young freshman, but possesses some exciting stuff with sizable upside.
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William Andre RHP / Hoover , AL / 2025Rankings StateRank: 82 / POS: 16
Uncommitted. 6-foot-5, 190-pounds. Long, high-waisted build with projectability. Showcased the work he's put in during the off-season with a jump in velocity yesterday's event after seeing a few times during the summer circuit. Another right-handed with exciting upside when it all comes together and showed signs of it during his extended bullpen at yesterday's event. Possesses clean mechanics and gets down the mound fairly well for a pitcher of his age and size. After being low-80's this past summer, the right-hander operated 85-87 mph with carry through the zone during this viewing. Does a good job of getting on top of the baseball and back-spinning it allowing it to ride a bit. Breaking ball has more horizontal break to it and breaks late at times; registered spin rates arond 2300 rpm. Can also turn over the changeup efficiently allowing it to have fading action with an average of 16 in. of horizontal movement. Plenty to like and dream on for the future with his long and lean build and quality three-pitch mix.
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Luke Holbrook RHP / 3B / Whitesburg Christian , AL / 2025Rankings StateRank: 51 / POS: 10
Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 200-pounds. Strong, projectable build with long levers. Another intriguing right-handed pitcher in the 2025 class in AL that has an exciting upside. Two-way prospect with a higher ceiling on the mound. Features an up-tempo delivery and looks to drive the fastball through the zone with plenty of intent. Operated 85-87 mph with his fastball throughout his extended bullpen during yesterday's event. Utilizies a high 3/4 arm slot that produces a quick arm with some whip to it; has made a sizable jump in velocity since seeing him at an event this summer. Slider features more downward bite to it in the mid-70's and can land it in the zone for a called strike or beneath it for chase as an out-pitch; spins 2200 rpm. Some heavy fade to power changeup at 79-80 mph. Talented right-handed pitcher who has flown under the radar a bit, but argualby has more upside than most of the arms in his class. One to follow moving into this spring.
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Gavin Smith 3B / Vestavia Hills, AL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 31 / POS: 3
Uncommitted. 6-foot-0, 205-pounds. Thick, physical build with advanced strength for a prospect of his age. Looks the part in the left-handed box and is an exciting power-hitting infielder. Regarded as one of the top third basemen in the sophomore class in AL and proved he's worthy of that recognition with a loud round of BP during yesterday's event. Hits from a square base while standing up right and uses a simple stride for trigger to get down on-time. Very strong at the point of contact and drove the ball gap-to-gap throughout; posted numerous low-90 readings and a top EV at 93.2 mph. Utilizes the entire field within his approach and has present bat speed; upward path with consistent two-handed finishes. Will continue to hit for higher volumes of power output in the future as he fills out his frame. Another talented prospect in the sophomore class in AL that is worth following this spring and into the summer circuit.
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Colby Durden RHP / Hewitt Trussville, AL / 2025Rankings StateRank: 39 / POS: 8
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 195-pounds. Long levers to frame with some present strength and room to add in the near future. A former PBR Future Gamer from this past summer where he arguably had the best performance in the box score for Team Alabama, as he worked a pair of scoreless innings and racked up multiple strikeouts against quality competition. Over-the-top arm slot and riding fastball creates a nightmare for hitters to get on-plane for the offering and has the metrics to back it up. Consistently operated 87-89 mph with his fastball, and combined with his higher slot, he posted an average induced vertical break of 19.9 in., second-best from the event. The right-hander has solid feel for spin on his low-70's breaking ball that has a chance to be an above-average offering combined with a 78-81 mph changeup. Calling card is his fastball, however, which he proved to be an effective pitch both at this event and the PBR Future Games. One of the top uncommitted pitchers in the 2025 class in AL who will be worth getting a look at this spring.
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Maxwell Crowder SS / RHP / Hoover, AL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 69 / POS: 17
Uncommitted. 6-foot-0, 160-pounds. Lean, athletic build. Two-way prospect that seems to operate with a low-pulse and smooth actions in everything he does. Line drive type hitter from the right side of the plate and incorporates efficient rhythm throughout his offensive operation. Looks to use the middle of the field with a smooth swing and posted a top EV at 90.0 mph during his round. Also doubles as an intriguing right-handed pitcher with athleticism throughout his delivery; has clean mechanics and solid fundamentals on the mound. Pumped a fastball that operated 84-86 mph with easy intent during his extended bullpen; has good life through the zone with 2200 rpm and 16-20 in. of induced vertical break. Looks really comfortable spinning low-70's breaking ball while routinely landing it in the strike zone with consistency; has 11-5 shape and good depth. Another talented prospect in the sophomore class in AL to keep close tabs on this spring.
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Jaylen Crocker C / RHP / American Christian, AL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 32 / POS: 3
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Broad shoulder with strong frame; prototypical catcher's build. One of the top backstops in the 2026 class in AL. Coming off a successful summer playing with other talented players and fitting in right in the heart of the order. Gap-to-gap hitter that looks to hit for extra bases; good extension and bat speed with two-handed finishes. Drives through the baseball using a strong top hand. Consistently on the barrel and has shown a good feel for it in prior viewings. Utilizies an upward path through the zone and looks to lift with each swing. Equally as talented behind the plate with quick transfers and arm strength with accuracy to second base during the defensie workout.
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Price Thornton RHP / OF / Deshler, AL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 58 / POS: 15
Uncommitted. 6-foot-0, 180-pounds. Athletic build with some lean strength to frame. Another talented two-way prospect in the 2026 class in AL who excelled in both facets during yesterday's workout. Hits from a wide, slightly-crouched stance from the right side of the plate; compact right-handed stroke that found barrels often throughout his round of BP. Mostly firm line drives using a level path and should hit for more power with added strength and development. Fillled the zone up on the mound showcasing a four-pitch mix; uses an up-tempo delivery and looks to drive the fastball through the zone. Operated 85-87 mph with a compact arm stroke. Features two distinct breaking balls; slider (74-75 mph) and curveball (70-71 mph) both have varying shape and work well off of each other. Still plenty of development to come in the future as a sophomore, but possesses some exciting tools across the board.
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