Luke Bole

Things are looking up in Starkville as the new coaching staff lands several top players in the 2009 class. Among the top is Hartselle High School's Luke Bole. Their problem is likely keeping him as the June MLB draft nears. At 6-3/200 and a power arm Bole is getting a lot of MLB attention.

Bole comes from a stable of pitchers turned out by William Booth at Hartselle High School. His fast ball sits easily at 88 mph and will run up to 92 mph occasionally. His 3/4 arm slot creates run and sink to it making it a difficult pitch to hit, especially after hitters see his 77 mph slider.

Luke played for the East Cobb Shamrocks this past summer and was invited to the East Coast Professional Showcase where his skills were displayed in nice fashion.

With a solid spring he chances are very good to be an early pick in next June's MLB draft. He is definitely one to watch this coming spring.

Cooper Moseley

The University of Georgia has long looked into their neighboring state for football talent, but rarely for baseball. That all changed this year as they reached into Alabama for what many believe is Alabama's top prospect. The Georgia Bulldogs have a hard time recruiting football players in the state of Alabama, but University of Georgia's Coach Dave Perno came into Alabama and snagged  one of the top two way players in the nation when he signed Cooper Moseley. On the mound, Cooper's fast ball tops out at 92 and when combined with a big league breaking ball he can become dominate on the mound.  Cooper played 2nd base and was used as a closer on the hill the past two summers, while living in Marietta, GA and playing for the East Cobb Baseball Program. One of the most unusual things about Cooper is the fact that he has never played one day of regular organized high school baseball. Cooper is in a modified home-school program in Montgomery, Alabama and plays during the spring with the Evangel Family Christian Saints, a home-school baseball team in Montgomery made up of players that are predominately home schooled. During the summer, he moves to Marietta to live on the East Cobb Complex. Cooper has also been contacted by several MLB teams and is expected to go somewhere in the top 10 rounds in the upcoming draft in June of 2009.

  Robby Lilly

Hoover's soft lefty lands at Jacksonville State University. Coach Jim Case landed a winner when he signed Robby Lilly. The soft hefty has a unique way of missing bats and winning big games. Lilly is one of three soft throwing southpaws in the 2008 graduating class who has the ability to frustrate hitters and win big games. His ability to pitch backwards with above average off-speed pitches, then locate his 80-81mph fastball to both sides of the plate has made Robby a winner. It doesn't hurt that he has a bulldog type mound presence and is a "give me the ball" type player.

Don't let his small stature fool you. It may not be enough to attract the MLB scouts, but it is enough to win with as many 5A & 6A schools found out last year. Look for some big games from Lilly again this spring. He knows how to win.

  Adam Windsor

Alabama picked up one of the state's best LHP in Windsor. Windsor's fastball sits in the mid 80's and is complimented with a nice change. While Windsor's body doesn't project to the MLB scouts, his arm does. With some improvements this spring he could become a draft prospect. he has some grit to his game and he competes on the mound. He is one to watch closely this spring to see how he develops.

 Slade Smith

Growing up an Auburn fan and the son of a former Auburn quarterback made Auburn's job a little easier, but not before a battle with Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Alabama. Smith could likely be the best right hander of this year's Alabama players with a 6-2/195 frame and a lively arm. He comes from Ft. Payne High School where he is coached by Johnny Johnson. Slade jumped into the recruiting limelight this past summer while playing for the Bama Bombers. His loose, lively arm is quick to gain attention from college coaches and professional scouts. A fastball that sits easily in the upper 80's and will bump 92 gains attention, but it is his command that separates him from the rest. He locates three pitches very well and has an idea what he is doing on the hill. He knows how to get batters out and how to win.

Slade also commands a nice slider and change for out pitches. His slider has sharpness and his change nice arm side sink action. They are advanced pitches for his age.

Smith was also a college quarterback recruit until this past summer when he took the pads off to concentrate on baseball. He definitely has a future in the game if he stays health and continues to develop.

Ben Bracewell

Briarwood Christian's Bracewell become the first SEC baseball signee. Ben adds to a strong Mississippi State signing class from the state of Alabama. With a new coaching staff that has strong ties to the state of Alabama it is only logical to expect players from the state committing, but the staff at MSU has landed commitments from some of the best in the state this year. Briarwood Christian's Ben Bracewell ranks among them. Ben is a nice RHP with skills and a competitive spirit that transfers to the mound well. Entering his senior season Bracewell carries an impressive career 1.56 ERA and 180 strikeouts in 152.3 innings pitched. With only 54 walks and 14 hit-by-pitch his strikeout to walk ratio is strong.

He is coached by former UAB assistant coach Lee Hall who tells ATP that Bracewell enters the spring season with the potential to break many of the schools records. While MSU plans to put Bracewell on the hill, his offensive skills are clearly seen with a .421 batting average, 5 home runs and 30 RBI last season. Records or not Ben is one to watch this spring and in his career at Mississippi State.

  Bryan Houghton

Coach Pawlowski struck again early in signing another strong RHP in Bob Jones' Houghton. The lean right handed has a nice fast ball that will run up into the upper 80's.While Bryan's fastball does hit the low 90's just yet, it projects to. Once his lean frame begins to fill out he is likely to become a national top prospect and a real steal for the new Auburn staff. The arm speed and tools are present now.

CC Watson

Mississippi State's pitching coach, Butch Thompson's ties to Alabama has paid off for the Bulldogs again in landing CC Watson. Watson ranks among the top pitching prospects in the state. Watson's size is deceiving at 6-0/190. His arm is fast and his fastball sits comfortably at 86-88 and will but 90 at times. His fastball is complimented with a nice breaking pitch and change.

According to the MSU staff CC could be a two-way player for the Bulldogs. The Cleburne County High star also plays a good outfield. If his bat can earn a spot in the lineup, he could become a position player and closer.

John Frost

The Blazer land a nice one as Decatur High School's John Frost chooses UAB over Mississippi State. Frost is a 6-2/180 third baseman that fits the prototypical mold of the college third baseman. Frost best tool may be his bat. He possesses nice bat speed and can hit for average and with a lot of power. He shows a nice glove with above average arm and has enough range to handle third base at the D1 level.

Frost spent the 2007 summer playing for the Bama Bombers with a strong showing at the USA Baseball's 16U World Championships in Jupiter, Florida. He played last summer for the East Cobb Shamrocks.

Frost will join a former Bama Bomber and Decatur High team mate Trey Early in the UAB infield in the spring of 2009. Early signed with the Blazer this past year. The tandom should handle the left side of the Blazer's infield well for the next few years.

  Sam Frost

Hoovers gritty second baseman should find playing in Starkville a lot of fun. Sam is the prototypical MSU Bulldog . He is a throw-back type player with a competitive spirit. His best tool may be his bat and we can see him hitting in the two or six hole for the Bulldogs. Being a left handed hitter doesn't hurt, either. Sam centers the ball well with gap power and will hit for average. He has sufficient speed and range to cover ground in the infield and to steal a few bases. His glove is soft, quick hands and he has good feet around the bag.

He compliments the already strong MSU signing class well.

Trey Pilkington

 Trey is a solid prospect for the Tide and brings depth to Well's bullpen. Pilkington's fastball sits comfortably in the upper 80's and bumps 92 occasionally. His arm side sink on it makes it a hard pitch to hit. Coach Wells may have a problem keeping Pilkington with the early draft attention, but should he make it to T-town he has a strong chance to become a nice hurler for the Tide.

His 6-3/195 frame projects well and many scouts see Pilkington getting better in the next years. His velocity increase and overall strength over the past two years may be ample proof. With an increase of 4-5 mph and added muscle, Pilkington is catching a lot of eyes this coming spring to see how he improves. He definitely will gain some attention this coming spring among the MLB scouts.

Pilkington played summer ball with the Bama Bombers in 2007 and with the Excel Blue Wave this last summer.

Andrew Miller

While the Miller can show signs of dominance on the mound, his bat is his most valuable tool. The Tide landed a good one in Andrew Miller. Their problem now is keeping him out of the June draft. Miller is a 4 tool player with definite skills. He runs well, has arm strength and can cover ground in the outfield. He could be the most polished hitter in the state this year and the MLB scouts are following him closely.

Miller likely benefited from the attention of his St. Paul's teammate, Destin Hood last spring. As scout followed Hood they were constantly impressed with the left handed outfielder and his ability to play the game.

Miller covers the plate well and handles upper velocity pitching. He shows the ability to hit to the opposite field and has pull side power. His ability to hit with a projectable body makes him a close follow by the scouts this spring.

Brett Booth

Bama signs "Mr. Versatile" in Tuscaloosa County's Brett Booth. The physical Booth has now strength with nice athletic actions. Add arm strength to the equation and you have a potential impact player for the Tide. He may be one of the most athletic and versatile players in the 2009 class. He can play all positions on the field well. His fastball sits in the upper 80's and he has an idea on the mound, but will likely end up behind the dish for the Tide in 2010. His body type and bat fit the prototypical backstop mold. We see Brett find early playing time in Tuscaloosa if he continues to develop.