Prep Baseball Report

Inside the Rankings: Uncommitted LHP's in the 2026 class


Zach Boraski
North Carolina Assistant Scouting Director

Inside the Rankings is a unique look through the eyes of Prep Baseball scouts, allowing players, fans, and coaches to get to know some of the top players in the state of North Carolina.  Rankings in the state are updated almost quarterly, as players are transitioning from one season to another.  Prep Baseball scouts will use the information they gain from Prep Baseball events, Prep Baseball Tournaments, game coverage, workouts, and practices to put grades on as many players in the state as possible.  With over 400 players in each graduating class committing to play college baseball from North Carolina, this is a state with a ton of talent.

Josuha Parnell and Tanner Pope are both Ranked inside the top 5 LHP's of the 2026 class and are both uncommitted. Lets take a look at why these two are ranked whre they are. 

Inside The Rankings

 

Tanner Pope LHP / OF / Garner , NC / 2026

           KEY STATS
+  87 mph Fastball Max Velo
+ -16.8" Changeup Max Horizontal Movement
+  2510 rpm Curveball Max Spin Rate
 
SCOUT NOTES
6'2"-233 LB frame, Working with a short arm swing and over the top delivery Pope FB ranges 84-87.  Has a good feel for the changeup turning it over with good arm speed creating deception and ASR. Curveball has downward action with tight shap potential to get swing and miss in and out of zone.

Joshua Parnell LHP / 1B / Wayne Country Day, NC / 2026

           KEY STATS
+  86.9 mph Fastball Max Velo
+ -8.9 " Changeup Max Horizontal Movement
+  1855 rpm Curveball Max Spin Rate

 SCOUT NOTES

6'3"-220 LB frame, Works with a high 3/4 delivery with a long arm swing and inverted W. Creates good life on the fastball ranging 84/87 with command to both sides of the plate. Changeup has fade to it with some deception in the delivery. Curveball is tight with late movement occational missing up as the body gets infront of the arm.