2028 Rankings Update: Risers

June 6, 2025
Brandon Hall
NC / Mid-ATL Director of Scouting

North Carolina Class of 2028: Rankings Update

Throughout the spring season, Prep Baseball North Carolina scouts were active across the state, attending more than 320 games to evaluate high school prospects. With summer now underway, attention turns to updating our class rankings—this week highlighting the Class of 2028.

Getting to Know the Class: Early Evaluation Phase

The summer marks the close of the first full evaluation year for the 2028 class, and we are still very much in the information-gathering stage. While several players competed at the varsity level this spring and showed promise, the majority of this class remains in the early phases of their development and visibility.

Over the next few months, Prep Baseball scouts will expand their efforts to identify and evaluate more members of this group. Through Scout Days, ID events, and the Team Carolina Summer Series, including the Super Sophomore Games at UNC Chapel Hill in August, many 2028 prospects will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and earn a spot on the rankings board.

This update reflects a modest expansion of the rankings, with the first major adjustment expected following the summer circuit. Early indicators suggest that the 2028 class has the potential to be both high-end at the top and deep throughout the state, comparable to some of North Carolina’s strongest recent classes.

Rankings - The 2028 Update

The updated Class of 2028 Rankings now include the Top 90 players in North Carolina. While the increase is incremental, a more significant reshuffling is anticipated after the summer showcase schedule concludes.

This update is a very small one for the 2028 class. Expect to see this class re-shape and evolve over the next 6 months as our scouting staff gets to know the players and the players begin to recognize their need for development. Below we dive into the rankings, taking a look at several names that saw their stock rise after performing well in front of our scouting staff.

👉 CLICK HERE to view the updated Class of 2028 Rankings, which are sortable by position and will continue to include college commitments as they are confirmed.

RANKINGS RISERS

Ethan Stewart OF / LHP / DH Conley, NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 3 / POS: 2

Remained the No. 1 Player in the State

While Rankings Risers is typically held for players making a jump in the rankings, Stewart did not have room to go up with his rank. He did however, improve his overall player grade in our rankings database. His performance in the spring separated him from a good group of players.

From the High School Scout Blog this spring:
Highly regarded freshman continued to show why in this outing vs. Terry Sanford. Hammered a walk-off grand-slam to invoke the 10-run rule in the win. Broad shoulders and strength present at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds. Left handed hitter has excellent strength and whip through the zone with natural leverage. Showed an ability to recognize off-speed and stay on his plan. Geared for extension, he is strong enough to use the oppo gap as needed. Balanced and neutral in this stance with his feet and his hands. Small waggle in the body and hands in the pre-pitch. Excellent rhythm through the load as the weight pushes back slightly and the hands trigger back, taking the bat to a vertical position for the launch. Average stride. Stable head. Direct hands. Back side is athletic and fires with rhythm. High level hitter that should continue to improve as he continues to add strength and quickness.

Derek Vazquez SS / Charlotte Christian, NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 17 / POS: 4

Remained the No. 2 Player in the State

Similar to Stewart, Vazquez did not see a change in his rank. But his overall player grade did climb and there is room for it to continue to grow. The defensive skills are different... to say the least. If the bat grows, as it has the potential to, Vazquez will challenge to be a top player in the country.

From the High School Scout Blog this Spring:
Impressive freshman has elite defensive skills. Athletic frame with strength present, standing 6-foot-1, 180 pounds. Hands and feet work with rhythm. Has quickness. Excellent first step and angles from infield / outfield through the game. Hands have softness with an ability to catch inside and outside his frame. Transitioned with ease on routine ball. Showed feel for transitioning the baseball while on and off platform. Athletic arm action and high-¾ slot. Easy carry. No doubt the arm sticks on the right side and should play as well-advanced for the shortstop position through high school and well above average at the college level. Left handed hitter has hand strength with solid bat speed. Some swing and miss seeing a steady mix of fastballs above 88 and a downer breaking ball. Bat will play. Extremely impressive look at a top 2028.

Hunter Hedgecoe C / 3B / Terry Sanford High, NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 126 / POS: 12

Moved from No. 9 to No. 7

Hedgecoe's ability to blend into a lineup of a good group of players at Terry Sanford stoodout. He seemed to handle a high level pitching staff with some ease.

From the High School Scout Blog this Spring:
Physical freshman that is sitting in the middle of the order for a good Bulldog lineup. Stands 6-foot, 185 pounds. Big arm with carry and accuracy. Pop times ranged 2.01 - 2.11 between innings with excellent carry. Average bend in a standard receiving stance. Hands have quickness. Works to receive and block. Athletic mover in stance and willing blocker. Easy exchange and release from a high-¾ slot. True carry. Right handed hitter works from a wide base, slightly open. Rocks into the back side for his load. Short stride. Flat through the zone. Strength and quickness present. Stayed in the middle of the field in the 3 at-bats. On the barrel twice.

Ivan Andino RHP / 3B / Charlotte Christian, NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 2

Moved from No. 23 to No. 13

Performed at a high level for Charlotte Christian throughout the spring, playing a high level corner OF, showing consistent feel for the barrel, and closing games at times for the Knights.

From the High School Scout Blog this Spring:
Pitching:
5-foot-11, 170 pounds. Freshman with a good arm that came in to close the 7th with an aggressive demeanor. Attacked the zone with a good fastball / curveball combination. Fastball ranged 87-89, working down in the zone. Breaking ball has a slight hump out of the release with early depth at 79-81. Athletic on the bump. Solid mover. Stuff will continue to tick up as he matures.

Hitting:
Athletic freshman. Homered to right on an 81mph fastball middle. Advanced strength for the age. Average bat speed but has shown the ability to get the barrel to the baseball. Good pitch recognition and solid swing decisions.

Thomas Piscorik SS / RHP / Wakefield, NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 20 / POS: 7

Moved from No. 27 to No. 19

Performance can bump up grades... At times performance can be dismissed but when our scouting staff shows up and a player continually jumps off the page playing on both sides of the ball, it will increase the players's stock. Piscoriak was a driver for the Wolverines spring season hitting .388 with 9 of his 33 hits for extra bases.

Mikey Katz C / OF / Wakefield, NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 40 / POS: 7

Moved from No. 48 to 40.

After a good "coming out" party at the Preseason All-State East, Katz followed with a solid season at Wakefield. The tools translated on the field and Katz shows promise as a high level receiver his arms will enjoy throwing to.

Reed Osborne OF / 3B / Lincoln Charter, NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 41 / POS: 6

Moved from No. 61 to No. 41

We did not have a ton of information on Reed as the initial rankings were put up. Prep Baseball was on hand for opening night with eventual 3A State Champion, North Lincoln HS visiting Lincoln Charter. Osborne is right handed hitting outfielder with a chance to develop into a Power threat. The strength is real. As he continues to translate the strength into bat speed and barrel feel, his stock could continue to bump up.