Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

The Preseason All-State events have rapidly become one of the premier showcase events in North Carolina. Now in their seventh year, these events serve as a launching point for the high school baseball season, allowing Prep Baseball to identify emerging talent to monitor throughout the spring. Additionally, they play a key role in assembling the Team Carolina watchlist for prestigious events such as the Prep Baseball Future Games, Super Sophomore Games, NC/SC Border Battle, and more.

These high-caliber events provide players with an opportunity to showcase their offseason development while competing alongside top talent from across the state. The Prep Baseball staff frequently observes physical transformations, increased strength and agility, and athletes achieving personal bests throughout the Preseason All-State workout.

The Preseason All-State workout follows a professional, combine-style format, allowing players to record key performance metrics and analytics both on the field and in controlled athletic testing environments. While these events take place early in the year—when players are still ramping up for the season—they provide the Prep Baseball scouting staff with valuable insights into a player's current skill level and potential for growth.

This year’s events commenced with pitchers and catchers participating in defensive evaluations. Catchers are given the opportunity to record full-length pop times at each hosting facility, followed by pitchers throwing controlled bullpens. TrackMan technology is utilized to capture comprehensive ball flight data, providing advanced analytics on each pitch.

As bullpen sessions conclude, position players transition into athletic testing. Using VALD Performance lasers, each athlete completes a laser-timed 30-yard sprint, including a 10-yard split measurement. Players also undergo various jump tests and grip strength assessments. Following the athletic testing, infielders and outfielders participate in defensive workouts, while hitters conclude the day with live batting practice. BLAST Motion technology collects pre-contact swing metrics, and TrackMan captures detailed ball flight data off the bat.

Following the event, the Prep Baseball scouting team meticulously analyzes all collected data, video, and scouting notes. This information is then distributed to college coaches, professional scouts, and baseball enthusiasts across the state who are eager to identify and track North Carolina’s top prospects

CLICK HERE to see the full roster and statistical out put from the Preseason All-State West.

Preseason All-State West By The Numbers
+ 1 player recorded an exit velocity over 100mph
+ 8 hitters recorded an exit velocity of 95mph or higher
+ 5 hitters had a BLAST bat speed of 75mph of higher
+ 5 players had a max distance of 330ft or longer.
+ 7 pitchers had a fastball at 85mph or higher
+ 7 pitchers had their fastball spin recorded higher than 2200rpm
+ 4 pitchers had their breaking ball spin at 2400rpm or higher
+ 5 catchers recorded a pop time of 2.10 or better
+ 8 outfielders had arm strength at 85mph or better
+ 8 infielders tested with arm strength across the infield at 80mph or higher

Quick Hitters: Preseason All-State West Hitters

2028 Class

Austin Baxter SS / 2B / Hopewell, NC / 2028 5'7"-160lb L/R, SS/2B. 91.4 Mph max exit velocity and carries an Avg EV of 81.4 Mph with a max distance of 284ft. Showcases a strong arm from the infield up to 83 Mph. 4.22 Sec on the 30 yard dash.

Dylan Earnhardt 3B / RHP / NC Leadership Charter Academy, NC / 2028 5'11"-191lb R/R, 3B/RHP. 81.4 Mph max exit velocity, holds an average exit velocity of 74.2 Mph producing a max distance of 243ft. 73 mph arm from the infield.

Colton Howard LHP / 1B / Ledford, NC / 2028 5'9"-199lb L/L, LHP/1B. Max exit veolicty of 80.4 Mph, max distance of 244ft, EV avgerage of 69.6 Mph, finds barrels with 58.3% sweet spot percentage. 66 Mph arm from first base.

Henry Tutera C / OF / Christ School, NC / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 19 / POS: 2 6'0"-175lb R/R, C/OF. 93.7 Mph max exit velocity with an average of 89.2 Mph and a max distance of 314ft. 2.01-2.11 sec pop time range, showcases a strong arm, 79 Mph Catcher velocity and 86 Mph outfield velocity. 1.77 sec 10 yard split, 3.98 sec 30 yard dash, 23.7" vertical jump.

