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Breakout Radar: Names Ready to Emerge This Spring

January 26, 2026
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

 

ALABAMA - The stretch between the winter event circuit and opening day is one of the most important windows on the high school baseball calendar. It’s during this time that offseason work begins to intersect with opportunity, when measurable gains made in controlled settings start to meet the unpredictability of game action.

Throughout the winter, we evaluated players across preseason event slate, capturing everything from velocity and bat-speed gains to improved athleticism, refined deliveries, and cleaner offensive actions. For many prospects, these environments provide a clear snapshot of progress, but they also raise the most important question of all: how will it play when the lights turn on?

While much of the attention this time of year gravitates toward the state’s most established prospects, this piece is intentionally focused elsewhere. Rather than spotlighting the players who have already made a name for themselves, this Breakout Radar centers on prospects who may still be emerging - players whose offseason progress and developmental trajectory suggest they are positioned for a meaningful step forward this spring. These are names that may not yet dominate rankings or headlines, but whose winter gains, growing confidence, and expanding roles point toward increased in-game impact once the season begins.

As we turn the page from our event coverage and begin full high school season coverage, these are the names we’ll be watching closely - players whose tools, confidence, and readiness point toward a louder impact once the games begin.

Winter Momentum ➡️ Spring Opportunity

The offseason often provides the clearest indicators of growth, but it’s the arrival of spring that determines whether those gains truly matter. The players in this group separated themselves during the winter months through measurable progress, added strength, improved athleticism, sharper actions, or noticeable jumps in tools, and now enter the season with opportunities to turn that momentum into real impact. With expanded roles, increased responsibilities, or clearer paths to playing time ahead, these prospects are positioned to let their offseason work show up when it counts most.

Hudson Oliver OF / LHP / Hoover, AL / 2028

Breakout may not be the right word when discussing Oliver, who enters the spring already established as the top prospect in Alabama’s 2028 class and a multi-year varsity contributor. That said, the opportunity for a national breakout is very real as he transitions to a powerhouse Hoover program. Oliver brings elite, unteachable athleticism to the field, evidenced by a 3.75 30-yard dash, an arm that’s been up to 94 mph from the outfield, and a 100.0 mph exit velocity recorded this winter. With premium tools already in place and a bigger stage ahead, the foundation is there for his impact to expand well beyond the state level this spring.

Bryson Hodge OF / James Clemens, AL / 2028

Hodge was one of the few freshmen to earn meaningful varsity time at the Class 7A level last spring, and his upcoming sophomore campaign has the makings of a true breakout season. The 6-foot, 170-pound outfielder is a dynamic athlete who ran a 3.91 30-yard dash and consistently showed quick-twitch actions and elite hand speed at the plate. That athleticism translated to impact during the winter, highlighted by a 101.1 mph exit velocity at the North AL Preseason All-State. With loud tools already present and plenty of physical upside remaining, Hodge appears far from tapping into his ceiling as the season approaches.

Brayden Entrekin OF / LHP / Russellville, AL / 2028

Entrekin turned in another high-level performance during the North AL Preseason All-State, showing noticeable added strength to pair with his already advanced skills and innate feel for the barrel from the left side. The improved physicality translated to more lift and impact in BP, while still maintaining the ability to use the entire field with a polished hit tool. Now up to 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, Entrekin carries an “it” factor as a gamer-type who consistently performs in game settings. The tools were loud across the board, highlighted by multiple triple-digit exit velocities, peaking at 102.7 mph, and arm strength up to 92 mph from the outfield, while also showing pitchability on the mound with an 86.6 mph fastball and a bulldog mentality. Already a known varsity contributor, he appears poised to take another step forward this spring as one of the top two-way prospects in Alabama’s 2028 class.

