Yellowhammer State Games: Quick Hits, Catchers

John Stowers C / St. Paul's Episcopal, AL / 2026

Auburn recruit. 5-foot-11, 195-pounds. Definite proportional strength throughout with ideal catcher's build and still room to add. One of the top backstops in the 2026 class nationally, and was his usual self during the two-day event. Ranked No. 2 in the 2026 class in Alabama, Stowers has one of the better hit/defend tool combos in his class and showcased both over the past two days. Known for his ability to slug after belting 14 home runs this past spring, the rising junior showed off that clean left-handed swing that generated high exits with wood during his round of BP. He generates such easy gap-to-gap power using his strength and a loose, whippy barrel that works on a mostly uphill path through the zone. Equally as talented as a defender, Stowers also led the event posting 1.87-1.94 pop times and a top velocity of 79 mph using a lightning fast transfer and above-average arm strength with accuracy.

Loud sounds off the bat of ‘26 C John Stowers (@JohnStowers21; @StPaulsBSBL), one of the top backstops in the 2026 class.

Effortless juice yielding consistent high exits w/ wood. Can really impact it w/ big power & showed it this spring.@AuburnBaseball recruit.#YSGames24 ||… pic.twitter.com/IDYPigDA1m

— Prep Baseball Alabama (@PrepBaseballAL) June 18, 2024

Brue Milner C / Tallassee High School, AL / 2027

Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 208-pounds. Strong, durable build with proportional strength to frame. Currently regarded as the top-ranked backstop in the 2027 class in Alabama and lived it up the billing during the two-day event. Jumped onto the radar with a loud showing this spring in our first viewing and followed it up with a stellar showing in his Prep Baseball showcase debut this past week. Hit/power tool carrying currently but defensive ability not far behind. Consistent round of BP hammering balls gap-to-gap using a strong lower-half and a heavy barrel; carried it over to gameplay where he recorded multiple hits in two games. Ball jumps off the barrel with carry showing some of the better power in his class. Near the top of most Blast Motion categories; 24.1 mph avg. hand speed (3rd), 75.1 mph avg. bat speed (8th), 26.7 avg. rotational acceleration (1st). Can defend too, with pop times ranging 1.96-2.19 and a top velocity of 77 mph. Good reciever with some flexibility and should only improve down the road.

Good look at ‘27 C Brue Milner (@brue_milner; @THSBB09), the top-ranked backstop in the 2027 class in Alabama.

Hammering balls to the PS during BP & using the lower-half well. Plenty of strength at contact w/ carry off the barrel.#YSGames24 || @PrepBaseball pic.twitter.com/ZBUyxQIChW

— Prep Baseball Alabama (@PrepBaseballAL) June 18, 2024

Nick Peters C / Helena High School, AL / 2025

Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 201-pounds. Thick, physical build and prototypical catcher's frame. A top-50 prospect in the 2025 class in Alabama and a must-know name in the class in terms of uncommitted prospects for this summer. Has performed over the long haul with the bat, including this spring for one of the top Class 6A programs in Alabama, and continues to build off of prior performances. Slightly-open stance with good rhythm and loads of bat speed. Gap-to-gap hitter with heavy barrel to contact. Uses all of his strength well and has some feel for the sweet spot on the barrel. Flexible behind the plate with good recieving and blocking skills. Can really catch-and-throw with pop times ranging 1.98-2.13 with a top velocity of 78 mph. A name-to-know uncommitted prospect in the rising senior class in Alabama who will play at the next level and shouldn't be on the board for too much longer.

Jaylen Crocker C / American Christian, AL / 2026

Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 188-pounds. Lean, projectable frame and has some present strength with room to add to extremeties. A top-25 prospect in the 2026 class in Alabama and the second-ranked backstop in the class. Coming off a noteworthy spring leading his club to a 4A runner-up finish in the middle of the order and is a candidate to have a potential breakout summer. Slightly-crouched right-handed stance with shorter, simple stride. Good top-hand strength helps turn the barrel with some intent, resulting in numerous low-90 EVs and a top of 97.2 mph during his round of BP. Mostly gap-to-gap approach, but can drive the ball to the pull-side with above-average pop for his age. Also a skilled defender from the crouch with some athleticism and ability to recieve. Posted 1.97-2.06 pop times with a top velocity of 74 mph, and those numbers will only continue to improve has his arm gets stronger.

Ty Waters C / 3B / UMS-Wright Prep, AL / 2026

Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 166-pounds. Medium frame with athleticism. Versatile prospect who has the ability to play multiple positions defensively. Continues to make sizable gains across the board both offensively and defensively. Multi-year starter for one of the top programs in the Mobile area. More of a line-drive type hitter with accuracy and feel for the right-handed barrel. Consistent two-handed finishes while spraying firm contact to all parts of the field throughout his round of BP. Simple with his approach using some rhythm and a short stride for timing mechanism. Stays on the back-side well and drives throughh contact. Above-average catch-and-throw skills from the crouch for a prospect of his age posting 1.91-2.03 pop times and a velocity of 79 mph, which led the event. Can also play multiple spots on the infield defensively. Definitely an uncommitted name in the 2026 class in Alabama to monitor closely over the next few months.

Will Langston C / 1B / Vestavia Hills High School, AL / 2025

Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 201-pounds. Good length to frame with strength scattered throughout and some room to add. Ranked as one of the top uncommitted catchers in the 2025 class in Alabama and turned in a strong showing all-around during the workout and gameplay. Continues to make strides to his overall game and has the stature and thump in the right-handed barrel to hit in the heart of any order. Really strong at the point of contact and generating higher exits, including a top EV of 97.3 mph during his round of BP. Also recorded a booming double into the pull-side gap during gameplay. Ability to slug and hit for extra bases continues to show as one of his better tools, but the defend tools behind the plate really showed up this week. Recieves well and was a consistent blocker working hard for his pitchers during gameplay. Posted 1.93-2.06 pop times and a velocity of 73 mph during the workout. Another 2025 backstop who shouldn't be on the board for too much longer.

Wells Ganey C / Ariton High School, AL / 2026

Uncommitted. 5-foot-5, 168-pounds. Smaller in stature but play much bigger. Possesses some athleticism with compact strength throughout his frame. Line-drive type hitter who showcased a solid feel for the right-handed barrel during his round of BP. Barrel is direct and works on an upward path through contact. Utilizies his strength well and is more rotational with his swing. Drove balls to all parts of the field during his round while recording a top EV of 92.4 mph. One of the better defensive catchers present at the event, posting 1.87-1.94 pop times and a top velocity of 78 mph with accuracy and carry. Possesses good footwork and has a quick transfer. Hard-worker who carries a quiet confidence to everything he does.