Positional Breakdown - Top 2028 Prospects in NC

December 11, 2025
Brandon Hall
NC / Mid-ATL Director of Scouting

Inside the Rankings: Top 3 by Position in North Carolina’s 2028 Class

The updated Class of 2028 North Carolina Rankings continue to take shape as our scouting staff works through fall event coverage, tournament looks, and early preseason evaluations. The overall rankings serve as the foundation for how positional groups are built, helping provide a clearer picture of how top prospects stack up against others at the same spot on the field.

Player positions in the 2028 class are currently based on the primary position listed by each athlete in their Prep Baseball profile. While our scouting staff may eventually project a different long-term defensive home for some players, positional sorting remains player-driven until the end of their sophomore year—when the evaluation sample deepens and long-term roles become more defined.

Below, we highlight the Top 3 players at each position, with updated notes reflecting strengths and developmental trends as the 2028 class continues to emerge.

Catchers

1. Hunter Hedgecoe (Terry Sanford HS)

Hedgecoe stands out as one of the most polished catchers in the class, showing strong receiving skills and advanced blocking instincts for his age. His carry out of the crouch and consistent exchange make him a reliable defender, while the bat continues to trend upward.

2. Henry Tutera (Christ School)

A physical backstop with arm strength and improving footwork, Tutera has made steady defensive strides. Offensively, he flashes strength in the barrel with signs of more power to come as he continues to fill out.

3. Yates Toney (Burns HS)

Toney offers a balanced profile—athletic behind the plate with a short, clean swing that produces consistent contact. His game clock and overall defensive feel stood out throughout the fall.

First Basemen

1. Paxton Ladner (Weddington HS)

2. Christian Norton (Asheville Christian Academy)

3. Cole Harris (Parrott Academy)

Harris offers a high-contact swing with strike-zone awareness beyond his years. The power is beginning to surface, and his footwork around the base has improved with added physical maturity.

Third Basemen

1. Ivan Andino (Charlotte Christian)

2. Troy Haynes (Green Hope HS)

Haynes boasts projectable strength and a swing built for future impact. His fall trajectory showed jumps in bat speed and physicality, paired with solid lateral mobility at the hot corner.

3. Gavin Whitley (DH Conley HS)

Shortstops

1. Levi Kerr (Marvin Ridge HS)

2. Derek Vazquez (Charlotte Christian)

3. Thomas Piscorik (Wakefield HS)

Piscorik surged this fall with noticeable strength gains and improved consistency in the box. His offensive game features impactful contact when he gets leverage, and his defensive reliability keeps trending up.

Right-Handed Pitchers

1. Kaden Nichols (Riverside HS)

2. Duncan Carver (AC Reynolds HS)

Carver is a dual sport athlete with advanced polish and a high upside on the bump. His fastball shows life through the zone, and the breaking ball continues to tighten, allowing him to compete at a high level.

3. Alex Hampton (Marvin Ridge HS)

Hampton shows a clean arm path with promising athleticism in the delivery. His ability to land multiple pitches for strikes made a strong impression this fall, hinting at significant projection.

Left-Handed Pitchers

1. Sean Rodesiler (Davidson Day)

Rodesiler possesses some of the most advanced arsenals in the class. His fastball plays in the zone, and his breaking ball routinely creates discomfort. The frame and arm action suggest more velocity coming.

2. Garrett Burris (Lake Norman Charter)

Burris features a high-ceiling combination of size and hand speed. His fastball has late life, and his ability to spin a breaking ball is advanced.

3. Logan Pearce (New Hanover HS)

Athletic and clean from the left side, Pearce offers projection paired with current stuff.