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South AL Preseason All-State: Quick Hits, Infielders

January 14, 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 infielders 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.

+ SS/RHP Tucker Richardson (Faith Academy, 2030) stood out as one of the youngest players in attendance yet clearly separated himself from much older competition with a truly advanced showing. Listed at 6-foot, 164 pounds, he owns a wiry, athletic, and highly projectable frame with obvious room to continue adding strength. Offensively, he worked from a relaxed, rhythmic setup from the right side, showing a fast, whippy barrel and a clean, fluid path on an upward plane, producing high-level impact to the pull side with a 95.1 mph max exit velocity and a 366-foot max distance. Defensively, he projects to stay at shortstop and led the event with a 93 mph infield velocity as an eighth-grader, while also running a 7.11-second 60-yard dash to round out the athletic profile. Though he didn’t throw in the bullpen, he owns an upper-80s fastball on the mound, and based on long-term evaluations from our staff, he may be as advanced at this stage as any eighth-grade prospect we’ve followed, firmly establishing himself as one of the top young players in the country.

+ SS JB Upton (Auburn, 2027) continued to trend upward as a high-end middle-infield prospect, building on momentum from his Prep Baseball Future Games appearance this past summer. Listed at 5-foot-11, 192 pounds, he brings compact strength and twitchy athletic actions throughout the profile. From the left side during BP, he showed easy lift to the pull side with a simple load that gets down early, swinging fast and producing consistent loud contact with real hit/power upside. The tools were backed by standout metrics, as he led the event with a 101.9 mph max exit velocity, ran a 6.77-second 60-yard dash, and showed arm strength across the infield up to 91 mph. A Jacksonville State recruit, he looks poised to continue ascending and remains a premium prospect heading into the spring.

+ SS Jacob Thomas (Orange Beach, 2028) emerged as one of the biggest winners from the day, continuing to position himself as a prime candidate for a breakout 2026 campaign. Listed at 6-foot, 185 pounds, he owns a medium, athletic frame with present strength and room to continue developing physically. Offensively, he showed an advanced look from the right side with a smooth, efficient operation and excellent feel for the barrel, working with a level swing that consistently found the barrel while using the whole field. The performance was backed by the metrics, as he ran a 7.04-second 60-yard dash and posted a 94.0 mph max exit velocity, pairing athleticism with impact. With a confident demeanor and controlled approach, he was one of our staff’s favorite looks of the event and has a strong chance to put together a big spring.

+ SS Cal Lawrence (Glenwood, 2026) delivered one of the more consistent and impactful offensive showings of the event, continuing to trend as a high-level uncommitted bat in the senior class. Listed at 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, he brings proportional strength and athleticism throughout the profile. From the right side during BP, he worked with a rhythmic operation, separating well in the load and using his strength efficiently to drive the baseball with authority and intent to the pull side. The impact was evident in the metrics, as he posted a 98.5 mph max exit velocity, 94.4 mph average EV, and a 386-foot max distance, while also running a 6.82-second 60-yard dash. Coming off a strong junior season that helped lead Glenwood to a state title, he continues to look like one of the top uncommitted hitters in the 2026 class and a prime follow this spring.

+ SS/RHP Cooper Mason (Bayside Academy, 2030) stood out in a big way despite being one of the youngest players in attendance, consistently separating himself against much older competition. Listed at 5-foot-10, 155 pounds, he owns an athletic, lean frame with significant room to add strength over the coming years and already shows advanced traits for an eighth-grader. Offensively, he hits from an upright stance and repeats the swing with ease, showing a clean, fluid path, present bat speed, and a line-drive approach with clear power potential evident down the road. On the mound, he flashed intriguing two-way upside, topping out at 84.1 mph with the fastball while mixing his off-speed pitches well from a smooth, athletic delivery that projects for sizable velocity gains. Already regarded as one of the top prospects in the state’s 2030 class, he brings massive upside and is a high-level young name to follow closely moving forward.

+ SS Harrison Milanowski (Houston Academy, 2028) continued to separate himself as one of the top shortstops in the state, consistently performing at a high level and backing it up with loud tools. Listed at 5-foot-10, 162 pounds, he’s added noticeable strength since the last viewing, and it’s showing up across the profile. At the plate, he showed an accurate barrel with consistent firm contact to both gaps during BP, repeating the swing well with a toe-tap trigger while rotating efficiently and using the lower half to generate power from the ground up. The impact was evident as he posted a 99.3 mph max exit velocity and a 380-foot max distance, while defensively he showed easy athletic actions with range at shortstop, working up to 88 mph across the infield and running a 6.72-second 60-yard dash. Ranked No. 10 overall in Alabama’s 2028 class, he remains a high-follow prospect with continued upward momentum heading into the spring.

