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2025 NC High School Previews: Volume III

February 20, 2025
Brandon Hall
NC / Mid-ATL Director of Scouting

The 2025 North Carolina high school baseball season is quickly approaching and we’re taking the time to preview the spring ahead by analyzing the top players and programs from each corner of the state.

This offseason, we distributed a preseason questionnaire to North Carolina’s varsity head coaches to help give us a snapshot of the top state contenders, and we’re providing our own analysis on each of the teams’ top prospects and season outlook in these team previews. Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across North Carolina. Each week we will be releasing our Power 25, Players of the Week, Diamond Notes, the Scout Blog and much more.

Our 2025 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Apex Friendship Patriots


Head Coach: Guy Civitello
State Classification: NCHSAA 4A
Conference: SWAC
2024 Record (Finish): 16-12 (Loss in 1st round)

Key Players Lost: Brady Byler, Jentz Steiner, Brendan Patience, Simon Martone, JJ Vondette

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

2025 Team Roster: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/apex/apex-friendship-patriots/baseball/roster/
Team Strengths: Pitching
No. of Returning Starters: 11
No. of Returning Pitchers: 6

X-FACTOR

+ The Patriots entered the 2024 USA Baseball National High School Invitational and played very well vs. some of the top teams in the country. From that point forward the Patriots seemed to believe that they were ready for the next step. This year, expectations ratchet up a bit. Do the Patriots have trust in their pitching staff to carry the load in 2025 to make a run in May.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

+ Jackson McNally, SS, 2027

PREP BASEBALL’S TEAM OUTLOOK

Impact Seniors:
+ Luke Hemric - NC State
+ Drew Ciaccio
+ Tino Ramirez
+ Hayden Fones
+ Connor Payne - Belmont Abbey
+ Logan King
Impact Juniors:
+ Braden Bloom
+ Owen Cirasole
+ Ty Komorner
+ Van Campbell
+ Vance Pease
+ Anthony DeAngelo
+ Alex Kovacs
+ Caden Oxendine
+ Tyler Miles

Underclassmen to Watch:
+ Connor Sousa
+ Jackson McNally

BOTTOM LINE

+ The pitching staff has high level talent and depth. The big key will be can the Patriots score runs against some of the top arms they will see in conference play, and in the post-season.

Find more information on the 2025 Apex Friendship program below:

High School: Broughton Capitals


Head Coach: Jere Morton
State Classification: NCHSAA 4A
Conference: Cap-6
2024 Record (Finish): 20-7 (2nd Round)

Key Players Lost: Cam Thompson (SS), Davis Best (RHP), Sam Bertram (OF)

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

2025 Team Roster: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/raleigh/broughton-capitals/baseball/roster/
Team Strengths: Starting Pitching & Offensive Production
No. of Returning Starters: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5

X-FACTOR

+ Sam Harris gives Broughton a big check mark in starting pitching any time he is on the bump. The development of another shutdown arm, with length in the bullpen can set the Caps apart and set them up for a big run in May.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

+ Baker York, OF, 2027

PREP BASEBALL’S TEAM OUTLOOK

Impact Seniors:
+ Sam Harris - RHP (NC State)
+ Matthew Vannoy - C/UTL (Davidson)
+ Brady Hubbell - RHP (Hampden Sydney)

Impact Juniors:
+ Weston Rhem - OF
+ Matthew Solomon - 1B
+ Garrett Waters - OF
+ Odniel Perez - SS

Underclassmen to Watch:
+ Mason Hawkins '27
+ Carson Carroll '27
+ Bowen Caba '27
+ Zac Frohm '27,
+ Baker York '27

BOTTOM LINE

+ The Caps will be test in a tough conference and will be battle tested as they get ready for a post-season run. With Harris on the bump, the Caps should have a ton of confidence in how they will play. Can they build that confidence behind a 2nd or 3rd starter, giving them a chance to take down some of the top teams in longer series.

Find more information on the 2025 Broughton program below:

High School: Cleveland Rams


Head Coach: Jamie Lee
State Classification: NCHSAA 4A
Conference: Greater Neuse River 4A
2024 Record (Finish): 14-9
Key Players Lost: Zak Stear(Brunswick Community) and Justin Flaherty

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

2025 Team Roster: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/clayton/cleveland-rams/baseball/roster/
Team Strengths: Experience, 5 college signees in the class of 2025 that have played a lot of Varsity Baseball for 3 years
No. of Returning Starters: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 3

X-FACTOR

+ Solid core to the lineup returning. There should be a hunger to get back to the playoffs in 2025.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

+ Zack Miller, INF/RHP, 2027

PREP BASEBALL’S TEAM OUTLOOK

Impact Seniors:
+ Ty Lee-SS - Robeson CC commit
+ Jack Dalton-3B/P - Belmont Abbey commit
+ Aubrey Stanley-1B - Belmont Abbey commit
+ Brooks Moore - P/OF
+ Will Hicks-2B/P
+ Mason Collins-OF

Underclassmen to Watch:
+ Caleb Lynn -Sophomore
+ Zack Miller Sophomore

BOTTOM LINE

+ While the core of the lineup returns, the Rams will be looking to build depth on the roster with their player development system as players age up from the JV program. The ability to create early competition could drive performance throughout the year.

