Prep Baseball Report

Alabama Scout Blog: Elite 8 Games


PBR Alabama Staff

The Alabama Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the PBR Scouting Staff during the season. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more. 

Continue to check back over the course of the week, as the Alabama Scouting Staff will add scouting reports daily.

 

+ RHP/SS Fleming Hall (Trinity Presbyterian, 2025) has created plenty of buzz over the past couple of weeks with back-to-back quality outings in the playoffs as a freshman for the one of the better teams in Class 3A. Playing a two-way role for this this Wildcats' squad, the young freshman made a quick impression both at the plate in Game 1 and on the mound in Game 2. Standing an already impressive 6-foot-0, 175-pounds with proportional strength, Hall collected a pair of hits, including a double, in their first contest hitting towards the bottom of a talented order. He showed some fairly strong, quick hands and some feel for the barrel from the right side of the plate. Even more impressive was his outing on the mound in Game 2, working deep into the game and being efficient in the process. The freshman worked anywhere from 84-87 mph with serious arm-side action & sink and bumped an 88 mph in the 1st and on one of his final pitches of the game in the 6th inning. He paired that with a sharp, two-plane slider at 74-77 mph (2200 rpm) that spins best when more 76-77 mph. The young freshman was thoroughly impressive in both facets and has started to cement himself as one of the top 2025's in the state.

Fleming Hall (5/5/22)

+ RHP/INF Ben Easterling (Trinity Presbyterian, 2022) has been a staple for Trinity Presbyterian over the course of his high school career in a two-way role, and he delivered once again in their Elite 8 series this past weekend. Easterling, an uncommitted senior standing a physical 6-foot-4, 200-pounds, got the nod in Game 1 and showed the ability to make some big pitches to escape various jams throughout his outing. He's logged plenty of innings over the past few weeks, including working into the 9th inning in an extra-inning affair last week, so his stuff may not have been as sharp, but he still found his way into the 6th inning pitching with a lead. He's been up into the upper-80's, but worked up to 84 mph early on in this outing with comfortability spinning a low-70's breaking ball with 11-5 shape. From the right side of the plate, the uncommitted senior launched his sixth home run over the left field fence in Game 2, showing that physical strength packed into 6-foot-4, 200-pounds.

Ben Easterling (5/5/22)

+ C Jack Hayes (Piedmont, 2023) continues to solidify himself as one of the top catchers in the 2023 class in Alabama both from an offensive and defensive standpoint. Hitting from the right side of the plate, uncommitted junior swings with some violence and intent to drive the baseball into the gaps, while also showing a disciplined, patient approach as he very rarely chases out of the zone. He shows a mostly pull-side approach, but has juice to all fields. Behind the plate, the junior is a quiet, confident receiver that does a quality job stealing strikes for his pitcher. The catch-and-throw skills jump out as well, as he showed a quick transfer with plenty of carry on throws to the second-base bag. 

Jack Hayes (5/4/22)

+ LHP Brodie Homesley (Piedmont, 2025) was spectacular in his Game 1 start as he turned in a complete-game shutout for the Bulldogs. While there is still plenty of progress to be made, the freshman showed advanced command of all three of his offerings and the ability to pitch backwards. Working for a shorter, high ¾ arm slot, the fastball showed tons of movement to the arm side while working in the upper-70's and also showing some cut at other times. The breaking ball showed solid 1-7 action that he was able to spot down in the zone and the changeup showed late tumble away from right-handed hitters. Homesley allowed only two hits over his seven innings of work and struck out four hitters. 

Brodie Homesley (5/4/22)

+ C/2B Cody Walsh (Opp, 2024) really opened some eyes with his offensive performance on Thursday as the sophomore collected five hits in eight at-bats versus a couple of quality arms. Walsh showed quality rhythm in the hands with a controlled load and a mostly level swing plane. The bat speed is there as he also showed a direct path to contact with the hands and a definite middle-of-the-field approach. The sophomore was also solid behind the plate and was able to extend the plate for his pitchers while showing good catch-and-throw skills, gunning down a couple of would-be base stealers in-game (1.94 pop time between innings). A definite 2024 to follow. 

