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Birmingham Fall ID: Quick Hits

November 11, 2025
Prep Baseball Alabama Staff

PELHAM, AL - On Sunday, November 9th, the Birmingham Fall ID concluded the 2025 Fall ID Tour at Pelham High School in Pelham, AL. This event was an open event that consisted of prospects from the 2026-2030 classes. These players went through an pro-style workout that included batting practice using Trackman, Blast Motion, defensive workout, Vizual Edge testing, and more. Pitchers were able to throw simulated bullpens 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 Sunday.

Continuning our post-event coverage for this event, we take a look back at some of the top overall performers from the showcase. Please continue to check back over the next week, as we will release other leaderboards and individual scouting reports on each player present at the event. 

To view all statistics from the event, CLICK HERE.

+ OF Slade Bounds (Spain Park, 2027) has long-been known as one of the top outfielders in the 2027 class in Alabama possessing some undeniable tools across the board. At 5-10, 198-pounds, the current junior exudes plenty of physical strength in the frame, and is also a well-rounded athlete who clocked a blazing 6.56 60-yard dash during the workout. Offensively, the right-handed swing meets the baseball at the point of contact with loads of strength, as evidenced by a 101.7 mph top EV, which led the event. He stays well-connected and compact throughout while flashing a more pull-side approach. Earned quality playing time as a sophomore last spring and has a chance to have a breakout junior campaign in just a few months.

+ SS/RHP Ryan Nichols (Tuscaloosa County, 2027) is another name who appears to be headed towards a big junior campaign in 2026. Nichols, one of the top overall performers at the River Run Fall Games earlier in the fall, continues to vault himself into the crop of the top uncommitted shortstops in the 2027 class. A lean, athletic 5-10, 155-pound build with above-average athleticism, Nichols exceled in every facet on Sunday. Offensively, the right-hander has a smooth, easy swing that peppered the pull-side gap with consistent line drives during BP, posting a top EV of 98.9 mph in the process. Nichols has efficient rhythm and does a good job of controlling the barrel through the hitting zone with each swing. A primary infielder, the junior also flashed some ability behind the plate with 1.93-2.01 pop times and a 77 mph C velocity. A name to monitor closely this spring.

+ RHP/SS Hayden Black (St. Clair County, 2027) has made massive strides since attending the Alabama Fall Games in 2023 and has blossomed into a real two-way prospect with upside on the mound. Listed as a primary pitcher, Black showcased the best secondary stuff in the arsenal during his bullpen and likely has much more to come as he continues to develop into his lean, wiry 5-11, 165-pound frame. Athletic throughout with fluid movements in the delivery, Black ranged 85-87 mph while topping at 87.9 mph with arm-side running FB, and complimented with the aforementioned CB/SL/CH trio. Easily the best pitch of the event, Black's SL spins 75-77 mph with impressive metrics (T2839 RPM; -19.3 in. avg. HZM) and looked like a real swing-and-miss pitch in this look with hard, snappy late break. As a positional player, the junior features a level path in the swing and produced a top EV of 99.0 mph. Also ran a 6.78 60-yard dash.

+ LHP Hunter Matthes (Pike Road, 2027) has been a southpaw who has impressed in multiple looks as an underclassmen over the last couple of springs and continues to cement himself as one of the top left-handed pitchers in the 2027 class in Alabama. A strong, durable 6-0, 208-pounder, Matthes appeared to have a clear plan and confident demeanor while throwing his bullpen during the event and flashed quality stuff in the process. Working with a higher, over-the-top arm slot getting down the mound well, the southpaw consistently ranged 84-85 mph while topping at 85.6 mph with the FB. The pitch appears to have late life through the zone, as evidenced by IVB metrics close to 20 in. The CB/SL combo has distinct shape in the mid-70s, while also turning over a fading CH at 72-73 mph. Intriguing upside for this junior who has a chance to continue to make jumps over the next couple of years.

