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Birmingham Summer/Rising Stars ID: Quick Hits

July 2, 2026
Prep Baseball Alabama Staff

PELHAM, AL – The 2026 Summer ID Tour continued on Tuesday, June 30th, as Prep Baseball Alabama traveled to Pelham High School for the Birmingham Summer ID and Birmingham Rising Stars ID. Featuring prospects from the 2027-2032 classes, the event brought together players from across Central Alabama for a full day of evaluations in front of the Prep Baseball Alabama staff.

Attendees participated in a pro-style workout that included laser-timed 60-yard dashes using VALD Performance gates, batting practice with TrackMan technology, and defensive evaluations with arm strength metrics recorded at each position. The event served as an early summer opportunity for players to update their profiles, collect verified data, and showcase their tools heading into a busy summer schedule. In addition to collecting valuable data, players were also evaluated for some of Prep Baseball's premier national events, including the Senior Future Games (2027s), Future Games (2028s), Southeast Super Sophomore Games (2029s), and Junior Future Games (2030-2031s).

In this Quick Hits article, we spotlight several standout performers from the event, providing brief scouting notes and observations from their workouts while highlighting some of the metrics that helped separate them on Tuesday.

Birmingham Summer ID

Competing against a field loaded with older, established talent, West proved to be the best pure prospect at the event and further cemented his standing among the top players in Alabama's 2030 class. The athletic 6-foot, 180-pound outfielder already possesses present strength while still offering plenty of projection. West turned in one of the most electric rounds of BP of the day, utilizing a toe-tap stride to get into launch before unleashing a smooth left-handed swing with a heavy barrel and present bat speed. He drove multiple balls out of the park, including one to straightaway center field, while consistently producing loud contact to the pull side. West ran a 6.82-second 60-yard dash and led the event with a 103.4 mph exit velocity, further illustrating why he's one of the premier young prospects in the country.
 
The No. 2-ranked prospect in Alabama's 2028 class, Oliver once again backed up his standing with an impressive all-around performance and some of the top measurable numbers at the event. The 5-foot-11, 174-pound outfielder possesses an uber-athletic frame with additional strength still to come. He hits from a wider, slightly open setup and works back to square with an early toe-tap trigger, taking tight turns to the baseball with impressive bat speed and a clean path that produces legitimate power. Oliver is a true center fielder with high-end tools across the board, running a 6.57-second 60-yard dash and reaching 91 mph from the outfield. He also posted a 102.2 mph exit velocity and drove a ball an event-best 406 feet during BP.
 
Few players did more to elevate their stock than Prescott, who emerged as the top arm at the event and firmly established himself as a name college recruiters need to know. The 6-foot-3, 179-pound right-hander possesses a super lean, highly projectable frame and works with an up-tempo delivery featuring a long, loose arm action from a high three-quarter slot. He sat 87-89 mph and topped at 90.1 mph with the fastball while showing feel for a 73-74 mph slider that spun up to 2308 RPM with quality bite, and he also turned over an 80-82 mph changeup that killed spin and showed impressive diving action. Prescott has already made a significant velocity jump over the past year, and with plenty of physical development still ahead, there appears to be considerably more in the tank.
 
Hodge continues to establish himself as one of the top overall athletes in Alabama's 2028 class with another impressive all-around showing. The 6-foot, 179-pound outfielder possesses plenty of twitch, tools, and athleticism with additional strength still to come. Offensively, he works with an early, controlled load and shows the ability to decelerate the swing before firing the barrel through the zone with some of the best bat speed in the state on a clean, semi-upward path. Hodge consistently drove the baseball gap to gap with present power while leaving room for even more offensive impact as he continues to develop physically. He ran a 6.73-second 60-yard dash and posted a 97.7 mph exit velocity during BP.
 
Money turned in one of the top offensive performances of the event, showcasing the combination of bat speed and impact that continues to elevate his profile. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound outfielder works with quiet, relaxed actions and an easy, low-effort swing that generates impressive power for his size. He delivers a quick, whippy barrel on a semi-upward path with easy bat speed through the zone, consistently producing loud contact during BP. Money ran a 6.95-second 60-yard dash, posted a 102.6 mph exit velocity, and led the event with a max estimated distance of 408 feet.
 
Owens put together one of the louder rounds of BP at the event, consistently impacting the baseball with authority to the pull-side gap. The 6-foot-2, 193-pound outfielder possesses an athletic frame and works with a simple load that creates quality separation before firing the barrel on a semi-upward path with good bat speed and present whip through the zone. The combination of size, athleticism, and offensive impact continues to make him an intriguing uncommitted follow. Owens ran a 6.82-second 60-yard dash, posted a 102.3 mph exit velocity, and recorded a max estimated distance of 402 feet during BP.
 
Barnes continues to establish himself as one of the top catching prospects in Alabama's 2028 class. The 6-foot, 187-pound backstop possesses a strong, mature build with proportional strength throughout and continues to show athleticism behind the plate. Offensively, he works from a balanced, upright setup with a toe-tap trigger and delivers the barrel on a strong uphill path, producing firm gap-to-gap contact throughout BP. The power has already translated into game action throughout the spring, and Barnes also receives well defensively while showcasing his athleticism with a 6.97-second 60-yard dash. He also doubles as a quarterback on the football field.
 
McBride turned in one of the top all-around performances of the event, showcasing a high-end blend of strength, athleticism, and offensive impact. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound infielder possesses a strongly built frame with room to continue adding strength. He hits from a balanced setup with a quick, medium leg kick and quiet hand movement before firing the barrel on a strong, level path with present barrel quickness, consistently producing backspun contact from gap to gap. McBride ran a 6.56-second 60-yard dash, posted a 102.2 mph exit velocity during BP, and also led the event with a 28.6-inch vertical jump.
 