2027 Class

Caden Browning C / 1B / Gaston Christian, NC / 2027 6'0"-176lb R/R, C/1B. 90.4 Mph max exit velocity, 82.5 Mph avg EV, Max distance of 270ft. 2.17-2.22 sec pop time range, 74 Mph arm down to second and 78 Mph arm across the diamond from 1B.

Gabriel Diaz 3B / SS / Palisades, NC / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 73 / POS: 6 6'0"-180lb L/R, 3B/SS. 89.2 Mph max exit velocity, keeps an avg EV of 82.3 Mph, 75% Sweet spot percentage, 75% line drive percentage. Strong arm from the infield at 84 Mph.

Parker Filipek C / 3B / TC Roberson, NC / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 29 / POS: 5 5'9"-159lb L/R, C/3B. 88.0 Mph max exit velocity, avg EV of 81.6 Mph, 271ft max distance, has barrel feel with 86.7% sweet spot percentage. 2.00-2.10 sec pop time range, strong arm, 75 mph catcher velocity, 83 mph outfield  velocity and 85 mph infield velocity.

Leyton Guhl OF / C / Carmel Christian, NC / 2027 5'9-165lb R/R, OF/C. 96.4 Mph max exit velocity with an average Ev over 90 mph at 90.3 Mph, max distance of 359ft. 2.04-2.26 pop time range with a 78 Mph catcher velocity. Strong arm from the outfield at 87 Mph. 26.3" vertical jump, 3.96 sec 30 yard dash.

Thomas Jolly C / 1B / Carson, NC / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 134 / POS: 15 5'10"-144lb R/R, C/1B. 2.19-2.32 sec pop time range with a catchers velocity of 72 Mph. 83.8 Mph max exit velocity, Avg EV of 74.5 Mph, Max distance of 273ft.

Carter Rodgers OF / SS / Palisades High School , NC / 2027 5'10"-158lb R/R, OF/SS. 75 Mph average exit velocity, reaching a maximum EV of 84.4 Mph, max distance of 289ft. Strong 85 Mph arm from the outfield. 25.2" vertical jump, 1.73 sec 10 yard split, 3.89 sec 30 yard dash.

Carter Rowe 2B / SS / Gaston Christian, NC / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 79 / POS: 4 5'10"-164lb R/R, 2B/SS. 92.7 Mph max exit velocity, holds an avg EV of 86.2 Mph with a max distance of 286ft, 76.9% sweet spot percentage. 1.78 sec 10 yard split, 24.3" vertical jump, infield velocity of 79 Mph.

Jacson Taplin LHP / 1B / Ambassador Christian, NC / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 96 / POS: 5 6'1"-196lb L/L, LHP/1B. 95.7 Mph max exit velocity, 85.3 Avg Ev, 334ft max distance, 28.6% hard hit percentage. 74 Mph infield velocity across the diamond.

Ethan Wisler RHP / OF / Wakefield, NC / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 9 6'1"-169lb R/R, RHP/OF. 94.9 Mph max EV from the right side, 84.4 average exit velocity, 276ft max distance. 1.87 sec 10 yard split, 24.8" vertical jump, Plus arm from the outfield up to 91 Mph.

2026 Class

Zeke Adwaters III SS / 3B / TC Roberson, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 71 / POS: 10 5'10"-167lb R/R, SS/3B. 97.6 Mph max exit velocity, holds an avgerage EV of 89.4 Mph with a max distance of 330ft. 28.8" vertical jump, 2.19 on the RSI jump, 1.84 sec 10 yard split, 81 Mph infield velocity.

Jalen Boyd OF / RHP / Covenant Day, NC / 2026 6'0-168lb R/R, OF/RHP. 91.6 Mph max exit velocity, 86.2 Mph EV average, max distance of 321ft, 27.7 rotational acceleration max. Plus arm, showcasing 93 Mph from the outfield.

