NORTHPORT, AL - The 2026 Yellowhammer State Games made its debut to River Run Park in Northport, AL, on June 16-17 for the third edition of the premier summer event on the Prep Baseball Alabama calendar. More than 210 of the state's top prospects from the 2027-2030 classes converged in Northport for two days of pro-style workouts and gameplay while competing alongside and against many of Alabama's top talents.

With Future Games, Junior Future Games, and other marquee summer events on the horizon, the Yellowhammer State Games once again served as one of the most important evaluation opportunities of the year for the Prep Baseball Alabama staff. The event featured high-level competition, loud statistical performances, and numerous prospects who further elevated their stock heading into the remainder of the summer.

The following Quick Hits article highlights several standout performers from the corner infield group with brief scouting notes and observations gathered throughout the event.

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Hunter Elmore 1B / 3B / American Christian, AL / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 35 / POS: 1 Elmore looked every bit the part of one of the nation's elite prospects and clearly separated himself as one of the premier talents in attendance at the Yellowhammer State Games. The No. 1 player in Alabama's 2028 class and No. 35 prospect nationally entered the event on the heels of a massive sophomore campaign in which he hit north of .500 with 12 home runs and was named the Prep Baseball Alabama Player of the Year. The 6-foot-1, 207-pound prospect garnered plenty of attention when he stepped into the box on Field 3 and routinely squared up nearly every pitch during batting practice, rarely producing anything below 95 mph and topping at 100.5 mph. Elmore commands a physical presence in the box and moves athletically through impact, showing some of the best power in the country for his class while repeatedly launching baseballs throughout his round. The profile also continues to evolve physically, as evidenced by trimming his 60-yard dash time from 7.45 to 7.03 seconds while adding defensive versatility that should allow him to handle either corner infield or corner outfield duties moving forward.

Jordon Lankford 3B / Geraldine, AL / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 7 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 214 / POS: 19 Lankford's batting practice round quickly became one of the main attractions on Field 3, as nearly everyone in attendance stopped to watch him put on a power display. The 5-foot-9, 221-pound prospect possesses a physical yet athletic frame and showcased some of the best raw power in Alabama's 2028 class, repeatedly belting baseballs deep to the pull-side gap. He generates easy power with little perceived effort, pairing serious bat speed with considerable hand strength to create high-level impact on an uphill path through the zone. Lankford produced a peak exit velocity of 95.1 mph and once again looked the part of one of the premier offensive players in the state's sophomore class. Coming off another monster spring season, he remains a high-level follow heading into an important summer evaluation period for the 2028 class.

Lawson Hare 3B / RHP / Auburn, AL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 32 / POS: 2 Hare entered the Yellowhammer State Games as one of Alabama's top uncommitted prospects in the 2027 class and further solidified that status with another impressive all-around showing. The 6-foot-2, 197-pound prospect possesses a long, projectable frame with long levers and continued room to add strength, while also showing noticeable gains across multiple areas of his game. Defensively, his long-term home remains open for discussion, as he played the corner outfield during the spring and worked as a third baseman at this event, though the athleticism gives him the ability to handle multiple spots on the field. Hare posted a 6.99-second 60-yard dash and produced one of the top offensive rounds of the event with a 102.6 mph exit velocity during batting practice. He hits from a slightly upright setup with his weight positioned on the backside and utilizes a simple stride with minimal hand movement, allowing him to stay direct to contact and consistently create strength in the barrel with compact actions and gap-to-gap impact. He did not throw at this event, but the arm strength remains noteworthy after previously working up to 92 mph on the mound.

Maxwell Kimbrell SS / RHP / Hartselle, AL / 2030 Kimbrell continued to look like one of the top 2030 prospects in the country while showcasing an impressive skill set as a position player at the Yellowhammer State Games. Already a notable two-way prospect who has logged varsity innings and shown the ability to reach 90 mph on the mound, Kimbrell went through this event strictly as a positional player and more than held his own. The 6-foot-1, 194-pound rising freshman possesses a mature, physical frame that certainly does not resemble that of a typical player his age. Offensively, he repeatedly found the barrel with an athletic swing that worked on a semi-upward path through contact and produced a peak exit velocity of 92.9 mph. He also showcased quality actions on the infield and looked comfortable on the left side of the diamond, where he appears well-suited to remain long term.

