Week in Review: Jan. 3-10
January 9, 2026
ALABAMA — As we roll into a new weekly feature, we’re excited to introduce Week in Review, a comprehensive recap of everything released across the state during the previous week. Covering the stretch of January 3-10, this edition brings together all of our latest Alabama content, from the launch of Capacity Sports Group and Preseason ID recaps to in-depth high school team previews and other additional news from around the state. With content continuing to roll out at a high level, our coverage remains second to none, offering readers an unmatched look at Alabama’s high school baseball landscape. Below, you’ll find a complete rundown of all articles and notable updates released throughout the past week.
The Launch of Capacity Sports Group
🚨 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒: Prep Baseball and Bullpen Tournaments today announced the completion of their merger and the launch of 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 (𝐂𝐒𝐆). The combined organization is the nation’s only fully integrated venue management and youth… pic.twitter.com/QBUeJZlgwx
— Prep Baseball (@prepbaseball) January 8, 2026
We begin the new week with an exciting announcement as Prep Baseball and Bullpen Tournaments officially complete their merger and launch Capacity Sports Group (CSG). The combined organization now stands as the leading fully integrated venue management and youth sports platform, uniting facilities, events, scouting, media, technology, and teams under a single operating model. CSG brings together trusted brands and proven operators across a national footprint to deliver a consistent, end-to-end experience for athletes, families, and scouts. By aligning venue operations, event programming, and scouting into one platform, Capacity Sports Group raises the standard for consistency, quality, and athlete experience at every touchpoint.
“This is the next step in our evolution and an extension of what we have been building for 22 years,” said Sean Duncan, President of Prep Baseball. “Our merger simply strengthens our ability to operate at the highest level, with world-class venues, elite events, and a unified standard of service nationwide.” To learn more information on the announcement, CLICK HERE to read the full release.
Upcoming Preseason All-State Events
The Preseason All-State events have quickly grown into some of the largest and most talent-rich showcases on our annual calendar, consistently attracting many of the top prospects from across the state of Alabama. The preseason environment often produces peak performances, as athletes arrive fresh off focused and intentional offseason training programs that frequently result in significant gains. This timing makes the event an ideal opportunity for players to update and elevate their Prep Baseball profiles while positioning themselves for potential invitations to some of the summer’s premier invite-only events, including the Yellowhammer State Games, Future Games, All-American Game, Super 60, and more.
Our staff strategically hosts Preseason All-State events throughout the state to identify players who have maximized their offseason development—whether uncovering new prospects to add to our follow lists or tracking familiar names who continue to trend upward. Below, you will find more information regarding our upcoming Preseason All-State events in January.
The 2026 South AL Preseason All-State is set for January 11th, 2026, at the Orange Beach Sportsplex in Orange Beach, AL, one of the state’s premier baseball facilities. This invite-only event will feature the top 2026–2030 prospects in Alabama, with the pro-style workout split into three sessions based on positions and pitchers throwing bullpens at the end of the event. With over 80 prospects already registered and a couple weeks remaining, interest continues to build and the event has the potential to sell out. Invited players are encouraged to register early, as availability may become limited.
To request an invite to the 2026 South AL Preseason All-State, CLICK HERE.
The 2026 North AL Preseason All-State is scheduled for January 17th, 2026, at the Hartselle HS Indoor facility in Hartselle, AL. This invite-only event will feature many of the state’s top 2026–2030 prospects, with the pro-style workout split into three sessions based on positions and pitchers throwing bullpens at the end of the event. With over 100 prospects already registered and the event still a couple of weeks away, registration is trending toward a sellout. Invited players are encouraged to secure their spot soon, as availability may become limited.
UPDATE: Infielder, Catcher, and Pitcher-Only options for the North AL Preseason All-State are now SOLD OUT. Limited spots remain for the Outfielder option.
To request an invite to the 2026 North AL Preseason All-State, CLICK HERE.
