2026 NC/SC Border Battle: Leaderboards, Notes & Analysis

The 2026 NC/SC Border Battle once again brought together many of the top underclass prospects from the Carolinas, as more than 120 players from the 2027, 2028, and 2029 grad classes gathered at UNC Charlotte's Robert & Mariam Hayes Stadium for two days of evaluations and competition.

The event began on Tuesday, June 9th with a complete workout day. Position players participated in offensive and defensive evaluations while collecting a wide range of measurable data and advanced metrics. Hitters went through multiple rounds of batting practice with TrackMan technology capturing batted ball data and BLAST Motion providing swing analytics. Defensively, players worked from their primary positions, allowing the Prep Baseball scouting staff to evaluate athleticism, range, footwork, arm strength, and overall feel for the game.

Players also completed athletic testing throughout the day, including laser-timed 60-yard dashes with 10-yard and 30-yard split times, along with jump testing to measure explosiveness and overall athletic ability.

Competition shifted to game action on Wednesday, June 10th as players took part in 8-11 innings of controlled scrimmages. The live game environment allowed scouts to evaluate how each player's measurable tools translated at game speed while providing valuable opportunities for hitters and pitchers to compete against some of the top talent from both North Carolina and South Carolina. Pitching data was collected throughout game play using TrackMan technology, providing advanced metrics and in-game performance analysis.

Following the event, each player's Prep Baseball profile will be fully updated with statistics, advanced metrics, video, and scouting reports, allowing college coaches and professional scouts to continue tracking player development throughout their high school careers.

Prep Baseball North Carolina and Prep Baseball South Carolina would like to thank all of the players, parents, coaches, and scouts who helped make the 2026 NC/SC Border Battle another outstanding event.

Over the coming days, Prep Baseball will release statistical leaderboards, scouting notes, and player reports highlighting the top performers from both days of action.

More information, including the full roster, statistics, and advanced metrics, can be found here:

• 2026 NC/SC Border Battle

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Border Battle - South Carolina Pitching Quick Hitters

Class of 2027

Cooper Derrick RHP / OF / Chapin, SC / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 51 / POS: 14 Cooper continues to trend upward each time he takes the mound, showing noticeable development over the past year.  The 6-foot-2 right-hander works downhill with an athletic delivery, creating quality extension and above-average arm speed from a high three-quarter slot.  His fastball worked 85-88 mph with late arm-side life and spin rates up to 2,453 rpm, giving hitters a difficult look out of the hand. The breaking ball showed hard, late bite at 74-76 mph and projects as a swing-and-miss offering, while the changeup played effectively off the fastball, particularly against left-handed hitters.

Chris Polm RHP / RHP / Hanahan, SC / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 101 / POS: 29 Polm showed a strong combination of size and stuff, working from a physical 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame.  The right-hander ran his fastball up to 88 mph, sitting 84-87 with quality arm-side life and the ability to work through the zone with intent.  His slider flashed effectiveness at 71-73 mph, giving hitters a different look with late action, while the changeup at 75-79 mph showed solid separation and developing feel.

Jackson Shiplett RHP / OF / Catawba Ridge, SC / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 160 / POS: 36 Shiplett continues to show intriguing upside with a projectable 6-foot-1 frame and athleticism that was highlighted by a 25.2-inch vertical.  The right-hander worked 83-86 mph and touched 87, showing a fastball that played with life through the zone and generated strikes at a solid clip.  His breaking ball flashed depth at 72-74 mph and showed the ability to change eye levels when located, while the 78-80 mph changeup offered another usable look off the fastball.  The combination of athleticism, present stuff, and room for continued physical development makes Shiplett an interesting follow in the 2027 class.

Carson Scott RHP / SS / Woodmont, SC / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 87 / POS: 26 Scott turned in one of the more complete performances of the event, showing feel for three pitches and advanced strike throwing.  The right-hander worked 83-87 mph, touching 87, with quality life on the fastball and spin rates reaching 2,463 rpm while landing 74% of his fastballs for strikes.  His slider was a standout secondary pitch at 75-79 mph, showing sharp action and spin rates up to 2,597 rpm.  He rounded out the arsenal with an 81-82 mph changeup that he consistently threw for strikes, giving him a quality three-pitch mix that projects well moving forward.

Elijah Flatt LHP / P27 Baseball Academy, SC / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 99 / POS: 11 Flatt showed an intriguing mix of stuff from the left side, pairing athleticism with one of the better breaking balls at the event.  The fastball worked 83-85 mph, touching 86, with solid angle and strike-throwing ability from a projectable 6-foot frame.  His curveball was the standout pitch, sitting 66-69 mph with spin rates reaching 2,632 rpm and consistently landing in the zone, creating sharp action and swing-and-miss potential.  Flatt also mixed a changeup at 73-76 mph, giving him a quality three-pitch mix that should continue to trend upward as he gains strength and experience.

