Updated Class of 2026 Rankings: New No. 1, Rising Arms, and 15 New Names

The Prep Baseball North Carolina Class of 2026 rankings have been updated following a busy offseason of evaluations across the state.

This update incorporates looks from fall events, winter workouts, and preseason showcases, along with ongoing evaluations throughout the recruiting calendar. As the class continues to mature, the rankings process has also begun to shift toward aligning the state board with the national draft landscape. Our North Carolina staff collaborated closely with Prep Baseball’s national supervisors to ensure the board reflects how players project within the state and nationally as the 2026 MLB Draft approaches.

The result is a Top 375 rankings list that reflects the current landscape of talent across North Carolina’s junior class. This update includes 15 new players entering the rankings, along with several prospects making significant jumps after strong offseason showings and continued development.

One of the biggest storylines in this update is the emergence of a new No. 1 prospect.

A New No. 1: Gunnar Alm

Rising to the top of the board is Gunnar Alm (Polk County HS), a left-handed hitting outfielder committed to NC State. Alm impressed our staff during the North Carolina ProCase, showcasing the athleticism and impact tools that continue to elevate his profile.

Alm brings a blend of offensive upside, physical strength, and defensive athleticism that projects well at the next level. His ability to impact the baseball from the left side, paired with his developing power profile, helped separate him in a class loaded with talent.

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A Deep Crop of Power Arms

Another defining trait of the 2026 class in North Carolina is the depth of power right-handed pitching.

The state features numerous high-end RHPs capable of sitting near the top of any prospect list, with multiple arms possessing the velocity, frame, and projection that professional scouts covet. That group is well represented throughout the rankings and especially inside the Top 10, where several premium arms continue to trend upward.

With the MLB Draft on the horizon for this class, the continued development of these arms will be a major storyline to follow over the next 18 months.

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Newcomers to the Rankings

Several players made strong impressions this offseason and have entered the rankings for the first time.

Owen Beatrice — Kingsmen Baseball Academy

Ranked No. 37 | INF | St. John's Commit

Beatrice recently moved to the North Carolina-based Kingsmen Academy after previously ranking among the Top 40 players in Pennsylvania. A talented middle infielder, Beatrice brings twitch and strength with an offensive profile that stands out. The bat shows looseness with whip through the zone, producing easy bat speed and projectable impact.

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Luke Williams — South Caldwell HS

Ranked No. 147 | RHP/SS

A name that had circulated among our staff throughout 2025, Williams validated the buzz with a strong showing at the Preseason All-State West. A good athlete with flexion and movement in the frame, Williams ran the fastball up to 91 mph on the mound while also showing a solid feel for spinning the baseball. His athleticism and two-way potential make him an intriguing prospect moving forward.

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Dylan Cooper — E.A. Laney HS

Ranked No. 223 | MIF

Cooper made his mark at the Wilmington Preseason ID, displaying a solid athletic foundation with a strong feel for the game. He showed clean, repeatable actions defensively along with sound fundamentals that allow him to consistently make plays in the middle of the field.

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Risers in the Rankings

Several players made significant moves up the board following strong offseason performances.

Dylan Stacks — RHP — North Brunswick HS

UNC Greensboro Commit

Stacks was one of the biggest winners from the North Carolina ProCase in February. The right-hander continues to develop athletically, showing improved explosiveness within the frame. That progress has translated directly to the mound where his stuff continues trending upward.

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Morgan Jones — OF/INF — Weddington HS

Gaston College Commit

Jones showcased noticeable improvements at the Preseason All-State South. Increased mobility and quickness paired with solid strength levels allowed him to produce louder contact and more efficient defensive actions. With continued refinement, Jones is positioned to keep trending upward.

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Dylan Poling — OF — Marvin Ridge HS

Guilford Technical CC Commit

Long and lean with room to continue adding strength, Poling stood out at the Preseason All-State West with the sound off the bat separating him from many of the prospects around him. The physical projection in the frame suggests he may only be scratching the surface of his potential.

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Previewing the Top 10

North Carolina’s 2026 class features a balanced mix of impact position players and high-end arms. Here is a look at the current Top 10 prospects in the state.

1. Gunnar Alm — OF — Polk County HS — NC State
2. Chase Kiker — RHP — Metrolina Christian Academy — Clemson
3. Isaiah James — LHP — South Central HS — Duke
4. Jaxon Matthews — OF — William Amos Hough HS — Clemson
5. Alex Hoffman — RHP — Charlotte Catholic HS — Virginia Tech
6. Rhett Britt — RHP — Topsail HS — North Carolina
7. Cameron Tarkenton — RHP — Cardinal Gibbons HS — North Carolina
8. Joshua Mozingo — SS — Terry Sanford HS — East Carolina
9. Quinn O’Rourke — RHP — Charlotte Catholic HS — Arizona
10. Nick Rumbley — RHP — Rockingham County HS — North Carolina

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Looking Ahead

The Class of 2026 rankings now extend to 375 players, reflecting the depth of talent across North Carolina. With 15 new names added and several prospects making significant jumps, the board will continue to evolve as the spring high school season unfolds.

Our scouting staff will remain active across the state this spring, evaluating players in live game environments, gathering updated data, and identifying prospects whose development warrants further movement in future updates.

The strength of this class — particularly its depth of power arms and athletic position players — continues to make it one of the more intriguing groups in recent years as we move closer to the 2026 MLB Draft cycle.

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