+ SS Brody Blevins (Westbrook Christian, 2027) turned in another quality showing, backing up a standout performance from last week’s Birmingham Preseason ID and continuing to trend as one of the top uncommitted shortstops in the state. Listed at 6-foot, 190 pounds, he brings a strong, athletic frame with obvious tools and a multi-sport background that shows up in the athletic actions. At the plate, he showed the same impact ability, driving consistent line drives to the pull-side gap with a controlled load for timing, strong lower-half usage, and an upward barrel plane. The tools were evident in the data, as he posted a 96.6 mph max exit velocity, ran a 6.91-second 60-yard dash, and showed arm strength across the infield up to 91 mph, reinforcing his status as a real uncommitted name for college coaches to track closely this spring.

+ SS John Gregory (Mountain Brook, 2029) continued to show why he’s regarded as one of the top shortstops in Alabama’s 2029 class, standing out with polish and athleticism well beyond his age. Listed at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, he owns a lean, wiry frame with plenty of room to continue adding strength. Offensively, he worked from a relaxed setup with minimal pre-pitch movement, using a short, simple stride and a compact, well-connected swing that showed twitch and explosiveness while consistently finding the barrel during BP. The performance was supported by the metrics, as he posted a 91.7 mph max exit velocity and ran a 7.06-second 60-yard dash. He also flashed two-way traits on the mound by running his fastball up to 83.3 mph, and with his skill set and athleticism, he has a real chance to make an impact at the varsity level this spring for one of the state’s top 6A programs.

+ SS Rhys Jones (Spain Park, 2026) continued to reinforce his reputation as one of the top hit tools in the state, showing a polished offensive profile from the right side. Listed at 5-foot-7, 154 pounds, he owns an athletic frame with proportional strength and room to continue maturing physically. At the plate, he showed an accurate barrel with quick, twitchy actions, working on a clean, fluid path with present bat speed and quick hands, all while maintaining good rhythm and balance throughout BP. The performance was backed by the metrics, as he ran a 7.01-second 60-yard dash, posted a 91.2 mph max exit velocity, and showed arm strength across the infield up to 91 mph, profiling as a true top-of-the-order type with advanced barrel skills and bat-to-ball abilit. Alabama-Birmingham recruit.

+ 3B Lawson Hare (Auburn, 2027) continued to stand out as one of the top uncommitted corner infielders in Alabama’s 2027 class, showing traits that point toward a potential big spring. Listed at 6-foot-2, 193 pounds, he owns a projectable frame with present strength and room to continue adding more as he matures physically. Offensively, he showed quick hands and present bat speed, working the barrel on a mostly upward path with a short, well-connected swing while using the lower half efficiently to generate force. The power upside showed up in the metrics, as he posted a 94.4 mph max exit velocity, with more impact likely coming as the body continues to fill out. He also flashed two-way potential on the mound, touching 85.8 mph with the fastball while showing feel for spin on the slider, adding to the intrigue moving forward.

+ SS Riggins Rogers (Spain Park, 2028) continues to trend as an under-the-radar middle infielder with the look of a player poised for a strong upcoming season. Listed at 5-foot-8, 175 pounds, he brings a compact build with present, proportional strength and athleticism throughout the profile. From the right side, he worked with quality rhythm and a toe-tap trigger for timing, getting the barrel on plane early and showing whip and present bat speed with the ability to lag the barrel through the zone. He showed comfort changing planes and using the whole field during BP, and the performance was backed by the data with a 92.8 mph max exit velocity and a 6.97-second 60-yard dash.

+ SS Mattox Diard (Faith Academy, 2028) showed a polished, athletic offensive look with actions that project well as he continues to develop. Listed at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, he owns a medium, athletic build and moves with ease throughout the swing. From the right side, he worked with a rhythmic load and gradual weight shift forward, controlling the barrel cleanly on an upward plane while maintaining a mostly middle-of-the-field approach. The contact quality was backed by the metrics with a 87.8 mph max exit velocity, and with continued physical maturation, the impact numbers should continue to trend upward over the near future.

+ SS Easton Cook (Saraland, 2028) showed a polished offensive approach from the left side, standing out for his ability to repeat the swing and control the barrel. Listed at 5-foot-9, 168 pounds, he owns an athletic build with room to continue adding strength as he matures physically. He worked from a quiet, relaxed setup with minimal pre-pitch movement, using a short, simple load while showing present bat speed and an upward barrel path. The approach produced consistent contact to all fields, and the data reflected the offensive feel with an 88.2 mph max exit velocity, positioning him as a solid infield bat to follow as his strength and impact continue to develop.

+ SS Rawlins Tubbs (Holtville, 2030) showed advanced offensive skill for his age, standing out with polish and feel well beyond where most young prospects are developmentally. Listed at 5-foot-6, 149 pounds, he’s still early in his physical maturation, but the skill set already plays. From the left side, he showed a natural feel for the barrel with quick hands, working on a level path that produced a steady line-drive approach during BP. He demonstrated the ability to handle pitches in different parts of the zone, reinforcing his chances to develop into a special hitter and making him a 2030 prospect to keep close tabs on over the coming years.

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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