Prep Baseball Report

2024 Alabama Player Rankings: Initial Release


PBR Alabama Staff

With the fall season coming to a close and the high school season quickly approaching in a few months, we are excited to roll out and debut the inaugural 2024 Player Rankings for the state of Alabama. Without a doubt, this list will continue to evolve over the next few years as the list will certainly grow and there will be numerous changes among the players. This class features some very impressive young talent and will certainly follow along the recent trend of talented players in each graduating class. From top to bottom, this class has the potential to be a very deep class. 

To see the full rankings, CLICK HERE 

Keep an eye out in the coming days for the 2024 National Player Rankings, where you will be sure to see some familiar faces on the list..

 

TOP 10 BREAKDOWN

 

Jackson Sanders LHP / Valley , AL / 2024

Sanders comes in at No.1 in the first edition of these rankings and makes a strong case to be towards the top of the national rankings. The 6-foot-2, 170 pound southpaw oozes projection on the mound. Fastball can be an overpowering pitch at times, as he worked 84-88, 89 mph at the 15U National Championships at LakePoint this summer for Team Elite 14U. Breaking ball shows definite swing and miss with slurve-like break to it. It’s a long & loose arm action from a ¾ arm slot. There’s sure to be more velocity in the tank down the road as he continues to fill out and add strength. Already committed to Auburn.


Bailey Thorne RHP / SS / Russell County, AL / 2024

Thorne put together a strong case to be No. 1 in the rankings, but ultimately debuts at No. 2 in this edition. There is a lot to like both at the plate and on the mound for the current freshman. From the right side, Thorne possesses some significant pull side power with an advanced feel for the barrel for his age. It’s a short, compact stroke with a slightly uphill bat path which allows him to hit for extra bases. On the bump, Thorne works from an over-the-top arm slot and pounds the zone with his fastball that works in the mid-80’s consistently. Thorne will be one to watch over the next four years and is already regarded as one of the top freshmen the state of Alabama has to offer.


Tanner Waldrop SS / C / Auburn , AL / 2024

Waldrop put together one of the more impressive performances for Team Alabama at the PBR Jr. Future Games this summer. Coming in at No. 3 here, the 6-foot, 175 pound corner infielder has a smooth stroke from the left side. Very polished, mature approach for his age. Posted arguably the best BP rounds on Team Alabama in the workout and seemed to translate that performance to gameplay with ease. Hammered balls back up the middle and to the pull side. Sure-handed with the glove at the hot corner. Arguably one of the top bats in the 2024 Alabama class.


Mark Rutherford C / SS / Bessemer Academy, AL / 2024

Rutherford attended the Alabama All State Games in 2019 and jumped out immediately, both with the stick and defensively behind the plate. Debuting at No. 4, switch-hitting backstop has some thump in the bat and uses a middle of the field approach at the plate. Chance to stay as a switch-hitter in the future. It’s a simple swing that is not afraid to shoot balls to the backside as he showed during his BP round at the event. Some advanced catch and throw skills for his age. Already committed to Auburn. 


Jack Holley C / OF / Spanish Fort , AL / 2024

Coming in at No. 5, Holley has really started to make some notable strides and jumped out after his performance at the Southeast Canes Scout Day this summer. Listed at 5-foot-11, 160 pounds, the freshman already possesses some polished skills with some quick twitch in all facets of his game. Uses a short stride with an upward bat path to generate hard-hit line drives as he showed during BP at the event. Arguably his best tool is his arm behind the plate. Posted consistent 1.91-2.07 pop times with carry & accuracy to the bag. 


Jackson Hunter RHP / 3B / Hazel Green , AL / 2024

Another Team Alabama member from this summer’s PBR Jr. Future Games, Hunter comes in at No. 6 in this version of the rankings. Seemed to elevate his game at the plate at one of the bigger events for ‘23s and ‘24s this summer in the JFG’s. Standing at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, Hunter uses his physical stature to his advantage at the plate. An extra base hit machine during gameplay at the JFG’s. Great barrel awareness and never seemed to get fooled. Solid defensively at 3rd base. Can also hop on the mound and run it up to 81 mph. Really like the potential here for Hunter.


Braden Booth 3B / RHP / Bob Jones , AL / 2024

Slotted at No.7 behind Hunter is another fellow Team Alabama member in Booth. Attended numerous events over the past couple years and is really starting to come into his own at the plate. Another right-handed bat that always seems to generate hard contact in each at-bat. Shows the ability to hammer balls to the pull side both during BP and during gameplay. Physical frame at 6-foot, 175 pounds, uses that physicality to his advantage at the dish. 


Mason Perrigo SS / RHP / Vestavia, AL / 2024

Debuting at No. 8 in the version is Mason Perrigo who stood out at the Excel Baseball Scout Day last week. Currently stands at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, but you wouldn’t think he was a ‘24 by looking at him. Certainly utilizes that strength when swinging the stick. Posted a 90.49 mph EV on the Trackman during BP. Definite pull side pop and has the chance to become a big time power bat down the road. Showcased some impressive athleticism running a 7.07 laser-timed 60 YD. Ran the fastball up to 82 mph in the bullpen also.


Brody King RHP / OF / Huntsville, AL / 2024

King debuts at No. 9 in this version of the rankings after some strong performances on the mound this fall. Attended the PBR Southeast Fall Championships and the AL/MS Border Battle and showcased an impressive fastball that has been up to 83 mph with efficient spin (2300-2350 RPM’s). Standing at 6-foot, 145 pounds, King possesses clean mechanics with an easy arm action. Ball comes out well out of the hand. Velocity will continue to come down the road with added strength to the frame. 


Nathan Owen SS / RHP / Evangel Christian, AL / 2024

Rounding out the Top 10, Owen is an arm that caught the eyes of our LakePoint staff over in Georgia this fall. In an outing at the Underclass World Series, Owen worked 80-83 mph and pounded the zone with an efficient FB/SL combo. Lived at the bottom of the zone during the outing. Compact build with a strong lower-half at 5-foot-8, 155 pounds. Will be one to keep an eye on in the coming years.

 

 

RANK   NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
1 Jackson Sanders AL Valley 2024 LHP Auburn
2 Bailey Thorne AL Russell County 2024 RHP  
3 Tanner Waldrop AL Auburn 2024 SS  
4 Mark Rutherford AL Bessemer Academy 2024 C Auburn
5 Jack Holley AL Spanish Fort 2024 C  
6 Jackson Hunter AL Hazel Green 2024 3B  
7 Braden Booth AL Bob Jones 2024 3B  
8 Mason Perrigo AL Vestavia Hills 2024 SS  
9 Brody King AL Huntsville 2024 RHP  
10 Nathan Owen AL Evangel Christian 2024 RHP

 

Follow us on Twitter at @PBR_Alabama.

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


Related Content: