By Brandon Hall

Director of Scouting, PBR North Carolina

 

The close of the fall season brings a short break before most high schools end their dead period in mid-December and begin the long journey into the spring, with every player casting their goals in one direction, a state championship.  The early signing period just ended and well over 200 seniors, across the state, have committed to the school of their choice.  Many players, very good players, are still working through their decision process.  This window gives us the opportunity to look back and review the state rankings across NC.  We start with the 2017 class which has expanded from 75 to the top 175 players.

Whiteville High School’s left-handed pitcher Mackenzie Gore remains in the top spot.  Gore had a spectacular summer that featured electric stuff.  The ECU commit has positioned himself to make a decision between college baseball and the pro draft as he continues to develop.

The rankings list saw some shifts within the Top 20.  Most notably was the play of several players that caused the shift.  Kernersville Glenn HS OF Kier Meredith continued to impress.  Coming off a summer that featured an invite to the 18U USA Baseball 40 man trials, Meredith led his Dirtbag squad to the trophy in Jupiter to finish the fall.  A player that understands his tools and continually utilizes his speed, offensively and defensively, he jumped to #4 in the updated rankings.

Pitchers were the most noteworthy risers through the fall.  RHP Nick Jodway (Draughn HS), LHP Nicholas Swiney (Hough HS),  RHP Josh Nifong (High Point Christian Academy), and RHP Macklin Ohs (Cuthbertson HS) all made significant jumps in the rankings.

Jodway, a UNCW signee worked up to 95 in relief appearances late in the fall.  A profile that continues to improve, with better command and secondary stuff, the fastball is still the top draw for coaches and scout.

Swiney and Nifong are both planning to attend ACC schools.  Swiney a lefty that is heading to NC State has continued to mature after taking gigantic steps in the spring.  Athleticism and arm strength, along with a ceiling that has not yet been touched, make him intriguing moving into the spring season.  Nifong is a big bodied righty that has begun to figure out the sync in his body.  As he throws more, expect the velocity to continue to jump.

Ohs’ fastball topped at 89 late in the fall, with pitch-ability.  The slider has the makings of an out pitch and there is athleticism in the delivery.  A common theme among the risers is the ceiling to their potential still waits for them in the future, and Ohs is not any different.

Here is a peak at the Top 20… PBR Plus subscribers can access the complete list.

Class of 2017

Rank	Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
1	Mackenzie Gore	NC	Whiteville	2017	LHP	East Carolina
2	Sam Hall	NC	Topsail	2017	SS	Clemson
3	Austin Beck	NC	North Davidson	2017	OF	North Carolina
4	Kier Meredith	NC	Robert B Glenn	2017	OF	Clemson
5	Garrett Blaylock	NC	T.C. Roberson	2017	3B	Vanderbilt
6	Gavin Williams	NC	Cape Fear	2017	RHP	East Carolina
7	Noah Campbell	NC	Cardinal Gibbons	2017	SS	South Carolina
8	Justin Bullock	NC	South Granville	2017	RHP	North Carolina State
9	Nick Jodway	NC	Jimmy C. Draughn	2017	OF	UNC Wilmington
10	Kyle Blendinger	NC	Southwest Guilford	2017	RHP	North Carolina
11	Ashton McGee	NC	Charles B. Aycock	2017	SS	North Carolina
12	Patrick Bailey	NC	Wesleyan Christian Academy	2017	C	North Carolina State
13	Caden O'Brien	NC	Maiden	2017	LHP	North Carolina
14	Josh Pike	NC	Northern Guilford	2017	RHP	North Carolina State
15	Nicholas Swiney	NC	W.A. Hough H.S.	2017	LHP	North Carolina State
16	Tyler Keenan	NC	Cleveland	2017	3B	Mississippi
17	David Harrison	NC	Rocky Mount	2017	LHP	North Carolina State
18	Josh Nifong	NC	High Point Christian Academy	2017	RHP	Duke
19	Spencer Smith	NC	Northern Durham	2017	C	East Carolina
20	Cole Maye	NC	William Amos Hough	2017	LHP	Florida

Access the complete Top 175 here >> NC Class of 2017 Rankings

Access information on PBR+ Subscription here >> PBR Plus

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