Alabama Class of 2024 Rankings: Biggest Risers

Jake Souders 3B / Briarwood CHRISTIAN, AL / 2024

Souders, a Samford recruit, has really made a strong case to cement himself as one of the top corner infielders in AL over the past years. Possessing some big carrying tools across the board, strong right-hander fits the mold of a future middle-of-the-order hitter at the next level. After finding his way into the Top-50 in the last update before the summer, he rises to No. 16 in this edition of the rankings. See his report from earlier this summer below:

“Souders established himself as a noteworthy prospect to follow after last summer’s 33s Baseball Scout Day, and eventually committed to Samford a few months later. Coming off the heels of a standout season for Briarwood Christian in the spring, the Samford recruit showcased even louder tools that had been improved at this summer’s 33s Baseball Scout Day. Standing a stronger 6-foot-2, 190-pounds with athleticism, the right-hander delivered loud contact to the gaps with nearly each swing during his round of BP at the event with a top exit velocity at 101.8 mph. While the strength and power was impressive, the infielder cut his 60 YD time down drastically from 7.17 to 6.62 in just a year. The right-hander swings a quick bat through the zone and uses all of his frame to generate whip to the barrel. Souders is an exciting young prospect in the rising senior class with plenty of carrying tools across the board that show up in gameplay and in a showcase setting.”

Matthew Widra CF / Spain Park, AL / 2024

Widra, similar to Souders, has really come on over the past year with multiple standout showings at PBR events. Another big riser from outside the Top-50, the recent South Alabama recruit jumps up to No. 32 in this update. The left-hander is a stellar athlete and has shown flashes of pull-side power within his selective approach at the plate, and was a big part to Spain Park's success this past spring. See his report from earlier this year below:

“Widra (Spain Park, 2024) was a good find at last summer’s 33’s Baseball Scout Day and continues to impress with strong offensive abilities from the left side. Although a bit undersized standing 5-foot-9, 155-pounds, the uncommitted junior doesn't let that affect his game while taking some aggressive cuts and not getting cheated with each pass. Widra, a previous 6.69-runner, has some twitch and athletic actions in all parts of his game, and looks to impact the baseball at a high level and drive it to the pull-side gap. He has fast hands that lead a quick barrel through the zone and has shown the ability to change planes with his barrel. Facing some quality arms in a competitive matchup, Widra finished going 2-for-3 with one run driven in, a run scored, and a pair of walks, one being the game-winning walk with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th. Hitting in the middle of a talented Jaguar order, the left-hander has shown some strong power output over the past year, and is a good left-handed hitting outfielder to follow in the junior class this spring.”

Teague Broadhead RHP / Bayside Academy , AL / 2024

Broadhead was virtually an unknown heading into this spring, not because of lack of talent, but simply because of how hard it was to find innings on such a loaded Bayside Academy pitching staff. After throwing well early in the spring, the recent Southern Miss recruit ended up being one of their top arms in the rotation using a fastball that works in the upper-80s and has been up to 92 mph at a couple of our events this summer. A bit of a late-bloomer, but the huge year the right-hander resulted in his commitment and a big rise in this update up to No. 34. See his report from this summer below:

“Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 205-pounds. Tons of proportional strength to frame; solid athlete for size. Attended the Alabama All-State Games last week and was sharp during his outing, but looked like a completely different pitcher today with overpowering stuff and good feel for all of his pitches. Utilizing a delivery that gradually builds pace and one of the quickest arms from the event, the uncommitted rising senior hammered the strike zone with his fastball sitting 89-92 mph throughout his lone inning of work. The offering gets a ton of ride at the top of the zone and induced swings-and-misses consistently. Tunneling off of his fastball, the right-hander paired it with a 77-78 mph slider (2400 rpm) that is an above average offering. After seeing him in the spring, he looks to have firmed up the offering and looks like a true slider now. He showed the ability to land it in the zone early in the count, and drop it below the zone with two strikes for chase. Linebacker in football. High-level uncommitted prospect in the rising senior class in AL.”

