AL.com is looking for your choice for the best high school baseball player in Alabama for the just concluded 2025 season.

The AL.com high school staff – with input from coaches around the state – has selected 8 finalists to choose from in an NCAA Tournament-like bracket.

Voting for the Round 1 matchups is now open and will conclude Saturday. The players receiving the most votes advance to next week’s semifinals.

Earlier this academic year, AL.com readers selected Tuscaloosa Academy QB Preston Lancaster (football player of the year), Huntsville basketball guard Brayden Rivers (boys basketball player of the year) and Central-Phenix City standout Jabria Lindsey (girls basketball player of the year).

Each received a trophy for winning their respective brackets.

A contest to pinpoint the fans’ choice for softball player of the Year also is ongoing.

Check out the credentials for each of our eight baseball finalists below and vote in each of the quarterfinal matchups.

1. Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville (Sr.)

The Tennessee commit had the Huskies at the top of the 7A rankings throughout the season. He hit .484 with 8 homers, 46 runs scored and 35 RBIs. He has been named the 7A Player of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. He is the MaxPreps Alabama Player of the Year.

2. Eric Hines, OF, American Christian (Sr.)

An Alabama commit, Hines led ACA to the state title. The Class 5A Player and Hitter of the Year hit 20 home runs, drove in 58 runs, scored 66 runs and hit .438. He also stole 25 of 27 bases. He is the Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year.

3. Aiden Poe, P/SS, Vincent (Sr.)

Poe led his Vincent team to the Class 2A state title and was named Player of the Year in that class. He hit .450 with 10 doubles, 35 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. On the mound, he was 11-1 with a 1.28 ERA and 124 strikeouts. The Air Force commitment also was the overall Bryant-Jordan Scholarship winner.

4. Aiden Hughes, P/OF, Chelsea (Sr.)

A Coastal Alabama South signee, Hughes led the Hornets to the Class 6A championship series. He went 8-0 on the mound with a 1.18 ERA and 83 strikeouts. At the plate, he hit .442 with 22 RBIs and 34 runs scored. He was the Class 6A Player of the Year.

5. Garrett Reid, P/SS, Deshler (Jr.)

Reid, the 4A Player of the Year, led Deshler to the school’s first state baseball title. He hit .344 with 13 doubles and 28 RBIs. On the mound, he was 8-2 with 96 strikeouts and a 0.78 ERA.

6. Tanner Hermesch, P/IF, Bob Jones (Sr.)

Hermesch was named Class 7A Pitcher of the Year. The right-hander went 12-1 for coach Jared Smith’s team with a 1.14 ERA. He struck out 126 batters in 85.2 innings of work in leading the Patriots to the state semifinals. He is committed to Shelton State.

7. Mason McCraine, P/OF, Glenwood (Sr.)

The Auburn commit led Glenwood to the Class 3A state title. He was named Player and Hitter of the Year in his classification by the ASWA. He hit .469 with 14 homers, 60 RBIs and 63 runs scored for the Gators. On the mound, he was 5-0 with a 0.33 ERA in just 5 starts.

8. Rock Gearhart, OF, Fairhope (Sr.)

The Class 7A Hitter of the Year is committed to Coastal Alabama South. Gearhart hit .375 with 10 homers, 12 doubles and 39 RBIs. He led the Pirates to the state semifinals.

Editor’s note: Some statistics received before teams played their final playoff games.

Vote in each of the Round 1 races below. Remember to hit the “finish survey” button when your vote is complete.

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