Cody Walsh (5/5/22)

+ C Grayson Ashe (Trinity Presbyterian, 2022) jumped out from the onset of Game 1 and was equally impressive with the bat and behind the dish. The Wallace-Dothan CC signee seemed to be the unquestioned leader from the behind the plate and his play backed that up as well. Offensively, Ashe showed a quick uphill swing path and showed no problem using the whole field in his approach with some power to the pull-side gap. The hands stayed loose through the swing as he seemed to really keep the barrel through contact. Ashe was equally impressive behind the plate as he did an impressive job sticking borderline pitches and blocking balls in the dirt seemed very natural. The athleticism behind the plate was evident for the senior. 

Grayson Ashe (5/5/22)

+ 3B Brady Rascoll (Trinity Presbyterian, 2024) is a sophomore that made an impression with the bat in the Wildcats doubleheader sweep on Thursday. Showing solid barrel control, Rascoll showed the ability to handle pitches in all quadrants of the strike zone as he sprayed balls to all fields. He showed a very short, direct path with the hands which allowed him to be on time with the barrel on just about every swing. For the day, Rascoll was 4-for-6 with a double and three runs driven in while also drawing a walk. The Wildcats will need the sophomore third baseman to keep producing with the bat in a possible march to the state finals. A sophomore hitter to keep eyes on moving forward.

Brady Rascoll (5/5/22)

+ INF Kurt Kizer (Hewitt-Trussville, 2023) had himself a solid offensive series in the Class 7A, Round 2 matchup and was the standout star at the plate for the Huskies. Kizer displays an impressive effort at the plate and is a difficult out for opponents to record in the heart of the Hewitt lineup. An uncommitted junior, the left-handed middle infielder does an outstanding job of widening the stance and putting the baseball in play when he is behind in the count and puts an uncomfortable amount of pressure on opposing defenses as well. Also included some high level plays at second base on the defensive side. Hitters hit, and Kizer hits.

Kurt Kizer (5/6/22)

+ RHP/1B Baker Green (Hewitt-Trussville, 2022) did an excellent job of evening the series back up for the Huskies in Game 2. The Snead State signee went the complete-game distance and gave them a chance to take the series. Allowed a pair of baserunners in the top of the first, but settled in nicely and extended his outing. Flashed a quality three-pitch mix, worked the fastball at 83-85 mph to both sides of the plate and kept hitters off-balance with both the breaking-ball and changeup as off-speed offerings. The senior also was a key piece for the Huskies at the plate in the entire three game series and was a key factor to the Huskies series win.

Baker Green (5/6/22)

+ RHP/3B Bryce Gover (Headland, 2025) was handed the ball for the decisive Game 3 against a formidable opponent in Shelby County and answered the bell. The right hander threw a complete game, allowing three earned runs, a walk and seven strikeouts. The win was the second of the series for Gover, as he also pitched a scoreless 8th inning in Game 1 on Thursday before Headland would win in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the inning. Gover worked his fastball up to 86 mph in relief on Thursday to finish the game before sitting in the low-80’s on Friday during his efficient start for the Rams. Another 2025 to follow moving forward.

Bryce Gover (5/6/22)

+ C Trent Weatherly (Headland, 2023) provided a spark in Headland’s series victory over Shelby County in the 3rd round of the AHSAA playoffs. Weatherly threw out 3 of 6 potential base stealers from an aggressive Shelby County team that likes to run. The uncommitted junior blocked multiple breaking balls in the dirt and displayed soft hands and good actions while handling Headland’s quality pitching staff. Weatherly caught 15 innings on Thursday before catching all seven of the deciding Game 3 on Friday. Weatherly added two singles and a pair of walks at the plate in Game 3 on Friday while driving in two runners, as well.

Trent Weatherly (5/7/22)

 

 

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