Birmingham Preseason ID: Quick Hits
January 4, 2024
PELHAM, AL - The Birmingham Preseason ID was held on Wednesday, January 3rd at P360 Performance Sports in Pelham, AL. This event was an open event that consisted of prospects from the 2024-2029 classes. These players went through extended pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman and Blast Motion, ran the 30 yard dash using Swift Performance, and much more. Pitchers were able to throw in simulated bullpens during the workout and were able to get numbers and metrics off of our Trackman unit, such as pitch velocity, spin rate, horizontal & vertical movement & much more. There were some players who showed up and continued to build off of prior performances, but there were also some new names who jumped onto our radar with a strong showing on Wednesday.
Kicking off our post-event coverage for this event, we take a look back at some of the top performers and standouts from Wednesday. Continuing over the course of the next week or so, we will release different statistical leaderboards for the event then transition into releasing individual scouting reports for each player in attendance.
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Jack Ross 3B / RHP / Homewood , AL / 2025
Rankings StateRank: 62 / POS: 7
Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 185-pounds. Mature build with some present strength and more to be added. Possesses some intriguing two-way ability but the right-handed bat may be the most advanced tool currently. Profiles as future middle-of-the-order type and has consistently hit at numerous events over the past half year. Simple, yet repeatable right-handed swing consistently yields high exits with a max EV at 98.2 mph, second-best from the event. Keeps weight on back side long enough and has above-average bat speed. Gap-to-gap approach with ability to back-spin line drives up the middle. On the mound, he possesses a high-spin fasttball that is up to 83.8 mph (2350 rpm avg.) and compliments it with a sharp breaking ball in the low-70's that consistently spins 2650-2700 rpm. Solid fundamentals and mechanics with compact arm action. Continues to really build his resume and boost his stock by one-upping prior performances. Name to know and follow in the junior class in AL this spring.
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Kole Nicholson 1B / Tuscaloosa County, AL / 2025
Rankings StateRank: 115 / POS: 9
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 210-pounds. Impressive build with broad shoulders. Passes the eye test with defined strength throughout frame and it shows up in his right-handed swing. Ranked near the top of almost every statistical category from the event; top-3 in every Blast Motion category, top-ranked EV, top-ranked avg. EV, second-ranked max distance, top-ranked hard hit %, and posted the top Edge Score of 87.76. Controlled violence throughout the swing with intent to drive the ball to the pull-side gap. Consistent loud contact throughout round with top EV at 98.3 mph and avg. EV at 92.2 mph. Explosive bat and hand speed that combines with impressive physical strength and generates loud power to all fields. Dual-sport prospect who plays defensive end on the gridiron. Real impressive showing in his PBR showcase debut and is another sophomore in AL to follow heading into the spring.
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Paul Barnett SS / RHP / Mountain Brook, AL / 2027
Rankings StateRank: 31 / POS: 7
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 170-pounds. Still very projectable frame and plenty of physical development to come. It was easy to see the physical gain and strides he's made in the off-season in an eye-opening look during last night's event, especially on the mound. The current freshman has always been able to hit with a gap-to-gap appoach at the plate, but now that he's back to full speed on the mound, his stock and ceiling continue to increase. After a solid all-around workout, the right-hander was the final arm to throw on the mound, and didn't disappoint. Barnett consistently ranged 84-86 mph with his fastball that featured some extra zip and life through the zone with spin rates registering 2350-2400 rpm. He complimented that offering with a true 12-6 breaking ball with plenty of depth and break to it while posting spin rates 2550-2650 rpm, one of the best from the event. The right-hander's changeup also was a solid third offering sitting 73-76 mph and generating 17-19 in. of fade/horizontal break. He uses clean mechanics throughout an easy-flowing delivery that he repeats very often. Debuted inside the top-35 in the initial freshman rankings, but a sizable jump is warranted in the next cycle.
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Silas Osbourn RHP / Chelsea, AL / 2026
Rankings StateRank: 34 / POS: 11
Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 178-pounds. Advanced build with future projection. Intriguing right-handed pitcher with impressive size and has the stuff to match it. Possesses one of the higher ceilings of all the pitchers in the class and will only continue to get better as he harnesses his stuff and command on the mound. Osbourn consistently worked in the 84-87 mph range throughout his extended bullpen, and posted some solid metrics on the fastball throughout. Spinning 2100-2200 rpm, the right-hander posted anywhere from 18-23 in. of induced vertical break on his fastball, which showed heavy sink when down and more ride/carry when elevated in the zone. He landed his firm slider at 76-78 mph inside the strike zone with consistency in this look, which registered spin rates mostly 2550-2650 rpm, and mixed in a fading changeup (78-81 mph; 13-15 in. HZM) and diving splitter (79-82 mph; 700-1000 rpm) to round out his four-pitch reportoire. Another live sophomore arm in the Birmingham area that is a noteworthy follow throughout this spring and beyond.
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Corbin Driskell C / Southside, AL / 2025
Rankings StateRank: 113 / POS: 19
Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 215-pounds. Physical frame that continue to develop and add bulk. Offensive-first type prospect at the current moment with loud pull-side pop. Has continued to improve and develop over the past couple of years, and looks poised for a breakout junior campaign this spring. Simple offensive setup and load; short-to-long right-handed swing that does not take much effort to generate loud exits. Consistent loud barrels to the back of the net during his round of BP; top EV at 96.5 mph and led the event with an estimated max distance of 348 ft. Swings it with some violence and good intent with one-handed and two-handed finishes. Ball seems to jump off differently and is coming off a solid summer circuit. Another power-hitting junior in AL to know heading into the spring season.
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Barron Gatlin RHP / Northridge, AL / 2026Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 170-pounds. Athletic, wiry frame. A relative unknown for our scouting staff heading into this event, but quickly made a lasting impression on our staff with one of the better bullpens from the night. Starts from a hybrid windup and gets some extension down the mound. Possesses a loose, whippy right-handed arm the consistently delivered 83-85 mph fastballs with tailing action through the zone. Posted consistent 2200 rpm spin rates and 17-20 in. of induced vertical break. Features two distinct breaking balls; slider at 76-77 mph (2000 rpm) and curveball at 73-75 mph (2400 rpm), both with different shapes. Splitter was his fourth offering at 76-79 mph (900-1200 rpm) and showcased good diving action to it. Long-limbed build with likely more to come in the future.
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Upcoming Events
| SHOWCASE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Huntsville Preseason ID | January 4th, 2024 | Clutch Performance (Huntsville, AL) |
| North Alabama Preseason All-State | January 6th, 2024 | Hartselle HS Indoor (Hartselle, AL) |
| South Alabama Preseason All-State | January 7th, 2024 | Saraland HS (Saraland, AL) |
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