Houston Markham OF / Pike Road, AL / 2024

Markham is a dynamic, multi-sport athlete that has really performed well at the plate over the past year, and comes in as one of the top uncommitted prospects in the class in this update sitting at No. 36. One who shouldn't be on the market for too much longer, the left-handed hitting outfielder has a line drive approach and use his athletic skill set to his advantage. See his report from earlier this spring below:

“Markham (Pike Road, 2024) is a multi-sport athlete for the Patriots that has certainly gotten off to a good start on the diamond hitting in the three-hole of a talented lineup. Standing 5-foot-10, 185-pounds, the uncommitted junior seems to be a dynamic athlete with the ability to affect the game in a variety of ways. The left-handed hitter recorded multiple hits throughout the day on Saturday, including a 3-for-3 effort with three singles in Game 2. Although he didn’t show it much with those singles, Markham has shown excellent speed in past looks, including last summer at LakePoint. His swing is short, compact, and quick from the left side with a level path to contact, and uses a controlled stride but shows no issue getting back down on time. On the day, the uncommitted junior finished going 3-for-5 with three singles, two RBI’s, three runs scored, a walk, and a pair of stolen bases.”

Michael Daniel OF / RHP / Auburn, AL / 2024

Daniel, a former PBR Future Gamer, boosted his stock as much as anyone over the past year producing against some solid competition during the spring and summer. A recent Jacksonville State recruit, has been known primarily for his upper-80s fastball in the past, but what really separated him this spring was the bat, which led Auburn HS in batting average at .414. He slides in the Top-40 in this update at No. 37. See his report from earlier this spring below:

“Daniel (Auburn, 2024) continues to establish himself as a strong two-way prospect to follow moving into the summer circuit after recording a pair of hits in yesterday’s tightly-contested area contest. Listed at 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, Daniel has some lean strength to his high-waisted frame that should certainly carry more strength in the future. After a sharply-hit single through the left side of the infield that ignited a rally in the fourth, the uncommitted junior handled a pitch down in the zone and lined it fair down the left field line for a double and eventually came home to score. Hitting from the right side, Daniel has efficient rhythm and a small toe-trap trigger before lagging the barrel through the zone and creates some extension out front. The right-hander’s barrel works on a mostly upward path through the zone and should continue to see more power output as he gains strength. Also mid-to-upper-80’s on the mound as a former PBR Future Gamer. Coming into the game leading the team in batting average at .411, Daniel finished going 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored.”

Jackson Killcreas RHP / Opelika, AL / 2024

Killcreas also makes a sizable jump in this update at slides inside the Top-50 at No. 45. The right-hander, a recent Chipola CC recruit, has a fastball that has shown the ability to work in the upper-80s, but his late-breaking slider is what separates him from others. The feel for spin for the offering and ability to throw it in any count has stood out in multiple viewings. See his report from earlier this spring below:

“Killcreas (Opelika, 2024) took the ball in Game 2 and worked four strong innings on the mound en route to earning the win for the Bulldogs. Solidly and athletically built at 6-foot-0, 185-pounds, the uncommitted junior did an excellent job keeping hitters off-balanced throughout his outing using a power slider that he showed feel for spin on. Working his fastball up to 86-87 mph (2300 rpm) early on, the right-hander settled into more 83-85 mph for the duration of his outing. His slider, however, was his best offering of the day, ranging 76-78 mph (2650 rpm) and inducing a handful of whiffs throughout his outing. He showed the ability to land in the zone for a called strike when he needed it, while also tunneling it off of his fastball with late bite in the bottom of the zone to get a swing-and-miss with two strikes. He finished going 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), 4 BB, and 6 K’s.”

Gabe Benton RHP / Benjamin Russell, AL / 2024

Benton is arguably one of the biggest risers inside this update, as he comes from outside the Top-150 and slides in at No. 47 on the list. Listed at 6-foot-3, 210-pounds, the uncommitted right-hander is an talented dual-sport athlete that holds numerous Division 1 offers at quarterback. He's created some buzz on the trail over the past year, coming off a strong junior campaign and was named the MVP at the AHSAA Baseball All-Star Game in July. He possesses an upper-80s fastball to compliment his athletic frame, and holds sizable upside on the mound.

