News Article: Baseball America ranks Tide's recruiting class #15

Tide Baseball

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Sep 15, 2018
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15. Alabama
Recruiting coordinator: Jerry Zulli
Top recruit: Tyler Ras, RHP/OF (No. 188)
Overview: After getting hired last summer, this is the first recruiting class head coach Brad Bohannon and his staff have really been able to put their stamp on. It is reminiscent of the class Bohannon put together in 2016 at Auburn, his first full class after arriving on The Plains as recruiting coordinator. It’s a larger class due to Alabama’s large senior class last year and includes several junior college players who will be counted on to quickly step in and contribute.
Hitters: Shortstop Isaiah Byars (380) is an advanced defender with above-average hands and smooth infield actions. His glove is ahead of his bat right now, but he has above-average speed and athleticism and should grow into more power as he gets stronger. Outfielder T.J. Reeves (412) has an intriguing combination of power and speed. He fits well in center field. Catcher Brett Auerbach, a junior college transfer, is a solid defender who brings experience to the class. Morgan McCullough last year was named MVP at the Junior College World Series after helping Chipola (Fla.) JC to the national championship. He started his college career at Oregon, where he started 51 games before transferring. He’ll likely figure into Alabama’s middle infield and hit near the top of the lineup. Outfielder Tyler Gentry, another junior college transfer, adds a powerful righthanded bat who can hit in the middle of the order and play one of the outfield corners. First baseman Drew Williamson has a big 6-foot-5 frame and is an advanced hitter. He has a powerful bat now and figures to only add more power as he physically matures.

Pitchers:
Tyler Ras has a powerful arm and can run his fastball up to 95 mph. He fills up the strike zone with his fastball-changeup combination but needs to work on developing a breaking ball that works for him. He also has a chance to be a two-way player thanks to his switch-hitting ability and athleticism. Righthander Will Freeman (489), a junior college transfer, figures to slide right into the starting rotation. His fastball sits in the low 90s and he mixes in a good slider and a developing changeup. Righthander Dylan Smith came on late in high school but has plenty of upside. He has easy arm action, an athletic frame and has solid secondary offerings. He may need some time to develop but he has as much upside as anyone in the class. Lefthander Jake Kelchner is a little more advanced and will figure into the staff somewhere. His fastball sits around 90 mph to go with a good breaking ball and changeup.

Rank
Name, Pos.
B-T
Ht.
Wt.
Drafted
Previous school
188
Tyler Ras, RHP/OF
B-R
6-4
205
Cubs (33)
Middletown (N.J.) North HS
380
Isaiah Byars, SS
R-R
6-1
195
Parkview HS, Lilburn, Ga.
412
T.J. Reeves, OF
R-R
5-10
185
Hueytown (Ala.) HS
489
Will Freeman, RHP
R-R
6-2
205
Padres (36)
Jones County (Miss.) JC
Dylan Smith, RHP
R-R
6-2
160
Padres (18)
Stafford (Texas) HS
Brett Auerbach, C
R-R
5-9
180
Rockies (40)
Saddleback (Calif.) JC
Morgan McCullough, SS
L-R
5-9
180
Mariners '16 (33)
Chipola (Fla.) JC
Tyler Gentry, OF
R-R
6-2
205
Walters State (Tenn.) JC
Jake Kelchner, LHP
L-L
6-2
210
Archbishop Carroll HS, Radnor, Penn.
Drew Williamson, 1B
L-R
6-5
210
Miller HS, Brewton, Ala.
 

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