State prospects available in Tuesday’s MLB Draft

    TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Alabama outfielder Kent Matthes and
Jacksonville State pitcher Ben Tootle are projected as the state’s
top prospects for the amateur baseball draft.
    The draft begins Tuesday. Matthes went from a solid performer to
the Southeastern Conference’s player of the year as a senior and
tied for the national lead in homers. He has never been drafted.
    Tootle attracted scouts’ attention during summer league ball
when he worked as the closer. Both are rated among the nation’s top
80 prospects by Baseball America.
    Other state prospects include Alabama left-hander Del Howell,
Faulkner right-hander Austin Adams and Auburn second baseman Joseph
Sanders.
    The top high school prospect in the state, according to Baseball
America, is Hartselle left-hander/first baseman Luke Bole. He was
Alabama’s Mr. Baseball.