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PBT Alabama Open: Takeaways

June 14, 2024
Prep Baseball Alabama Staff

ALBERTVILLE, AL - The PBT Alabama Open wrapped up game play on Sunday in Albertville, AL at the state-of-the-art Sand Mountain Sports Complex, which features four artificial-turf fields. It was another picture-perfect weekend of baseball with standouts across multiple age divisions.

Our scouts were on hand for all games played, and there were plenty of standout performances throughout the day, both at the plate and on the mound. Teams and players were well-represented throughout the southeast part of the country, making for a perfect day of baseball. Below, you will find a few of the standouts from the weekend included with video and reports from their performances.

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+ RHP/OF Jamarkius Smith (Beehive Scout, 2027) is already known as one of the top right-handed pitchers in the 2027 class in the country, and his performance on the mound this weekend did nothing but boost his stock. Standing a lean 6-foot-3, 170-pounds, Smith is an elite caliber athlete with near limitless projection on the mound. A long and loose arm, the right-hander consistently sat 91-93 mph and touched 93.4 mph in the early going with his fastball before settling 90-92 mph. It’s an advanced fastball with an extremely high whiff rate, but his slider sitting 74-78 mph is seemingly his best pitch with the innate ability to spin it and land it in the zone. He appeared to be comfortable pitching backwards in the outing and was 65-70% slider. Just an uber-athletic prospect with a substantially high ceiling.

+ OF Aiden Hughes (Excel Blue Wave American 17U, 2025) did plenty to help his stock rise this weekend while seemingly being on the barrel from the first pitch of the weekend. Listed at 5-foot-10, 150-pounds, the uncommitted rising senior is a well-rounded athlete with quality barrel skills to pair in the leadoff spot. He’s built a strong track record with the hit tool over the course of the past year, and continued to add to that this weekend with multiple hits. It’s a simple left-handed operation with no wasted movement and a quick path to the baseball. The left-hander extends through contact well and has some present bat speed, and has shown the ability to hit against some higher-level arms during the high school season hitting leadoff for one of the top 7A programs in Alabama. Name to follow this summer.

+ C James Lucas (Excel Blue Wave American 17U, 2025) continues to show off some of the best power in the 2025 class in Alabama hitting for multiple extra bases this weekend. Listed at 5-foot-10, 205-pounds, the uncommitted rising senior has a thick, physical build that he uses to generate plenty of loud contact. To slug for how much he does, Lucas seems to have a strong feel for the barrel and good plate discipline at the plate, as he rarely chased out of the zone during the tournament. The power is certainly the carrying tool right now with EVs in the triple digits at prior events, as he fits the mold of a future middle-of-the-order hitter with the ability to drive in runs and potentially move to first base defensively.

+ SS/RHP Braydin Jones (Diamond Heels-Knox Scout, 2027) was easily one of the top prospects in the 2027 class in attendance this weekend while flashing his above-average two-way abilities. Listed at 6-foot-0, 180-pounds, Jones offers present athleticism in seemingly everything he does on the diamond. Using a smooth right-handed swing with present bat speed, the rising sophomore flashed pull-side pop throughout the tournament and accumulated multiple hits. On the mound, the right-hander possesses some intriguing upside working his fastball in the low-80s and touching 85 mph during the outing. His feel for spin comes easy thanks to his athleticism and showed the ability to vary his timing in his delivery. There’s present ability on both sides of the ball, and it’s easy to see why he’s ranked inside the top-30 in the 2027 class in Tennessee.

+ SS Samuel Davis (Excel Blue Wave American 15U Moore, 2027) has gotten off to a strong start to his summer and really swung it well all weekend in the three-hole of their lineup. Listed at 5-foot-10, 155-pounds, Davis is a well-rounded athlete with present skills and smooth actions across the board. Hitting from an upright, slightly-open right-handed stance, the rising sophomore uses a controlled leg kick and gets his barrel on-plane fairly early. He turns the barrel with good intent and utilizes a pull-side approach with higher volumes of power coming in the future. He’s also an above-average defender on the left side of the infield for a prospect of his age, and will be a name to follow for the coming years in the 2027 class in Alabama.

+ 3B/RHP Ayden Noyola (Excel Blue Wave 15U Smith, 2027) showed why he is one of the top prospects in the 2027 AL Class throughout the entirety of the weekend in Albertville. Noyola made plenty of noise on the offense end with the bat as he was a key factor for Excel’s run to the 15U Championship matchup. Noyola showed the ability to spray the ball to all parts of the field along with the ability to leave the yard as he would do on several occasions throughout the course of the tournament. A strong bodied frame at 5-foot-11, 204-pounds that presents plenty of strength and serves as a middle-of-the-order bat. Also had two appearances on the mound over the weekend and shows the ability to potentially be a two-way guy. The fastball worked in the upper-70’s (77-79 mph) and he mixed in the breaking ball that had some feel in the zone. Exciting young prospect in the 2027 class that continues to progress with each look. Former Junior Future Gamer for Alabama in 2023.

