Prep Baseball Report

UPDATED: NC Class of 2021 Rankings


Brandon Hall
North Carolina Director of Scouting

The winter provides players with time away from the field and a time to continue to improve their game without wearing their bodies down with a hectic schedule of travel and games.  Towards the end of the winter season, PBR begins to run some events to allow players to update their profiles as well as compete next to players from across the state that have elevated their game.  As the high school season begins, PBR’s team of scouts are out in full force seeing as many high school games and high school players as possible.  With the new and updated player information it is time to update player rankings and we take a look at the updated NC Class of 2021 Rankings today.

This modest update takes the 2021 class to the Top 90 players in North Carolina.  While the top 10 remains unchanged, there is movement inside the top 15.  Ryan McCrystal (RHP/C, Fuquay-Varina HS), an East Carolina commit, has continued to tick up on the mound and make progress where his arm strength is advanced.  Sam Yelton (OF, Central Cabarrus HS) showed elite athleticism at the Queen City Preseason Scout Day prior to the start of the spring season.  Carson Starnes (RHP, Parkwood HS) has an very high ceiling with a quick arm from a long frame.  Starnes jumped off the page at the Preseason All-State workout in late January.  Each of these players moves up in this updated rankings.

(Sam Yelton - FEB 2019)

 

(Carson Starnes - JAN 2019)

 

The updated 2021 rankings include 18 newcomers to the rankings.  Some of the players attended PBR events, while others have been seen while PBR scouts have been on the road.  Jaxon Masterson (SS, Sanderson HS) flashed a quick bat and barrel awareness at the Preseason All-State.  Isaac Williams (LHP, Wake Forest HS) intrigued PBR’s staff and scouts at the Queen City Preseason Scout Day with a lanky frame and quick arm.  Gavin Sentell (SS, Ledford HS) has been seen by multiple PBR scouts on the road this spring and the glove should play at a high level.  If the frame continues to add strength, he will continue to move up the board.

(Jaxon Masterson - JAN 2019)

 

(Isaac Williams - FEB 2019)

 

 

By The Numbers: North Carolina Class of 2021 Rankings

  • 7 of the Top 10 are committed
  • 18 players, all in the Top 40 are committed
  • 3 players made a move of more than 10 spots up the rankings
  • 18 players join the updated rankings
  • 23 of the top 90 are pitchers
  • 14 ranked players are listed as corner infielders
  • 23 middle infielders are listed in the updated rankings
  • 12 primary catchers are listed in the rankings

 

The North Carolina Class of 2021 Rankings:

RANK NAME SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
1 Josh Hartle Reagan 2021 LHP Wake Forest
2 Philip Abner Covenant Day School 2021 LHP Florida
3 Chris Katz Heritage 2021 C Wake Forest
4 Andrew Grande Christ School 2021 3B
5 Merritt Beeker North Davidson 2021 LHP East Carolina
6 Cyle Phelan Fuquay Varina 2021 LHP
7 Payton Green Green Hope 2021 SS East Carolina
8 Troy McGirt Purnell Swett 2021 1B Wake Forest
9 Stewart Evans Scotland 2021 OF

*To see the full list of the 2021 Rankings, make sure you are subscribed or logged in, and CLICK HERE.