North Carolina Class of 2027: Ranking Risers from the Fall Update

The fall evaluation window continues to play an important role in shaping the Class of 2027 Rankings. With increased looks at players through Prep Baseball events, tournament coverage, scout days, and in-game evaluations, the latest update brought meaningful movement across the board.

For the 2027 class, this cycle was less about wholesale reshuffling and more about identifying separation. Physical development, cleaner actions, improved consistency, and impact in competitive environments all factored into upward movement. Several players forced re-evaluation with fall performances that translated directly to tools, projection, and long-term upside.

Below, we highlight a group of Ranking Risers who climbed the board in the fall update, along with several players who were featured prominently in the initial rankings release.

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Previously Featured in the Rankings Release

The following players were highlighted in the Class of 2027 Fall Rankings Update and played key roles in shaping the overall movement inside the board. Each was featured in the initial release, with full profiles and context available in the rankings story.

• Brandon Bush — OF — Hoggard HS
• Brady Maxwell — C — Pro5 Baseball Academy
• Jesse May — RHP — Riverside HS
• Tyler Wagner — RHP — Marvin Ridge HS

🔗 Read more on each player inside the full rankings release

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Ranking Risers to Know

Each of the following prospects made a notable jump in the updated NC Class of 2027 Rankings, driven by fall performances that showed tangible growth in tools, physicality, or on-field impact. Below are prospects who made notable climbs in the updated Class of 2027 Rankings based on fall evaluations. Each player is presented with a current scouting snapshot, along with embedded video from recent Prep Baseball events.

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RJ Browning — SS — Topsail HS (2027)

No. 95 in NC 2027 Rankings

Browning is a middle-of-the-field defender with athletic actions and growing polish. He shows smooth footwork and clean exchanges on the dirt, working through plays with balance and body control. At the plate, the right-handed hitter shows an efficient, connected swing with improving barrel accuracy, producing line-drive contact in workout settings. The defensive reliability paired with a trending offensive skill set gives Browning a well-rounded shortstop profile heading toward the spring.

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Sheldon Brown — OF — East Wake HS (2027)

No. 119 in NC 2027 Rankings

Brown is an athletic outfielder whose game is built around speed, coordination, and developing offensive feel. He shows quick-twitch actions defensively, covering ground with ease and bringing pressure on the bases. Offensively, the left-handed hitter shows a more controlled approach with improving contact ability, giving him a dynamic profile that impacts the game in multiple ways.

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Lane Collier — 3B — Hickory Ridge HS (2027)

No. 137 in NC 2027 Rankings

Collier is a physical corner infielder with a strong right-handed bat and a developing power foundation. He shows strength through contact and the ability to drive the baseball with authority in workout settings. Defensively, he brings reliable hands and solid arm strength at third base, giving him a steady defensive profile to pair with his offensive upside.

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Joyner Haddock — OF/LHP — JH Rose HS (2027)

No. 148 in NC 2027 Rankings

Haddock offers a true two-way look with athleticism showing on both sides of the ball. In the outfield, he moves well with fluid actions and a playable arm, while on the mound he shows a clean delivery and emerging feel to spin and locate. The combination of athletic traits and versatility makes Haddock an intriguing developmental prospect.

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Elijah Martin — INF — Green Hope HS (2027)

No. 178 in NC 2027 Rankings

Martin is a steady infield presence with clean defensive actions and improving offensive rhythm. He shows reliable hands and body control on the dirt, allowing him to play with consistency defensively. At the plate, the right-handed hitter shows improving timing and barrel feel, producing more consistent contact as the offensive game continues to develop.

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Philip Daly — RHP — Jordan HS (2027)

No. 198 in NC 2027 Rankings

Daly is a strike-throwing right-hander with a controlled delivery and developing pitchability. He works with a repeatable motion, allowing the fastball to play consistently in the zone, while mixing in secondary offerings with improving feel. His ability to compete in the zone gives him a stable foundation as the arsenal continues to evolve.

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Griffin Kovalesky — 3B/1B — Riverside HS (2027)

No. 200 in NC 2027 Rankings

Kovalesky brings defensive versatility with workable actions on the infield. Offensively, the right-handed bat continues to trend forward. Strength is present and the ability to impact the baseball at a high level will continue to trend up as he continues to add quickness to the frame.

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Connor Kullman — OF — Hopewell HS (2027)*

No. 214 in NC 2027 Rankings

Kullman is an athletic outfielder with developing offensive impact and fluid defensive actions. He shows coordination and speed in the outfield, while the bat shows emerging strength and the ability to drive the baseball in workout settings.
*Kullman is planning to re-class & will transition to the Class of 2028 in the preseason update, but his fall evaluations earned placement in this rankings cycle.

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William Stanley — OF — Fuquay-Varina HS (2027)

No. 255 in NC 2027 Rankings

Stanley is an outfielder with a balanced skill set and steady feel for the game. He shows defensive reliability with playable athleticism, while the offensive profile continues to progress with improved contact quality. His fall looks point to continued development as he moves into preseason and spring competition.