The 2026 Class Continues to Grow - New Names in the Rankings
December 15, 2025
New Names to Know: North Carolina’s Class of 2026 Rankings Update
The latest update to the Prep Baseball North Carolina Class of 2026 Rankings brought incremental movement across the board, but one of the most notable takeaways was the introduction of nine new players making their first appearance inside the state rankings.
👉 View the full Class of 2026 Rankings here:
https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/rankings/NC/North-Carolina-Class-of-2026-2709451683-0915342867
As outlined in the full rankings release, this update reflects a continued refinement of the class rather than a full-scale reshuffle. Our state scouting staff spent the fall evaluating players across Prep Baseball events, high-level tournaments, school workouts, and in-game looks. Each player was vetted through multiple viewings, with data, video, and scouting reports cross-checked before being introduced to the board.
These additions speak to developmental gains, emerging tools, and improved performance against quality competition. With the list currently capped at the Top 375, earning a spot requires separation—either through measurable growth, impact tools, or consistent on-field results.
Below are nine players who broke into the 2026 rankings for the first time, along with brief scouting snapshots pulled from their Prep Baseball profiles.
First-Time Additions to the 2026 Rankings
Caiden McNeil | OF | Kingsmen Academy | No. 80
A high-upside athlete who continues to trend upward. McNeil shows advanced quickness and speed traits, pairing a lean, projectable frame with room for added strength. The offensive profile points to a developing hit tool with impact potential as the body matures.
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Gibson Todd | INF/RHP | Topsail HS | No. 81
Physical and mature with strength already present in the frame. Todd shows confident actions on the dirt and enough arm strength to factor as a two-way option. The bat plays first, with hand strength and bat speed giving him offensive upside moving forward.
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Tyler Cain | 1B/RHP | Weddington HS | No. 214
Cain brings a physical presence with power potential from the right side. The strength is based in projection, but Cain, a multi-sport athlete has high upside. On the mound, he shows feel for the zone, giving him added value as a corner profile with versatility.
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Cain drives a ball deep to CF for a Triple https://t.co/tA88XXbQmm pic.twitter.com/JF9v83ryJk
— Prep Baseball North Carolina (@PrepBaseballNC) October 11, 2025
Braeden Ritchie | OF/RHP | Topsail HS | No. 224
An athletic outfield profile with a developing two-way look. Ritchie moves well in the outfield, with good barrel feel in the box, and trending in the right direction. Added strength could unlock more impact at the plate.
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Ryder Springston | OF | Lincoln Charter HS | No. 252
Springston stands out for his athleticism and defensive ability. He shows confident actions in the outfield with speed that plays on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the focus will be on continued physical development and strength gains. An intriguing frame suggests there is plenty of room to his ceiling.
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Dylan Hodges | LHP | Green Level HS | No. 273
A young left-hander with projection and feel for pitching. Hodges shows clean arm action and the ability to work downhill, with more velocity likely coming as he continues to develop physically. A name to monitor closely heading into spring.
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Ruito Kobayashi | INF/OF | Pro5 Academy | No. 299
A versatile defender with athletic actions and quickness. Kobayashi shows the ability to move around the field, with a developing offensive approach built on contact ability and speed. Continued strength gains will be key to his ceiling.
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Edward Russell Carter | 1B | US Performance Academy | No. 205
A corner bat with present strength. Carter shows power potential and the ability to impact the baseball consistently in BP. As his game continues to translate to live action, he becomes an intriguing offensive follow.
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Jayce Huneycutt | C | North Stanly HS | No. 364
Huneycutt earns his spot with defensive reliability behind the plate. He shows solid receiving skills, clean exchanges, and a strong enough arm to control the running game. The offensive profile continues to develop with added strength.
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What’s Next for the 2026 Class
The spring calendar is shaping up to be a pivotal stretch for the 2026 and 2027 classes, beginning with Prep Baseball’s preseason coverage across North Carolina.
👉 View upcoming Preseason Events:
https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/north-carolina/showcases
College programs are still actively finalizing their 2026 recruiting classes while simultaneously turning attention toward 2027 evaluations. That overlap creates opportunity, and spring performances will play a major role in shaping the next wave of rankings movement.
As always, the rankings will continue to evolve as players develop, compete, and separate themselves on the field.
👉 Return to the full Class of 2026 Rankings here:
https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/rankings/NC/North-Carolina-Class-of-2026-2709451683-0915342867