Alabama Scout Blog: Week 10 Games

7A No. 3 Auburn (7) vs. 7A No. 2 Central Phenix City (3)

Wednesday, April 21st @ Auburn High School

+ 1B Brody Capps (2022) has arguably been the most consistent hitter in a talented Red Devil lineup leading into the playoffs in 2021. Projectable 6-1, 185-pound frame from the right side who has always seemed to perform in each look of the junior first baseman. Put the Red Devils on the board in the later innings of this game while working the count with an excellent at-bat in the cleanup spot. Worked the count to 3-2 with multiple foul balls, and finally caught a pitch over the plate and sent it back up the middle for a RBI single. Also singled in the earlier innings and had two of Central’s five hits in the contest. Also homered in Thursday’s 1-0 win in a crucial Game 2 to decide the area champion. Really has come on this year and continues to make a name for himself.

1B Brody Capps (4/21/21)

+ SS Webb Veronese (2021) showed that he was well on his way back from an early season injury and looks to be back at full speed hitting near the top of the Tiger lineup. Medium, athletic 6-1, 175-pound frame with plenty of solid tools across the board. Left-handed hitting shortstop that delivered the big blow in the 6th inning of a huge area contest on Wednesday. Balanced, upright stance with an early load using a top-tap before getting back to square before contact. Efficient barrel turn with an upward bat path to hit for extra bases and drive balls to power alleys. Veronese reached base in all four plate appearances with two walks, a hit-by-pitch, and a triple in the 6th. During that at-bat in the 6th, Veronese just missed a Grand Slam by a few feet to the right of the foul pole on a 1-1 count, and worked the count to 2-2 before lining one down the right field to clear the bases for a three RBI triple. Should be a solid addition for a program down the line.

SS Webb Veronese (4/21/21)

+ MIF Todd Clay (2022) has played both defensive positions up the middle this year for Auburn before settling into the role at 2nd base later in the year, but has the profile and size to move to shortstop in the future. Standing 6-2, 195-pounds in the middle of the order, Clay came up big for Auburn in the 2nd with a RBI single to right field in a crucial area game to punch their ticket to the 7A State Playoffs. Starts in a tall, upright position before getting down more into his hips during his load and compliments the swing with a short & simple stroke. Middle of the field approach from the right side. Rangy defender with a solid glove up the middle.

MIF Todd Clay (4/21/21)

+ 1B Ryan Austin (2021, Southern Union CC) enjoyed an excellent start to his junior season last year before the shutdown, but Austin hasn’t seemed to skip a beat in his senior season for the Tigers. A consistent power source hitting in the cleanup spot for Auburn, Austin is a physical presence at 6-0, 210-pounds. Love the profile as a left-handed hitting 1st baseman. Got the Tigers on the board in the 1st with a RBI double into the gap on a pitch down in the zone facing L/L. Starts in an open stance with good rhythm, and transitions to square using a leg kick with solid barrel awareness and not much swing and miss. Hitting .383 with 7 HR’s, 6 2B’s, 31 RBI’s and a .995 fielding percentage with only one error in 194 total chances this year.

1B Ryan Austin (4/21/21)

+ RHP Braxton Turnbow (2021) has been the ace of the staff since moving to Thompson HS recently, and he took the ball on Tuesday night in a huge area matchup and went the distance on the mound to earn the win. Stands a durable, 6-3, 200-pounds and uses a high ¾ arm slot that produced a fastball that worked 84-87, and even touched 89 mph once on an elevated fastball with two strikes to get a swing and miss. Featured a cutter-like secondary offering at 80-81 mph that was just enough off of the fastball to induce weak contact and maintained the same plane with late cut. Changeup was also used effectively at 78-79 mph, mostly against left-handed hitters. An absolute competitor on the mound that made some big pitches to hold an offense that featured numerous Division 1 commitments to just one run. Finished earning the win while tossing 7 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 BB & 4 K’s. Unsigned senior that could be a great addition to a college program.

RHP Braxton Turnbow (4/20/21)

+ 2B/UTL RJ Hamilton (2023, Vanderbilt) is regarded as one of the top sophomores in Alabama, and he showed well in a big area game driving home the lone run for Hoover. Facing a formidable arm, the former Future Gamer showed the ability to slow the game down in a hostile environment and deliver quality at-bat after another. Hitting in the leadoff spot, Hamilton reached base in the 1st on a walk, then barreled up two balls to center field in his next two at-bats with one being a RBI sacrifice fly out. Plays with plenty of bounce at 5-10, 165-pounds with a quick first step out of the box thanks to 6.69 speed at previous events. Balanced set up with a slightly uphill path and keeps the barrel in the zone for a while. Excellent makeup as well.

