Player of the Year Watch List

We’re proud to release the North Carolina Preseason Player of the Year Watch List, featuring twenty of the state’s most impactful players heading into the 2026 season.

This group is built on true difference-makers—middle-of-the-order bats, frontline arms, and complete players who impact the game in all phases. Each serves as a cornerstone for their program, capable of shifting the identity of a team with their presence alone.

The list features a balanced mix of position players, two-way talents, and a select group of pitcher-only standouts who anchor their staffs.

While the eventual Player of the Year could emerge from this group, the race remains wide open. Our scouting staff will be active across North Carolina throughout the spring, with this watch list evolving as players continue to separate themselves.

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Initial Watch List

2026 Graduates

• Harrison Ailshie – OF/LHP, East Rowan, UNC Commit
• Gunnar Alm – OF, Polk County, NC State Commit
• Rhett Britt – RHP, Topsail, UNC Commit
• Landon Church – INF/OF, West Forsyth, NC State Commit
• Stephen Crater – INF, Wake Forest, Brunswick CC
• Logan D’Amico – OF/RHP, Marvin Ridge, Wake Forest Commit
• Cooper Gornet - SS, Charlotte Christian, NC State Commit
• Cassius Grimsley – RHP/OF, Fuquay-Varina, UNC-Wilmington Commit
• Alex Hoffman – RHP/OF, Charlotte Catholic, Virginia Tech Commit
• Isaiah James – LHP, South Central, Duke Commit
• Chase Kiker – RHP/INF, Metrolina Christian, Clemson Commit
• Jaxon Matthews – OF, Hough, Clemson Commit
• Joshua Mozingo – INF, Terry Sanford, ECU Commit
• Quinn O’Rourke – RHP, Charlotte Catholic, Arizona Commit
• Nick Rumbley – RHP, Rockingham County, UNC Commit
• Dylan Stacks – RHP/INF, North Brunswick, UNC-Greensboro Commit
• Jason Sproull – RHP, Laney, ECU Commit
• Cameron Tarkenton – RHP/INF, Cardinal Gibbons, UNC Commit

  2027 Graduates

• Brandon Bush – OF, Hoggard
• John Hucko – OF/LHP, Charlotte Catholic, Auburn Commit
• Caleb Lynn – OF/RHP, Cleveland, UNC-Wilmington Commit
• Griffin McKain – OF/LHP, Charlotte Catholic, Clemson Commit
• Kellen Rogers – INF, Wake Forest, NC State Commit
• Connor Salerno – LHP, Sun Valley, Mississippi State Commit
• Jacob Seamon – OF, Metrolina Christian, LSU Commit

  2028 Graduates

• Jesse Covington - INF/RHP, Wesleyan Christian Academy
• Levi Kerr – INF/RHP, Marvin Ridge
• Ethan Stewart – OF/LHP, DH Conley
• Derek Vazquez – INF, Charlotte Christian

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Previous Winners

2025- Coy James, Davie County HS, INF

2024- Cobb Hightower, East Rowan HS, INF

2023- Luke Stevenson, Wake Forest HS Catcher

2022 - Brooks Brannon, Randleman HS Catcher

2021 - Josh Hartle, Reagan HS Left Handed Pitcher

2020 - COVID Shortened Year - No Award

2019 - Blake Walston, New Hanover HS Left Handed Pitcher

2018 - Owen White, Jesse C Carson HS Right Handed Pitcher

2017 - MacKenzie Gore, Whiteville HS Left Handed Pitcher

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