+ UTL Brooks Zachry (Beehive Scout, 2027) serves as another power threat in the Beehive Scout lineup and is a tough out for any opposing pitchers. Athletic 6-foot-2, 185-pound body that is going to continue to fill out and add strength and size to the frame. Produced several loud barrels over the course of the weekend and was one of several Beehive Scout players that would be a key contributor to their championship run on Sunday. Very mature approach as he utilizes the middle of the field, simple approach at the plate but looks to do damage to the baseball.

+ 3B/RHP Lawson Hare (Beehive Scout, 2027) is another young player that is fun to watch compete at the plate. Hare collected a handful of loud barrels over his weekend at the PBT AL Open. From two-strike singles to launching the long ball, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound corner infielder displays a projectable frame with plenty of upside and shows the ability to spray the ball to all parts of the field with plenty of pop in the bat. A name to know and will be at the Yellowhammer State Games back in Albertville, AL next week.

+ LHP/OF Hudson Campbell (Beehive Scout, 2026) is a crafty southpaw out of Glenwood High School in Alabama. Shows a really high level of pitchability on the mound and handles himself with a mature approach both on the mound and at the plate offensively. On the mound, the lefty worked into the low-80’s (80-82 mph) as he worked to both sides of the zone, the secondary offerings consisted of a slider/changeup combo that really kept hitters off-balance and was able to generate weak contact in both appearances. Shows signs of sneaky pop at the plate as well for Beehive Scout as he blasted a pair of homeruns on Sunday and would be a crucial factor in leading Beehive Scout to the 15U Championship. Fun player to watch compete, plays the game the right way.

+ OF/RHP Brennon Beavers (TNG Prospects) is a XL, physical 5-foot-10, 205-pound right handed bat that had success for the TNG Prospects over in Albertville this past weekend. Really simple approach at the plate, showed the ability to work the ball into both gaps as well. Got the nod on the mound against VBA and helped his own cause early as he would lace a two-strike, bases-clearing double to give his squad an early 4-0 lead. Later against the Bama Braves, Beavers would continue to do damage with the stick, driving a two-RBI double off the fence in left center. Strong bat for the TNG Prospects who could also serve as a corner infielder out of the Peach State.

+ SS Hank Hudson (Alabama Raiders, 2026) is an athletic 5-foot-11, 170-pound prospect that had a solid weekend all around. The rising junior, playing nearly every infield position, can flash the leather at a high level while having a solid arm to back it up. The primary shortstop also took several impressive swings, but none as important as the game tying two RBI singles in the semifinal matchup of the 17/18u bracket. Hudson has a solid feel for the barrel and also has some twitch and explosiveness, turning the barrel with some intent. The skilled infielder also runs a 7.03 60 which translates to Hudson having multiple hits for extra bases this weekend. Gamer who can play anywhere on the infield. 

+ SS Kannon Robertson (Team Southeast 2024) proved why he is going to play at the next level this weekend. The 6-foot-0 185-pound shortstop delivered multiple extra base hits while batting in the 2-hole for Team Southeast. The Lawson State CC recruit looks to do damage every time he is in the box, using his bat speed and strong lower half to drive balls to all parts of the field. On the defensive side of things, Robertson made all the routine plays this weekend. The shortstop also has the capability of taking away base hits with his athleticism. Looking forward to watching Robertson compete at the JUCO level. 

+ C Jarret Kauhn (VBA 2025) is a favorite uncommitted backstop in the 2025 class. Kauhn comes in at a powerful 6-foot-1 205-pounds suiting the prototypical catcher build. Present strength in the solid frame with easy juice to all parts of the field. On the barrel multiple times this weekend, driving in runners consistently. Behind the dish, Kauhn did a good job managing the staff and keeping runners honest. The Hueytown native has a knack for getting the job done in nearly every situation. Intriguing prospect still on the market for the class of ‘25. 

+ 1B Glavine Lamberth (Excel Blue Wave 2025) is an uncommitted left-handed hitting first baseman who impressed this weekend. The 6-foot-0 195-pound first baseman has a smooth swing from the left side with a mature gap-to-gap approach. Proportional strength in a frame that continues to fill out, Lamberth showed his ability to hit baseball hard all over the field driving balls to both gaps for power. Present, natural lift with the ability to create leverage with his swing. Lamberth has shown some athleticism in his physical frame, everything you want to see in a first base prospect. Quality corner infielder still on the market in Alabama. 