Preseason ID Recaps
We also wrapped up a pair of Preseason ID events over the past week, beginning with the Birmingham Preseason ID on January 4th at StrongBox Indoor, which drew over 60 prospects from across the state. The following day, we headed north for the Huntsville Preseason ID on January 5th at Clutch Performance, continuing a strong start to the preseason event slate. Both events featured a deep group of talent, highlighted by the presence of the No. 1 prospects in Alabama’s 2028 and 2029 classes, along with several other notable performers. Below are a few of the standout prospects from the week:
Huntsville Preseason ID
+ OF/LHP Hudson Oliver (Hoover, 2028), the No. 1 prospect in Alabama’s 2028 class and ranked No. 17 nationally, showed why he sits at the top of the board with a pristine athletic profile at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds and plenty of room to continue adding strength. He posted elite athletic metrics, including a 1.59-second 10-yard split and a 3.75-second 30-yard dash, underscoring his quick-twitch ability and overall explosiveness. At the plate, he worked with a smooth left-handed swing and a gap-to-gap approach, pairing present bat speed with quick hands and advanced barrel control. The impact showed up clearly in the data, as he recorded a 100.0 mph max exit velocity, 95.6 mph average EV, and drove balls up to 389 feet, highlighting the upside as his already high-end tools continue to progress.
+ SS Kamrin Jenkins (Bob Jones, 2026) made a loud first impression in his first look in the state, transferring in just days before the event and turning in a true coming-out performance. He showed a really athletic profile with strength throughout a 6-foot-1, 197-pound frame, pairing confidence and presence with an advanced offensive approach. At the plate, he showed easy juice with an upward path and direct move to contact, flashing plus bat speed and hand speed while consistently looking to elevate and impact the baseball. Swinging with wood, he posted one of the top offensive marks of the event, finishing second in max distance at 373 feet while registering a 102.8 mph max exit velocity, and carried himself with a pro-like demeanor and visible swagger throughout the workout. He’s set to head to the Super 60 in February amongst some of the other top MLB Draft prospects in the country.
+ RHP Inman Carson (Oneonta, 2027) showed a strong, durable presence on the mound at 6-foot-2, 193 pounds, working from a high three-quarter arm slot with controlled intent. The fastball ranged 88-91 mph and topped at 92.0 mph, showing spin rates north of 2300 rpm with some arm-side life through the zone. He paired the heater with a slider at 76-78 mph that showed good tilt and sweeping action, giving him a reliable second offering. A low-80s changeup rounded out the arsenal, and as a former Prep Baseball Future Gamer from this past summer, he remains a name to watch closely heading into the spring.
+ OF/RHP Tristan Blalock (James Clemens, 2029) showed why he sits atop the 2029 class in Alabama and ranks No. 15 nationally, bringing a projectable 6-foot-2, 178-pound frame with present strength and more on the way. Though primarily a right-handed pitcher, he took a loud round of BP, showing controlled aggression in the right-handed swing with advanced pop for his age. He consistently barreled balls to the pull side, posting a 102.0 mph max exit velocity, an eye-opening mark for a freshman. The combination of impact at the plate and his primary role on the mound continues to cement him as a true two-way prospect with upside on both sides of the ball moving forward.
To view the full Quick Hits piece from the Huntsville Preseason ID, CLICK HERE.
Birmingham Preseason ID
+ RHP/3B Luke McGowan (Lakeside School, 2027) emerged as arguably the biggest winner from the event, showing a strong, physical 6-foot, 215-pound frame while producing some of the loudest contact of the day with a violent swing and pull-side gap approach. He posted a 103.2 mph max exit velocity while averaging 93.7 mph and driving balls up to 370 feet, backed by advanced bat metrics that included a 79.8 mph max bat speed and 23.9 mph max hand speed, highlighting real strength in the barrel. He translated that impact to the mound as an easy mover with arm strength, running his fastball up to 87.1 mph with carry traits and extension that allowed the pitch to play above the radar reading. He rounded out the arsenal with quality secondary offerings, including a low-70s curveball spinning north of 2200 rpm and a firm upper-70s changeup, further cementing his legitimate two-way ability.