Evan Daigle 1B / McGill-Toolen Catholic, AL / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 22 / POS: 2 Daigle continued to reinforce his standing as one of the premier power bats in Alabama's 2028 class with another loud offensive showing at the Yellowhammer State Games. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound left-handed hitter possesses some of the best raw power in the state's sophomore class and profiles as a middle-of-the-order run producer. Coming off a monster sophomore campaign in which he established himself as an extra-base hit machine, Daigle once again showcased the offensive traits that have become synonymous with his profile. The ball consistently jumped off the barrel during batting practice as he worked on an uphill path with strong hands and present bat speed, producing a peak exit velocity of 99.4 mph. The power has already proven to translate in game action and continues to be the carrying tool in an impressive offensive profile.

Caleb McAusland 3B / RHP / American Christian, AL / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 32 / POS: 2 McAusland put together one of the more impressive two-way performances of the event while continuing to showcase a skill set that is trending in multiple areas. The 5-foot-10, 188-pound prospect displays fluid, athletic actions in the swing with efficient rhythm and the ability to create quality separation in the load. He controls the barrel well throughout the zone and pairs quick hands with evident bat speed, showing real feel to hit with present power already in the profile and more still to come. McAusland produced one of the top offensive metrics of the event, recording a 100.7 mph exit velocity during a line-drive round of batting practice. He also showed considerable upside on the mound, running his fastball up to 87.9 mph with big induced vertical break numbers that averaged 21.3 inches while spinning a 75-77 mph breaking ball at up to 2754 RPM.

Collin Hall INF / Faith Academy, AL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 69 / POS: 2 Hall entered the Yellowhammer State Games on the heels of a monster junior campaign that culminated with him being named the Class 5A State Finals Most Valuable Player. The 5-foot-7, 183-pound infielder possesses a compact, strong build and continued to showcase the present hit tool that allowed him to produce at a high level throughout the spring. Offensively, Hall works from a balanced, square setup with a lower hand set and varying load, while the hands show minimal movement and work quickly through the zone to consistently deliver the barrel to contact. He produced a line-drive, all-fields approach throughout batting practice, posting a peak exit velocity of 97.5 mph and adding a 7.11-second 60-yard dash. The offensive profile remains the carrying trait, while the defensive versatility to handle either second or third base only adds to his appeal.

Aiden DeRamus 3B / Thompson, AL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 86 / POS: 10 DeRamus continued to see his stock rise this week and turned in arguably his best overall showcase performance to date. The Alabama State recruit possesses an athletic, medium build at 5-foot-10, 171 pounds and consistently showed why the offensive profile continues to trend upward. The left-handed hitter works with a smooth, whippy swing and incorporates efficient rhythm and athletic movements throughout the operation. He utilizes a controlled load and works the barrel on an uphill path with present bat speed and whip through the zone, creating clean movements through impact and producing a peak exit velocity of 97.4 mph. The overall offensive showing further reinforced the strides he has made over the last year.

Cody Willis 3B / Mars Hill Bible, AL / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 40 / POS: 3 Willis continued to show why there is plenty to like about the long-term outlook of his offensive profile. The 6-foot-1, 188-pound left-handed hitter possesses a projectable frame with room to continue adding strength and has already put together a strong track record of production over the past year. Offensively, Willis utilizes a hanging leg kick for timing but consistently gets down on time and stays under control throughout the operation. He showcases a clean, easy left-handed stroke with extension out front and present pop that plays to all fields. The actions in the swing stood out throughout batting practice, where he produced a peak exit velocity of 93.0 mph.

Jack Sims 3B / Hartselle, AL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 101 / POS: 12 Sims showed well throughout the workout and put together one of the better offensive rounds among the corner infielders in attendance. The 6-foot-1, 178-pound prospect possesses a medium, athletic frame and works from an upright setup with a simple load. He creates quality separation with the hands, allowing his quick hands and bat speed to translate efficiently through the zone. Sims consistently swung with intent and aggression during batting practice and produced a peak exit velocity of 97.8 mph. He also turned in a 7.15-second 60-yard dash to cap off an impressive overall workout.

