As the High School season is working its way to a close and the summer is getting ready to start, it is time for our North Carolina scouts to update the class rankings.  During the High School season, our scouting staff saw well over 400 games, evaluating players and teams.  The process of seeing players play live allows our staff to add to player evaluations that are analytics and statistics heavy during the winter evaluations.

The 2026 class will be a very interesting class to follow.  Over the past year there has been a ton of movement inside the rankings as players have continued to develop.  As much as any class in recent memory, we are seeing players take advantage of some of the information they are receiving, and they are improving their flaws and strengthening the things they do well.  With that said, the player grades have been somewhat volatile when compared to recent classes.  With this update of the 2026 North Carolina Rankings, we see the class expand to the top 175 players in the class.  All of the updates in this class rankings release come from Prep Baseball’s coverage during the spring high school season.

The full class rankings and the top 175 players in North Carolina’s 2026 Class can be seen HERE .

INSIDE THE RANKINGS

HIGH RISERS IN THE RANKINGS

Chase Kiker RHP / 3B / Metrolina Christian Academy , NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 126 / POS: 39 Moved from No. 18 to No. 5 Kiker had one of the top springs in the state, helping lead Metrolina Christian Academy to the NCISAA 4A State Title.  The arm strength jump was real with the fastball reaching 93, but it was his ability to continue to pitch with the improved stuff that kept hitters off balance.

Amos Rich OF / RHP / Tuscola High, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 37 / POS: 12 Moved from No. 124 to No. 37 An athletic mover, Rich was a big reason for the Tuscolas run to the Western Region Finals in the NCHSAA 3A.  The arm is whippy and we have seen him up to 88 with rumors of him touching better.   While the velocity is good, it is how the fastball plays.  Riding through the zone, this fastball kept elite hitters at bay as it jumps late on the hitter. (Video on profile in mid July)

Jakub Mudd OF / SS / CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 97 / POS: 20 Moved from No. 128 to No. 97 Mudd profiled as an athletic player working to figure out his skill set in the fall.  This spring he began to put together impressive at-bat after impressive at-bat, helping lead Cardinal Gibbons to the NCHSAA 4A East Region final.

NEW COMERS TO THE RANKINGS

Wilkin Lurie OF / Asheville High, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 63 / POS: 17 Athletic OF at Asheville HS can turn the pole.  As he continues to mature, look for the bat path to be a little more direct.  When on the barrel, he punishes baseballs.

Jacob Raisig 2B / RHP / Ronald W Reagan High School, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 98 / POS: 2 Thin and wiry, the strength is coming.  For his size, Raisig is an excellent mover and we are very intrigued to see how he continues to develop in the coming year.

PREVIEWING THE TOP 10

The athleticism and lean frame of Trent Maybin keeps him in the No. 1 slot.  A dynamic player who starred at Asheville HS this spring has shown improved discipline at the plate with a quick bat.  Defensively Maybin profiles as a true centerfielder and we are excited to see just how he develops his overall speed grade, improving his control and command of the outfield.

Jaxon Matthews and Meridian Leffew continue to hold down the No. 2 and No. 3 markers in the rankings.  Matthews may be one of the top hitters in the country with elite bat speed from the left side.  Leffew is a powerful athlete that profiles as a SS at the highest of levels.