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Tobacco Road State Games Most Valuable Pitcher

August 26, 2026
Brandon Hall
NC / Mid-ATL Director of Scouting

Tobacco Road State Games

August 15–16, 2026 | Stick Williams Dream Field – Home of Queens University | Charlotte, NC

The 2026 Tobacco Road State Games brought together some of the top talent from across North Carolina for two days at Stick Williams Dream Field in Charlotte. The six-team roster featured players from the 2027–2029 classes, providing another opportunity for Prep Baseball scouts, college coaches, and professional scouts to evaluate many of the state's top prospects in one setting.

The State Games served as a culmination of Prep Baseball North Carolina's coverage throughout the preseason, high school spring, and summer circuit. The roster was built with players who performed their way into the event throughout the year, including standouts from the Preseason All-State, NC/SC Border Battle, and other events across the state. The field also featured players with experience at some of Prep Baseball's premier national and regional events, including the Future Games, Senior Future Games, Super Sophomore Games, and Junior Future Games.

With close to 20 college programs represented throughout the weekend, the event provided an opportunity for players to perform in front of evaluators while updating their Prep Baseball profiles. Position players opened the event with a pro-style workout, producing updated statistics, analytics, and video through a full offensive and defensive evaluation. Following the workout, players transitioned into game action, with each of the six teams playing two games over the course of the weekend.

Prep Baseball scouts were on hand throughout the event, collecting data, video, and evaluations. The coverage from the Tobacco Road State Games will continue with leaderboards, statistical analysis, scout notes, and player features highlighting the players and performances that stood out in Charlotte.

FULL EVENT SITE:
Rosters, Results & Leaderboards

Most Valuable Pitcher: Brax Thompson

The inaugural Tobacco Road State Games brought together a deep collection of talent from across North Carolina, with numerous players who will draw significant college and professional attention in the coming years. At the conclusion of the event, Brax Thompson, RHP/SS, Providence HS (2028) separated himself as the Most Valuable Pitcher.

Fresh off a strong showing at the 2026 Prep Baseball Future Games, Thompson carried that momentum into Charlotte. Participating as a RHP/SS, he showcased the athleticism and versatility that continue to make him an intriguing two-way prospect. While Thompson produced two barrels during his opportunities as a position player, it was his performance on the mound that ultimately separated him.

Thompson worked two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four. More impressive than the final line was the combination of big stuff and advanced pitchability he displayed throughout the outing.

The fastball worked up to 91 mph with heavy, explosive arm-side action, spinning upwards of 2600 rpm with over 18 inches of arm side run at times. Thompson showed an ability to command the pitch to both sides of the plate while changing hitters' eye levels, attacking both the top and bottom of the zone. The fastball's movement and his ability to locate it allowed the pitch to play throughout counts.

His slider served as the primary secondary offering and gave hitters a completely different look. The pitch featured late, hard, darting horizontal action, averaging 2881 rpm. Thompson showed confidence landing it in the strike zone, where it generated freezes and swing-and-miss. In advantage counts, he showed the ability to expand the slider off the plate and create chase. The fastball and slider worked off similar lines before separating late, consistently creating uncomfortable decisions for hitters.

Thompson also flashed a changeup as a legitimate third weapon, giving him another option to change speeds and attack hitters. More than simply possessing three pitches, he showed an advanced understanding of how and when to use each offering, attacking different areas of the zone and adjusting his plan based on the hitter.

The combination of athleticism, a fastball up to 91 mph, a high-spin slider, a usable changeup and an advanced feel for attacking hitters made Thompson's outing the most impressive performances of the weekend. His ability to pair the raw stuff with pitchability earned Brax Thompson the Most Valuable Pitcher honors at the inaugural Tobacco Road State Games.

Tobacco Road State Games Coverage