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North Carolina Class of 2026: Rankings Update

Throughout the spring season, Prep Baseball North Carolina scouts were on the road extensively, attending more than 320 games to evaluate as many high school prospects as possible. As a result, our player database is due for a refresh. With the summer season now underway, we begin the process of updating our class rankings—starting with the Class of 2026.

Summer Spotlight: The Class of 2026

Heading into their final—and most critical—summer on the amateur circuit, the 2026 class in North Carolina continues to generate significant buzz. The top of the class features high-end talent with professional upside, while the overall depth of the group continues to impress statewide. As is often the case in North Carolina, the class includes a mix of early standouts and late bloomers—players who will likely emerge throughout their senior seasons and into their college careers.

This latest update is modest in scope, reflecting early insights from spring game action. While game play provides valuable context, there are still many players yet to be fully evaluated. The Prep Baseball NC scouting staff will continue coverage throughout the summer at marquee events, including the Team Carolina Summer ID series, NC/SC Border Battle, and the North Carolina Top Prospect Games. A comprehensive rankings overhaul is expected later this year as these events offer additional data and insight.

Rankings Expansion and Evaluation Process

The updated Class of 2026 rankings now expand to the top 325 players in the state. This list will remain fluid as players grow, mature, and refine their games. Prep Baseball NC is committed to thorough and ongoing evaluation as we identify the top talent across the state.

Our ranking process is designed to be both structured and impartial. The scouting staff begins by assigning a player grade based on in-person and video evaluations. Each player is then entered into a class-specific database. To ensure objectivity, all identifying information is temporarily concealed while rankings are sorted based solely on player grades and tools. Once this process is complete, player names are reintroduced, and final adjustments are made to produce the most accurate list possible.

CLICK HERE to see the full 2026 Rankings
+ Expanded to the Top 325 in NC
+ Sortable by Top Ranked Players by Position
+ Player commitments listed 

Preview: Class of 2026 Top 10

In the coming week, we’ll take a deeper dive into this updated list, spotlighting individual players who’ve made an impact. For now, here’s a preview of the top 10 players in North Carolina’s 2026 class:

All 10 players in the Top 10 have committed to college programs, with nine headed to ACC schools. The top three players in the state are all high-level arms—each capable of staking a claim to the No. 1 spot. All three have shown fastballs into the mid-90s or better, paired with swing-and-miss secondary offerings. As they head into a busy national summer schedule, their performances will likely create further separation.

Expect several hitters within the Top 10 to climb even higher as the summer progresses. While pitchers often draw early draft interest, summer competition provides a true litmus test for position players as they face elite arms from across the country—helping evaluators get a clearer sense of each player's offensive ceiling.

Looking Ahead

Can the 2026 class match or surpass the high-end talent of the 2025 class? As of now, 2025 maintains a slight edge. But with months of development and exposure ahead, there’s plenty of time for 2026 prospects to close that gap. The summer promises to be an exciting stretch as we inch closer to the 2026 MLB Draft—and as North Carolina players continue to shape the storylines across the state.

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