+ 3B Aiden Owens (Altamont School, 2027) is another "stock up" junior from this event who has made massive strides over the last two years. Measuring in at 6-2, 187-pounds, Owens has an impressive frame with both present physicality and athleticism that show in multiple facets. Being the first hitter to take BP during the event, the left-hander quickly caught our staff's attention by hammering balls into the pull-side gap for higher exits off the barrel. The leader in most Blast Motion categories, Owens possesses fast hands and a quick barrel in the swing to pair with the physical strength in the operation. The barrel works upward on a clean path through the zone, leading to a top EV of 97.8 mph. Also ran a 6.83 60-yard dash.

+ INF Andrew Petrock (Pelham, 2026) is one of the top remaining uncommitted bats in the 2026 class in Alabama and continues to flash an elite hit tool from the right side of the plate. Measuring in at 5-7, 161-pounds, the senior packs a punch in the swing while getting off violent cuts during his round of BP. Consistently on the barrel with a swing that plays in-game, Petrock is an all-fields hitter with a more line-drive approach, but is still a threat to slug given the intent and higher exits coming off the barrel. The feel for the sweet spot of the barrel is advanced while showing the ability to repeat the swing consistently. Posted a 97.0 mph EV. Has built a long track record of in-game performance over the last few years and is a name that probably won't be on the market for much longer.

+ OF Brodie Bragg (Spain Park, 2027) continues to be a steady left-handed bat in the 2027 class in Alabama who possesses a quality hit tool from the left side of the plate. A 5-10, 175-pounder, Bragg showed off his offensive prowess with a barrel-filled round of BP while showing the ability to incorporate the whole field in his all-fields, line-drive approach. The junior does a good job of staying direct to the point of contact and keeps the barrel in the zone well in the swing. Bragg syncs up well in his operation using efficient rhythm during the load and works the whippy barrel on a mostly level path through contact. Posted a 96.6 mph EV.

+ INF Cohen Walker (Vestavia Hills, 2027) exceled in multiple facets of the workout and quickly cemented himself as one of the top overall performers from the event. Measuring at 5-11, 174-pounds, Walker is an elite athlete who started his day by running a blazing-fast 6.42 60-yard dash, which led the event. Continuing to impress, the right-hander lived on the barrel throughout his round of BP with consistent line drives to the pull-side and a top EV of 97.9 mph. The operation stays simple with a short trigger and quality separation of the hand during the load before working a quick barrel on an upward path through the zone. Impressive athlete who built a strong baseline of numbers/metrics to build on in the future.

+ C Casey O'Brien (North Paulding, 2026) was arguably the top catching prospect in attendance and starred on both sides of the ball during the event. Listed at 5-9, 175-pounds, the uncommitted senior has some present strength in the build with room to continue to add in the future. Offensively, O'Brien has a smooth, controlled right-handed swing that delivered consistent hard contact to the pull-side gap during his round of BP, recording a top EV of 97.9 mph in the process. Behind the plate defensively, O'Brien's throws were consistently on the second-base bag with pop times ranging 2.01-2.03 and a C velocity of 74 mph.

+ OF Trey Taylor (Oak Mountain, 2029) was one of the youngest prospects in attendance at the event, but it didn't stop him from putting up some impressive numbers comparable to others much older than the freshman. Starting it off, Taylor showed plenty of quickness and burst with a fast 6.68 60-yard dash and a max jump height of 28.8 in., which led the event. Already impressive as a young underclassmen, the right-hander continued to stand out taking a quality round of BP while showing a line-drive approach and a strong feel for the barrel in the swing. Using a simple operation, Taylor was able to drive the baseball with some authority while registering a top EV of 92.2 mph. Impressive day for the freshman.

UPCOMING EVENTS ⤵️

SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
Birmingham Preseason ID January 4th, 2026 StrongBox Indoor (Birmingham, AL)
Huntsville Preseason ID January 5th, 2026 Clutch Performance (Huntsville, AL)
South AL Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) January 11th, 2026 Orange Beach Sportsplex (Orange Beach, AL)
North AL Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) January 17th, 2026 Hartselle High School Indoor (Hartselle, AL)

 

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