Find more information on the 2025 Cleveland program below:

High School: Holly Springs Hawks


Head Coach: Rod Whitesell
State Classification: NCHSAA 4A
Conference: Southwest Wake
2024 Record (Finish): 17-11 (Lost in 3rd Round to Ashley)

Key Players Lost: Cole Bowie

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

2025 Team Roster: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/holly-springs/holly-springs-golden-hawks/baseball/roster/
Team Strengths: Pitching staff is returning the bulk of a very good staff from 2024.
No. of Returning Starters: 4
No. of Returning Pitchers: 7

X-FACTOR

+ Can the offense get on track early in games relieving some of the burden put on the pitching staff and defense.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

+ Caleb Renn, LHP, 2027

PREP BASEBALL’S TEAM OUTLOOK

Impact Seniors:
+ Jake Cackovic RHP (UNC commit)
+ Tyler Dowler 1B/OF/LHP (Methodist commit)
+ Liam McNierney 3b (NC Wesleyan commit)

Impact Juniors:
+ Hodge Williams C
+ Noah Rhoades LHP
+ Anthony Zezza LHP

Underclassmen to Watch:
+ Caleb Renn

BOTTOM LINE

+ 7 returning arms with experience that led to a state playoff appearance. Adding more talented arms, plus the another year of experience on some of the key bats in the lineup all have the Hawks trajectory pointed north. The infield may need some time to season, but there are several arms that will get strkeouts, taking some of the burden off the defense. Look for the Hawks to go as far as the offense can take them. Will they be able to hang some big numbers in key innings to create a gap in a very tough conference, setting themselves up for an easier path in May.

Find more information on the 2025 Holly Springs program below:

High School: Millbrook Wildcats


Head Coach: Ty Norwood
State Classification: NCHSAA 4A
Conference: NAC-6
2024 Record (Finish): 15-11 (2nd Round)

Key Players Lost: Mason Fortune, Kieran Mederos, Jack Austin

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

2025 Team Roster: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/raleigh/millbrook-wildcats/baseball/roster/
Team Strengths: Offense & Starting Pitching
No. of Returning Starters: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 6

X-FACTOR

+ The offense has a chance to score, and score in bunches. There is talent and depth. Opposing staffs will see their staff’s depth tested.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

+ Jake Schoch, INF, 2028

PREP BASEBALL’S TEAM OUTLOOK

Impact Seniors:
+ Jack Strom OF - ECU commit
+ Connor Wright RHP/1B
+ Hayden Heath OF/RHP - William Peace commit
+ Liam Clay IF
+ Smith Dickinson IF - Ferrum commit
+ Conner Thomas RHP/UTL
+ Darwin Salvador IF
+ Finn Clougherty OF

Underclassmen to Watch:
+ Jake Schoch

BOTTOM LINE

+ The starting pitching looks solid. Can the offense create enough room in games early to develop depth with the pitching staff. If they do, the Wildcats could be a problem in the postseason. As always, Senior heavy teams are ones to watch… Do they buy into the team goals or begin to look at what is on the horizon as their graduation date nears.

Find more information on the 2025 Millbrook program below:

High School: Orange Panthers


Head Coach: Jason Knapp
State Classification: NCHSAA 3A
Conference: Central 3A
2024 Record (Finish): 19-6 (3rd Round (Lost at Terry Sanford))

Key Players Lost: Cross Clayton, Cam Guentensberger, Ryan Honeycutt, Ryan Horton, Josiah Gibbs

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

2025 Team Roster: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/hillsborough/orange-panthers/baseball/roster/
Team Strengths: Starting pitching should be a strength with RHP's Oliver Van Tiem, Garrett Sawyer and Ryan Sawyer
No. of Returning Starters: 3
No. of Returning Pitchers: 1

X-FACTOR

+ There will be some competition for slots vacated by graduating seniors. The culture is set and most of these players should have a good feel for their role and the execution necessary for Orange to have another good year.

PREP BASEBALL’S TEAM OUTLOOK

Impact Seniors:
+ RHP/OF Garrett Sawyer - Ferrum commit
+ OF/RHP Dominic O'Keefe
+ C/OF Eli Horton

Impact Juniors:
+ INF Henry Hoffman
+ Utl Cam Brown Neatherly
+ C/1B/RHP Camryn Rasberry
+ 1B/C Wren Hash

Underclassmen to Watch:
+ 2027 RHP/Inf Oliver Van Tiem
+ 2027 ATH Kayden Bradsher
+ 2028 C Mason Bullard

BOTTOM LINE

+ The seniors will need to lead, but they will need help from the talent in the underclassmen. How they all handle close games and adversity early in the year could set a trend in either direction.

