NC 2022 Rankings Update
September 25, 2020
The summer season of 2020 has come and gone. While it was interesting to see players playing on live stream broadcasts, in empty stadiums, the players, coaches, and scouts made it through, still working to be productive in unprecedented times.
The staff of PBR was hard at work as well. Over the course of the summer, PBR ran multiple team scout days, open identification events, Future Game Trials, Top Underclass Games, and took Team Carolina to the 2020 PBR Future Games. All the while, PBR scouts were also setup in front of their computers watching as many live games as possible, continuing to cover the state of North Carolina from the coast to the mountains.
The Class of 2022 Rankings have received a major over-haul, one that was definitely past due. A big year of growth and development saw players take major steps forward, all the while beginning to creep toward what their final product will be in their high school careers.
The North Carolina 2022 Rankings have expanded to the Top 200 players in the state, an increase of 50 slots in the rankings, with 61 players making their rankings debut. A deep and talented class, 32 players from North Carolina were included in the PBR Overall Rankings for the Class.
Ryan Clifford (OF, Pro5 Academy) continues to hold down the top spot on the list. A power bat, the lefty has continued to hit all levels of pitching at just about every event he attends. Behind Clifford the power arms in the state begin to control the rankings. The right handed arms in the 2022 class have a chance to separate themselves from past classes, with their high end talent, and the pure number of arms that will be draft-follows for the next few years. Eli Jerzembeck (RHP, Providence HS) and Carter Boyd (RHP, Reagan HS) both elevated their stock while throwing for the South Charlotte Panthers at summer events at LakePoint, in front of PBR’s National Crosscheckers.
(Eli Jerzembeck - June 2020 - PBR NPI)
(Carter Boyd - June 2020 - PBR NPI)
The biggest gains inside the Top 20 come from Brooks Brannon (C, Randleman HS) and William Bryant (RHP, Myers Park HS). Brannon, up 17 slots, made a name for himself as a freshman in the daily lineup for a state championship contender. A solid receiver, with good feel for the barrel in the box, Brannon took major steps forward with his overall athleticism and strength levels. The ball to barrel ability remained high throughout the summer, but now the ball is rocketing off the barrel when in contact. His receiving skills have continued to improve with the improved strength levels as well.
(Brooks Brannon - January 2020 - PBR Preseason All-State)
Bryant was fairly new to the mound as he entered the spring season. The growth has been quick with the righty showcasing advanced stuff across the board at the PBR Future Games, moving him 43 spots up to No. 11 in the state. Up to 90, there is good feel for a slider and advanced change-up. Pair that with a frame that will continue to add strength and a very clean, athletic arm stroke, and the ceiling for Bryant may continue to climb.
(William Bryant - August 2020 - PBR Future Games)
In the coming weeks we will continue to break down the players inside the Updated Class of 2022 Rankings for the state of North Carolina. Below is a sneak peak at the updated Top 10, plus a link to the full list of the Top 200 players in the 2022 class.
** CLICK HERE - UPDATED TOP 200 **
SNEAK PEAK – TOP 10 IN THE 2022 CLASS
- NC Seniors Lead the Way in Big Clash at #2 Metrolina 4/23/24
- NC Spring Break Scout Blog: Diamond Beach Invite at West Brunswick 4/17/24
- NC Spring Break Scout Blog: South Brunswick Invite 4/16/24
- NC Spring Break Scout Blog: Johnston County Invitational 4/15/24
- NC Spring Break Scout Blog: Bobby Murray Invite 4/10/24