USA TODAY High School Sports is proud to announce the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Alabama Baseball Team. Players were selected based on their athletic achievements from the 2015-16 season.
For the complete list of American Family Insurance ALL-USA state teams, click here.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Steve Meek, Decatur Heritage
Meek guided the Eagles to a 27-12 record and their first state championship in any sport, but not without one of the nation’s most dramatic comebacks. In the best-of-three 1A championship series, Decatur Heritage trailed J.U. Blacksher by one game, with an 8-0 deficit in the second. The Eagles scored nine unanswered runs to remain alive, then won the deciding game, 3-2—despite allowing the bases to be loaded with nobody out in the seventh inning.
FIRST TEAM
Player of the Year
Braxton Garrett, P, Florence, 6-3/190, Sr.
The seventh pick in the MLB draft by Miami, Garrett posted a 6-2 record with a 0.54 ERA, striking out 131 batters in just 65.1 innings pitched. He was also dangerous at the plate, hitting .394 with 34 RBI.
Sonny Potter, P, Vestavia Hills, 6-2/210, Sr.
Davis Daniel, P, St. James (Montgomery), 6-1/175, Sr.
Sam Praytor, C, Helena, 5-11/205, Jr.
Tyler Tolbert, INF, Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville), 5-11/150, Sr.
John Trousdale, INF, Lauderdale County (Rogersville), 6-1/180, Sr.
Tanner Allen, INF, UMS-Wright (Mobile), 6-0/180, Jr.
Tanner Burns, INF, Decatur, 6-0/205, Jr.
Cal Jones, OF, Dadeville, 6-0/175, Sr.
Brock Anderson, OF, Sparkman (Harvest), 6-3/210, Sr.
Owen Lovell, OF, Cullman, 6-5/225, Jr.
SECOND TEAM
Jackson Tavel, P, Corner (Dora), 6-4/185, Sr.
Deacon Medders, P, American Christian (Tuscaloosa), 6-3/190, Sr.
Carson Skipper, P, Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville), 6-0/180, So.
M.J. Melendez, C, St. James (Montgomery), 6-1/175, Jr.
Grant Barber, INF, UMS-Wright (Mobile), 5-7/160, Sr.
Jeremiah Jackson, INF, St. Luke’s (Mobile), 6-0/165, So.
Hunter Avery, INF, Mobile Christian, 6-1/200, Sr.
Graham Ashcraft, INF, Huntsville, 6-2/210, Sr.
Judd Ward, OF, Russellville, 6-1/190, Jr.
Heath Haskins, OF, Thompson (Alabaster), 5-10/225, Sr.
Josh Hall, OF, Randolph (Huntsville), 5-8/150, So.