+ SS Tanner Bailey (2022; Oregon Football) may be known widely as one of the top quarterback prospects in Alabama, but he is certainly no slouch at the plate for Gordo. A mainstay in the middle of the lineup for the last few years, Bailey was one of the key contributors offensively for the Wave in their loss on Monday. Saw the ball well in each at-bat, making hard contact when he connected with a pitch. The biggest swing of the day for Gordo came off the bat of the junior shortstop, when he lined a triple down the right field line in the 5th to tie the game up at 1-1. Also smoked a fastball into the gap for a loud fly out to left field in his previous at-bat. Starts out tall in the stance before getting more into his hips on the load with solid separation of the hands and front foot. Athletic 6-1, 195-pound frame that’s a four-sport star (football, baseball, basketball, golf) for Gordo. Solid glove work up the middle with an obvious strong arm across the infield being the quarterback.

SS Tanner Bailey (4/19/21)

+ C Lawson Neel (2022) is an efficient defender behind the plate that is also swinging the bat at a blistering pace so far for Gordo. Listed at 5-11, 170-pounds, Neel hits in the leadoff spot for the Wave and is the table-setter for the offense. Started off the game in the 1st by working the count with two strikes, and got off the knob of the bat for a two strike approach to simplify the approach and served an outer-half pitch to right field for a leadoff single. Defensively, Neel is a rock behind the plate and is a backstop that all pitchers trust with their confidence. Flexible and athletic setup that does an excellent job of getting to the bottom of the zone on low pitches and using strong wrists to keep it in the zone. Pop times ranged from 1.83-1.95 at a showcase last summer, but was consistently around the 2.0 times on live pop times. Also ran a 7.15 60 YD at the same event, so there’s reason to believe he’s trimmed that time down with that athleticism.

C Lawson Neel (4/19/21)

+ C Grayson Ashe (2022) was just as impressive as his counterpart behind the plate in this contest on Monday. Another backstop in the junior class in Alabama that we loved what we saw defensively from Ashe. Medium & athletic 6-0, 165-pounder that moves well with flexibility around the plate, and translates to being able to block efficiently on balls in the dirt. Works through the zone when receiving pitches and presents well to the umpire. Stole numerous pitches for his pitcher in this contest. Effective out of the crouch with catch & throw skills on 2.00-2.05 pop times in-game. 2-hole hitter for Trinity Presbyterian and led the charge offensively. Singled in the middle innings by staying on an off speed pitch to guide to to right field, and came up in the 7th inning trailing with the base loaded and cleared the bases to tie the game up. Excellent combination of defensive skill and the ability to handle the bat.

C Grayson Ashe (4/19/21)

+ 1B Walton Cherry (2021) is another solid hitter in the middle of the order for Trinity Presbyterian who showed the ability to hit for some power in Monday's contest over 4A No. 1 Gordo. Slotted in the 3-hole and standing a sturdy 6-2, 200-pounds, Cherry laced a fastball over the heart of the plate in his 1st at-bat of the game into the pull side gap for a double. Uses a fairly sizable leg kick before getting back down on time and strong hips. Creates solid extension out front and generates a lot of torque to hit for extra bases. Came into the game hitting .387 with 8 doubles, a home run and 27 RBI’s on the season.

1B Walton Cherry (4/19/21)

5A No. 3 Andalusia (4) vs. 3A Montgomery Academy (2)

Monday, April 19th @ The Montgomery Academy

+ SS Ayden Amis (2022; Troy) has always been one of our favorite hitters in the junior class in Alabama, and he continued to show the same prowess with the bat on Monday. A standout at last summer’s Top Prospect Games where he stood out amongst other future SEC commitments, Amis is leading Andalusia to yet another successful season heading into the playoffs. Medium 5-9, 170-pounder that possesses fluid & advanced actions in all that he does on the field. The table-setter for the Bulldogs, Amis recognized & adjusted well to a breaking ball in his 2nd at-bat and lined it down the left field line for a double. Shows efficient hand separation with the front foot with rhythm throughout swing up until contact. Ability to flick the hands through the zone and still make good contact. Easy to see that he is one of the leaders for Andalusia as a junior. Feet work well defensively with a strong, accurate arm. Could easily and probably may transition to second base down the road in college.

SS Ayden Amis (4/19/21)

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