Updated & Expanded 2023 Alabama Rankings

September 24, 2020
Austin Sharp
Director of Scouting

After a busy summer stocked full of events and tournaments, the PBR Alabama Staff has come together over the past few weeks and worked to update and expand the 2023 Alabama Player Rankings. There were many late nights and some tough discussions about players across the state. To see the full rankings, CLICK HERE.

Top 10 Breakdown

Walter Ford 3B / RHP / Hoover, AL / 2023

No change here at No. 1 in this update, as Ford keeps the top spot for now. The Alabama recruit shows elite two-way potential, as he excels both on the mound and at the plate. At the plate, he already stands out with noticeable physicality at at a muscular 6-foot-2, 190 pounds. Shows the ability to drive the ball to the gaps for power. The ball just comes off the bat differently. Translates his impressive BP rounds to gameplay. Possesses a live arm on the mound, as he ran his fastball up to 91 mph at the East Coast Sox Scout Day. Feel for spin with the breaking ball as well. Recently moved to Alabama from Florida and has already made a splash on the scene and will continue to do the same in the years to come.

Stone Lawless C / 3B / Huntsville, AL / 2023

Lawless has really taken that next step with the stick this summer, as he comes in at No. 2 in this update. Standing a physical 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, the Tennessee recruit continues to show his prowess with the bat from the right side. Can hit for power and extra bases during gameplay. Hits with a slightly uphill bat plane that allows him to create some lift in the swing. Solid behind the plate with a strong arm, but there is no denying that the bat is the most impressive tool for the sophomore.

Colton Wombles C / OF / Russell County , AL / 2023

Wombles has been a mainstay at the top of these rankings since the first installment, as he comes in at No. 3. The 5-foot-8, 160 pound backstop has a frame that contains compact strength. An Auburn recruit, Wombles seems to elevate his game to a higher level during gameplay and always produces at the plate. Shows a great feel for the barrel and has excellent instincts and awareness. Plays with a chip on his shoulder and is a solid athlete all around. 6.97 runner that showed pop times of 1.80-1.90 at an event last December.

RJ Hamilton SS / 2B / Hoover, AL / 2023

Attending the Future Games this summer a year behind as a 2023 on Team Alabama, Hamilton raised his game at the event and was runner-up for the MVP. Jumps up two spots to No. 4 in this version of the rankings. An excellent athlete (6.69 60 YD) that brings some quick twitch to all facets of his game. Excellent barrel awareness at the plate that had two triples at the Future Games versus premier pitching. Very reliable with the glove up the middle. Great makeup as well. Committed to Vanderbilt a few weeks after the event.

Sam Robertson SS / 2B / Oxford , AL / 2023

Robertson really made a splash onto the recruiting scene this summer, and it all started with his performance at the Underclass Games and continued throughout the Future Games. Shows all the tools that you want as a middle infielder. A 6.61 runner at the Underclass Games. Possesses an excellent frame to grow into at 6-foot-1, 165 pounds. Showed off some power during BP at the Future Games. Smooth actions with the glove at shortstop and has a strong enough arm to stay there. Very impressive prospect to follow.

Coleman Mizell OF / LHP / Hartselle , AL / 2023

Coming in at No. 7 in this update is a physical left-handed bat the stood out at the Future Games this summer as a 2023. Listed at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Mizell has a compact, short stroke from the left side of the plate with already present strength which allows him to hit for extra bases. Put together one of the louder rounds of BP at the Future Games. Recorded multiple hits during gameplay and doesn't seem to get cheated at the dish. Committed to Alabama a few weeks after the Future Games.

Seth Farni OF / LHP / UMS-Wright, AL / 2023

Farni really stood out at the East Coast Sox Scout Day earlier in the summer, where he seemed to bash balls all around the yard from both sides of the plate. Coming in at No. 7 in this update, the Ole Miss recruit uses a big leg lick in his load to generate power from the hips. Left the yard multiple times at the event and looks to lift on each swing. Posted a 97 mph exit velo at the event. Chance for more strength as he continues to grow and fill out his 5-foot-11, 170 pound medium frame.

Jaxon Milam SS / RHP / Russell County , AL / 2023

Milam is one of the more versatile players that the state of Alabama has to offer in the 2023 class, as he seems to do everything at a high level and is a high performer during gameplay. Comes in at No. 8 in this update. A member of Team Alabama at the Junior Future Games in 2019, Milam possesses a pure stroke from the left side of the plate and has a knack for finding the barrel. An above average athlete at 6-foot-1, 155 pounds. Feet work well on the infield. Can also hop on the mound and has been up to 85 mph at PBR events this summer.

Matthew Heiberger LHP / OF / Oak Mountain , AL / 2023

Heiberger was a very pleasant surprise this summer, as he enjoyed a strong campaign with the East Coast Sox. Durable 6-foot-3, 175 pound body that is already starting to show the arm strength on the mound. Fastball can work up into the upper-80's and compliments that with solid secondary offerings. The southpaw offers more projection down the line thanks to his frame. Makes his debut in the 2023 Player Rankings at No. 9 in this update.

Jonathan (Jono) Stevens RHP / SS / Briarwood, AL / 2023

Stevens was another arm that really made a big splash on the recruiting scene this summer with a strong showing playing with Excel Blue Wave 2023's. The 6-foot-1, 175 pounder possesses a live fastball that sits primarily in the mid-to-upper 80's on the bump with more to come in the future. Another impressive arm that makes his debut in the 2023 Player Rankings and rounds out the Top 10.

Number	Name	High School	Commitment
1	Walter Ford	Hoover	Alabama
2	Stone Lawless	Huntsville	Tennessee
3	Colton Wombles	Russell County	Auburn
4	RJ Hamilton	Hoover	Vanderbilt
5	Sam Robertson	Oxford
6	Coleman Mizell	Hartselle	Alabama
7	Seth Farni	UMS-Wright	Mississippi
8	Jaxon Milam	Russell County
9	Matthew Heiberger	Oak Mountain
10	Jono Stevens	Briarwood Christian