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South AL Preseason All-State: Quick Hits, Catchers

January 13, 2026
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

ORANGE BEACH, AL - The South AL Preseason All-State, one of the premier events on the Prep Baseball calendar, was held on Sunday, January 11th at Orange Beach Sportsplex in Orange Beach, AL. This invite-only showcase featured top prospects from the 2026-2030 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, 60-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 Brue Milner (Tallassee, 2027) continued to solidify his status as one of the premier bats in the state’s 2027 class, showing a thick, physical 5-foot-10, 208-pound build with elite impact ability. At the plate, he worked with tons of controlled aggression from the right side, using an early toe-tap trigger to get the foot down on time while unleashing elite hand and bat speed that ranked near the top of multiple Blast Motion categories. He consistently lifted the baseball with authority to the pull side during BP, posting a 101.3 mph max exit velocity and driving balls up to 378 feet, two of the loudest offensive marks of the event. Defensively, he showed polish behind the plate with a quick transfer and fast feet, leading the event with a 1.80 pop time. Ranked No. 7 overall in Alabama’s 2027 class, the Georgia Tech commit and recent Future Games attendee continues to check every box as a high-level prospect heading into the spring.

+ C Eli Quinley (Faith Academy, 2027) continued to stand out as one of the top uncommitted hitters in Alabama’s 2027 class, showing impact ability and athleticism on both sides of the ball. Listed at 5-foot-9, 193 pounds, he carries proportional strength throughout the frame and brings a physical presence to the position. Offensively, he works from the right side with a quick toe-tap trigger for timing, swinging aggressively with elite bat speed and the ability to manipulate the barrel, producing consistent loud contact into the LCF gap during BP. The impact showed up in the data, as he posted a 97.9 mph max exit velocity, while defensively he showed versatility with a best pop time of 1.81 seconds and an 81 mph catcher velocity. A Future Games attendee from this past summer, he remains a high-level name to follow closely heading into the spring.

+ C Sawyer Moss (Glenwood, 2028) continued to insert himself firmly into the discussion as one of the top catchers in Alabama’s 2028 class heading into his sophomore season, turning in another standout performance. Listed at 6-foot-1, 199 pounds, he brings present strength with room to continue adding more as he matures physically. Offensively, he was consistently on the barrel during BP, hammering balls into the pull-side gap with a smooth right-handed operation, minimal pre-pitch movement, quick hands, and an upward barrel path through the zone. The impact was backed by the data, as he posted a 95.1 mph max exit velocity and a 91.0 mph average exit velocity, while also showing quality defensive skills with a 1.99-second best pop time and a 75 mph catcher velocity. An impressive sophomore catching prospect who looks poised to be the next high-level talent to emerge from Glenwood’s perennial powerhouse program.

+ C/1B Wyatt Rath (Northridge, 2027) continued to impress offensively, turning in one of the best rounds of BP from the event and showing consistent impact from the right side. Listed at 6-foot-1, 196 pounds, he owns a tall, projectable build with room to continue adding strength. He swung with controlled aggression, showing quality feel for the barrel while turning it with a strong top hand and staying through contact, producing frequent loud pull-side contact. The performance was backed by the metrics, as he posted a 98.3 mph max exit velocity and a 93.5 mph average exit velocity. A versatile defender, he recorded 1.98–2.02 pop times with a 76 mph catcher velocity, while also showing the ability to handle a corner infield spot with an 85 mph infield velocity, making him another uncommitted 2027 name to know heading into the spring.

+ C/OF Christian Thompson (Alma Bryant, 2029) turned in arguably his best showing to date, setting personal bests across nearly every key statistical category and continuing to build momentum as one of the top young prospects in the state. Listed at 6-foot, 201 pounds, he brings a strong, athletic frame and ranks as the No. 5 overall prospect in Alabama’s 2029 class. Offensively, he worked from a rhythmic right-handed operation with an innate feel for the barrel, consistently living on it with a line-drive approach, level path, quick barrel, and the ability to use the whole field. The strength showed up in the data as he posted a 94.3 mph max exit velocity, while also showing athleticism with a 6.93-second 60-yard dash. A primary catcher, he recorded a 1.99 pop time and a 72 mph catcher velocity, and with his athleticism and track record—including a standout showing at the Junior Future Games—he has the versatility to handle outfield duties and remains a high-level follow moving forward.

+ C Declan King (Fairhope, 2027) showed a well-rounded skill set, impacting the workout on both sides of the ball and standing out among the catcher group. Listed at 5-foot-10, 178 pounds, he brings present strength in the lower half and an athletic look behind the plate. Offensively, he works from a level right-handed swing with a line-drive approach, using a quick barrel and fast hands while getting down early with the stride and separating well in the load. Posted a top exit velocity of 93.7 mph during his round of BP. Defensively, he turned in one of the top catch-and-throw performances of the event, recording 1.85-1.91 pop times and an event-best 85 mph catcher velocity, reinforcing his value as a complete catching prospect heading into the spring.

+ C Tommy Medina Jr. (Faith Academy, 2029) showed an advanced offensive profile for a freshman, bringing middle-of-the-order traits and intriguing power potential to the event. Listed at 6-foot-1, 199 pounds, he owns advanced strength for his age, and that physicality showed up consistently in the right-handed swing. He worked with a controlled leg kick for timing and looked to lift the baseball to the pull-side with authority, generating power from the ground up despite some length in the swing. The strength at contact was evident as he posted an 89.4 mph max exit velocity, positioning him as a young bat to monitor closely as his approach and power continue to develop.

+ C Griffin Cook (JW Tate Senior, 2028) showed a well-rounded skill set for a sophomore, standing out as a complete catching prospect with ability on both sides of the ball. Listed at 6-foot, 173 pounds, he owns a lean, high-waisted frame with quality athleticism and room to continue adding strength. Offensively, he works from the right side with quick, easy movements, staying short to contact with a direct path and a current line-drive approach that should continue to evolve as he matures physically. The contact quality was backed by the data, as he posted a 92.5 mph max exit velocity, while also running a 7.14-second 60-yard dash. Defensively, he impressed with a quick transfer and strong arm for his age, recording 1.89–1.97 pop times and a 77 mph catcher velocity, making him a catcher to follow closely as he continues to develop.

+ C Jack Baggett (Pike Liberal Arts, 2026) showed a steady, reliable presence behind the plate while also providing offensive impact during the workout. Listed at 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, he carries a strong lower half and physicality that shows up on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he works with a short, compact right-handed swing and a unique early move in the load that shifts the weight back and allows him to get on time early, pairing an upward barrel path with strength through contact. The swing efficiency translated to the data, as he posted an 89.8 mph max exit velocity while staying well-connected throughout. Defensively, he stood out as one of the better receivers during bullpens, showing quiet actions, solid fundamentals, and a quick transfer while recording 1.95–2.06 pop times with a 75 mph catcher velocity.

+ C Rylan Smith (Lee-Scott Academy, 2027) showed a balanced, well-rounded skill set with ability on both sides of the ball during the workout. Listed at 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, he brings a strong frame and present strength to the position. Offensively, he hits from a slightly open stance and works back square with a simple stride for timing, keeping the hands close to the body to stay short and connected while working the barrel on an upward path with some present bat speed. The swing produced a 90.5 mph max exit velocity, while defensively he stood out with consistent 1.94-1.99 pop times and a strong arm from the crouch that peaked at 79 mph, reinforcing his value as a quality uncommitted catching prospect in Alabama's 2027 class.

UPCOMING EVENTS ⤵️

SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
North AL Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) January 17th, 2026 Hartselle High School Indoor (Hartselle, AL)

 

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