As 2020 winds down and we get closer to the 2021 high school season we continue to take a look at some of the top uncommitted players across the state. Today we look at a few of the sophomores that stood at our events this past summer and fall. A few talented 2023 grads have already committed but there is plenty of high level talent still available for college coaches to get their eyes on. Look for these sophomores to make an impact this high school season. 

 

UNCOMMITTED 2023'S

 

Sam Robertson  SS / 2B / Oxford , AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 143 / POS: 39 6-foot-1, 165-pound mature frame. Performed well in the 60-yard dash, clocking a speedy time of 6.61. Began in an open stance with a controlled load, then used a small leg kick to initiate his swing. Has upward swing plane, explosive bat speed and good extension on his finish. Barreled up multiple balls with loud contact. Gap to gap approach. Robertson's 90 mph exit velocity showed his ability to drive the ball with power. Smooth in the infield, had a live arm with throws that topped out at 85 mph; had athletic footwork, a quick exchange and next Level hands. Showed an-over-the-top slot with a very quick arm action.

Jaxon Milam SS / RHP / Russell County , AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 248 / POS: 59 6-foot-1, 155-pound athletic frame. At the plate, Milam recorded an exit velocity of 86 mph. Started in an open stance with a smooth load, then used a controlled stride to start his swing. Had uphill swing plane, and his bat speed was quick. Through his round he found multiple barrels with some loud contact. Line drive approach. In the infield, his best throw was registered at 82 mph. Consistent accuracy to the bases, used a ¾ slot with a quick arm action. Recorded a time of 7.32 in the 60-yard dash. Projectable on the mound, has a quick arm action and a ¾ arm angle. Showed some effort in his delivery. The fastball was 80-84 mph and topped out at 85 mph this summer at LakePoint. Curveball (60-61 mph), changeup (70-71 mph).

Ryan Strachan 3B / RHP / Sparkman, AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 11 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 288 / POS: 19 6'3, 205 lb. 3B/RHP that shows true two way talent. On the mound the fastball has been up to 87 mph with late life and he shows a solid, well shaped breaking ball with slider type action at 71-72 mph. The bat has some thunder in it and he has raw power to the pull side and can shoot balls to the back side gap as well. really like the ceiling on this physical '23 grad.

Cade Carr C / SS / Hoover, AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 3 This sophomore has a rare talent of showing well defensively at two positions. can really pick it and has very nice footwork at SS but the defensive prowess behind the plate realy jumps out. Plus flexibility and quite receiving skills. He can really extend the plate for pitchers and there is no doubting his arm strangth and quick transfer behind the plate. Low to mid 1.9's are consistent for Carr and he understands the game very well behind the plate. Also handles the bat well and can spray balls to all fields with some juice to his pull side.

Peyton Watts SS / 2B / Oxford, AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 14 / POS: 4  5-foot-11, 150-pound projectable frame. Recorded a 60 time of 7.07 at the event. Sets up in an open stance with a leg kick. Bat speed was explosive, displayed upward swing plane and high finish. Barreled up multiple balls throughout the round. Pull side approach. the left-handed hitter had a max exit velocity of 88 mph. Advanced in the infield, displayed a velocity of 87 mph; shows athletic feet, next Level hands and a quick exchange. Showed a high ¾ slot and a short arm action with consistent accuracy to the bag.

Chase Ambrose SS / RHP / Buckhorn, AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 15 / POS: 5 5-11, 180 pound frame that attacks hitters on the mound, showing a heavy fastball 86-87 mph, topping at 88 mph. The breaking ball is a power breaking ball that he locates very well down in the zone. Shows a solid mix of 3 pitches that allows him to keep hitters off balance. May eventually be a 3B on the infield as the bat plays. Shows present strength in the hands and plus bat speed, creating carry to the pull side gap.  {{Players code=playervideo id=227872 asset=399756 player=Chase%20Ambrose}

