Who are the freshmen follows to know ahead of the spring?
December 13, 2023
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The ‘Hotlist’ is a series that provides weekly insight into the high school baseball scene spanning the country, curated by Prep Baseball’s state directors who are situated nationwide, with vital intel on the prospects who are in their own backyards. Each week, we’ll publish our ‘Hotlist’ on varying topics that are timeliest to the national baseball calendar at that point in time.
This week’s topic: On Monday, we’ll be releasing our state-by-state Class of '27 rankings, and we’re previewing these classes today. State directors shared some insight on how the class looks as a whole, while providing some analysis on the freshmen who’ve managed to break out early at a Rising Stars event and/or at the Junior Future Games.
+ Learn of our directors stationed nationwide by visiting the staff directory.
+ View which Prep Baseball events are headed your way next at this page.
+ Read about previously published ‘Hotlist’ topics here.
🔥The ‘Hotlist’ (12/13):
Alabama
+ Jamarkius Smith, RHP, Reeltown HS, Uncommitted:
“Smith is as impressive of a young prospect that we’ve seen in some time, and continues to elevate his presence with each viewing. Listed as 6-foot-2, 160 pounds, the rising freshman is a natural athlete who has tons of twitch. Getting the start in the nightcap for Team Alabama 14U (2) at the Prep Baseball Junior Future Games, the electric right-hander tossed three no-hit innings and racked up a handful of strikeouts during the outing. Using a loose and whippy arm action, Smith fired 88-92 mph bullets throughout his outing and still showed the ability to grab that kind of velocity as the outing went on. The offering possesses tons of arm-side run thanks to a true ¾ arm slot, and he tunnels it with a wipeout mid-70s slider that registered spin rates near the 2,500 rpm range consistently. Yes, the velocity is what immediately jumps out for a pitcher of his age, but the advanced feel for spin and the ability to locate it to various parts of the zone is what truly makes him such an elite talent. There is still so much more in the tank with the highest of upsides, and he continues to cement himself as a must-follow for the coming years.”
– Austin Sharp, Alabama Scouting Director