Through the preseason, Prep Baseball Scouts worked to continue to get to know players from across North Carolina.  The Prep Baseball events helped to identify new players in the class, as well as update player grades from Sophomores across the state.  Prep Baseball scouts expanded the list to the top 150 players in North Carolina with plans for continued expansion as the scouting staff is out this high school season.

The rankings system in North Carolina is fairly simple.  Prep Baseball scouts will add any player to the rankings database as they are able to put a grade on players. Players that attend a Prep Baseball event will get a player grade and will be added to the database.  Prep Baseball Scouts are also working to see workouts, practices, games and competitions as well.  Once a player has a grade the Prep Baseball scouts in NC will sort the list blindly, taking away player names and schools.  Players with similar grades can be sorted using a tool breakdown that is also applied when adding a grade to a player.  Once the sort is finished, names and schools are added back and Prep Baseball Scouts will go through the list to make any final adjustments.

With the high school season here, we unveil the Top 150 players in North Carolina's 2026 Class.

Updated Class of 2026 Rankings

Click here to see the full Top 150.

New Comers

Dane Purdy RHP / SS / Apex, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 43 / POS: 12 Attended the Preseason All-State Central where the RHP showcased a fastball up to 87 with interesting spin analytics.

Hodge Williams C / RHP / Holly Springs, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 53 / POS: 8 Attended the Preseason All-State East. Very apparent he has added muscle to a growing frame.  Added strength and quickness moved his player grade up significantly

Daniel Eber OF / LHP / William A Hough, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 71 / POS: 14 Attended the Preseason All-State West.  Improved strength and quickness with a much more direct bat path shot his player grade up.

High Risers in the Rankings

Ryan Engle OF / LHP / Westchester Country Day, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 2 No. 63 to No. 9 Attended the Preseason All-State West where the long bodied lefty showed off improved athleticism and a cleaner arm path, on his way to bumping 91 on the bump.  There is power potential in the box as well.

Zeke Adwaters III SS / 2B / TC Roberson, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 35 / POS: 5 No. 104 to No. 35 Attended the Preseason All-State West. Good athlete has added strength and really cleaned up his defensive ability, now projecting to have a chance to stick at SS as he jumps to the next level.

Tariq Stone OF / East Wake , NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 92 / POS: 15 No. 135 to No. 92 Attended the Preseason All-State East.  Strong wtih a quick bat, the barrel feel and rhythm in the box were much improved, and should allow him to carry his BP swing into games.

Previewing the Top 10

CLICK HERE to see the full Top 150.