Rankings: Class of 2024 Spring Update
March 11, 2024
Through the preseason, Prep Baseball Scouts worked to continue to get to know players from across North Carolina. The Prep Baseball events helped to identify new players in the class, as well as update player grades from seniors across the state. Prep Baseball scouts left the list at the top 325 players in North Carolina with hopes to expand it to the top 350 prior to the MLB Draft.
The rankings system in North Carolina is fairly simple. Prep Baseball scouts will add any player to the rankings database as they are able to put a grade on players. Players that attend a Prep Baseball event will get a player grade and will be added to the database. Prep Baseball Scouts are also working to see workouts, practices, games and competitions as well. Once a player has a grade the Prep Baseball scouts in NC will sort the list blindly, taking away player names and schools. Players with similar grades can be sorted using a tool breakdown that is also applied when adding a grade to a player. Once the sort is finished, names and schools are added back and Prep Baseball Scouts will go through the list to make any final adjustments.
With the high school season here, we unveil the Top 325 players in North Carolina's 2024 Class.
Updated Class of 2024 Rankings
Click here to see the full Top 325.
New Comers
While the preseason events across North Carolina saw a majority of 2025 and 2026 grads, there were several 2024 players that were new to Prep Baseball Scouts or made a jump, allowing the scouting staff to add them to the North Carolina Rankings. Below is a player that was late to the radar, and later to the rankings as Prep Baseball scouts have been working to see him for over a year, finally making it happen this off-season.
 |
Cranz Smelcer RHP / Apex, NC / 2024Rankings StateRank: 11 / POS: 7
Smelcer was known to Prep Baseball Scouts but he had alluded the scouting staff as they worked to put a player grade on him. In the preseason, Smelcer attended the Prep Baseball North Carolina ProCase, throwing for over 30 pro scouts in attendance. The word on the street and what Prep Baseball scouts saw with their own eyes matched up as Smelcer unleased fastballs that sat 91-93 and he paired it with feel for two different breaking balls and a change-up.
|
High Risers
As Prep Baseball scouts are watching an evaluating, there are always players that the scouting staff may have been light on in an initial evaluation. You also have players that make jumps as they continue to mature. Below are some of the players that made big moves in the 2024 rankings.
 |
Mason Hughes SS / RHP / Cape Fear High, NC / 2024Rankings StateRank: 16 / POS: 5
There are times where a workout can really help a prospect, especially if he is around other players that may be higher ranked. Hughes took full advantage of the NC ProCase in February, showing consistency with a loud barrel from the left side. |
 |
Derrick Layton SS / RHP / Charlotte Christian, NC / 2024Rankings StateRank: 17 / POS: 6
The baby face that is in the profile picture is all grown up and the tools we liked and projected fairly well were all still somewhat soft on our end. Credit Derrick though, he has transformed his body in to an athletic and quci twiter machine. Defensively he projects to stay at SS with ease as he transitions to Southern Miss and probably at the pro level. Offensively there is quickness and power at contact. Some swing and miss is present. The strength and quickness also transfers to the bump were Charlotte Chriitan is working to let him close, sitting 90-93 this past Friday. VIDEO
|
 |
John Nelson McLamb LHP / 1B / Midway , NC / 2024Rankings StateRank: 84 / POS: 7
McLamb was a big winner at the Preseason All-State East. The big frame and body has had some issues, while developing, of creating a repeatable line. While there is still some effort, McLamb is much more athletic and has cleaned up his delivery. On top of that he shows enough in BP that he should be gien a chance to do both at Mount Olive. |
 |
Peyton Clay OF / 2B / Northern Nash , NC / 2024Rankings StateRank: 183 / POS: 33
Left handed hitters are a huge commodity right now in the 2024 class and Clay may be one of the better left handed hitters still on the board. His rise through the rankings has as much to do with consistency and our staff's ability to trust the grade we are putting on him. For schools looking for a Left handed hitter to add to their roster, they should be planning spring trips to Northern Nash HS. |
Sneak Peak at the Top 10
.jpg)
Click here for the full Top 325.