North Carolina Class of 2026: Rankings Update

With the conclusion of the summer season and the start of the school year, Prep Baseball North Carolina begins its fall rankings updates across all classes. First up is the Class of 2026, where the rankings expand to include the Top 375 players in the state. The end-of-summer update is traditionally the largest of the year, and for the Class of 2026, this represents the most significant shift in their high school careers to date.

A New No. 1

The updated rankings feature a change at the top, as Chase Kiker (RHP, Metrolina Christian Academy) claims the No. 1 spot. A mainstay near the top of the class for several years, Kiker’s steady rise has been fueled by continued gains in pitch-ability and pitch quality, paired with his ability to perform consistently in big games and big moments. That combination has elevated him to the top prospect in North Carolina’s 2026 class.

A Summer of Growth

Following the high school season, players across the state showcased their skills throughout a busy summer schedule. Many competed deep into national events such as the Prep Baseball NPI and the Prep Baseball National Championships, while others stood out in American Legion competition, highlighted by Asheville’s run to the World Series in Shelby, NC.

Beyond team success, players also had opportunities to update their Prep Baseball profiles with fresh statistics, analytics, and video. Standouts from events such as the NC/SC Border Battle, Summer IDs, and organizational scout days earned invitations to represent Team Carolina at national stages, including the Future Games, Super Sophomore Games, and Top Prospect Games.

The 2025 Future Games once again drew more than 400 college coaches, with Team Carolina fielding impressive rosters across multiple Future Game events. The Super Sophomore Games at UNC also provided a strong platform for rising talent, particularly among the 2028 class. These high-level events have continued to fuel player exposure, driving significant traffic to player profiles, stat pages, and video on the Prep Baseball platform.

The Rankings Process

Throughout the summer, the Prep Baseball North Carolina scouting staff compiled extensive notes and evaluations from in-game performances and showcase settings. With this update, the Class of 2026 Rankings expand to the Top 375 players statewide, adding 50+ new names while also featuring significant movement within the list.

Prep Baseball’s ranking process is structured, thorough, and impartial. Player evaluations are built on live scouting, event data, and video review. Once graded, players are entered into a class-specific database. To minimize bias, all identifying information is temporarily removed, allowing the rankings to be sorted solely on grades and measurable tools. Names are then reintroduced, and final adjustments are made to ensure accuracy and fairness.

Previewing the Top 10

In the coming week, Prep Baseball North Carolina will spotlight individual standouts from the updated rankings. For now, here’s an overview of the Top 10 players in the Class of 2026:

• The group features five right-handed pitchers, three outfielders, and two infielders.
• Among position players, two are left-handed hitters.
• Nine of the Top 10 are already committed to ACC programs, with East Carolina securing the 10th commitment.
• Seven players in the Top 10 are committed to play in-state after their high school careers.

The 2026 class has successfully navigated a demanding summer, proving itself as both deep and competitive. With several players carrying “pro-follow” grades, the top half of the rankings promises intrigue and continued movement as this group matures. Prep Baseball North Carolina’s scouting staff will remain on the ground this fall and into the spring, continuing to track progress and evaluate one of the state’s most talented classes in recent memory.

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