+ SS Brody Blevins (Westbrook Christian, 2027) continued to trend upward as one of the more toolsy infielders in attendance, with continued strength gains clearly showing up throughout Sunday’s workout. A multi-year varsity starter as an underclassman, he delivered the loudest round of BP at the event, highlighted by a 100.3 mph max exit velocity and consistent hard contact. Offensively, he works from an early load with a controlled leg kick before getting the barrel square and rotating hard through contact, allowing the bat to stay on plane. He complemented the offensive impact with quality athleticism, recording a 3.83-second 30-yard dash in the workout. He'll be a good uncommitted follow in the 2027 class this spring.
+ OF Leyton West (James Clemens, 2030) stood out as one of the youngest prospects in attendance, yet still showed traits that point to a high-upside future profile as a left-handed hitter. Still just an eighth-grader, he displayed a smooth, loose left-handed swing with natural feel to lift the baseball, topping out at a 91.5 mph max exit velocity during BP. The frame remains highly projectable with plenty of room to add strength as he continues to mature physically, suggesting notable offensive gains are on the horizon. He also showed early athleticism throughout the workout, recording a 3.87-second 30-yard dash, further reinforcing why he’s already viewed as one of the top players in his class and a name to track closely moving forward.
To view the full Quick Hits piece from the Birmingham Preseason ID, CLICK HERE.
The Prep Baseball Hotlist
The Hotlist is a weekly national series that delivers timely insight into the high school baseball landscape, curated by Prep Baseball’s network of state directors positioned across the country. Each week, directors provide boots-on-the-ground intel on prospects in their own backyards, offering a snapshot of players, trends, and storylines that align with the most relevant points on the baseball calendar. With topics rotating weekly based on seasonality, The Hotlist serves as a nationwide pulse check on amateur baseball, blending local evaluations with a broader national perspective.
This week’s topic: Looking ahead to the 2026 MLB Draft, we’re putting together a New Year’s Resolution Hotlist. Please submit a 2026 draft-eligible prospect (or a few) from your state whose spring you’re most looking forward to following. Include the “resolution” you’re tracking this year whether it’s a tool taking a step forward, a jump in performance, or a specific aspect of their game that could meaningfully impact their draft stock.
This week’s Alabama entry features a standout duo of teammates from Hoover High School: OF/LHP Will Adams, a 2026 LSU recruit, and SS Jaxson Wood, a Tennessee recruit. ⤵️
“Adams continues to show high end two-way impact, consistently influencing the game both offensively and on the mound. The LSU recruit features a mature presence in the batter’s box, displaying advanced strike zone awareness and rarely expanding beyond the zone. He’s comfortable attacking early or working deep counts, pairing present bat speed with the ability to drive the baseball to both gaps from a slightly uphill path, making him a consistent challenge for opposing arms. On the mound, the left-hander flashes electric stuff from a clean, easy delivery. The fastball sits 88-91 mph and reaches 92, with command to both sides of the plate. He complements it with a sharp, late-breaking curveball (1/7 shape) in the 76-78 mph range that consistently disrupts timing. The arm talent stands out, and when combined with his offensive upside, Adams profiles as a premier two-way prospect to follow closely this spring.”
“Wood has continued to cement himself as one of the top prospects in Alabama’s 2026 class, with sustained performance over time backing up the reputation. The Tennessee commit consistently finds the barrel, highlighting an advanced offensive profile. His bat speed is a true separator, having produced exit velocities north of 100 mph at previous events and he pairs it with pull-side juice from an uphill path for consistent in-game production. On the defensive side, Wood handles the routine play with ease while also flashing premium arm strength from the left side of the infield. Wood is ultra-competitive and shows plenty of future projection on the diamond. One of the most complete shortstops in the state, he continues to impact the game in both phases and appears primed for a huge senior campaign with the Bucs.”
The Winter Pulse
Debuting on the national stage this week was a brand-new piece of content titled The Winter Pulse, a comprehensive leaderboard compiling key statistics collected from the first wave of Preseason ID events held across the country. This feature offers an early snapshot of top performers nationwide as the preseason circuit gets underway. With several big-time performances coming out of both the Huntsville and Birmingham Preseason ID events, Alabama was well represented, with numerous in-state prospects appearing throughout the leaderboards and making an early statement this winter. Below are those Alabama prospects featured in the article:
Exit Velocity (Avg.)
