Bob Jones Freshman Named Among Top 10 Baseball Players In Alabama Among Freshman Class
MADISON- The future is yours. That’s the sentiment of the numerous coaches as part of the Prep Baseball Report (PBR) for Bob Jones freshman Braden Booth after being named the No. 7 ranked player in Alabama among the class of 2024.
“This honor makes my dreams even more attainable as I want to play college baseball and then make it to the ‘Bigs’ and play for the L.A. Dodgers,” said Booth, son of Dennis and Brandy Booth.
The PBR was launched in 2005 and has evolved into one of the country’s biggest and most respected independent scouting services and is regarded as the No. 1 resource for amateur baseball and has more scouts than any other independent amateur scouting company in the country. The PBR host showcases and tournaments in an attempt to see as many players as possible and having a report available for any scout.
For Booth, he has attended numerous PBR events across the Southeast, many of which are by invitation only. Once arriving at a showcase event, Booth and as many as 90 other players are put through training sessions beginning with the 60-yard sprint, and followed by batting practice, infield/outfield practice and many times scrimmage games are held.
“I felt at home with the others who are trying to succeed and fulfill their dreams,” said Booth. “For me, I’d love to play in the SEC such as Alabama, Auburn or Vanderbilt. So far, both Alabama and Auburn have shown interest in my talents.”
Once going through the training sessions, players are sent an e-mail from PBR with details on their performance and what each player needs to improve on. PBR also records the information on Twitter and is tagged from the company’s home office. Scouts can also receive the scouting information on each individual player.
The 6-foot, 170-pound Booth plays three infield positions and pitcher for the Patriots. At age 14, he has a fastball clocked at 82 miles per hour, curveball, slider and sensational changeup while on the mound. His infield play is regarded above average and his batting prowess includes a controlled stride just before his swing, above average bat speed and good extension on his finish. His time in the 60-yard dash is 7.97 seconds.
Besides playing for the Patriots’ upcoming season, Booth trains locally at Viper Baseball Academy. Lead coach is Rickie Diehl and Booth feels his training sessions along with a more prominent place in the weight room will improve his skills for the next four years at Bob Jones.
Growing up in Madison, Booth played baseball at Palmer Park since age four and continued through the years where he was an All-Star performer. He also played football and hockey and was the starting quarterback for the Discovery Panthers through his eighth grade. He chose to give up both sports to concentrate in baseball.
“Others always told me I was best at baseball and I should keep at it,” said Booth.
He’s regarded as a tough athlete. He once broke his finger while tossing a football with his mother, but he taped two fingers together and played in a baseball game later that night. He also suffered stiches in his lip and eye in other accidents and broke his collarbone at age four while playing with other youngsters at a Madison Academy football game.
Booth has a year older brother, Michael, who plays infield for Bob Jones.
With sights set on attending college and majoring in the medical field, Booth said he would love to earn a degree in marine biology since fishing is his favorite hobby away from the baseball diamond. He also took piano lessons for two years and began his freshman school year with a 4.2 grade point average he earned at Discovery Middle School.
Coaches at PBR have documented they love Booth’s overall mechanics and delivery while on pitcher’s mound. Booth, himself, feels he has a really strong arm with good ball movement as a right-handed pitcher. As an infielder, he has quick hands and puts his body on the line when needed. In hitting, he has a quick bat and hits with a good average. On the Bob Jones roster he has the fastest time in the 60 among those in his class.
The 1980’s song “Future’s So Bright” says it all for Booth as the lyrics include, “Things are going great, and they’re only getting better.” With guidance by his coaches and the PBR, look for Booth to have a future in his favorite sport.