Ethan O'Meara RHP / Orange Beach, AL / 2027

Few prospects showed the type of velocity jump O’Meara has made over the past few months, and the offseason work was on full display during his bullpen at the South AL Preseason All-State. Possessing a projectable 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame with athleticism, he was electric on the mound, working his fastball into the upper-80s and touching 91.6 mph with sizable arm-side run. The pitch jumps out of the hand with ride and carry through the zone, evidenced by a 107 Hop+ score. His secondary offerings continue to trend in the right direction, flashing swing-and-miss potential with a mid-70s breaking ball and a firmer, low-80s changeup. With an easy delivery and additional velocity likely still ahead, O’Meara enters the spring as a major name to follow among Alabama’s uncommitted 2027 arms.

Dalton Dardin SS / RHP / Grissom, AL / 2027

If 2025 served as a coming-out party, 2026 has the look of a true breakout season for Dardin, one of the top uncommitted prospects in Alabama’s 2027 class. The 6-foot, 164-pound left-handed hitter has long been known for a smooth, efficient swing that produces a high contact rate with projectable power, and that offensive ability again stood out at the North AL Preseason All-State, where he consistently barreled line drives to all fields and reached a 95.1 mph exit velocity. What continues to elevate his profile, however, is the emergence of his arm, which now firmly places him in the two-way conversation. Dardin was one of the more impressive arms at the event, showing excellent command while filling the zone with a polished three-pitch mix highlighted by an 89-90 mph fastball that topped at 90.7 mph with up to 20 inches of induced vertical break and a peak spin rate of 2440 RPM. The breaking ball flashed sharp 11-5 depth with spin north of 2700 RPM, and he rounded out the arsenal with a low-80s changeup. A clean, controlled mover down the mound with smooth movements patterns, Darden brings significant upside on both sides of the ball and enters the spring as a must-know name for college coaches.

OTHER CANDIDATES:

Arms Trending Up 📈

Pitching often dictates the pace and direction of a high school season, and early indicators from the winter months can offer valuable insight into which arms are poised to take meaningful steps forward. Whether through velocity gains, improved pitch characteristics, refined command, or a return to full health, the pitchers in this group enter the spring with momentum on their side. As roles become more defined and workloads increase, these arms are positioned to influence games early and elevate their profiles as the season unfolds.

Nash Davis RHP / 1B / Spain Park, AL / 2028

Davis may carry one of the strongest breakout profiles in Alabama’s 2028 class entering the spring. The physical 6-foot-5, 208-pound right-hander possesses unteachable traits with a strong, towering build that translates particularly well on the mound, where his upside currently shines the brightest. After logging innings as a freshman last season, he appears poised for an expanded role this spring at Spain Park. Davis has already shown the ability to miss bats with a fastball that has climbed as high as 93 mph, pairing it with two distinct breaking ball looks, a mid-70s breaker and a firmer upper-70s slider, while also mixing in a low-80s changeup. With starter traits, room for continued velocity growth, and a four-pitch mix, he enters the season as a name well-positioned to elevate his profile as the spring unfolds, while also offering offensive value from the right side with gap-to-gap pop.

Hudson Olive RHP / Bob Jones, AL / 2028

Olive emerged as one of the clear winners from the preseason event slate, pairing a projectable 6-foot-2, 173-pound frame with eye-opening metrics across a three-pitch mix. After throwing just a single inning as a freshman last spring, he enters the season positioned for a significantly expanded workload and is expected to factor prominently into Bob Jones’ starting rotation. His bullpen at the North AL Preseason All-State showcased a fastball that topped at 89.5 mph while producing elite traits and data, including a 24.1-inch induced vertical break and a peak spin rate of 2477 RPM. He complemented the fastball with a hard, late-biting slider in the low 80s that spun up to 2439 RPM, along with a low-80s changeup that rounded out the arsenal. With advanced pitch metrics, a lean, athletic build, and starter traits, Olive carries a high ceiling and has a chance to emerge as one of the premier arms in Alabama’s 2028 class this spring.

