Inside the Rankings: North Carolina's Top Arms
October 3, 2025
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.
Pitchers in the Overall Rankings
Pitching remains one of the most valued commodities for college recruiters and professional scouts, and North Carolina has long been recognized for producing both frontline arms and overall depth on the mound. The current classes are no exception. Several arms have already established themselves as impact talents, while others are emerging quickly and showing signs of joining that group in the near future.
Below, we highlight the North Carolina pitchers who earned spots in the most recent Overall Rankings update.
Class of 2026
Chase Kiker, RHP, Metrolina Christian Academy — Clemson Commit
Alex Hoffman, RHP, Charlotte Catholic — Virginia Tech Commit
Cameron Tarkenton, RHP, Cardinal Gibbons — North Carolina Commit
Rhett Britt, RHP, Topsail — Wake Forest Commit
Amos Rich, RHP, Tuscola — North Carolina Commit
Nick Rumbley, RHP, Rockingham County — North Carolina Commit
Maddox McRee, RHP, Hickory High School — NC State Commit
Isaiah James, LHP, South Central — Duke Commit
Nic Stutzman, RHP, Stuart W. Cramer — Virginia Commit
Quinn O’Rourke, RHP, Charlotte Catholic — Arizona Commit
Logan D’Amico, OF, Marvin Ridge — Wake Forest Commit
Class of 2027
Connor Salerno, LHP, Sun Valley
Will Parrish, RHP, Charlotte Christian — NC State Commit
Griffin McKain, OF, Charlotte Catholic
Beckett Denton, RHP, Weddington
Luke Samples, RHP, C.E. Jordan — Wake Forest Commit
Kameron Keenan, RHP, North Buncombe
Oliver Van Tiem, RHP, Orange — North Carolina Commit
Class of 2028
Brax Thompson, RHP, Providence
Kaden Nichols, RHP, Riverside
Sean Rodesiler, LHP, Davidson Day
Duncan Carver, RHP, A.C. Reynolds
Garrett Burris, LHP, Lake Norman Charter
Jesse Covington, RHP, Westchester Country Day