Yellowhammer State Games: Statistical Analysis
June 18, 2026
NORTHPORT, AL – The third annual Yellowhammer State Games concluded on Wednesday at River Run Park, bringing together more than 200 of Alabama's top prospects in the 2027-2030 classes for two days of evaluations and gameplay. Widely regarded as one of the premier events on the state's calendar, the invite-only event gave players an opportunity to compete alongside and against some of Alabama's top talent while continuing the evaluation process for future Prep Baseball national events.
The event once again showcased the depth of talent throughout the state, as the data collected during the pro-style workout highlighted a highly athletic and physical group.
- 20 hitters eclipsed the 100.0 mph exit velocity mark.
- 27 pitchers reached at least 86.0 mph on the mound.
- 58 players posted sub-7.00 second 60-yard dash times.
- 20 players recorded positional velocities of 87 mph or better.
Over the next several sections, we'll take a deeper dive into the numbers from this year's event, breaking down each major statistical category and highlighting some of the standout performances that defined the 2026 Yellowhammer State Games.
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60-YARD DASH (VALD PERFORMANCE)
As expected, the Yellowhammer State Games featured no shortage of athleticism with 58 players turning in sub-7.00 second 60-yard dash times and eight players dipping under the 6.60 mark. Slade Bounds led the event with a personal-best 6.37, continuing to show why he's one of the more intriguing uncommitted prospects in the state. The toolsy outfielder possesses several unteachable traits and continues to separate himself with his athleticism and overall upside.
Cohen Walker and Brady Sack were the only other players to break the 6.50 barrier. Walker reached the highest recorded run speed of the event at 22.2 mph, showcasing another gear once underway, while Sack arguably displayed the best initial burst of anyone in attendance, posting a 1.50-second 10-yard split and exploding out of the gates.
Rounding out the sub-6.60 group were Christian Alexander, Charlie Williamon, Jay Averett, Ross Christy, and Austin Kightlinger, further illustrating the overall athleticism present throughout the event. Another under-the-radar performer who excelled in testing was Brandon Garth, Jr. The athletic prospect posted a 1.59-second 10-yard split, 3.67-second 30-yard split, and 6.63-second 60-yard dash, but his testing didn't stop there. Garth also turned in one of the top all-around athletic profiles of the event, testing well in the 5-Jump RSI and recording the top max vertical jump at 29.6 inches, finishing 1.5 inches higher than the next closest player.
TOP EXIT VELOCITY (TRACKMAN)
The hitters put on a show throughout batting practice, as balls were leaving the yard frequently and loud contact was common throughout both fields. A total of 20 hitters eclipsed the 100 mph exit velocity mark, highlighting the amount of strength and offensive firepower present at this year's event.
Jeremiah Killian, Kade Brantley, and Wyatt Rath were the trio that paced the leaderboard, each surpassing 105 mph and showcasing plus power and impact ability in the barrel. All three consistently generated loud contact and possess the type of strength that can impact the baseball to all parts of the field.
Brock Green may have turned in the most impressive batting practice round of the day, at least for me on Field 2. The physical left-handed hitter repeatedly pummeled balls with authority to the pull-side gap and seemed to produce one loud swing after another. The data backed up the visual evaluation, as Green posted a top exit velocity of 104.6 mph and recorded numerous other swings at triple-digit exit velocities. Following up his event-leading 6.37-second 60-yard dash, Slade Bounds once again proved to be one of the top overall performers in attendance. The toolsy outfielder finished near the top of the leaderboard and was among the many hitters to record a triple-digit exit velocity showcasing the rare blend of athleticism and power in his profile.
TOP AVERAGE EXIT VELOCITY (TRACKMAN)
Getting into the top average exit velocities, Brady Sack continued to elevate the two-way floor in his profile after previously running a sub-6.50 60-yard dash. The athletic prospect registered a 97.3 mph average exit velocity (102.4 mph max) to narrowly lead the way and showcase his ability to consistently impact the baseball.
The leaderboard was incredibly tight at the top, as Sack edged out Brock Green and Hunter Elmore by just 0.1 mph. Green finished with a 97.2 mph average exit velocity (104.6 mph max), while Elmore matched him at a 97.2 mph average exit velocity (100.5 mph max). Green seemed to produce loud contact with nearly every swing, while Elmore didn't appear to hit a ball below 95 mph throughout his round, repeatedly finding the barrel and driving the baseball with authority.
Brody Blevins also put on a show, demonstrating an impressive ability to routinely find the barrel with each swing. The right-handed hitter recorded a 96.3 mph average exit velocity (99.3 mph max) and pieced together one of the more consistent rounds of batting practice during the event. Kade Brantley (95.6 mph average, 105.2 mph max) and Jeremiah Killian (95.4 mph average, 105.5 mph max), both of whom paced the max exit velocity leaderboard at 105-plus mph, were the only other hitters to eclipse the 95.0 mph average exit velocity threshold. Ultimately, this category served as one of the better indicators of who consistently lived on the barrel throughout their round of batting practice, and the names atop this leaderboard were among the most impressive offensive performers of the entire event.
FASTBALL VELOCITY (TRACKMAN)
Getting into the top fastball velocities recorded by pitchers on TrackMan while throwing live against hitters, this may have been the deepest collection of arms in the three-year history of the Yellowhammer State Games. A total of 27 pitchers reached at least 86 mph, with numerous arms showing traits that should make them intriguing follows moving forward.
