Who is the People’s Choice as Alabama’s best high school baseball player?

Hoover slugger and LSU signee Will Adams is coming off a major honor, having recently been named Gatorade’s Alabama Baseball Player of the Year. But does he have the backing of the fans to be named the 205focus People’s Choice for the top high school baseball player in the state?

Over the next three weeks, we are putting that question to the test. 205focus staffers, consulting with high-school coaches from across Alabama, have selected eight of the state's elite players. These standouts have been seeded into an NCAA-style tournament bracket to let the fans decide the ultimate winner.

Adams enters the bracket as the No. 1 seed and faces a stiff opening test against Auburn signee and St. Paul’s catcher John Stowers. Voting for the four Round 1 matchups is officially open and runs through June 16, with semifinal action set to tip off on June 17. The winner will follow in the footsteps of Bob Jones pitcher Tanner Hermesch, who captured the inaugural People’s Choice title in 2025.

The Field of Eight

• 1. Will Adams, OF/P, Hoover: The Gatorade Player of the Year posted a .489 average with 13 homers, 52 RBIs, and 37 runs. He also maintained a 4-2 record and a 2.33 ERA on the mound.
• 2. Jace Riggan, SS/P, Hewitt-Trussville: A Florida State commit and state championship MVP, Riggan finished the season 7-3-1 with a 1.06 ERA while hitting .408 with 28 RBIs and 18 stolen bases.
• 3. Asher Doepel, IF/P, Hartselle: A back-to-back state tournament MVP, the Northwest Florida commit hit .384 with 28 RBIs and 51 runs, while going 5-1 with 4 saves.
• 4. Kamrin Jenkins, SS, Bob Jones: The senior powered his way to a .364 average with 16 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases.
• 5. Hunter Elmore, INF/P, American Christian: The standout sophomore went 9-2 with a 1.16 ERA and hit .508 with 18 doubles and 42 RBIs.
• 6. Garrett Reid, SS/P, Deshler: A three-sport star bound for Samford, Reid hit .400 and recorded an 8-1 mark with 6 saves and a 1.17 ERA.
• 7. Levi Nickoli, SS/P, Homewood: The Auburn signee was a threat on the basepaths with 63 stolen bases and 62 runs, backed by a 0.51 ERA on the mound.
• 8. John Stowers, C/P, St. Paul’s: Another Auburn signee, Stowers hit .311 with 10 homers and held a 2.24 ERA on the mound.

Cast Your Votes

1. Will Adams (Hoover) vs. 8. John Stowers (St. Paul’s)
If you can’t see the poll, click here to vote.

2. Jace Riggan (Hewitt-Trussville) vs. 7. Levi Nickoli (Homewood)
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3. Asher Doepel (Hartselle) vs. 6. Garrett Reid (Deshler)
If you can’t see the poll, click here to vote.

4. Kamrin Jenkins (Bob Jones) vs. 5. Hunter Elmore (American Christian)
If you can’t see the poll, click here to vote.