Allen made a strong first impression in his Prep Baseball showcase debut, pairing impressive measurables with an athletic foundation to build on over the next few years. The 5-foot-10, 172-pound infielder works with an early stride and does a good job keeping his weight on the backside before firing the barrel through the zone on a quick, powerful path. He showed controlled aggression throughout the swing with explosive actions and consistently impacted the baseball to the pull side. Allen turned in one of the better all-around workouts of the event, running a 6.63-second 60-yard dash and posting a 97.4 mph exit velocity during BP.
 
Kappler continues to establish himself among the upper tier of Alabama's talented 2030 class with another strong offensive showing. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound infielder possesses an imposing frame that still offers projection despite already carrying present strength. He hits from a slightly open, upright setup and works back to square with a controlled early stride, allowing him to get into launch position while staying tight, short, and well connected throughout the swing. Kappler showcased intriguing power potential during BP, posting a peak exit velocity of 95.1 mph.
 
Harcrow continues to establish himself as one of the more intriguing young catching prospects in the state after already building a strong track record of varsity production as a rising freshman. The 5-foot-11, 169-pound backstop possesses an athletic frame and works from a slightly open setup with a simple load back to square while controlling the leg kick well. He delivers the barrel on a fluid, uphill path with present bat speed and good length through contact, consistently driving the baseball gap to gap during BP. Harcrow posted a 94.7 mph exit velocity to cap another impressive offensive showing.
 
Claridy continues to fly under the radar as an uncommitted 2027 prospect and turned in a quality two-way showing after helping lead Glenwood to a state championship this past spring as its starting shortstop. The 5-foot-9, 178-pound prospect hits from a balanced setup, creates quality separation in the load, and gets on plane early with a simple stride and repeatable, level path through contact. He ran a 6.79-second 60-yard dash and posted a 94.0 mph exit velocity during BP. On the mound, Claridy worked from a high three-quarter slot and consistently filled the strike zone with a three-pitch mix, sitting 86-87 mph and topping at 88.0 mph with sinking life on the fastball. He complemented it with a tight 77-79 mph slider that spun north of 2500 RPM and also flashed an 80-81 mph changeup.
 
Prime continues to make noticeable strides each time our staff sees him and remains an intriguing follow in Alabama's 2029 class. The 5-foot-8, 151-pound infielder still has a lean, athletic frame with plenty of room to continue adding strength. Offensively, he features a silky-smooth left-handed swing with good rhythm and works the barrel on a clean, uphill path, producing consistent line-drive contact to all fields. Prime ran a 6.89-second 60-yard dash and posted a 93.2 mph exit velocity during BP.
 
Griffin showcased an impressive blend of strength and athleticism, continuing to trend as an intriguing young prospect in Alabama's 2029 class. The strong-built outfielder possesses premium lower-half strength and utilizes it well throughout the swing. He works with an early stride and delivers the barrel quickly through the zone on a semi-upward path, consistently creating quality impact. The multi-sport athlete posted a 95.7 mph exit velocity during BP and turned in one of the top athletic performances of the event with a 6.71-second 60-yard dash.

Birmingham Rising Stars ID

Embry turned in one of the more impressive performances of the event in his Prep Baseball showcase debut, showcasing high-level athleticism on both sides of the ball. A talented three-sport athlete, the 5-foot-11 prospect excelled throughout the workout, running a 6.75-second 60-yard dash and posting an 89.6 mph exit velocity. Offensively, Embry is an athletic mover through contact, showing present bat speed, quality lag, and good direction on an uphill path while staying linear through the baseball. On the mound, he worked downhill well from a higher over-the-top slot, sitting 84-85 mph and topping at 86.0 mph while complementing the fastball with a 66-69 mph breaking ball that showed a true 12-to-6 shape.
 
Bentley showcased an intriguing two-way profile with a projectable frame that still has plenty of room to continue filling out over the next few years. The 5-foot-11 prospect appears to be a primary arm at this stage, working with an easy, low-effort operation while sitting 81-83 mph and topping at 83.8 mph with the fastball. He complemented it with a 68-70 mph breaking ball that featured an 11-to-5 shape with quality bite and spin rates north of 2400 RPM, while also turning over a 74-75 mph changeup with fading action. Bentley's clean delivery, quality three-pitch mix, and projection create plenty to dream on, and he also showed offensive upside by driving baseballs deep to the pull-side gap during BP.
 
Kurz showcased an impressive, polished skill set throughout the workout, especially for a rising eighth grader. He repeatedly found the barrel during BP, showing the ability to repeat a smooth, easy right-handed swing with a controlled load and clean, connected actions through contact. The young backstop consistently drove the baseball to all parts of the field and posted a 93.5 mph exit velocity. Defensively, Kurz also stood out with a clean transfer and accurate throws behind the plate.
 
Reynolds showcased one of the more advanced offensive profiles among the younger prospects in attendance. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound first baseman possesses a physical build with present strength and an advanced skill set for his age. He works with a controlled load, stays on the backside well, and creates a quality weight transfer through the swing, allowing him to consistently drive the baseball with authority to the pull side. Reynolds posted a 90.9 mph exit velocity during BP, further highlighting the early power potential in the right-handed bat.

UPCOMING EVENTS ⤵️

SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
Tuscaloosa Summer ID July 7, 2026 Northridge High School
Tuscaloosa Rising Stars ID July 7, 2026 Northridge High School
Wiregrass Summer ID July 14, 2026 Enterprise High School
Wiregrass Rising Stars ID July 14, 2026 Enterprise High School

 

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