Layton Pohl RHP / New Hope, AL / 2026

After being sidelined on the mound for much of the 2025 season due to injury, Pohl enters 2026 trending back toward full strength and appears poised for a fresh start. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound right-hander brings a strong, athletic frame and a quick, powerful arm, with reports this offseason indicating a fastball now operating in the low-90s with late life and ride through the zone. In previous looks, he’s shown two distinct breaking ball shapes, featuring a mid-70s curveball with bigger 11–5 depth and an upper-70s slider that flashes sharp lateral action. There’s intent in the delivery and the fastball jumps out of the hand, giving him the ingredients to impact games quickly. If the health continues to hold, Pohl has the chance to put together a big spring and reestablish himself as one of the top uncommitted senior arms in the state.

Ivan Hand RHP / 3B / Briarwood Christian, AL / 2028

Hand emerged as one of the top arms at a loaded North AL Preseason All-State, showing a notable velocity bump while continuing to lean on the pitchability that has defined his early varsity success. After earning second-team All-State honors as a freshman, going a perfect 8–0 with a 1.46 ERA and 52 strikeouts over 48 innings, he enters 2026 positioned for another step forward. The right-hander sat 90-91 mph at the event and topped at 91.7 mph, filling the zone with confidence while mixing a shorter mid-70s slider and an arm-side fading changeup in the upper-70s. Built at a compact 6-foot, 209 pounds with proportional strength, Hand’s profile continues to elevate as increased velocity pairs with an already advanced feel for pitching, giving him clear breakout potential on the recruiting scene this spring.

Andrew Bennett RHP / Mobile Christian, AL / 2026

Bennett enters 2026 trending firmly upward after returning to full strength following injuries that limited him over the past couple of seasons. When healthy, he’s long been regarded as one of the top arms in the state, and that form was evident at the South AL Preseason All-State, where his fastball worked in the low-90s and topped at 92.1 mph. The right-hander brings a polished four-pitch mix, highlighted by an 80-83 mph slider with vicious late bite and elite spin, peaking at 3084 RPM, along with a power changeup at 86-87 mph and a hard, lateral cutter at 87-89 mph that spun up to 2610 RPM. With health restored and a deep, well-defined arsenal, the ceiling remains high for the Pensacola State CC recruit as he enters his senior season positioned as one of Alabama’s premier arms and a potential tone-setter at the top of the rotation for Mobile Christian this spring.

OTHER CANDIDATES:

Bats Ready to Impact 💪

Offensive production often takes different paths, and this group reflects that diversity heading into the spring. Featured here are a mix of high-level Division I commits transferring in from out of state, along with younger position players whose tools and offseason progress suggest they’re ready to make immediate noise. Whether through physical maturity, refined swing mechanics, or advanced feel for the barrel, these hitters enter the season positioned to impact lineups early. As they acclimate to new environments or step into larger roles, each has the chance to quickly become a familiar name once games begin.

Kamrin Jenkins SS / Bob Jones, AL / 2026

Jenkins may not yet be a familiar name across the state, but that’s likely to change quickly this spring as he enters Alabama as one of the more intriguing bats in the 2026 class. The transfer from Illinois was ranked No. 6 overall in his class in-state and inside the national top 200 before making the move south, bringing a proven offensive profile with him. At the Huntsville Preseason ID, the Missouri recruit showed present impact with the ability to drive the baseball to both gaps, posting a 102.8 mph exit velocity with a wood bat during BP. Now set to join a loaded Bob Jones lineup, Jenkins adds another dangerous offensive piece as the Patriots push toward another run at the Class 7A state finals, with the tools and pedigree to quickly become a household name in Alabama this season.

Jace Riggan SS / RHP / Hewitt-Trussville, AL / 2027

Riggan is another high-level out-of-state addition set to make an immediate impact this spring after transferring in from Florida to Hewitt-Trussville. The 6-foot-2, 196-pound two-way prospect brings loud, projectable tools, highlighted by a 6.62 60-yard dash, arm strength up to 89 mph across the infield, and a 100.5 mph exit velocity from the right side of the plate. A 2025 Prep Baseball Future Games attendee, Riggan’s athleticism and physicality stand out, giving him the ability to impact the game in multiple ways. While featured here for his offensive upside, he also brings legitimate two-way value on the mound, having touched 92 mph with quality secondary offerings. Regardless of which role ultimately defines his long-term future, both skill sets are expected to play at a high level this spring for the Huskies.