Jacob Wiggs 3B / RHP / Southside Christian, SC / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 127 / POS: 13 Wiggs continues to show one of the more complete two-way profiles in the class.  The athletic right-hander worked 78-83 mph and touched 86, showing a fastball with solid life through the zone and spin rates reaching 2,411 rpm.  His breaking ball flashed quality depth at 61-70 mph with spin rates up to 2,484 rpm, giving him a secondary pitch capable of generating swings and misses.

Erskine Fousek LHP / 1B / Southside Christian, SC / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 161 / POS: 16 Fousek stands out immediately with a highly projectable 6-foot-6 frame and the leverage that comes with it.  The left-hander worked 77-81 mph and touched 85, creating difficult angles for hitters while showing the ability to work around the zone.  His breaking ball sat 68-71 mph and flashed solid shape with enough action to keep hitters off balance, while the 75-76 mph changeup provided a quality third offering with developing feel.

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Class of 2028

Trace Mathews RHP / 1B / Legion Collegiate Academy, SC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 20 / POS: 5 Mathews showed a strong blend of present stuff and projection from a physical 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame.  The right-hander worked 84-87 mph and touched 88, showing quality life through the zone while consistently attacking hitters with the fastball.  His breaking ball sat 71-74 mph and flashed sharp action with the ability to land it for strikes or expand the zone when ahead in the count.  He also mixed a 72-78 mph changeup that provided another look off the fastball, giving him a three-pitch mix that continues to trend in the right direction as he develops.

Mason Iser 3B / RHP / River Bluff, SC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 3 On the mound, the right-hander worked 83-86 mph and touched 87 with a fastball that showed quality life and spin rates up to 2,387 rpm.  His slider flashed as a potential out pitch at 73-77 mph with spin rates reaching 2,586 rpm, while the changeup provided a solid third offering, giving Iser an impressive combination of athleticism, present stuff, and upside.

Brady Purcell SS / RHP / D.W. Daniel, SC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 47 / POS: 14 On the mound, the right-hander worked 83-85 mph and touched 86, showing a fastball with quality life and spin rates up to 2,381 rpm.  He complemented the fastball with a 66-70 mph breaking ball that flashed depth and shape, giving him a solid two-pitch foundation to build on as his athleticism and physical projection continue to translate into increased stuff.

Timothy Manning RHP / OF / Gray Collegiate Academy, SC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 67 / POS: 12 Manning showed a projectable look on the mound with a lean 6-foot-1 frame and room for continued physical development.  The right-hander worked 79-83 mph and touched 85, showing a fastball with solid carry characteristics and spin rates reaching 2,403 rpm.  His breaking ball sat 66-68 mph and flashed depth with the ability to change eye levels when located.

Tucker Siffri 1B / RHP / J. L. Mann High Academy, SC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 23 / POS: 1 Siffri put together one of the more impressive all-around performances of the event, combining size, strength, and athleticism.  The 6-foot-3, 211-pound prospect produced a 101 mph exit velocity and a 385-foot max distance, showcasing some of the top raw power in attendance.  On the mound, the right-hander worked 81-84 mph and touched 85, showing a fastball with downhill angle and the ability to work through the zone.  His breaking ball flashed quality depth at 68-71 mph, and he showed excellent feel for a 75 mph changeup, landing it consistently and giving him a well-rounded three-pitch mix.

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Class of 2029

Arthur McFadden SS / RHP / Oceanside Collegiate Academy, SC / 2029 Rankings  StateRank: 30 / POS: 8 On the mound, the right-hander worked 82-84 mph and touched 84, showing advanced velocity for his age with the ability to consistently attack the zone.  His slider sat 71-73 mph and flashed quality action with feel for strikes, giving him a legitimate secondary weapon to pair with the fastball.

Kooper Evans 3B / 1B / Beaufort Academy, SC / 2029 Rankings  StateRank: 39 / POS: 4 On the mound, Evans worked 78-79 mph and touched 80, showing a fastball with solid carry characteristics and spin rates up to 2,238 rpm.  His 75-77 mph changeup flashed promise with good velocity separation off the fastball, giving him a quality secondary pitch to build around as his strength and stuff continue to develop.

Callen Flowers 3B / RHP / West Ashley High, SC / 2029 Rankings  StateRank: 49 / POS: 6 On the mound, the right-hander worked 77-79 mph and touched 79 while showing feel for the strike zone and the ability to pitch with multiple offerings.  His breaking ball sat 66-68 mph with spin rates over 2,200 rpm, flashing shape and developing depth that give him a promising secondary pitch to pair with the fastball.

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