2028 Risers Report: Fall Standouts Making Noise

December 4, 2025
Brandon Hall
NC / Mid-ATL Director of Scouting

2028 Class Rankings — Risers Report

The latest update to the North Carolina Class of 2028 Rankings brought meaningful movement throughout the list, highlighted by nine prospects who saw their stock climb after strong fall showings. At this stage of the evaluation process, the underclass groups can be more volatile than their older counterparts. With fewer total looks and a smaller overall sample size, single evaluations can carry added weight — an important reason why subtle shifts are a natural part of each update.

This fall provided our scouting staff with a wide range of evaluation opportunities. The Top Prospect Games: Underclass, Fall ID events, Scout Days, and tournament coverage at the Carolinas Fall Championship allowed our team to see 2028 prospects in structured workouts, game action, and competitive settings. Those touches helped shape the newest update, which expanded to the Top 165 players in North Carolina, including more than 25 new additions.

Today’s feature highlights nine players who improved their overall Prep Baseball player grade, ultimately elevating their position inside the updated rankings. Player notes, video, and links to full profiles will give you a deeper look at why each player is trending upward.

For the full Class of 2028 Rankings, click here:
👉 https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/rankings/NC/north-carolina-class-of-2028

And for reference, you can view the Class of 2029 Rankings here:
👉 https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/rankings/NC/north-carolina-class-of-2029

Look for the Class of 2026 Updated Rankings:
👉Set to release next week (Tuesday December 9th)

9 Rankings Risers

Troy Haynes 3B / RHP / Green Hope, NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 23 / POS: 2

Moved from No. 50 to No. 23

+ The Wilmington Fall ID solidified Haynes in the top tier of the 2028 Rankings

+ Showed advanced ability in the box and on the mound. Athletic with broad shoulders and long limbs, there is still a ton of room to his ceiling

Cole Harris 1B / 3B / Parrott Academy, NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 33 / POS: 4

Moved from No. 38 to 33

+ While the move is small, Harris did bump his overall grade after another good showing at the Top Prospect Games: Underclass

+ The potential is apparent in the box in BP with good rhythm and natural lift through contact. The potential power could impact a roster at the next level quickly.

+ The ability to transfer the BP swing into game action, flashing the power tool moved the needled in reports.

Ryder Anderson 3B / RHP / DH Conley, NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 39 / POS: 4

Moved from No. 45 to No. 39

+ Harris came on strong with a big showing at the end of the summer at the East Coast Super Sophomore Games.

+ Followed that up with another good performance at the Top Prospect Games: Underclass. The consistency in his stuff and pitch-ability increased the internal confidence rating on his player grade.

Max Liriano SS / 3B / Eastern Carolina Academy, NC / 2029

Rankings StateRank: 40 / POS: 10 StateRank: 83 / POS: 12

Moved from No. 52 to No. 40

+ As we worked through the rankings update, Liriano was in the 2028 class. He is planning to re-class and will be in the 2029 rankings as we get to the spring season.

+ Athletic and a solid defender, Liriano showed improved bat to ball skills, bumping his overall grade up, allowing him to jump in the rankings.

Gabriel Spears 1B / RHP / Eastern Carolina Academy, NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 44 / POS: 5

Moved from No. 49 to No. 44

+ What seems like a small bump is a bit bigger when you take into account the number of new names added to the rankings.

+ Spears continues to show athleticism and excellent strength at evets. This fall, at the Top Prospect Games: Underclass, Spears improved his in game barrel feel, continuing to punish the baseball.

+ Moved over to 1B, giving him another position that he can put on the resume.

Peyton Tarlton OF / LHP / Metrolina Christian Academy, NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 45 / POS: 6

Moved from No. 89 to No. 45

+ Game coverage can give us some feel but the ability to put metrics on players across the board can allow us to see where players can grow, and where they may end up.

+ Tarlton's performance in the box and on the mound made it clear we were "light" in our grading, plus he has continued to make gains.

+ There is ryhthm, athelticism, balance, and feel. The frame is positioned to continue to add strength in the coming years.

Gavin Griffin SS / Topsail, NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 76 / POS: 16

Moved from No. 99 to No. 76

+ Griffin posted solid numbers at Scout Days in 2024. At the Wilmington Fall ID, Griffin showed off the work he had put in the past year.

+ Added weight and strength with an athletic frame. Ran better, breaking a 6.95 on the laser, and added strength at impact in the box.

Noah Price C / C / Homeschool (NC), NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 96 / POS: 13

Moved from No. 124 to No. 96

+ Price had a good day at the Top Prospect Games: Underclass this fall. A mature frame, Price showed an improved swing path with good carry in the gaps.

+ More importantly to seeing his overall grade improving, Price carried the actions in the workout into live game action. The defensive skills and the swing saw a tick up in the live game play.

Davis Kemp 2B / SS / South Rowan High, NC / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 97 / POS: 8

Moved from No. 113 to No. 97

+ Another good showing from Kemp at the CBA Scout Day allowed the Prep Baseball scouting staff to improve the confidence rating in his player grade. The improved rating vaulted him up 16 spots.

+ Right handed hitter continues to show easy bat speed and a flat path with backspin to both gaps.