Jacob Thomas SS / Orange Beach, AL / 2028

Thomas has the look of a budding breakout candidate in the southern part of the state as he enters his sophomore season poised to be a key piece for the Makos this spring. A clear standout from the South AL Preseason All-State, the 6-foot, 185-pound infielder flashes above-average tools already, with additional upside still to come as he continues to mature physically. He carries himself like a gamer, pairing a confident, professional demeanor with a clean, repeatable right-handed swing and a natural feel for the barrel. Set to compete for a starting role in a crowded group of talented underclassmen infielders for Orange Beach, Thomas has quickly become one of our staff’s favorite sophomore infield prospects in Alabama’s 2028 class and looks ready to push into the spotlight this spring.

Evan Money OF / Headland, AL / 2028

Money followed up a strong freshman campaign in 2025 with another impressive offseason and enters his sophomore season trending toward a larger impact role in 2026. The 5-foot-10, 168-pound outfielder brings an athletic frame and well-rounded tool set, highlighted by a sub-7.60 run time, arm strength up to 91 mph from the outfield, and a 98.6 mph exit velocity recorded at the South AL Preseason All-State. Offensively, he features a fluid, clean right-handed swing with an innate feel for the barrel, working a line-drive, all-fields approach that consistently translates in both showcase and game settings. After hitting .309 with 26 RBIs and 12 stolen bases as a freshman, Money looks poised to build on that foundation and continue establishing himself among the top outfielders in Alabama’s 2028 class this spring.

Bennett Green OF / Northside, AL / 2027

Green enters his junior season positioned to build on a standout sophomore campaign and emerge as a true name-to-know uncommitted prospect in Alabama’s 2027 class. The 5-foot-11, 217-pound left-handed hitting outfielder brings a football background and a strong, athletic frame with proportional strength, translating to real impact at the plate. As a sophomore, he helped lead Northside to a strong 2025 season while hitting .420 with three home runs and 42 RBIs, and the tools continue to stand out, highlighted by a 102.6 mph exit velocity and elite hand and back quickness. A proven two-sport standout with present production and loud underlying tools, Green looks poised for another big spring as a key piece of a loaded Northside lineup.

Sawyer Moss C / Glenwood, AL / 2028

Moss enters 2026 with a chance to firmly establish himself among the top catchers in Alabama’s 2028 class, and the arrow has been pointing up since the fall. Largely under the radar early on, he emerged as a standout at the Central Alabama Fall ID and carried that momentum into another strong showing at the South AL Preseason All-State. The 6-foot-1, 199-pound right-handed hitter shows easy strength with a swing built to lift and impact, flashing pull-side gap power and standing out during one of the better BP rounds at the event. Behind the plate, he impressed with pop times ranging from 1.99–2.11 and a 75 mph catcher velocity, while also posting a 95.7 mph exit velocity offensively. As a sophomore this spring, Moss looks poised to be a factor for a powerhouse Glenwood program and continue pushing his name into the statewide conversation.

OTHER CANDIDATES:

Underclassmen Stepping Into the Spotlight 💡

While experience often dictates early-season roles, talent has a way of accelerating timelines. The underclassmen featured in this section showed advanced tools, physical readiness, and competitive confidence during the winter months, putting them in position to challenge traditional expectations. As the season begins and opportunities present themselves, these younger prospects have the ability to force the issue, stepping into meaningful roles and making an immediate impact well ahead of schedule.

Tristan Blalock RHP / James Clemens, AL / 2029

Electric is the word that consistently comes to mind when discussing Blalock on the mound. The top-ranked prospect in Alabama’s 2029 class and the No. 2 right-handed pitcher nationally in the class, he brings immense upside paired with an already eye-opening arsenal. While he elected not to throw at the Huntsville Preseason ID to preserve his arm for the spring, Blalock has already shown big-time stuff, having run his fastball up to 89.3 mph last summer, with early preseason reports indicating it may now be operating in the low-90s. At 6-foot-2, 178 pounds with a highly projectable frame, he has the arm talent and physical traits to factor into meaningful innings as a freshman for a James Clemens team expected to be one of the top higher classification teams in North Alabama this spring. The ceiling is obvious, and the spring should offer an exciting first look at how that talent begins to translate in a varsity setting.

