Prep Baseball Report

Future Games Preview: Team NC Infielders


Brandon Hall
NC / Mid-ATL Director of Scouting

X: @PrepBaseballNC | Instagram: @PrepBaseballNC | Facebook: @PrepBaseballNC

The 2024 Prep Baseball Future Games will kick off with a workout day at LakePoint in Emerson, GA on Wednesday July 24th.  The event will feature each territory in Prep Baseball bringing the top uncommitted players in their 2026 class.  This event has become a "must see" for college coaches as they are working to get into the rising Junior class.

2024 will feature a new look for the Future Games.  With new recruiting rules in place, limiting contact with prospects prior to August 1st of their Junior year, there was an expectation that some territories may see more top end propsects still uncommitted.  With that said, Team North Carolina will debut in 2024.  For the past five years, North Carolina and South Carolina have combined on a Future Games team, Team Carolina.  Prior to that, North Carolina players played with Virginia and Maryland as part of Team Mid-Atlantic for a year.  This year, Team North Carolina will feature approximately 24 uncommitted 2026 grads, all from North Carolina.

Team North Carolina Schedule:
Wednesday July 24 -- 4:30pm -- Workout Day with Team VA and Team MD
Thursday July 25 -- 7:00pm  -- Game vs. Team South Carolina
Friday July 26 -- 12:30pm -- Game vs. Maryland
Saturday July 27 -- 8:30am -- Live BP on field followed by Game vs. Team Virginia

The Future Games will be played in its entirety at LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson, GA on Fields 9, 10, 11, and 12.

Previewing Team North Carolina: Infielders

Jacob Cesarz SS / 2B / CARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, NC / 2026

A fast twitch athlete that can change the game with his run tool. In game, tools tend to play up as he plays at a better pace than those around him. Always interesting to watch teammates gravitate to him on the field and "up" their game and pace. True catalyst on the field offensively and defensively -- as he goes, so goes his team.

Landon Church 2B / OF / West Forsyth, NC / 2026

An athlete that is beginning to figure out how to apply the tools that exist in his frame to his game. Still raw defensively, he will give coaches options on how to get him in the lineup.  Offensively, the run tool can change an inning, but there is strength in the bat so it is much more than a slap and run profile.

Cason McGinnis SS / 2B / North Lincoln, NC / 2026

Baseball Player! High level defender that seems to always be in the mix when something needs to happen.  The tools will play louder in the game than they do in a workout. Offensively, there is high ball to barrel feel and a good knowledge of the strike zone. Seems to be on base a lot, creating stress on pitchers and defenses.

Preston Smith SS / RHP / Hoggard, NC / 2026

When coaches see length, they see projection. In offensive players, they may need to see production as hitters with long arms can take a bit to develop. Smith is the lanky athlete with a ton of projection left in the frame that has put up numbers throughout the high school, and now summer seasons.  A good athlete, he will give coaches options on ways to get him in the lineup early. The big question will be the projection on the hit tool and power tool... This will give coaches something to dream about as they get him in their strength system.

Tanner Pope 1B / LHP / Garner High, NC / 2026

A potential dual player, Pope will present a power tool on day 1.  A bigger frame, he has nimble feet and soft hands. He is a good athlete that should give coaches options on how to get him in the lineup.  With the evolution of offense at the college and pro level, Pope presents an interesting prospect that could impact an offense early.

Maximus Wearing 1B / OF / Palisades, NC / 2026

Young with a hit tool.  Max should be a very intriguing follow throughout the week.  His best years are coming as the body will handle strength gains and the swing has a ton of barrel feel. His ability to string good at-bats against some of the top arms in the country could sky rocket his interest levels entering August.