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North AL Preseason All-State: Quick Hits, Outfielders

January 21, 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 outfielders 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.

+ OF/LHP Brayden Entrekin (Russellville, 2028) emerged as one of the clear biggest winners from the event, showing a noticeable jump in physicality and overall impact that continues to elevate his profile. Standing 5-foot-9, 175-pounds, he’s added over 10 pounds of strength in just the past few months, and it’s showing up in a big way offensively. From the left side, he showed tons of controlled bat speed with improved impactability, leveraging the lower half well and staying on plane through the zone while maintaining a polished, gamer-type hit tool. The gains translated to the metrics, as he ran a 3.93 30-yard dash, was up to 92 mph from the outfield, and posted a 102.7 mph max exit velocity, a significant jump from his previous best of 97.8 mph last June. On the mound, he continues to offer legitimate two-way value, working 85-86 mph and topping at 86.6 mph from a clean, repeatable delivery while showing pitchability with a four-pitch mix, making him a prime candidate for a breakout 2026 campaign.

+ OF Bryson Hodge (James Clemens, 2028) continued to separate himself from his peers with one of the loudest all-around tool sets in the 2028 class. Listed at 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, he owns an athletic, highly projectable frame that still has plenty of room to add strength as he matures physically. At the plate, he worked from a relaxed, balanced stance with a controlled leg kick, showing explosive quick-twitch actions and the ability to drive the baseball with authority to the pull-side gap. The athleticism showed up loudly in the testing, as he ran a 3.91 30-yard dash, posted a 101.1 mph max exit velocity, and turned in eye-opening Blast Motion numbers, including a 28.9 mph average hand speed and 37.8 Gs of rotational acceleration, among the highest recorded by our staff. With the tools continuing to trend upward, he profiles as a high-ceiling outfielder to know heading into the spring.

+ OF Cole Miles (Hartselle, 2026) put together a strong, controlled offensive showing that highlighted his ability to impact the baseball within a mature approach. A 6-foot, 198-pounder, he carries proportional strength throughout the frame and uses it efficiently in the swing. From the box, he showed a simple setup and load, staying through contact with consistent two-handed finishes and working predominantly through the middle of the field while compressing the baseball to drive it to both gaps. The strength played with authority as he worked the barrel and topped out at a 99.8 mph max exit velocity. A 2024 Prep Baseball Future Games attendee and Jacksonville State recruit, he continues to profile as a reliable, run-producing bat in the 2026 class.

+ OF Ross Christy (Fultondale, 2029) continues to show an advanced skill set and maturity that separates him from most freshmen in the state. Coming at 5-foot-9, 177-pounds, he owns a strong, athletic build with an impressive blend of strength and quickness that plays across the profile. At the plate, he worked from a wider stance with a slight toe-tap trigger, driving the barrel on a strong upward path and impacting the baseball with ease throughout his round. The power showed up loud as he posted a 101.4 mph max exit velocity, further validating his standing as a top-100 ranked prospect nationally and No. 3 overall prospect in Alabama’s 2029 class.

+ OF JC Cummings (Opelika, 2028) delivered one of the most eye-opening offensive performances of the event, showing some of the easiest juice in his round of BP. A 5-foot-10, 190-pounder, he owns a strong, proportional build with athleticism and big tools that play in game-like actions. From a taller stance with the hands set away from the body, he separated well in the load to create torque, using his strong lower half while working on a mostly linear path and driving the baseball gap to gap with intent. The bat speed came easy, as he posted a 104.8 mph max exit velocity, the highest mark recorded at the event. He also showed arm strength from the outfield, topping out at 89 mph, making him another sophomore outfielder to keep close tabs on this spring.

+ OF/LHP Drew Jackson III (American Christian, 2028) continued to validate his standing as one of the premier two-way athletes in Alabama’s 2028 class with a polished offensive showing from the left side. Standing 5-foot-10, 176-pounds, he carries an athletic build with present strength and clear room to add more as he matures physically. At the plate, he worked from a tall, upright stance with good balance and a simple load, letting the barrel travel on a quick upward path while showing the ability to lag it through the zone and drive the baseball to all parts of the field. He showed a strong feel for the barrel and gap-to-gap pop that should continue to translate to more power as strength comes, topping out at a 97.9 mph max exit velocity. A gifted multi-sport athlete who also quarterbacks on the football field, he remains a high-ceiling prospect to monitor closely this spring.

+ OF Slade Bounds (Spain Park, 2027) brought a power-oriented, tool-heavy profile to the event, standing out as one of the more explosive uncommitted outfielders in the state. Listed at 5-foot-11, 204-pounds, he carries a strong, physical build with high-end athletic traits that show up in every phase of the game. From the right side, he worked with a well-connected swing on an upward path, generating easy juice while keeping the barrel on plane and producing consistent loud contact throughout BP. The power played at a high level as he posted a 103.4 mph max exit velocity with a 386-foot max estimated distance, while also running a 3.80 30-yard dash, reinforcing his status as one of the top uncommitted outfielders in Alabama’s 2027 class.