Matt Manley 3B / RHP / Madison Academy, AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 16 / POS: 3 6-foot, 160-pound athletic frame. In the 60-yard dash, his time was 7.46. Began in an open stance with a smooth load, then used a small leg kick just before his swing. Bat speed is efficient, has level swing plane and good extension on his finish. He found multiple barrels with a lot of loud contact. Gap to gap approach. the right-handed hitter's best exit velocity was 87 mph. In the infield, his position velocity was registered at 81 mph; has consistent hands and developing feet. Showed consistent accuracy to the bag with a loose arm action and a high ¾ slot. On the mound, showing above average arm speed he had a ¾ arm angle and a long arm action. Shows easy effort in his delivery. Threw his fastball 82-84 mph with a max of 85 mph; showed running action and very consistent control. Had sweeping action and consistent command on his 11/5 curveball (65-66). Has fading action and command low in the zone on his changeup (73-74).

Banks Langston RHP / OF / Russellville, AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 17 / POS: 2 5-foot-11, 160-pound athletic frame. In the box, the right-handed hitters best exit velocity was 83 mph. Began in an open stance with a smooth load, then used a leg kick just before his swing. Had upward swing plane, and his bat speed was above average. Through his round he found some barrels with some loud contact. Gap to gap approach. Advanced from the outfield, he made throws to the infield at velocities up to 87 mph; showed a clean exchange and athletic footwork. Had an-over-the-top slot and a long arm action with consistent accuracy to the base. Showed his athleticism during the event with a sub-seven 60 time of 6.71. Athletic on the mound, showed a consistent arm action and a high ¾ arm angle with quick arm speed Showed easy effort in his delivery. Has an athletic finish. Threw his fastball 82-83 mph and topped out at 85 mph; shows very consistent control. Threw a sharp curveball (70-71) with sweeping action and very consistent control.

Cole Edwards 3B / Spain Park, AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 18 / POS: 4 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed third baseman, long, projectable frame that will fill out as he physically matures. Offensively, slightly open setup, high back elbow, loads barrel upright, short stride, Gap-to-gap type hitter who will develop pull-side pop with more consistency.Really incorporates his lower half in the swing, helping create carry on the baseball. Has physically matured and the added strength really shows at the plate. A power-hitting 3B that has made substantial strides of late.

Tyler Wilson SS / RHP / Hoover, AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 20 / POS: 6 Showed a fastball up to 82 mph with nice downhill action on the pitch. The arm actions are very clean and the fastball showed nice vertical break. The breaking ball showed some promise with late depth and should be a pitch that continues to advance as he gets older. The change up was 65-66 mph with late movement. Slightly opened with the feet and he uses a small leg kick approach to gather the weight over the backside. Does a nice job staying synced throughout the swing and shows a middle to pull side line drive approach. The footwork during the pre field portion is very nice and he shows a quick transfer from glove to throw. He showed 84 mph across to 1B and is an intriguing ‘23 to keep an eye on.

Sam Silas SS / 2B / Holtville, AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 21 / POS: 7 6-foot, 160-pound sturdy frame. At the plate, the right-handed hitter clocked an exit velocity of 85 mph. Started in a balanced stance with a smooth load, then used a controlled stride before his swing. Had upward swing plane, explosive bat speed and good extension on his finish. In the round he found multiple barrels. Gap to gap approach. In the infield, his best throw was recorded at 78 mph; shows sure hands, a quick exchange and rhythmic feet. Had an-over-the-top slot with a long arm action. Clocked a time of 7.4 in the 60-yard dash.

Ben Pearman RHP / 3B / Thompson, AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 22 / POS: 3 6-foot-2, 200-pound sturdy frame. At the plate, Pearman showed his power in the box with a strong exit velocity of 94 mph. Used a leg kick before his swing. Bat speed is quick and uses short swing plane. Created a lot of loud contact and found multiple barrels. Line drive approach. While in the infield, registered his best throw across the diamond at 83 mph; showed a clean exchange and sure hands. Had a high ¾ slot and consistent accuracy to the base. During the event, clocked a 60 time of 7.72. Projectable on the mound, showed a quick arm action and a high ¾ arm angle. Shows some effort in his delivery. Has a clean finish. Sat with his fastball at 83-85 mph and topped out at 86 mph; has running action and consistent control. His 11/5 curveball (74-75) had tight action and low in the zone command.