+ OF Reece Lomenick (Midland 17u 2025) is an athletic 6-foot-2 185-pound outfielder that produced multiple quality at bats for his club this weekend. Lomenick has an ideal frame with room to add some mass. Simple approach and swing at the plate, staying on plane and looking to drive the ball to all parts of the field. Turns the barrel with intent and creates leverage with his wiry frame. Present pop on a frame that has tremendous upside. Showed some range in the outfield snagging multiple balls in the gap, saving extra bases. Good looking prospect from the Volunteer state. 

+ 1B Braxton Vice (Demopolis Baseball Club, 2026) is one to watch in the next few years, weighing in at an athletic 6’0 185-pounds. Over the past weekend the first-baseman out of Demopolis High School showed the ability to take quality at-bats resulting in a multi-hit weekend for the rising junior. Vice sets up at the plate with a wide stance and a powerful, quick swing that routinely finds firm gap-to-gap contact. Vice consistently found himself up to bat in situations with multiple base runners on the field and would always deliver with big time hits scattered across the playing field. 

+ LHP/OF Brenner VanDeWynckel (Canes Southeast, 2026) is a quality uncommitted southpaw who saved his best for last during the championship game of his age group on the mound. The 6-foot-2 175-pound left-handed pitcher put up some impressive numbers ranging from hits to strikeouts for the Canes. VanDeWynckel was handed the start for the championship game and did not disappoint. With his arsenal consisting of fastballs sitting a consistent 80-82, T83 mph while mixing in and sequencing his offspeed with the curveball in the mid-70s showing good bite and the diving changeup profiling well off the fastball. Brenner took control of the 16u Championship going the full distance while allowing 0 earned runs, with 11 K’s and 1 walk.

+ 1B/RHP Reece Brazeal (Canes Southeast, 2026) is a 6-foot-4, 175-pound prospect in the rising junior class in Alabama who was consistently on the barrel throughout the weekend. The Bob Jones HS junior showed his power driving balls gap-to-gap fairly routinely and showing some bat speed in the process. Hitting in the heart of the order, Brazeal was a big piece towards their championship run in the tournament. He's got some sizable projection with a long, intriguing frame and should continue to add mass in the future. Also worked in the low-80s on the mound.

+ 3B Carson Purdy (Excel Mims, 2026) is an athletic 6-foot-0, 180-pound third baseman who delivered some big swings throughout the weekend hitting in the heart of the order. Purdy produced a multi-hit this weekend and showed his speed on the bases adding a standup triple to his resume at the PBT AL Open. Using some quick hands and good strength throughout the frame, Purdy is a threat to hit for extra bases hitting from the right side of the plate. Also was solid defensively on the left side of the infield and worked up to 80 mph with his fastball on the mound.

+ RHP/OF Wyatt Clatur (Midland TN, 2026) is an athletic two-way prospect in Tennessee's 2026 class who performed at a high-level on both sides of the ball this past weekend. On the mound, the right-hander operates 84-86 mph with good riding action to the fastball, while also pairing it with a low-70s breaking balln that showcased 11-5 shape and generated some swing-and-miss during his relief outing earlier in the week. He possesses a compact, H 3/4 arm with good quickness to the arm stroke, and is sure to make future jumps in the future. At the plate, he features a short, compact right-handed swing and flashed some gap-to-gap pop throughout the weekend. Quality prospect in the 2026 class in Tennessee to follow.

  

Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
Yellowhammer State Games (Invite-Only) June 18th-19th, 2024 Sand Mountain Park (Albertville, AL)
Birmingham Rising Stars ID June 26th, 2024 Gardendale High School (Gardendale, AL)
Birmingham Summer ID June 26th, 2024 Gardendale High School (Gardendale, AL)
Huntsville Rising Stars ID July 2nd, 2024 James Clemens High School (Madison, AL)
Huntsville Summer ID July 2nd, 2024 James Clemens High School (Madison, AL)
Tuscaloosa Rising Stars ID July 9th, 2024 Northridge High School (Tuscaloosa, AL)
Tuscaloosa Summer ID July 9th, 2024 Northridge High School (Tuscaloosa, AL)
Montgomery Rising Stars ID July 16th, 2024 Stanhope Elmore High School (Millbrook, AL)
Montgomery Summer ID July 16th, 2024 Stanhope Elmore High School (Millbrook, AL)

 

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