Ryan Parent showcased the premier arm strength of the event, running his fastball up to 91.9 mph during his innings of work. The athletic right-hander showed a live arm and continued to reinforce his status as one of the top arms in attendance. Brody Blevins also hopped on the mound and showed impressive arm strength, sitting in the upper-80s and topping at 91.1 mph. Aiden Kantmann and Brady Sack were two more right-handers who flashed lively fastballs, with Kantmann touching 89.8 mph and Sack reaching 89.7 mph.
Sitting tied at 89.2 mph, Colton Clark and Hunter Dailey represented perhaps the best example of how velocity can play in different ways. Clark consistently worked at the top of the strike zone with high spin rates and impressive induced vertical break, allowing the fastball to ride through the zone and miss barrels. Dailey, meanwhile, reached the same top velocity with a much different profile, featuring a heavy fastball that averaged just 8.2 inches of induced vertical break, creating significant sinking action and allowing the pitch to work effectively at the bottom of the zone. Despite producing the same radar-gun reading, the contrasting fastball shapes and movement profiles made both arms uniquely effective.
MAX ESTIMATED DISTANCE (TRACKMAN)
Getting into max estimated distance during batting practice, there isn't much explaining needed for this category, as it's simply a measurement of who hit the baseball the furthest during their round of BP.
JC Cummings, who also posted a top exit velocity of 102.8 mph, led the way by a wide margin with a 403-foot max estimated distance, finishing 16 feet ahead of the next closest players. The physical right-handed hitter launched multiple towering drives throughout his round and was the only player to eclipse the 400-foot mark.
Hunter Elmore and Brody Blevins tied for second at 387 feet, while Kade Brantley and Colton Clark finished just behind them at 386 feet. George Brockwell (383 feet), Jack Sims (382 feet), and Collin Hall (381 feet) rounded out the group of players who eclipsed the 380-foot threshold.
These were the only hitters to reach the 380-foot mark, and all of them made their respective fields look small throughout batting practice. Each routinely launched balls to the deepest parts of the park and showcased the type of strength and carry off the barrel that translates to legitimate game power moving forward.
INFIELD VELOCITY
Getting into the top infield velocities, there were 14 players who recorded arm strengths of 86 mph or better across the infield, highlighting a deep collection of defenders with the type of arm strength that typically allows players to remain on the left side of the diamond moving forward.
Uncommitted rising senior Ben Pugh easily led the way, showcasing his two-way upside by recording a 95 mph infield velocity. The athletic prospect separated himself from the field and displayed one of the better pure arms in attendance regardless of position.
Brody Blevins and Lawson Hare were tied for second at 91 mph, while Colton Davis followed at 88 mph. Colton Clark, Baker Lyles, and Caleb McAusland rounded out the upper tier of the leaderboard, each recording an 87 mph infield velocity.
All of the players atop this leaderboard possess the type of arm strength that profiles well on the left side of the infield. Combined with their overall athleticism and defensive actions, these arm-strength numbers only reinforced the likelihood that this group can continue to handle premium defensive positions as they move forward in their careers.
OUTFIELD VELOCITY
Moving on to the outfielders, Ethan O'Meara continued the trend of Orange Beach players leading the way in their respective positional velocity groups, as he topped out at 96 mph and showcased plus arm strength from the outfield. The arm talent certainly translates to the mound, as well, where the two-way prospect has continued to show intriguing upside. Brady Sack followed closely behind at 94 mph, further elevating his already impressive all-around profile. The athletic two-way prospect also can reach the low-90s on the mound and topped out at 89.7 mph during his inning of work at the event.
Evan Money was also impressive, posting a 92 mph outfield velocity as a rising junior and continuing to show tools that should make him an intriguing follow moving forward. Will Congo and J.C. Cummings were tied at 91 mph, while Collin Crump and Cameron Roberts each recorded 89 mph. The names atop this leaderboard showcased plenty of arm strength and reinforced the overall athleticism present among this year's group of outfielders.
CATCHER VELOCITY
Now getting into catcher velocities, Declan King showcased an absolute cannon from behind the plate, topping out at 85 mph and displaying plus arm strength from the crouch. His pop times ranged from 2.08-2.11 seconds, and those times should only continue to improve as the transfer and exchange continue to quicken and better complement the arm strength.
Barrett McKelvey, Capps Burkes, and Haines Bridges rounded out the 80-plus mph group among the catchers. All three showcased quality arm strength while also pairing it with efficient actions, as each recorded a sub-2.00-second best pop time during the workout.
Mason Gandy and Will Carter followed closely behind at 79 mph. The backstops atop this leaderboard not only showed arm strength but also the defensive tools and athleticism that should allow them to control the running game and continue developing behind the plate.
CATCHER POP TIMES
Lastly, getting to catcher pop times, this metric provides a strong look at which catchers have the quickest transfers, fastest feet, and get rid of the baseball the most efficiently while also taking arm strength into account. Generally, a lower catcher velocity paired with a strong pop time is an encouraging indicator, as those times have a chance to continue to improve as arm strength develops and begins to complement the already quick actions and footwork.
Leading the way was Wyatt Rath, one of the top uncommitted catchers in the state and a player who also posted a 105.0 mph exit velocity during batting practice. Rath consistently ranged between 1.90-1.94 seconds and paired those times with a 78 mph catcher velocity, highlighting the efficiency of his transfer and overall actions behind the plate.
Following closely behind him were Jacob Folds, Drew Danner, Cole Austin, and Jackson Helton, all of whom recorded a best pop time of 1.94 seconds. The quartet showcased quick exchanges and clean footwork, and each possesses plenty of room for those times to continue trending downward as their arm strength continues to develop.
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 |
| Prep Baseball Future Games | July 21-26, 2026 | LakePoint Sports (Emerson, GA) |
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