2026 Rankings: 10 Names that Moved Up

September 1, 2025
Brandon Hall
NC / Mid-ATL Director of Scouting

North Carolina Class of 2026: Rankings Update

With the conclusion of the summer season and the start of the school year, Prep Baseball North Carolina begins its fall rankings updates across all classes. First up is the Class of 2026, where the rankings expand to include the Top 375 players in the state. The end-of-summer update is traditionally the largest of the year, and for the Class of 2026, this represents the most significant shift in their high school careers to date.

A Summer of Growth

Following the high school season, players across the state showcased their skills throughout a busy summer schedule. Many competed deep into national events such as the Prep Baseball NPI and the Prep Baseball National Championships, while others stood out in American Legion competition, highlighted by Asheville’s run to the World Series in Shelby, NC.

Beyond team success, players also had opportunities to update their Prep Baseball profiles with fresh statistics, analytics, and video. Standouts from events such as the NC/SC Border Battle, Summer IDs, and organizational scout days earned invitations to represent Team Carolina at national stages, including the Future Games, Super Sophomore Games, and Top Prospect Games.

The 2025 Future Games once again drew more than 400 college coaches, with Team Carolina fielding impressive rosters across multiple Future Game events. The Super Sophomore Games at UNC also provided a strong platform for rising talent, particularly among the 2028 class. These high-level events have continued to fuel player exposure, driving significant traffic to player profiles, stat pages, and video on the Prep Baseball platform.

Ranking Risers

The Class of 2025 continues to show steady growth across North Carolina, with several players making significant jumps in the latest update. Some prospects have surged forward thanks to clear physical development and improved on-field performance, while others have maintained a consistent upward trajectory that has steadily elevated their player grade.

Each rankings cycle brings new insights—whether it’s identifying players who have refined their tools, or recognizing prospects who may have been undervalued in initial evaluations. As the scouting staff gains more looks and players move closer to their long-term ceilings, grades are adjusted accordingly, resulting in movement throughout the rankings.

Below, we highlight 10 players who made some of the biggest strides in the latest release. For subscribers, we provide a deeper breakdown on each prospect, including video and analysis from this summer’s performances.