BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Birmingham Preseason ID opened the 2026 Preseason Event Tour on Sunday, January 4th at StrongBox Indoor in Birmingham, AL. This open event featured prospects from the 2026-2030 classes and featured a pro-style workout for all players in attendance. Position players participated in batting practice with full data capture through TrackMan, Blast Motion, Vizual Edge testing, and more, while pitchers threw simulated bullpens to generate detailed metrics including velocity, spin rate, and horizontal and vertical movement. Several familiar names continued to build on prior performances, while a number of new prospects emerged, making a strong first impression and firmly putting themselves on our radar.

Continuing our post-event coverage, we dive into some of the top overall performers at the showcase. Be sure to check back throughout the week, as additional leaderboards and individual scouting reports on each participant will be released.

To view the full statistical breakdown from the event, CLICK HERE.

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+ RHP/3B Luke McGowan (Lakeside School, 2027) emerged as arguably the biggest winner from the event, showing a strong, physical 6-foot, 215-pound frame while producing some of the loudest contact of the day with a violent swing and pull-side gap approach. He posted a 103.2 mph max exit velocity while averaging 93.7 mph and driving balls up to 370 feet, backed by advanced bat metrics that included a 79.8 mph max bat speed and 23.9 mph max hand speed, highlighting real strength in the barrel. He translated that impact to the mound as an easy mover with arm strength, running his fastball up to 87.1 mph with carry traits and extension that allowed the pitch to play above the radar reading. He rounded out the arsenal with quality secondary offerings, including a low-70s curveball spinning north of 2200 rpm and a firm upper-70s changeup, further cementing his legitimate two-way ability.

+ SS Brody Blevins (Westbrook Christian, 2027) continued to trend upward as one of the more toolsy infielders in attendance, with continued strength gains clearly showing up throughout Sunday’s workout. A multi-year varsity starter as an underclassman, he delivered the loudest round of BP at the event, highlighted by a 100.3 mph max exit velocity and consistent hard contact. Offensively, he works from an early load with a controlled leg kick before getting the barrel square and rotating hard through contact, allowing the bat to stay on plane. He complemented the offensive impact with quality athleticism, recording a 3.83-second 30-yard dash in the workout. He'll be a good uncommitted follow in the 2027 class this spring.

+ OF Leyton West (James Clemens, 2030) stood out as one of the youngest prospects in attendance, yet still showed traits that point to a high-upside future profile as a left-handed hitter. Still just an eighth-grader, he displayed a smooth, loose left-handed swing with natural feel to lift the baseball, topping out at a 91.5 mph max exit velocity during BP. The frame remains highly projectable with plenty of room to add strength as he continues to mature physically, suggesting notable offensive gains are on the horizon. He also showed early athleticism throughout the workout, recording a 3.87-second 30-yard dash, further reinforcing why he’s already viewed as one of the top players in his class and a name to track closely moving forward.

+ OF/LHP Barrett Upton (Enterprise, 2028) made a strong first impression in his debut Prep Baseball event and emerged as one of the clear winners from the workout, showing an athletic, physical 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame with real two-way upside. Offensively, he showed strength in the barrel with a gap-to-gap approach and a quick bat, producing a 97.8 mph max exit velocity during offensive evaluations with consistent barrels to the back net. He also showed athleticism underway, recording a 3.90-second 30-yard dash, helping round out a well-balanced position-player profile. On the mound, he showed feel to pitch from an athletic delivery, running his fastball up to 83.6 mph while pairing it with a mid-70s slider and an upper-70s mph changeup that round out the arsenal well. The combination of present athleticism, strength, and feel on both sides of the ball makes him a name to follow closely over the next year.

+ OF/RHP Jackson Chapleau (Homewood, 2027) continues to show an athletic, well-rounded profile with present two-way ability, backed by a strong 5-10, 193-pound frame with broad shoulders. Offensively, he showed good balance in a right-handed swing with consistent feel for the barrel during offensive evaluations, posting a 98.8 mph max exit velocity while driving the baseball with authority. He also showed high-level athleticism, recording a 3.81-second 30-yard dash during the workout and has been a sub-7.0 runner in the 60 YD in the past. On the mound, the right-hander showed feel for a full arsenal, running his fastball up to 84.8 mph while pairing it with a mid-70s slider, low-70s curveball, and low-70s mph changeup with both breaking balls showing distinct shape. The steady year-over-year strides continue to show, and he looks like a strong candidate for a potential breakout junior season.

+ 3B/OF Landon Kyle (Shades Valley, 2028) turned in his best showing to date, backing it up with quality offensive numbers during offensive evaluations. The strong, athletic 6-foot-1, 191-pound frame pairs with a simple, efficient offensive operation that features minimal wasted movement and a short, quick stride to help the right-hander get on time. He consistently impacted the baseball throughout the round of BP, posting a 98.1 mph max exit velocity, highlighting present strength in the barrel. With the step forward shown on Sunday, he looks like a strong follow entering the spring and a player who could put together a big high school season if the momentum carries over.