- OF Hudson Oliver (Hoover, 2028) - 95.6 mph (5th)
Bat Speed (Avg.)
- OF/LHP Barrett Upton (Enterprise, 2028) - 76.7 mph (T-4th)
- SS Brody Blevins (Westbrook Christian, 2027) - 76.5 mph (5th)
- 3B/RHP Luke McGowan (Lakeside School, 2027) - 75.8 mph (6th)
Rotational Acceleration (Avg.)
- C Bishop Morton (Athens, 2028) - 26.8 g (4th)
- OF Lawson Price (Madison County, 2028) - 24.4 g (7th)
- OF Trey Harville (Austin, 2028) - 23.5 g (10th)
Vizual Edge Score
- OF John Carter Goolesby (Florence, 2027) - 87.95 (1st)
- C Nash Landon (Good Hope, 2028) - 84.18 (2nd)
- SS John Pruet (Northridge, 2028) - 82.95 (5th)
- C Nathan Currier (Prattville Christian, 2027) - 82.25 (7th)
- OF MJ Castelloni (Fremd, IL, 2028) - 82.06 (8th)
Max Vertical Jump
- 3B Parker Simpson (Mountain Brook, 2029) - 36.7 in. (1st)
Fastball Velocity (Max)
- RHP Inman Carson (Oneonta, 2027) - 92.0 mph (1st)
- RHP Aiden Kantmann (Bob Jones, 2027) - 89.1 mph (6th)
Fastball Spin Rate (Avg.)
- SS/RHP Evan Young (Huntsville, 2029) - 2325 RPM (7th)
Fastball Horizontal Break (Avg.)
- SS/RHP Chase Harris-Lambert (Madison Academy, 2029) - 18.3 in. (4th)
- RHP Rackley Everett (Woodland, 2029) - 17.1 in. (9th)
Changeup Induced Vertical Break (Avg.)
- RHP Landon Lee (Lindsay Lane Christian, 2030) - 20.3 in. (3rd)
Changeup Horizontal Break (Avg.)
- SS/RHP Evan Young (Huntsville, 2029) - 18.9 in. (6th)
To see the full Preseason ID leaderboards, CLICK HERE.
2026 High School Team Previews
Continuing our daily rollout, we released a new batch of high school team previews over the past week, offering an in-depth look at programs across the state heading into the upcoming season. Each preview is built directly from questionnaires submitted by high school coaches and provides a comprehensive breakdown of each team, including overall outlook, top returning players, key underclassmen to know, the 2025 finish, and much more. These previews will continue to be released daily as we count down to first pitch in February. High school coaches who did not receive a questionnaire and would like their program featured can email [email protected] to receive one. Please note that questionnaires are available to high school coaches only.
To view all team previews released up to this point, CLICK HERE.
Uncommitted Spotlights
This past week, we continued our Uncommitted Spotlights, a recurring fall series that highlights some of Alabama’s top uncommitted prospects in the junior and senior classes. Released every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the fall, these features focus on talented upperclassmen as they head into the offseason and enter the final stages of their high school careers. With many still available, some overlooked and others quietly flying under the radar, this series provides valuable exposure for players actively seeking the right opportunity to compete at the next level.
To view all uncommitted spotlights released up to this point, CLICK HERE.
Recent Commitments
Rounding out the week, we highlighted a wave of recent commitments in the Class of 2026, spotlighting prospects who took the next step in their recruiting journeys. This section recaps the latest 2026 pledges from the past week, recognizing both the players and programs as decisions continue to come off the board.
- RHP/OF Griffin Grigsby (Grissom, 2026) has committed to Bevill State CC.
- INF Brooks Harris (Hartselle, 2026) has committed to Truett-McConnell College.
UPCOMING EVENTS ⤵️
| SHOWCASE | DATE | LOCATION |
| South AL Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) | January 11th, 2026 | Orange Beach Sportsplex (Orange Beach, AL) |
| North AL Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) | January 17th, 2026 | Hartselle High School Indoor (Hartselle, AL) |
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