Brant Stringer 1B / 3B / Hartselle, AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 23 / POS: 1 6-foot-4, 196-pound athletic frame. At the plate, Stringer showed his power ability with an exit velocity of 93 mph. Sets up in a crouched stance with a short stride. Bat speed was quick, and had uphill swing plane. He Barreled up some balls during his round. Gap to gap approach. In the infield, his position velocity was registered at 81 mph; had a clean exchange and developing footwork. Showed a high ¾ slot and consistent accuracy to the bag. During the event, recorded a 60 time of 7.83. On the mound, sat with his fastball at 82-83 mph; showed running action and occasional control. Shows late action and command around the zone on his curveball (66-67).

Gabriel Young OF / LHP / Mountain Brook, AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 25 / POS: 4 5-11 170 pound left hand hitting outfielder that moves well in the outfield and shows solid arm strength from the grass. The young '23 really impresses from the left side of the plate as he showed 92 mph off the bat. Strong lower half coupled with a short, compact approach allows him to stay well synched throughout the swing as the ball really comes off the bat well. Shows nice extension through contact and consistently wears out the RCF gap.

Pierce Dutton OF / Spanish Fort, AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 26 / POS: 5 Impressive showing this fall in Mobile with the bat lands Dutton on this list. Small toe tap approach allows him to gather his weight over his backside and really get the barrel through zone. Has some definite strength in the hands. There is slight tilt in the swing path and he shows the ability to easily drive balls to both gaps. A very advanced offensive approach.

Hudson Walburn C / 3B / Vestavia Hills, AL / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 5 Walburn impressed at the Southeast Fall Championships behind the plate and with the bat. Powerfully built backstop that makes everything look easy behind the plate. Handled some tough pitchers very well and showed plenty of arm strength to the bag between innings and during games. Very slight crouch in the stance with his hands set well back. The bat path shows sight tilt and there is big time bat speed. Showed some patience at the plate and didn't chase out of the zone and showed a solid gap to gap approach.

Christopher Johnston 3B / SS / Vestavia Hills, AL / 2023 6-foot-1, 180-pound solid frame. During batting practice, the right-handed hitter showed power in the box with an exit velocity of 96 mph. Sets up in an athletic stance and used a leg kick. Bat speed is some and shows uphill swing plane. Found multiple barrels with some loud contact . Up the middle approach. While in the infield, registered his best throw across the diamond at 86 mph; had a quick exchange and athletic footwork. Had a high ¾ slot with consistent accuracy to the base. Performed well in the 60-yard dash, clocking a speedy time of 6.76. On the mound, exhibits good arm speed. Showed consistent balance point. Displayed a clean finish Threw his fastball 81-83 mph; has arm side command and sinking action. His 11/5 curveball (66-67) showed late action. Look for him to make a significant jump when our '23 rankings are updated.

Paxton Ponder SS / 2B / Cullman , AL / 2023 5-foot-11, 155 pounder with a very solid frame. Exploded on the scene at the Excel Scout Day in November and just put up impressive numbers all around, starting with a 6.91 laser timed 60. He was also 87 mph across the infield with exceptional glove work to match. Showed advanced athlticism with "plus" feet on the dirt. Very wide stance at the plate with a simple approach on the front side which allows him to get the barrel in the hittingh zone on time. Easy juice off the barrel  showing a 91 mph exit velocity. Love how the hands work, showing some tilt in the swing and nice extension throough contact. Really impressive performance. A definite '23 that will also be a big riser in our next '23 rankings.

 

Follow us on Twitter at @PBR_Alabama.

Check out our website for more information on prep baseball in the Yellowhammer State. 

Related Content: