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North AL Preseason All-State: Quick Hits, Catchers

January 19, 2026
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

HARTSELLE, AL - The North AL Preseason All-State, one of the premier events on the Prep Baseball calendar, was held on Saturday, January 17th at Hartselle High School Indoor in Hartselle, AL. This invite-only showcase featured top prospects from the 2026-2029 classes, each looking to make a statement ahead of the spring season.

Participants took part in an extended, pro-style workout that included batting practice tracked by TrackMan and Blast Motion, 30-yard dash testing powered by VALD Performance, and a full defensive evaluation. Pitchers threw simulated bullpens during the workout, capturing advanced metrics via our TrackMan unit such as pitch velocity, spin rate, and horizontal and vertical movement. The event featured a strong mix of familiar standouts continuing to build on previous performances, along with several new names who emerged with eye-opening showings.

Continuing our post-event coverage, we highlight several of the top catchers in attendance at the showcase. Check back throughout the week as we release additional leaderboards and comprehensive scouting reports on every participant.

View full event statistics HERE.

+ C Tayte Dunn (Bob Jones, 2026) delivered one of the loudest overall performances among the catchers, looking every bit like a next-level backstop with impact on both sides of the ball. Listed at 6-foot-1, 191 pounds, he brings a physical, proportional build that translates cleanly into his game actions. At the plate, the Itawamba CC recruit and former Senior Future Games attendee took one of the loudest rounds of BP in the group, showing smooth actions, quality hand separation, and consistent gap-to-gap authority with multiple swings over 100 mph. The impact was backed by elite data, as he posted a 101.4 mph max exit velocity with a 97.1 mph average EV. Defensively, he paired clean receiving with strong catch-and-throw skills, recording 1.93–2.04 pop times and leading the event with an 83 mph catcher velocity, reinforcing his well-rounded profile behind the plate.

+ C Jonah Inman (Cullman, 2026) turned in a strong offensive look that highlighted both present impact and continued projection behind the plate. Listed at 6-foot, 168 pounds, he owns a lean, high-waisted frame with long levers that he controls well through the swing. From the left side, he worked with a simple pre-pitch movement and a repeatable operation, showing the ability to manipulate the barrel path, create lift, and drive the baseball with authority on a clean path through contact. The strength gains were evident in the data, as he posted a 100.9 mph max exit velocity, reinforcing his status as a quality offensive catcher. A Northwest–Shoals CC recruit, he continues to trend as a top senior backstop heading into the spring.

+ C Jake Fridley (Hoover, 2026) turned in one of the more impressive developmental showings of the event, reflecting clear gains over the past couple of years and solidifying himself as a quality uncommitted backstop in Alabama’s 2026 class. Listed at 5-foot-9, 200 pounds, he owns a compact frame with a defined upper half and real upper-body strength that shows up in his actions. Offensively, he worked from the right side with good rhythm and easy gap-to-gap strength, pairing a compact swing with some of the best bat speed of the day, averaging 83.4 mph per Blast Motion, while producing high-level impact without much effort. The data backed up the eye test, as he posted a 102.4 mph max exit velocity and a 94.7 mph average EV. Defensively, he showed quality catch-and-throw skills with 1.94–2.02 pop times and an 80 mph catcher velocity, rounding out a well-balanced profile behind the plate.

+ C Kaden Walters (Sardis, 2027) continued to trend upward with another strong showing that highlighted both present tools and clear developmental gains since his last look. Listed at 5-foot-10, 189 pounds, he carries a strong, proportional frame that plays well on both sides of the ball. From the left side during BP, he used a controlled hanging leg kick for timing, separated well in the load, and kept his weight on the backside while working the barrel on a strong upward path with quality extension out front, producing loud, high-level impact. The offensive output was backed by elite bat-speed traits, averaging 80.5 mph per Blast Motion, and a 101.0 mph max exit velocity. Defensively, he showed quality receiving skills in bullpens, handling low-90s velocity with ease and projecting as a reliable backstop in Alabama’s 2027 class.

+ C Will Carter (Huntsville, 2027) showed a clean, dependable all-around profile that continues to place him among the top uncommitted backstops in Alabama’s 2027 class. Listed at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, he carries a strong lower half with proportional strength throughout the frame that translates well into his actions. Offensively, he worked from a simple right-handed operation with minimal pre-pitch movement, using a short stride for timing while keeping the barrel on a mostly level path with enough strength to create lift when he wanted it. The impact showed up in the data as he posted a 96.1 mph max exit velocity during his round of BP. Defensively, he showed smooth actions behind the plate with a quick transfer, recording 1.94-2.03 pop times and topping out at 77 mph catcher velocity, reinforcing his reliability as a steady, high-follow catcher heading into the spring.

+ C Cooper Craycraft (Thompson, 2027) delivered a steady, well-rounded performance that reinforced his standing as another high-follow backstop in Alabama’s 2027 class. Standing 5-foot-11 and 189 pounds, he shows proportional strength throughout the build with noticeable power in the lower half that plays into his actions. From the right side, he worked from a slightly crouched, open stance with a small, controlled leg kick for timing, creating quality hand separation while showing smooth, easy actions and a true gap-to-gap approach during BP. The offensive impact showed up with a 97.0 mph max exit velocity, while defensively he stood out as one of the best in the group, leading the event with 1.84-1.97 pop times and a 78 mph catcher velocity, making him a catcher to track closely this spring.

+ C Jamison Barnes (Briarwood Christian, 2028) continues to look the part of a frontline backstop, living up to his status as the top catcher in Alabama’s 2028 class and a top-20 prospect statewide. A 6-foot, 188-pounder, he shows a broad-shouldered build with present strength and clear room to continue adding more as he matures physically. Offensively, he works from an upright, slightly open stance with a short, simple stride for timing, staying accurate with the barrel while driving the ball to all fields during BP on a mostly upward path. The swing is clean and fundamentally sound, and the impact showed up with a 92.5 mph max exit velocity. Behind the plate, he was consistent with accurates throws, recording 2.03-2.05 pop times with a 74 mph catcher velocity,

+ C Grady Moore (Madison Academy, 2028) brought a clear middle-of-the-order presence to the workout, showing impact traits that played on both sides of the ball. Standing 5-foot-10 and 203 pounds, he carries a strong, physical build with a powerful lower half that fuels his swing. From the right side, he worked from an upright, slightly open stance with a simple load to get square, showing explosive, quick actions and hard rotation while consistently lifting the ball with authority to the pull side during BP. The intent and strength were evident as he posted a 95.6 mph max exit velocity. Behind the plate, he stood out with a quick transfer and present arm strength, recording 1.94–2.02 pop times, rounding out a catcher profile that continues to trend up within the 2028 class.

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