2026 Prep Baseball North Carolina Player of the Year: Cameron Tarkenton

Throughout the 2026 high school season, players from across North Carolina competed to lead their teams toward conference championships, deep postseason runs, and ultimately state titles. From the mountains to the coast, the state's Player of the Year Watch List featured elite talent at every level of the game. When the season concluded, one player had consistently impacted winning on both sides of the ball while helping guide his team to the doorstep of the state championship series.

Prep Baseball North Carolina is proud to announce Cameron Tarkenton (RHP/INF, Cardinal Gibbons HS, 2026) as the 2026 North Carolina Player of the Year.

Tarkenton was the driving force behind a Cardinal Gibbons club that finished 20-7 overall, advanced to the NCHSAA 7A East Regional Final, and closed the year ranked No. 15 in the Prep Baseball North Carolina Power 25. His ability to influence games both at the plate and on the mound made him one of the most complete players in the state.

Offensively, the North Carolina commit played in all 27 games, hitting .386 while collecting 34 hits in 110 plate appearances. He finished with 12 doubles, 3 home runs, 25 RBIs, and 33 runs scored, while posting an impressive .509 on-base percentage and .625 slugging percentage. Just as impressive was his plate discipline, recording more walks and hit-by-pitches than strikeouts throughout the season.

As strong as his offensive production was, Tarkenton established himself as one of the state's premier arms in 2026.

The right-hander went 11-0 across 11 starts, throwing five complete games while compiling a remarkable 1.11 ERA. Over 56.2 innings, he allowed just 29 hits and 9 earned runs, striking out 103 batters against only 5 walks. His better-than 20-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio reflects both the quality of his stuff and his exceptional command throughout the spring.

Tarkenton's accomplishments become even more impressive when considering the level of competition Cardinal Gibbons faced throughout the season. The Crusaders tied for the conference championship with eventual East Regional opponent Holly Springs while challenging themselves against some of the top teams in North Carolina.

Record vs. Final Prep Baseball North Carolina Power 25 Teams

• #1 Charlotte Christian: 1-0
• #3 DH Conley: 1-1
• #8 Corinth Holders: 1-0
• #12 Holly Springs: 1-3
• #22 South Central: 1-0

Prep Baseball North Carolina will announce its 2026 All-State Teams later this week. Fans can also revisit the Final Power 25 Rankings and the complete high school coverage from the 2026 season by visiting the HS Coverage section of the Prep Baseball North Carolina website.

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Cameron Tarkenton

RHP/INF | Cardinal Gibbons HS | Class of 2026 | North Carolina Commit
+ Pitching: 11-0, 56.2IP, 29H, 21R, 9ER, 1.11ERA, 5BB, 103K
+ Hitting: .386, 34H, 12 2B, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 33 R

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