The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Baseball Adds 11 New Signees on National Signing Day
11/8/2023 6:16:00 PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM - UAB Baseball head coach Casey Dunn and staff have announced the addition of 11 signees – Riley Miller, Louis D'Alessio, Landon Beaver, John Paul Head, Brodie Dunlap, Jake Merrick, Brendan Conner, Aiden Schwartz, Justin Hicks, Landon Shumate and Blake King – for Fall 2024.
"We are excited to welcome 11 new young men and families into our program," said Dunn. "This is a talented group that we believe will continue to push our program to a higher level."
Riley Miller | Athens, Al. | Athens | RHP
Dunn's Assessment: "Riley came to a camp and showed huge power at the plate and impressive velocity on the mound. Another guy in this class with a high ceiling and I can't wait to watch him develop on campus."
Louis D'Alessio | Red Bank, N.J. | Middletown South | OF
Dunn's Assessment: "Lou is a dynamic player that brings energy to the game. He has the ability to play centerfield and has hit throughout his prep career."
Landon Beaver | Smiths Station, Al. | Phenix City Central | 1B
Dunn's Assessment: "Landon is a pure lefthanded hitter and has performed in big games and events over his career. Also, a state championship winner in high school he brings a winning mentality to the program."
John Paul Head | Vestavia Hills, Al. | Vestavia Hills | C/3B
Dunn's Assessment: "JP is an outstanding leader and player. He was a middle of the order piece on a state championship team last spring and currently is leading his football team to the playoffs. He has the ability to hit, and I believe will be able to develop into a high-level player in our program."
Brodie Dunlap | Dora, Al. | Corner | RHP
Dunn's Assessment: "We can't wait to get Brodie on campus. He has made huge strides over the past couple of years and I can't wait to watch him grow in Coach Green and Curry's program."
Jake Merrick | Knoxville, Tenn. | Farragut | INF
Dunn's Assessment: "We always try to recruit players that have winning backgrounds. Jake is another one of those guys. Coming from an outstanding program he has the "it" factor. I love when coaches describe a player as a "ball player". That is exactly what Jake is. He has a knack for hitting and will be a great addition to our infield."
Brendan Conner | Warrior, Al. | Corner | RHP/3B
Dunn's Assessment: "Every coach he has played for says he is the guy you want on the mound in big games. Brendan has a lot of big game experience and will be pitch ability to our staff."
Aiden Schwartz | West Lafayette, Ind. | William Henry Harrison | RHP
Dunn's Assessment: "Aiden was the last high school commitment in this group. We saw him late in the summer and felt he was too good not to go after. He has the ability to spin the ball and similar to some of the other guys in this class, he is continuing to show signs of development."
Justin Hicks | Sipsey, Al. | Sumiton Christian | RHP
Dunn's Assessment: "Justin is a sleeper recruit. He was someone we had heard about and when we first saw him, we knew we had to get him. Justin has an electric arm, and we are excited to get on hands on him and help him continue his development."
Landon Shumate | Parrish, Al. | Sumiton Christian | RHP
Dunn's Assessment: "Landon is another "off the radar" type guy. When he came to camp, Coach Green fell in love with his ability to sink the baseball and the looseness of his arm. In a class of some power arms, Landon is a good compliment that brings a different look to the staff."
Blake King | Petal, Miss. | Petal | Miss. Gulf Coast CC | RHP
Dunn's Assessment: : "Blake is a talented Right handed pitcher out of Mississippi Gulf Coast CC. Knowing we will be losing a weekend starter this year with Blayze graduating, we felt it was important to add a quality veteran starter. We are excited that Blake is that guy."
Baseball season tickets are available by purchasing the 2023-24 Gold Card for $65. This exclusive offer grants admission to all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball and softball games in addition to all baseball home contests. Fans can purchase a Gold Card by clicking here or calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1. For questions, email tickets@uab.edu.
For more information on the UAB baseball team, be sure to follow @UAB_Baseball on Twitter and Instagram.
"We are excited to welcome 11 new young men and families into our program," said Dunn. "This is a talented group that we believe will continue to push our program to a higher level."
Riley Miller | Athens, Al. | Athens | RHP
- National Rank: Top 500
- State of Alabama RHP Rank: 5
- 2022 Prep Baseball Future Games Participant
- Played travel ball with the East Coast Sox
Dunn's Assessment: "Riley came to a camp and showed huge power at the plate and impressive velocity on the mound. Another guy in this class with a high ceiling and I can't wait to watch him develop on campus."