Jacob Cesarz SS / 2B / Pro5 Academy, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 51 / POS: 6 5'9"-170lb R/R, SS/2B. Athlete, 1.73 sec 10 yard split, 3.79 sec 30 yard dash, 28.7" vertical jump. 94.4 Mph max EV, Avg Ev of 85.8 Mph, 321ft max distance, 82 Mph infield velocity.

Daniel Eber OF / LHP / William Amos Hough, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 97 / POS: 21 5'8"-187lb L/L, OF/LHP. 97.4 Mph max exit velocity, 87.7 Mph Avg Ev, 336ft max carry distance. 86 Mph arm from the outfield, 1.8 sec 10 yard split, 3.94 sec 30 yard dash.

Benjamin Edwards OF / LHP / William Hough, NC / 2026 5'8"-152lb L/L, OF/LHP. 91.7 Mph max EV, Avg EV of 82.4 Mph, 300ft max distance. Strong 84 Mph outfield arm, 1.76 sec 10 yard split, 2.15 RSI jump.

Colby Epperly 1B / LHP / Ardrey Kell, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 131 / POS: 7 5'11"-178lb L/L, 1B/LHP. 94.7 Mph max exit velocity, 87.5 Mph Avg EV, 287ft max distance, 64.3% sweet spot percentage. 1.78 sec 10 yard split, 4.01 30 yard dash.

Evan Hogg SS / C / Southlake Christian Academy, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 124 / POS: 20 5'11"-175lb R/R, SS/C. 96.9 Mph Max Ev, 87.4 Mph Avg EV, 316ft max distance. 2.11-2.22 sec pop time range, 75 Mph arm from behind home, with an infield velocity of 83 Mph.

Darrow Holder C / 3B / Hickory, NC / 2026 5'9"-163lb R/R, C/3B. 91.6 Max Ev, 83.6 Mph Avg Ev, 306ft max distance. 2.00-2.11 sec pop time range, 78 Mph catchers velocity, 82 Mph velocity across the diamond. 1.79 sec 10 yard split with a 2.04 on the RSI jump.

Zackary Merchel RHP / OF / Eastern Alamance High, NC / 2026 6'0"-185lb R/R, RHP/OF. 92.0 Mph Max exit velocity, 78.8 Mph Avg exit velocity, 323ft max distance, 20% hard hit percentage. Strong arm from the outfield at 84 mph.

Andrew Pegram OF / 1B / South Rowan, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 237 / POS: 46 5'8"-187lb L/L, OF/1B. 92.0 Mph max exit velocity, 83.0 Avg EV, 298ft max distance, 75% sweet spot percentage. 24.2" vertical jump and a outfield velocity of 83.0 Mph.

Luke Ponczka 1B / 3B / West Rowan, NC / 2026 6'1"-229lb R/R, 1B/3B. 104.1 Mph Max exit velocity and holds an Avg EV over 90 mph at 94.0 Mph, 372ft max distance, 84.6% hard hit percentage. Showcases an infield velocity of 79.0 Mph.

Alfred Seaman OF / 3B / Independence, NC / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 254 / POS: 49 6'0"-172lb R/R, OF/3B. 96.9 Mph max exit velocity, keeps an avg EV of 87.5 Mph, max distance of 360ft, 61.5% sweet spot percentage. Plus arm from the outfield up to 91.0 Mph.

2025 Class

Drew Bonhag 2B / SS / Cox Mill, NC / 2025 5'7"-166lb L/R, 2B/SS. 97.0 Mph max exit velocity, 87.0 Mph avg EV, 308ft max distance, 43.8% hard hit percentage. 1.73 sec 10 yard split, 2.04 RSI jump, 27.0" vertical juimp. Strong arm from the infield up to 86.0 Mph.

Hayes Hillier C / OF / Asheville, NC / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 151 / POS: 16 5'8"-173lb R/R, C/OF. 93.4 Mph max exit velocity, 296ft max distance with an avg EV of 88.4 Mph. 2.04-2.26 sec pop time range with a catchers velocity of 79.0 Mph. 1.74 sec 10 yard split, 3.89 sec 30 yard dash, 2.38 RSI jump, 29.0" vertical jump.