Patton Mitchell 1B / LHP / Trinity Presbyterian, AL / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 17 / POS: 3 Mitchell continued to show the strides he has made physically over the past year and remains one of the more intriguing two-way prospects in Alabama's 2028 class. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound prospect still offers considerable upside on both sides of the ball, though the bat may currently hold a slight edge in the profile. Offensively, Mitchell features a compact left-handed swing with a strong feel for the barrel and the ability to spray firm contact to all fields. He creates quality separation, stays through contact well, and shows some present whip to the barrel, resulting in a peak exit velocity of 92.3 mph. Mitchell also ran a 6.96-second 60-yard dash and worked up to 83.0 mph on the mound during the event.

Wyatt Wallace 1B / RHP / Lindsay Lane Christian, AL / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 65 / POS: 4 Wallace showcased the type of offensive profile that projects comfortably in the middle of a lineup. The 6-foot-1, 209-pound prospect possesses a strong frame and utilizes that strength particularly well through the lower half to create high-level impact at contact. He hits from a wider setup with a simple, early load and pairs quick hands with present bat speed to consistently drive the baseball with authority. The right-handed hitter produced one of the louder offensive rounds of the event, recording a peak exit velocity of 103.5 mph. Wallace also turned in a 7.15-second 60-yard dash to cap off a strong overall workout.

James Eady 1B / Homewood, AL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 90 / POS: 8 Eady continued to show the offensive traits that made him a key middle-of-the-order presence during the spring season. The 6-foot-2, 231-pound first baseman possesses advanced strength and a clear long-term profile at the position, but the left-handed bat offers more than just power. Eady showed quality bat-to-ball skills and feel for the barrel throughout batting practice while consistently driving the baseball to the deep parts of the field. He utilizes a short, compact left-handed swing that works on a level path through the zone, allowing him to create backspin and impact the gaps with authority. Eady finished the workout with a peak exit velocity of 97.3 mph, further reinforcing the offensive upside in the profile.

Hayden Jones 1B / Central-Phenix City, AL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 41 / POS: 3 Jones continued to showcase an intriguing offensive profile built around present strength and power potential. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect possesses a strong, well-built frame and brings another physical presence to the batter's box. He hits from a relaxed, upright setup and utilizes a quick toe-tap trigger to get into his swing, where present bat speed helps him consistently impact the baseball with authority. Jones posted a peak exit velocity of 96.4 mph during batting practice and averaged 92.6 mph, highlighting how routinely he found the barrel throughout his round. Despite the already physical build, there still appears to be projection remaining in the frame moving forward.

Harrison Colburn 3B / RHP / Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, AL / 2029 Rankings  StateRank: 26 / POS: 1 Colburn made a strong first impression in his debut Prep Baseball showcase and looked every bit the part of one of the more physically imposing prospects in Alabama's 2029 class. The 6-foot-1, 231-pound prospect possesses a high ceiling on both sides of the ball and showcased intriguing tools throughout the event. Offensively, Colburn displayed an easy operation with clean movements throughout the swing, allowing his strength to do the work as he consistently drove baseballs from gap to gap and produced a peak exit velocity of 97.0 mph. The upside may be equally as high on the mound, where he worked at 84-86 mph and topped at 86.7 mph with natural arm-side run and spin rates up to 2355 RPM on the fastball. He also showed feel for a 68-71 mph curveball and a firmer 74-75 mph slider that both spun above 2300 RPM, while turning over a 74 mph changeup that offered arm-side fade.

UPCOMING EVENTS ⤵️

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
Gulf Coast Summer ID	June 23, 2026	Orange Beach Sportsplex
Gulf Coast Rising Stars ID	June 23, 2026	Orange Beach Sportsplex
Birmingham Summer ID	June 30, 2026	Pelham High School
Birmingham Rising Stars ID	June 30, 2026	Pelham High School
Tuscaloosa Summer ID	July 7, 2026	Northridge High School
Tuscaloosa Rising Stars ID	July 7, 2026	Northridge High School
Wiregrass Summer ID	July 14, 2026	Enterprise High School
Wiregrass Rising Stars ID	July 14, 2026	Enterprise High School

 

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