Louis D'Alessio | Red Bank, N.J. | Middletown South | OF
- National Rank: Top 500
- State of New Jersey OF Rank: 4
- Won the NJSIAA Group 4 State Championship in 2021
- Played travel ball with the East Coast Ghost
Dunn's Assessment: "Lou is a dynamic player that brings energy to the game. He has the ability to play centerfield and has hit throughout his prep career."
Landon Beaver | Smiths Station, Al. | Phenix City Central | 1B
- National Rank: Top 500
- State of Alabama 1B Rank: 2
- 2nd team Alabama 7A All-State 1B in 2023
- Won the 2022 AHSAA 7A State Championship in 2022
- Played travel ball with the East Coast Sox
Dunn's Assessment: "Landon is a pure lefthanded hitter and has performed in big games and events over his career. Also, a state championship winner in high school he brings a winning mentality to the program."
John Paul Head | Vestavia Hills, Al. | Vestavia Hills | C/3B
- National Rank: Top 500
- State of Alabama C Rank: 3
- Won the 2023 AHSAA 7A State Championship in 2023
- 1st team Alabama 7A All-State in both baseball and football in 2022
- Played travel ball with the Excel Blue Wave
Dunn's Assessment: "JP is an outstanding leader and player. He was a middle of the order piece on a state championship team last spring and currently is leading his football team to the playoffs. He has the ability to hit, and I believe will be able to develop into a high-level player in our program."
Brodie Dunlap | Dora, Al. | Corner | RHP
- National Rank: Top 500
- Dual-sport athlete who also plays QB for Corner football
- Played travel ball with the Excel Blue Wave
Dunn's Assessment: "We can't wait to get Brodie on campus. He has made huge strides over the past couple of years and I can't wait to watch him grow in Coach Green and Curry's program."
Jake Merrick | Knoxville, Tenn. | Farragut | INF
- State of Tennessee 3B Rank: 7
- Won the 2022 and 2023 Class 4A TSSAA State Championships
- Played travel ball with the Tennessee Nationals
Dunn's Assessment: "We always try to recruit players that have winning backgrounds. Jake is another one of those guys. Coming from an outstanding program he has the "it" factor. I love when coaches describe a player as a "ball player". That is exactly what Jake is. He has a knack for hitting and will be a great addition to our infield."
Brendan Conner | Warrior, Al. | Corner | RHP/3B
- National Rank: Top 500
- State of Alabama RHP Rank: 9
- Lettered all four years in baseball at Corner
- 1st team Alabama Class 5A All-State INF in 2022
- Played travel ball with the Excel Blue Wave
Dunn's Assessment: "Every coach he has played for says he is the guy you want on the mound in big games. Brendan has a lot of big game experience and will be pitch ability to our staff."
Aiden Schwartz | West Lafayette, Ind. | William Henry Harrison | RHP
- Played travel ball with the Indiana Bulls
- Lettered three years in baseball at William Henry Harrison
Dunn's Assessment: "Aiden was the last high school commitment in this group. We saw him late in the summer and felt he was too good not to go after. He has the ability to spin the ball and similar to some of the other guys in this class, he is continuing to show signs of development."
Justin Hicks | Sipsey, Al. | Sumiton Christian | RHP
- Played travel ball with the East Coast Sox
- Lead Sumiton Christian in HR's and doubles
Dunn's Assessment: "Justin is a sleeper recruit. He was someone we had heard about and when we first saw him, we knew we had to get him. Justin has an electric arm, and we are excited to get on hands on him and help him continue his development."
Landon Shumate | Parrish, Al. | Sumiton Christian | RHP
- Played travel ball with the East Coast Sox
- Threw a no-hitter while at Sumiton Christian
Dunn's Assessment: "Landon is another "off the radar" type guy. When he came to camp, Coach Green fell in love with his ability to sink the baseball and the looseness of his arm. In a class of some power arms, Landon is a good compliment that brings a different look to the staff."
Blake King | Petal, Miss. | Petal | Miss. Gulf Coast CC | RHP
- Recorded 59.2 IP for Miss. Gulf Coast CC in 2023, putting up 53 strikeouts
Dunn's Assessment: : "Blake is a talented Right handed pitcher out of Mississippi Gulf Coast CC. Knowing we will be losing a weekend starter this year with Blayze graduating, we felt it was important to add a quality veteran starter. We are excited that Blake is that guy."
Baseball season tickets are available by purchasing the 2023-24 Gold Card for $65. This exclusive offer grants admission to all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball and softball games in addition to all baseball home contests. Fans can purchase a Gold Card by clicking here or calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1. For questions, email tickets@uab.edu.
For more information on the UAB baseball team, be sure to follow @UAB_Baseball on Twitter and Instagram.
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