Movers in the National Rankings: North Carolina Players on the Rise

The end of each season brings updates to the Prep Baseball rankings, as the scouting staff reviews and refines evaluations from across the country. State rankings are finalized first, then combined to form the Overall Rankings, built in collaboration between Prep Baseball’s State Directors, regional scouts, and National Crosschecker Shooter Hunt.

With the conclusion of the summer season, Prep Baseball has released updated 2026, 2027, and 2028 Overall Rankings.

North Carolina Talent on the Move

Each North Carolina class has grown with this update as the scouting staff continues to deepen its knowledge of players across the state. Through Prep Baseball events and tournaments, scouts are able to collect key stats, analytics, and video on players, while also supplementing those looks with live evaluations at workouts, practices, and games. The all-encompassing process provides a well-rounded picture of each player’s current ability and future projection.

The Overall Rankings are built from these state lists, with Shooter Hunt working closely with state and regional directors to determine where players stack up nationally. Hours of video review, game reports, and analytics go into every update, creating a list that reflects both performance and long-term projection.

North Carolina: A Hotbed of Talent

Year after year, North Carolina continues to produce high-level players. MLB Draft boards consistently feature talent with North Carolina roots, and the 2026, 2027, and 2028 classes appear to be no different. Younger classes are already drawing attention from college recruiters and pro scouts alike, solidifying the state as a steady producer of future impact players.

While many of the players appearing in the Overall Rankings are already familiar names within the state and region, there is always room for movement. Player development, growth, and in-game performance can quickly shift a prospect’s national standing.

Movers in the Overall Rankings

Below, we highlight North Carolina players who climbed the board in the most recent Overall Rankings update.

👉 Explore the full North Carolina rankings by class here.
👉 See the updated Overall Rankings for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 classes here.

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MLB Draft Prospects

North Carolina has long been a hotbed of talent for MLB Scouts. The 2026 class and 2027 class are very talented at the top of the rankings. The 2025 class featured 3 in the top 3 rounds of the draft. Will any of these classes rival the talent from last year. Time will tell. Here are the follows identified at the top of the 2026 and 2027 classes in North Carolina.

2026 Grads – Heavy Follows

Known commodities at the top of the rankings, these North Carolina players have already made their mark with area scouts and will see a steady rotation of evaluators as the preseason begins, carrying through to draft time.

Gunnar Alm, OF, Polk County — NC State Commit
Rhett Britt, RHP, Topsail — North Carolina Commit
Alex Hoffman, RHP, Charlotte Catholic — Virginia Tech Commit
Isaiah James, LHP, South Central — Duke Commit
Chase Kiker, RHP, Metrolina Christian Academy — Clemson Commit
Jaxon Matthews, OF, Hough — Clemson Commit
Christian Serrano, SS, Pro5 Baseball Academy — NC State Commit
Nic Stutzman, RHP, Stuart W. Cramer — Virginia Commit
Cameron Tarkenton, RHP, Cardinal Gibbons — North Carolina Commit

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2026 Names to Know

Scouts will continue to work through North Carolina’s deep pool of talent, as there’s a strong track record of players making significant jumps. While these players may not project near the top of the draft now, continued development and consistent production could elevate their status entering their senior season.

Harrison Ailshie, OF, East Rowan — North Carolina Commit
Landon Church, INF/OF, West Forsyth – North Caroilna State commit
Logan D’Amico, RHP, Marvin Ridge — Wake Forest Commit
Wilkin Lurie, OF, Asheville — Coastal Carolina Commit
Trenton Maybin, OF, Asheville — Texas Commit
Maddox McRee, RHP, Hickory High School — NC State Commit
Joshua Mozingo, SS, Terry Sanford — East Carolina Commit
Quinn O’Rourke, RHP, Charlotte Catholic — Arizona Commit
Nick Rumbley, RHP, Rockingham County — North Carolina Commit
Will Holden, C, West Forsyth — Wake Forest Commit

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2026 – Potential Risers

These players may not yet appear on every draft board, but their off-season growth, preseason progress, and early-season performance could help them emerge as key risers heading into the spring.

Evan Burroughs, SS, Watauga — Duke Commit
Heath Craver, RHP, High Point Christian Academy — NC State Commit
Ryan Engle, OF/LHP, Westchester Country Day — Georgia Tech Commit
Cassius Grimsley, OF, Fuquay-Varina — UNC Wilmington Commit
Beckett Howie, RHP, Metrolina Christian Academy — Campbell Commit
Wyatt Lytle, C, Pro5 Baseball Academy – North Carolina commit
Brady Marconi, C, Charlotte Catholic — College of Charleston Commit
Anaan Rahming, LHP, Grace Christian – South Florida Commit
Jason Sproull, RHP, E.A. Laney HS – East Carolina Commit
Janeson Steele, 1B, Charles B. Aycock — East Carolina Commit
William Vetter, RHP, Cary — Virginia Tech Commit

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2027 Follows

The 2027 class is still in its early stages of MLB Scout recognition, but several players are already beginning to make waves with evaluators. This group will continue to gain exposure through events such as the Prep Baseball Pro Case, East Coast Pro Workouts and Games, and a host of regional and national high profile events that pit the best vs. the best. The upcoming spring season could serve as a launching point for many of these prospects as professional scouts begin to look ahead.

Troy Alderfer, 1B, Ambassador Christian
Trent Baker, SS, North Raleigh Christian Academy — Wofford Commit
Cole Bowman, C, Wesleyan Christian Academy
Colt Briggs, RHP, Saint Stephens — Appalachian State Commit
Brandon Bush, OF, Hoggard
Lawson Copeland, RHP, Myers Park
Beckett Denton, RHP, Weddington
Mason Hawkins, 3B, Needham Broughton
Jaxon Haynes, OF, Providence — South Carolina Commit
John Hucko, OF/LHP, Charlotte Catholic
Kameron Keenan, RHP, North Buncombe
Caleb Lynn, OF, Cleveland
Reggie Marshall, SS, Grace Christian Academy
Landon McDonald, RHP, Grace Christian — South Florida Commit
Griffin McKain, LHP, Charlotte Catholic
Coleton Newbern, C/RHP, DH Conley – East Carolina commit
Cooper Partin, 1B/RHP, Southern Alamance
Will Parrish, RHP, Charlotte Christian — NC State Commit
Kellen Rogers, SS, Wake Forest — NC State Commit
Connor Salerno, LHP, Sun Valley — Mississippi State Commit
Luke Samples, RHP, C.E. Jordan — Wake Forest Commit
Jacob Seamon, OF, Metrolina Christian
Tyce Thompson, C, South Central
Oliver Van Tiem, RHP, Orange — North Carolina Commit
Ethan Wisler, RHP, Wakefield
Banks Woody, C, Pro5 Academy
Tanner Williams, OF/LHP, Midway – North Carolina State Commit

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INSIDE THE RANKINGS