2026 Rankings Update: Positional Ranks
August 28, 2025
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.
The Rankings Process
Throughout the summer, the Prep Baseball North Carolina scouting staff compiled extensive notes and evaluations from in-game performances and showcase settings. With this update, the Class of 2026 Rankings expand to the Top 375 players statewide, adding 50+ new names while also featuring significant movement within the list.
Prep Baseball’s ranking process is structured, thorough, and impartial. Player evaluations are built on live scouting, event data, and video review. Once graded, players are entered into a class-specific database. To minimize bias, all identifying information is temporarily removed, allowing the rankings to be sorted solely on grades and measurable tools. Names are then reintroduced, and final adjustments are made to ensure accuracy and fairness.
Positional Rankings
The Prep Baseball rankings process is completed holistically, without initial consideration for positional breakdowns. Once the overall class rankings are finalized, the scouting staff reviews how players align within their respective positions.
Positional rankings provide additional context, offering a clearer picture of how prospects compare to others at the same spot on the field. It is important to note that positional rankings can be influenced by positional value—players up the middle (catcher, shortstop, center field) often carry more weight than those on the corners. However, the hit tool remains the most prized attribute, and a player’s offensive ability can elevate their standing even if their defensive profile projects differently at the next level. In this way, positional rankings are not always a direct indicator of a player’s long-term defensive home, but rather a tool for understanding the balance of talent within the class.
Below we highlight the positional rankings. You can see the full positional rankings HERE.
Updated 2026 Positional Rankings
First Base
Second Base
Third Base
Shortstop
Catcher
Outfield
Left Handed Pitcher
Right Handed Pitcher
Click Here to see the full rankings list with more on each position