+ OF/LHP Ty Hunter (Hazel Green, 2028) showed a smooth, athletic look with polish on both sides of the ball, continuing to profile as a reliable two-way prospect. Standing 5-foot-9, 155-pounds, he carries a high-waisted, athletic build that moves efficiently in all actions. From the left side at the plate, he worked with clean rhythm, sinking into the lower half during the load to create a strong base at contact, while the barrel traveled on a smooth upward path with consistent two-handed finishes and an all-fields, contact-oriented approach. He paired the feel to hit with athletic testing, running a 3.83 30-yard dash, posting a 96.5 mph max exit velocity, and showing arm strength up to 88 mph from the outfield. On the mound, he topped at 85.4 mph from a clean, repeatable delivery, spinning an upper-70s curveball with quality 1-7 shape and spin rates up to 2682 RPM, while also turning over a low-80s changeup with fading action, rounding out a well-balanced two-way profile.

+ OF Cruise Baker (Hartselle, 2026) brought a compact yet explosive offensive look that stood out for its intent and barrel strength. Standing 5-foot-6 and 146 pounds, he’s added noticeable strength to the frame, and it shows up immediately in his right-handed swing. From a tall, upright stance, he created separation in the load and tapped into his lower half well, swinging with controlled aggression and clear intent to drive the baseball into the gaps. The ball jumped when squared, as he posted a 100.2 mph max exit velocity, reinforcing the impact potential packed into his frame. A Shelton State CC recruit, he continues to profile as an impact gap-to-gap bat heading into the spring.

+ OF Parks Woodruff (Lincoln, 2027) showed a well-rounded offensive profile built on repeatability and athleticism from the left side. A 6-foot, 184 pounder, he carries proportional strength throughout the frame with room to continue adding more as he matures physically. At the plate, he worked with a smooth left-handed stroke, using a toe-tap trigger for timing and quick hands to repeat the swing consistently on a line-drive approach. The strength showed through contact as he topped out at a 99.8 mph max exit velocity, and as the body continues to develop, more power should follow. An Air Force recruit, he profiles as a steady, athletic outfielder in Alabama's 2027 class.

+ OF/LHP Austin Hubbard (Deshler, 2026) put together one of the more complete tool-based showings of the event, pairing a clean offensive look with athleticism across the board. Listed at 5-foot-10, 187-pounds, he carries a strong, balanced frame that supports a compact, well-connected right-handed swing. He worked from a simple setup with minimal pre-pitch movement, staying square and direct with the barrel while showing quality strength at contact and easy pop to all fields during BP. The tools showed loudly in the testing, as he ran a 3.85 30-yard dash, was up to 87 mph from the outfield, and produced a 101.0 mph max exit velocity with a 97.1 mph average EV. With this combination of offensive consistency and athletic traits, he continues to profile as a quality uncommitted outfielder to follow closely this spring.

+ OF/LHP Sam Ridley (Tuscaloosa County, 2029) showed advanced physicality and impact for a freshman, standing out as one of the more impressive young bats in attendance. Standing 6-foot-1 202-pounds, he already carries an advanced frame and strength that translate directly into his left-handed swing. From a tall, narrow stance, he used a controlled leg kick for timing while driving the barrel on a strong upward path with present bat speed, creating intriguing power potential and high-level impact for his age. He also flashed two-way upside on the mound, working in the low-80s and topping at 84.7 mph with the fastball. Regarded as a top-10 prospect in Alabama’s 2029 class, he profiles as a high-ceiling name to track closely over the next few years.

+ OF Jackson Allison (Chelsea, 2029) showed a projectable, tool-based profile that points toward significant upside as he continues to mature. Listed at 6-foot-4 173-pounds, he owns a lean, high-waisted build with athletic actions and a strong foundation to build on moving forward. From the right side, he worked from a balanced, athletic stance with a simple stride for timing and good rhythm, controlling the barrel on an upper path with a current line-drive approach during BP. The athleticism showed across the board as he ran a 3.84 30-yard dash, was up to 92 mph from the outfield, tied for the best mark at the event, and posted a 93.8 mph max exit velocity. As the body continues to fill out, the power output is expected to climb, making him a high-upside freshman to follow closely over the next few years.

+ OF Evan Cox (Hoover, 2029) made an immediate statement in his first Prep Baseball showcase, standing out with athleticism well beyond his age. Standing 5-foot-8, 165-pounds, he brings high-level twitch and quick actions that show up across the profile. From the right side, he worked from a balanced, athletic base with a controlled mid-high leg kick for timing, keeping the barrel on a clean, level path while driving line drives to all fields during BP. The testing numbers were eye-opening, as he led the event with a 3.65 30-yard dash, posted a 97.9 mph max exit velocity with a 93.6 mph average EV, and recorded the top max vertical jump at 30.4 inches. With this blend of speed, explosiveness, and barrel control, he quickly established himself as a freshman to monitor closely moving forward.

+ OF Jayse Hallman (Northside, 2027) quietly put together a strong showing, continuing to profile as an under-the-radar outfielder with tools that play across the board. A 5-foot-10, 186-pounder, he carries a medium, athletic build that supports his actions well. From the left side, he worked from a wider, balanced base with a simple load for timing, staying synced up through the swing while working the barrel on an upper path and driving the baseball with gap-to-gap intent during BP. The athleticism and strength showed up in the metrics, as he ran a 3.85 30-yard dash and posted a 100.9 mph max exit velocity, reinforcing his upside as a name to keep an eye on heading into the spring.

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