Find more information on the 2025 Orange program below:

High School: Person Rockets


Head Coach: Kyle Boyette
State Classification: NCHSAA 3A
Conference: Central Carolina 3A
2024 Record (Finish): 12-11 (1st Round)

Key Players Lost: Dylan England, Camden Shaw

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

2025 Team Roster: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/roxboro/person-rockets/baseball/roster/
Team Strengths: Pitching depth with several arms that could lockdown opponents
No. of Returning Starters: 10
No. of Returning Pitchers: 6

X-FACTOR

+ The pitching staff has plenty of arms to turn to in 2025. The key will be offensive production and how long the staff may have to fend off good offenses to give their guys a chance to take a lead.

PREP BASEBALL’S TEAM OUTLOOK

Impact Seniors:
+ Brennen Kiser, 2025, RHP
+ Ian Downey, 2025, RHP - Barton commit
+ Keeghan Holmes, 2025, RHP/IF/OF - Randolph-Macon commit
+ Nick Young, 2025, IF/RHP - Methodist

Impact Juniors:
+ Gavin Dodson, 2026, 1B
+ Ethan Norris, 2026, OF
Underclassmen to Watch:
+ Brady Holmes
+ Ashton Bowes

BOTTOM LINE

+ Offensive production from throughout the lineup will be necessary for this club to reach is maximum height. Can they spread the pressure / execution out to the entire lineup or will they have to count on a few bats to carry the run production in 2025.

Find more information on the 2025 Person program below:

High School: Southern Alamance Patriots

Head Coach: Jason Smith
State Classification: NCHSAA 3A
Conference: Central 3A
2024 Record (Finish): 15-7 (lost in first round)

Key Players Lost: Eli Holland, Janden Evans, Cayden Barnard, Braxton Cain

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

2025 Team Roster: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/graham/southern-alamance-patriots/baseball/roster/
No. of Returning Starters: 4
No. of Returning Pitchers: 3

X-FACTOR

+ The 2024 Patriots featured a blend of youth and experience. The 2025 edition will see a lot of the same. How quickly can the leadership blend the with the players that will be filling holes from 2024.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

+ Kaden Parker, OF, 2027

PREP BASEBALL’S TEAM OUTLOOK

Impact Seniors:
+ Johnny Rojas
+ Ethan Mann
+ Mark King
+ Lance Siegner
+ Adam Couturier
+ Noah Madren

Impact Juniors:
+ Eli Gilley
+ Nathan McNeal
+ Shane Rogers
+ Braydon Smith

Underclassmen to Watch:
+ Cooper Partin
+ Kaden Parker

BOTTOM LINE

+ Look for this club to build toward a run in May. What we see early should not be close to a finished product. Can the Patriots learn on the fly and improve with each outing in ‘25.

Find more information on the 2025 Southern Alamance program below:

High School: Wake County Homeschool Warriors

Head Coach: David Bailey
State Classification: Independent
Conference: n/a
2024 Record (Finish): 25-10

Key Players Lost: Charleston Sauls, Levi Baker, Apollos Horrell, Tommy Williams, Kyler Pena, Jaxson Bailey

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

2025 Team Roster: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/raleigh/wake-county-homeschool-warriors/baseball/roster/
Team Strengths: Depth on both sides of the ball. Balanced lineup.
No. of Returning Starters: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 8

X-FACTOR

+ The Warriors work to play a competitive schedule each year. Their depth on the mound, and in the field, will allow them to play, what is at times, an unbalanced schedule, piling up several really good teams in a bunch. This philosophy has paid off in years past as the Warriors have left NC for a Home School tournament at the end of the year, where they finished 2nd in 2024.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

+ Landen Smith, C, 2027

PREP BASEBALL’S TEAM OUTLOOK

Impact Seniors:
+ Ethan Evans RHP - UMASS
+ Eli Dadisman RHP - Barton
+ Gabriel Ferrell 2way - Montreat
+ Sean Darrigrand RHP - Wesleyan

Impact Juniors:
+ Ryan Nordlander RHP/1B
+ Austin Clark CF/SS/RHP
+ Seth Pennica C
+ Calvin Tourville UTL/RHP

Underclassmen to Watch:
+ Jace Jones
+ Landen Smith
+ Carter Firebaugh
+ Isaac Ellington

BOTTOM LINE

+ With depth comes options. The coaching staff will have the ability to mix and match, but there are times where the top of the rotation will need to take over and eat big innings. The development of that arm, or arms, will drive the success the Warriors see in 2025.

Find more information on the 2025 Wake County Homeschool program below:

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