I was part of a big crowd that gathered at Trussville Social in Trussville, Alabama for Riley Quick’s draft day party on Sunday evening. Quick, a junior right handed pitcher, is a native of Trussville and starred in football and baseball at Hewitt-Trussville High School. At the same time prep shortstop of HTHS Steele Hall held his own party across the street at Ferus Ales. The two former members of the Huskies were both selected in the 1st round, with Hall going #9 to the Cincinnati Red and Quick was selected 36th overall by the Minnesota Twins. Quick’s pick gave the Crimson Tide first round picks in consecutive seasons for the first time in history, following Ben Hess being drafted by the NY Yankees #26 in the 2024 draft. The Tide now has had six first round picks all time. The slot value of Quick’s pick is $2.69 million.

The first round was dominated by high school shortstops with 15 of the 43 selections playing the position. Prior to the draft, Quick was projected to be picked anywhere from the 18th pick to the 45th, with most predicting somewhere in the mid to late 20’s.

Quick spent three seasons in Tuscaloosa, spending his freshman year coming out of the bullpen before earning a spot in the starting rotation as a sophomore. However he lasted only three innings before blowing out his elbow and having Tommy John surgery. Miraculously the 6’6” 250 pound fireballer made a quick recovery and was able to begin the 2025 season with his spot as a weekend starter. In 14 starts Quick notched an 8-3 recored with a 3.92 ERA over 62 innings while striking out 70 batters against 24 walks while flashing a fastball that reached 100 miles per hour and a nasty wipe out slider. After the season Quick was named second team All-SEC and second team All-Southeast Regional. In his career Quick finished with a 10-4 recored with a 3.72 ERA over 87 innings pitched and struck out 101 batters.

Among the revelers were Quick’s family, the Crimson Tide coaching staff and families, several current Tide players and their families, high school friends, coaches and teammates of Quick, and miscellaneous friends. The room erupted when the pick was announced on ESPN and the party continued into the night.

The first two rounds of the draft were completed on Sunday night. The draft will pick back up at 10:30 a.m on Monday. Tide players Zane Adams, Tyler Fay, Richie Bonomolo, Jr., Kade Snell, Brady Neal, Carson Ozmer, and Braylon Myers will look for their names to be called over the final 18 rounds of the draft. Incoming freshmen Myles Upchurch, Ma’Kale Holden, Caleb Barnett, Eric Hines, Luke Smyers, and Will Rhine, are all candidates to be picked. Incoming transfer players Griffin Stieg, Logen Devenport, and Matthew Tippee, may also catch the eye of teams. By Wednesday the Tide should have a better grasp of what the 2026 roster may look at.

Roll Tide

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