Sean Lapinskes 3B / Westminster Christian, AL / 2024

Lapinskes is coming off a really strong summer on the circuit, highlighted by a standout showing at the Top Prospect Games in June. Standing 6-foot-0, 190-pounds, the uncommitted right-hander holds impressive pop to all fields within his approach that translates well to gameplay. Complimenting his offensive ability, Lapinskes is sure to stick on the left side of the infield thanks to his plus arm that's been up 91 mph across the diamond. See his report from earlier this summer below:

“Uncommitted. 6-foot-0, 190-pounds. Defined strength throughout his frame and noticeable in the lower-half. Flashed an intriguing set of tools across the board and was ranked near the top in most statistical categories. Starts from an athletic, upright position hitting from the right side of the plate and carries a heavy barrel through the zone registering numerous mid-90 EVs and a top at 97.7, fifth-best from the event. Possesses pull-side power with solid feel for finding the sweet spot during his round of BP. Doesn’t take much effort throughout his swing to generate pop to the pull-side. Moves well up the middle and profiles to stay on the left side of the infield with a strong arm across the diamond that worked up to 91 mph during the defensive workout.”

Bryson Morman RHP / SS / Oak Mountain, AL / 2024

Morman is another quality uncommitted name-to-know in the 2024 class with solid two-way skills, and showed at this summer's All-State Games he may have more upside on the bump. Listed at 6-foot-0, 170-pounds, the right-hander has good athleticism and it translates to his operation on the mound where he's worked up to 88 mph with arm-side run. The feel for spin on his sharp slider that spins in the 2600 rpms jumps out, as well, and is a solid out-pitch. Also a skilled position player up the middle with a line drive approach and 6.86-speed. See his report from earlier this summer below:

“Uncommitted. 6-foot-0, 180-pounds. Wiry frame with present athleticism. Strong two-way prospect who possesses upside on both sides, but possibly more on the mound. One of the top pitchers to throw from the event and worked a clean inning showcasing an effective two-pitch mix. Fastball operated mostly 84-86 mph after reaching 88.0 mph in the early going; possesses tons of arm-side run averaging nearly 15 in. of horizontal movement. Slider profiled as one of the top secondary offerings from the event in the 71-74 mph range; spins it hard and in the 2500-2650 rpm range. Tons of bite to the offering with wipeout potential and collected numerous uncomfortable swings/takes throughout his outing. Clean, low-effort release. Gap-to-gap hitter at the plate with low-90 EVs and also clocked a 7.01 60 YD. Intriguing uncommitted prospect in the 2024 class in AL to follow.”

Ian Cartwright OF / Alexandria , AL / 2024

Cartwright enjoyed a stellar summer on the circuit over the past few months, and capped it off with his commitment to Montevallo just a couple of weeks ago. Listed at 6-foot-0, 180-pounds, the right-hander is a toolsy prospect and impacts the game in a variety of ways. Cartwright possesses gap-to-gap pop at the plate with really quick bat speed and the ability to drive the ball for extra bases. He's also a solid athlete that's been clocked at 6.98 in the 60 YD and has a strong arm from the outfield that's been up to 90 mph. See his report from earlier this summer below:

“Uncommitted. 6-foot-0, 180-pounds. Medium build with some proportional strength; good combination of strength and athleticism. Continues to have a really strong summer and build off of prior performances. Best we’ve seen him at yesterday’s event ranking near the top of most statistical categories. Has been a sub-7.0 runner in the past and clocked a 7.10 60 YD yesterday and uses his speed well tracking balls in the grass. One of the more impressive rounds of BP with consistent loud contact and mid-90 EVs throughout. Swings the heaviest of barrels through the zone on a slightly uphill plane. Multiple balls sent deep to the pull-side with a max distance of 330 ft. Looks to lift and hit for extra bases within his gap-to-gap approach. Works through the balls athletically on throws to the plate and was up to 90 mph from the outfield with accuracy. One of the top uncommitted outfielders in the 2024 class in AL. “