2024 Alabama Player Rankings: Deep Dive
November 30, 2020
The 2024 Alabama Player Rankings were recently released two weeks ago, and we are really excited about how this class is starting to shape up. A couple of players from this class have already committed to SEC programs, and there are sure to be many more over the next four years. This list is compiled of 45 players but is definitely going to grow and change in the future. Last week, we talked mostly about the Top 10 in these rankings, but today we are going to take a look at some players outside the Top 10 that made strong statements this summer and fall.
If you missed the release of the rankings two weeks ago, CLICK HERE to check them out.
DEEP DIVE
+ '24 C/RHP Carson Smith (North Jackson HS)
+ '24 SS/RHP Cameron Warren (Saraland HS)
Warren showed how big of a jump he has made in the past year with his showing at the PBR at The Hank this October. At the plate, Warren's best exit velocity was 87 mph. Uses a leg kick to initiate his swing. Bat speed is some and shows level swing plane. Created a lot of loud contact during the round. Gap to gap approach. In the infield, displayed a velocity of 81 mph; has consistent hands and consistent feet. Using a quick arm action, showed consistent accuracy to the bag from a high ¾ slot. In the 60-yard dash, he clocked a time of 7.26. On the mound, has a ¾ arm angle and a quick arm action. Showed some effort in his delivery. Sat with his fastball at 79-81 mph and topped out at 82 mph; has running action and decent control. Throws a 11/5 curveball (64-69) that has tight action. Had arm side control and fading action on his changeup (69-70). A lot of upside here for the current freshman.
+ '24 SS/RHP Gatlin Pitts (Bayside Academy)
Pitts made his presence known with a strong outing on the mound at the National Program Invitational at LakePoint this summer. Fastball worked 80-82 mph and controlled it in the zone his whole outing. Clean arm action and the ball comes out pretty clean. Creates great extension. Breaking ball showed tight spin at 65-67 mph and flashed a changeup at 72 mph. Stout frame with room for growth down the road.
+ '24 SS/RHP Matthew Cash (Bibb County HS)
Cash has been a familiar face at many events over the past year, including the PBR Junior Future Games and the AL/MS Border Battle. In the 60-yard dash, recorded a time of 7.84. Begins in a tall stance with a smooth load, then uses a controlled stride to initiate his swing. Bat speed is above average, exhibits rotational swing plane and high finish. He barreled up multiple balls. Gap to gap approach. Cash recorded an exit velocity of 84 mph. While in the infield, made throws up to 85 mph; showed consistent hands, athletic feet and a clean exchange. Consistent accuracy to the bag, used a high ¾ slot and a quick arm action. On the mound, showing above average arm speed he had a ¾ arm angle and a loose arm action. Showed easy effort in his delivery. Produced a fastball that came in at 75-78 mph with a max of 80 mph; had cutting action and very consistent command. Throws a 11/5 curveball (64-68) with consistent command. Continues to get better at each look.
+ '24 OF RJ Brooks (Oxford HS)
Brooks is another member of Team Alabama at this summer's PBR Junior Future Games and this fall's AL/MS Border Battle. He's is a very good runner (7.04 60) and also shows nice power off the barrel for his age (89 mph EV during BP). The arm strength is very nice as he was 84 mph from the OF with solid athletic actions. At the plate, the switch hitting outfielder started with a slightly open stance on both sides of the plate and utilized a small leg kick to generate pop. Looked more natural as a LH hitter but was advanced with his approach, doing a nice job of staying inside the ball and consistently produced line drives. Watching him it’s easy to forget he is just a ‘24 grad with the tools he possesses.
+ '24 OF Eli Cannon (Corner HS)
Got our first look at Cannon at this summer's PBRT Southeast Fall Championships with Excel Blue Wave and the hit tool really stood out from the jump. Seemed to put together quality at bats all tournament long and nearly hit for .750. Also attended the Excel Baseball Scout Day a few weeks ago and continued to impress with the stick. Great bat-to-ball skills and excellent feel for the barrel. Moves well in the outfield. An impressive 2024 to follow.
+ '24 SS/RHP Brendan Conner (Corner HS)
Got to see Conner for this first time this summer playing for Excel Blue Wave, and the bat really stood out in each at bat. Hitting from the right side, Conner has some physicality and can hit for extra bases. Logged a couple of doubles during the look this summer. Showed up at the Excel Baseball Scout Day and showed more of the same during BP, posting a 92 mph EV on Trackman. Stocky 5-foot-11, 185 pounder. Chance to hit for significant power in the future.
+ '24 C/OF Cooper Jarvis (Gardendale HS)
Jarvis was a pleasant surprise at this summer's loaded Top Prospect Games event. Displayed a mature approach from the right side during BP, working middle-to-pull side with consistency. Showed some fluidity in the stroke with some present twitch in all actions. Logged a 2.04 pop time behind the plate during the workout. Really like the polished approach at the plate. Only going to get better with more strength moving forward coupled with advanced actions at the plate.
+ '24 2B/3B Jeb Crane (Oxford HS)
Crane was another impressive young 2024 on Excel Blue Wave 15u's squad this summer. From the left side, Crane showed some pull side juice in his last at bat of the game as he scorched a bases clearing triple into the RCF gap, which ended up being the mercy rule. Short, compact stroke with some natural lift to his swing. Played solid defensive up the middle with good footwork and a quick exchange. Some upside to keep an eye on here.
+ '24 SS/RHP Anthony Messina (Northridge HS)
Messina had a really strong showing for Team Alabama at this summer's PBR Junior Future Games, both at the plate and on the mound. Simple swing and approach at the plate from the right side. Barreled the ball up with consistency. Line drive hitter with some juice to the pull side. Sure hands up the middle defensively with a strong arm to compliment. Fills up the zone on the mound with a fastball that was up to 79 mph at the event.
+ '24 1B Tucker Arrington (Thompson HS)
Arrington is probably one of the more physical hitters in this class in Alabama. From the left side, Arrington really stood out with present strength and an aggressive, but controlled, approach at the plate when watching him during gameplay with Excel Blue Wave 15u this summer. Scorched a base hit back up the middle in his first at bat and turned in more quality at bats throughout the night. Really has the chance to hit more tons of more power in the future.
+ '24 OF/RHP John Robicheaux (Mountain Brook HS)
Robicheaux was another member of Team Alabama at this summer's PBR Junior Future Games. 5-foot-11, 155-pound athletic frame. In the box, the right-handed hitter had a max exit velocity of 81 mph. Had a balanced stance. Simple swing plane. He created some loud contact and found multiple barrels. Line drive approach. While in the outfield, recorded position velocities up to 82 mph. Had decent accuracy. During the event, clocked a 60 time of 6.94. On the mound, produced a fastball that came in at 78-80 mph and topped out at 81 mph. Flipped in a few quality breaking balls at 64-65 mph and flashed a changeup at 68-71 mph).
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At the PBR Junior Future Games this summer, Smith was one of the top hitters on Team Alabama. His best exit velocity was 80 mph. Has a controlled load and a controlled stride. Bat speed is explosive, displays upward swing plane and high finish. Was able to create tons of loud contact and found multiple barrels.Gap to gap approach. In the infield, his best throw was registered at 78 mph. Consistent accuracy to the bases, used a quick arm action with a high ¾ slot. During the event, clocked a 60 time of 7.77. On the mound, sat with his fastball at 80-81 mph with a max of 81 mph. Curveball showed potential with some depth (68-72 mph). Physical player that possesses some impressive tools at such a young age.