+ OF/RHP Michael Shadeck (Cullman, 2028) put together an impressive all-around showing, posting quality numbers across the board while highlighting real two-way upside. The wiry, athletic 5-foot-9, 165-pound frame pairs with a right-handed swing that uses a toe-tap trigger for timing, creating a whippy barrel and a level path through contact during his round of BP. The offensive impact showed up in the data as he recorded a 97.4 mph max exit velocity, while also flashing speed with a 3.77-second 30-yard dash. On the mound, he showed arm strength and athleticism, touching 84.6 mph with the fastball and further reinforcing his versatility. The performance stood out as one of the more complete looks of the event and positions him as a strong follow heading into the spring.

+ RHP/OF Jaxon Langham (Lakeside School, 2026) turned in an impressive two-way showing, highlighted by a strong, physical 6-foot, 200-pound frame with proportional strength throughout. On the mound, he ran the fastball up to 86.8 mph, working from a high 3/4 arm slot and showing arm-side run as he gathered weight well over the rubber in the delivery and drove down the mound. He complemented the fastball with an upper-60s curveball that showed good bite and a low-70s changeup that he turned over effectively, giving him a quality three-pitch mix. Offensively, he showed a compact left-handed swing and turns the barrel with a strong top hand that delivered pull-side pop during his round of BP, producing a 94.5 mph max exit velocity. The two-way profile continues to impress and is a name to keep close tabs on heading into the spring.

+ OF Asher Long (Glenwood, 2027) showed an athletic 5-foot-11, 178-pound build with present strength and a polished offensive profile during BP. He works from a simple right-handed operation with an impressive feel for the sweet spot of the barrel, creating a level path and producing consistent line-drive contact throughout the session. The quality contact was backed by the data, as he recorded a 95.4 mph max exit velocity, while also showing athleticism with a 3.87-second 30-yard dash. After earning varsity time as a sophomore on Glenwood’s state title team, he projects as a key offensive piece this spring and looks like a strong follow as he continues to build on that role.

+ C Braydon Nichols (Munford, 2027) showed an athletic look behind the plate at 5-foot-9, 173 pounds, turning in a quality round of BP that highlighted his offensive ability. He worked from a smooth, fluid right-handed swing with quick, twitchy movements through the zone, creating an upward path to the barrel and producing consistent line-drive contact. The bat speed and barrel control translated to the data, as he recorded a 93.6 mph max exit velocity during the session. The backstop also ran a 3.90 30-yard dash during the workout and continues to build on prior performances at events as he looks to have a big spring in 2026.

+ C Sean Smith (Prattville, 2026), an Itawamba CC recruit, showed a strong, physical presence at 5-foot-11, 183 pounds with proportional strength throughout the frame. A switch-hitter, he showed the better look from the right side during BP while still delivering a smooth, controlled swing from both sides of the plate. The upward path and strength in the barrel translated to pull-side lift and impact, as he posted a 95.5 mph max exit velocity during the session. The offensive profile and present strength make him a reliable bat behind the plate as he looks to have a big senior campaign this spring.

+ C Tyler-Mark Bullock (Lakeside School, 2026) showed a physical, compact build at 5-foot-9, 218 pounds, bringing advanced strength and a polished offensive profile to the event. A pure right-handed hitter with an advanced hit tool, he consistently lived on the barrel during BP, producing frequent hard contact and a 94.5 mph max exit velocity. The swing is efficient and repeatable, allowing him to find the barrel with regularity and drive the baseball with authority. Coming off a massive junior season in which he was named the 2025 AISA Player of the Year after hitting .443 with 81 hits, 64 RBIs, 17 doubles, and four home runs, he enters the spring as a proven run producer and a key offensive presence to follow.

+ 3B/RHP Maddox DiCaprio (Oak Mountain, 2029) turned in an impressive showing for a freshman amongst older prospects, standing out with an athletic 5-foot-11, 176-pound frame. At the plate, he showed a line-drive approach with quick hands and a short, efficient swing that allowed him to stay through the middle of the field during BP. The offensive impact showed up in the data, as he recorded a 94.8 mph max exit velocity. On the mound, he also flashed two-way ability, running his fastball up to 81.8 mph, reinforcing the upside and making him a strong follow as he continues to develop within the 2029 class.

+ C Nathan Currier (Prattville Christian, 2027) showed a physical, middle-of-the-order profile at 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, bringing present strength and impact potential to the event. At the plate, he worked from a more upright stance with quality separation in the load, using his strength well to create pull-side lift and damage during BP. The power showed up clearly in the data, as he posted a 98.9 mph max exit velocity, one of the louder offensive marks of the session. With a strong senior class graduating from Prattville Christian last spring, he looks positioned for an expanded role and has a chance to put together a breakout junior season this spring.

+ OF/LHP Reese Ragusa (Spain Park, 2029) showed advanced offensive feel for a freshman, standing out with a polished approach at the plate amongst older players in attendance. He worked from a relaxed setup with rhythm and a short stride for timing, manipulating the barrel well to produce consistent line-drive contact to all parts of the field during BP. The bat-to-ball skills translated to the metrics, as he recorded a 92.3 mph max exit velocity. The overall offensive profile and present feel to hit make him another young name to follow closely as he continues to develop within the 2029 class.

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UPCOMING EVENTS ⤵️

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
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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