Coston Mahan 1B / RHP / Florence, AL / 2029

Mahan is another 2029 prospect in Alabama that evaluators should begin getting familiar with, debuting at No. 6 in the class rankings this fall and continuing to trend upward. Standing 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, the physicality immediately stands out, paired with legitimate two-way traits that flashed throughout his look at the North AL Preseason All-State. A Prep Baseball Junior Future Games alum, Mahan showed advanced offensive impact during BP, posting a 100.4 mph exit velocity with a smooth operation and easy gap-to-gap power. He matched that upside on the mound, showing a clean, low-effort delivery while flooding the zone with a polished three-pitch mix, sitting in the mid-80s and topping at 86.1 mph. His mid-70s curveball spun near 2500 RPM, and he showed the ability to kill spin on a diving changeup in the same range. After mixed results as an eighth grader last spring, Mahan has made significant strides over the past year and enters his freshman season at Florence positioned to make a real impact in 2026.

John Gregory SS / RHP / Mountain Brook, AL / 2029

Gregory enters the spring as another top-10 ranked prospect in Alabama’s 2029 class with a chance to begin carving out a role for a talented Mountain Brook squad. Listed at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, he brings a lean, athletic frame with valuable two-way traits that stood out during looks at the South AL Preseason All-State and last summer’s Prep Baseball Junior Future Games. Offensively, Gregory shows a simple, efficient right-handed swing with strong barrel awareness, staying well-connected through the zone with minimal wasted movement. As he continues to develop physically and gains experience at the varsity level, the opportunity to learn alongside top-ranked 2027 prospect Paul Barnett should only accelerate his growth and set the stage for a bigger role in the years ahead.

Micah Sigler SS / Bob Jones, AL / 2028

Sigler quietly emerged as one of the winners from the preseason, turning in a well-rounded showing at the Huntsville Preseason ID that hinted at what could be coming this spring. After seeing limited varsity time as a freshman on a loaded Bob Jones roster in 2025, he appears poised to step into the starting shortstop role and hit near the top of the order as a sophomore. The 5-foot-10, 161-pound infielder brings an athletic frame and a smooth right-handed operation at the plate, showing an accurate, upward barrel path and the ability to repeat his swing while consistently producing line-drive contact. He topped out at a 92.1 mph exit velocity and posted one of the top 30-yard dash times at the event at 3.76 seconds. Entering the season as a relative unknown statewide, Sigler has a real opportunity to break out and become a key contributor for a Bob Jones team with championship aspirations in Class 7A.

Greyson “G.G.” Wuis SS / Bob Jones, AL / 2030

Wuis is another talented young underclassman in the Bob Jones program who enters the spring with a chance to earn a starting role up the middle, even as an eighth grader. Still lean and physically developing at 5-foot-8, 149 pounds, he brings advanced baseball skills that project well as future strength comes along. A high-waisted, left-handed hitter, Wuis consistently found the barrel during his BP round at the Huntsville Preseason ID, showing an innate feel for the sweet spot and the ability to square the baseball with regularity. Making the jump to the Class 7A level presents a significant challenge, but his prior experience with Team USA at the 12U level suggests the stage won’t be too big. As the spring unfolds, Wuis is a name to monitor closely as he looks to carve out opportunities at second base and impact the lineup near the bottom of the order for the Patriots in 2026.

OTHER CANDIDATES:

Breakouts don’t always happen overnight, but they often start with opportunity, preparation, and momentum. These are some of the names whose offseason progress has positioned them well as the high school season approaches.

Once the games begin, we’ll be tracking how these winter gains translate to real situations, and which players take the next step when it matters most.

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