The Five will dive into different topics in the coming weeks, highlighting players, teams, and topics.  PBR Associate Scout, Matt Payne will head up The Five.  Matt comes to PBR after serving as Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Coach at Appalachain State University for 4 years.  Prior to serving at Appalachain State, Payne was an assistant at Wilkes Community College and Catawba Valley Community College.  Payne, a graduate of Alexander Central HS, played at North Carolina State, earning All-ACC honors in 2008.  Following that year, the Pirates drafted Payne in the 34th round where he spent two years with the organization before beginning his coaching career.

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Today we look at five guys who climbed high in North Carolina’s latest Class of 2018 Rankings. All five of these guys attended North Carolina’s first PBR ProCase in February and showed well with over 30 professional scouts in attendance. The latest rankings were released on March 5, 2018 and what a difference the offseason made for a few of these players. Two guys made jumps into the top 10, one into the top 15, and two others into the top 30 in the state.

 

The Five: Top Risers in 2018 Rankings

 

Trent Harris SS / RHP / Crossroads Flex, NC / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 29 / POS: 5   The High Point commit checks in as the No. 29 in the Class of 2018 Rankings, moving up 26 spots.  A utility player that should be able to play in the middle infield, behind the plate, and on the bump . He moves up 26 spots after showing premium carry from behind the plate and on the infield at the PBR Procase.  The arm topped at 94 across the diamond.