With the conclusion of the high school season for most teams and the summer circuit set to get underway, our staff has updated the state's 2026 Rankings for the first time in 2023. Our staff has been out covering games and scouting prospects throughout the entire state during past few months of the high school season, and there are many prospects who boosted their stock with their play. 

Below you'll learn more about these updated rankings for the state's current freshman class that has been expanded to 50 players, including more information on prospects that climbed and those who debuted for the first time.

 

THE TOP-5

 

Notable RISERS & DEBUTS INSIDE THE TOP-30

+ 3B/RHP Wyatt Shelley (Houston Academy, 2026) was a key component both at the plate and on the mound while leading the Raiders to a Class 3A State Championship this spring. Although a smaller jump, Shelley, an Auburn recruit, slides into the Top-5 after a stellar spring. See his report from this spring below:

“Shelley was probably the most impressive prospect that our staff saw all week covering the Class 7A-1A State Championship series while making an impact both at the plate and on the mound. Helping lead the Raiders to a Class 3A State Championship, Shelley is an Auburn recruit that arguably has the most physically imposing frame out of any prospect in his class standing 6-foot-3, 230-pounds. Throughout the series, the freshman consistently delivered firm contact and power to all parts of the field. Hitting from a slightly crouched position, the right-hander uses every bit of his size to his advantage getting into his lower-half well throughout the swing. He creates significant separation with his load and swings the heaviest of barrels through the zone making the ball jump off of his bat. The ball comes off of his bat differently, while the ability to drive the ball to both gaps with consistency was what stood out the most. Hopping on the mound, the right-hander mostly operated in the 87-89 mph range with his fastball while going to a single breaking ball that spun at 74 mph during a quick and pivotal relief appearance where he was able to escape a jam in extra innings. One of, if not the, most talented two-way prospect in the freshman class in AL.”

+ RHP/SS JaShaun Moten (Tuscaloosa County, 2026) was used in various spots on the mound this spring for a talented Class 7A Wildcats squad. Moten, now the top uncommitted prospect in the freshman class, has an electric fastball to go along with a sharp slider in his arsenal. See his report from this spring below:

"Moten has been a prospect that we’ve been eager to see in a game-setting and was thoroughly impressive in a short relief stint retiring the heart of the a 7A order in a 3-3 contest in the 6th inning. Listed at 6-foot-2, 170-pounds with premium upside and athleticism, the freshman right-hander attacked hitters from a higher, over-the-top slot with a fastball that ranged 86-88 mph during his lone inning of work. Pounding the zone for the majority of his outing, Moten lived primarily off of the fastball, but mixed in a single slider at 77 mph (2450 rpm) that spins right and has the makings of being a quality secondary offering. Using a slower-paced delivery, the right-hander works down the mound well for a pitcher of his age and has a long and loose arm action that possesses some whip. Using a frame that will only continue to improve with strength over the next few years, more jumps are likely in the future and has easily established himself as one of the top right-handed arms in the young freshman class. Good one to keep close tabs on this spring playing for one of the top teams in Class 7A."

+ SS Hayden Anderson (Stanhope Elmore, 2026) was one of the few underclassmen for the Mustangs that contributed heavily to one of the top teams in Class 6A this spring. See his report from this spring below:

"Anderson has really taken on a larger role this year as a freshman after starting for the Mustangs last spring as an eighth-grader. Looking much more comfortable this spring with valuable experience under his belt, Anderson has proved to be a big offensive piece for one of the top teams in Class 6A posting a .391 batting average. He already has 18 hits, which is how many he had last year, and only needed half as many at-bats to reach that number this spring. Moving over the shortstop after playing second base last year, the freshman hasn’t skipped a beat and has produced in a big way. With a compact 5-foot-9, 170-pound frame, Anderson has a stocky build with some present athleticism to go along with a confident offensive approach. The freshman carries himself like an upperclassman, and has a short stroke from the right side with quick hands that produces firm line drives to all fields. Smooth defender up the middle with the ability to make all the routine plays."

+ RHP Brooks Mellown (Tuscaloosa County, 2026) was another freshman, like Moten, who saw some innings on the mound for a deep Wildcats pitching staff this spring. Mellown makes his debut on the list inside the Top-25 in this update. See his report from this spring below:

“Mellown, a dual-sport prospect who plays quarterback, was one of the few underclassmen arms that stood out in our PBR South AL Showdown working in a relief appearance in a close contest. Standing 6-foot-3, 160-pounds, Mellown displayed plenty to build on in the future, flashing intriguing stuff on the mound and a projectable frame that moves well down the slope. Working from a clean operation, the right-hander worked in the low-80s with his fastball and touched 84 mph earlier in his outing. His slider ranged 75-76 mph and featured late bite with the ability to tunnel off of his fastball. He mainly worked off of his fastball with the ability to work both halves of the plate in the outing using a quick, shorter arm action that comes out of a high ¾ arm slot. As Mellown continues to develop over the coming years, there’s plenty to like both in the present and in the future as a potential frontline starter down the road. He will be one to follow closely throughout the rest of the spring and into the summer.”

+ 1B Bryson Sheppard (Smiths Station, 2026) was one of the few underclassmen on the Panthers squad this year that helped lead them to a Final 4 appearance in Class 7A this spring. Shepherd has an imposing frame and consistently produced in the heart of their order this season. See his report from earlier this spring below:

"Sheppard established himself as an intriguing prospect to follow over the next few seasons in the young freshman class. In a double-header set, the freshman continuously took strong swings and found solid contact with nearly each at-bat while recording three hits on the day. Standing a long and projectable 6-foot-5, 185-pounds, Sheppard showed the ability to perform at a high level hitting in the cleanup spot in a talented 7A lineup that features plenty of upperclassmen throughout. Facing a low-90’s arm in the first game, Sheppard handled velocity well and delivered a missile back up the middle in a big situation for the Panthers resulting in an RBI single. The left-hander would go on to add another single and a double throughout his next few at-bats. With such an imposing frame at a young age, Sheppard seems to understand his movements and should continue to see higher volumes of power output over the next few years as he continues to add to his body. The freshman showed the ability to change planes on multiple offerings in the zone and used the whole field in his approach. Good one to follow in the coming years for the Panthers."