Prep Baseball Report

Signing Period - Division II, III, and JUCO Breakdown


Brandon Hall
North Carolina Director of Scouting

*North Carolina Class of 2019 Rankings – HERE
*North Carolina DI Signing Period: Private Schools – HERE
*North Carolina DI Signing Period: Public Schools – HERE
*Commitment Tracker Database - HERE

The NCAA Signing Period began on November 14th.  For players signing with a Division I or Division II school that is a National Letter of Intent school, they can make their commitment binding by singing the NLI.  For players attending a school with out an NLI, or for players that are not receiving athletic aid, schools can still have them sign a form, pledging their commitment.

Earlier this week we took an in-depth look at the North Carolina Division I schools and their 2019 classes.  At this time over 250 players from across North Carolina have committed to play college baseball.  While many are playing Division I, there are a lot of talented players that made the choice to go to a Division II, III, or Junior College program. 

When looking at the scope of college baseball across North Carolina you will see teams at multiple levels competing for national championships and producing MLB Draft picks.  As much as it is the talent at the high school level, it is the continued development at players at all levels.  In any given year, North Carolina can be represented in the DI, DII, DIII, or JUCO World Series. 

Today we dive into some of the recruiting classes at the various levels of college baseball across North Carolina.  Many of these schools are looking for pieces that may allow them to continue to compete for championships.  The talent in the 2019 class may allow a lot of schools to have a lot of success in coming years.

Signing Period – Division II, III, and Junior Colleges

 

Catawba Valley CC

  • Classification:  JUCO
  • Conference:  Region X
  • Total Commits:  7
  • # of Top 250 Ranked Players in NC: 3
  • Impact Player: Noah Burnette
  • Sleeper in the Class:  James Goodwin

Catawba Valley is coming off a great 2018 campaign and have begun their recruiting for the 2019 class early.  Noah Burnette (1B, Pisgah HS) has the potential to be pro follow entering the 2019 spring.  A physical 6-foot-2, 215 pound frame, the righty generates serious bat speed and power.  James Goodwin (SS, Home Schooled) is a good athlete who may be able to stick in the middle of the field.  In the box he has good feel for the barrel.

NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
Kye Andress NC West Henderson 2019 SS Catawba Valley CC
Ian Asken NC Apex Friendship 2019 RHP Catawba Valley CC
Wyatt Bradley NC Cuthbertson 2019 C Catawba Valley CC
Noah Burnette NC Pisgah 2019 1B Catawba Valley CC
James Goodwin NC Goodwin Academy 2019 SS Catawba Valley CC
James Hinson NC Smoky Mountain 2019 OF Catawba Valley CC
Jarrett Penland NC Tuscola 2019 RHP Catawba Valley CC

 

Guilford College

  • Classification:  Division III
  • Conference:  Old Dominion Athletic Conference
  • Total Commits:  7
  • # of Top 250 Ranked Players in NC: 0
  • Impact Player: Elijah Knight
  • Sleeper in the Class:  Josh Sadler

Elijah Knight (OF, RJ Reynolds HS) has athleticism in a lanky frame.  His best baseball is ahead of him and the Quakers could look up in a few years with a Knight being key cog to a lot of success.  Josh Sadler (LHP, Clayton HS) is still maturing in a very thin frame.  Up to 78, more velocity may come as strength is added.  Overall the Quakers have been aggressive early with their 2019 class and seem to be finding players that fit the overall plan on the field and off.

NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
Max Castro NC South Mecklenburg 2019 RHP Guilford College
Brendan Cuthrell NC West Forsyth 2019 C Guilford College
Elijah Knight NC R.J. Reynolds 2019 OF Guilford College
Finnian Lister NC TC Roberson 2019 OF Guilford College
Andrew Olvey NC Ledford 2019 RHP Guilford College
Robert Reidy-Bialobok NC Calvary Day School 2019 3B Guilford College
Josh Sadler NC Clayton 2019 LHP Guilford College

 

Lenoir-Rhyne

  • Classification:  Division II 
  • Conference:  South Atlantic Conference
  • Total Commits:  16
  • # of Top 250 Ranked Players in NC: 11
  • Impact Player: Caleb Fluno
  • Sleeper in the Class:  Bryce Stober

The staff at Lenoir-Rhyne has been extremely busy building their 2019 class.  At this time, it is the largest class in North Carolina with 16 total players and 15 of them are from North Carolina.  The talent is deep as well with 11 inside the current PBR top 250.  Caleb Fluno (3B, Home Schooled) has an intriguing frame that will continue to handle strength.  A big power threat, Fluno may excel early, especially if he finds the barrel consistently.  Bryce Stober (Utility, Hickory HS) is on of the PBR NC staff’s favorites in the 2019 class.  A super-utility player, Stober can catch, play the infield, and play the outfield.  A high motor player, look for Stober to find his way into the lineup early.


NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
David Bell NC Kings Mountain 2019 SS Lenoir-Rhyne College
Pres Cavenaugh NC Myers Park 2019 OF Lenoir-Rhyne College
Joey Cobb NC North Lincoln 2019 LHP Lenoir-Rhyne College
Andy Cook NC Hickory Christian Academy 2019 LHP Lenoir-Rhyne College
Caleb Fluno NC Home Schooled (Wake Cty Warriors) 2019 3B Lenoir-Rhyne College
Benjamin Jackson NC South Mecklenburg 2019 RHP Lenoir-Rhyne College
Case Kermode NC Wayne Country Day 2019 C Lenoir-Rhyne College
Max LeCroy NC Christ School 2019 OF Lenoir-Rhyne College
Chipper McGinnis NC Chase 2019 LHP Lenoir-Rhyne College
Michael Misenheimer NC Piedmont 2019 SS Lenoir-Rhyne College
Jackson Reid NC Mooresville 2019 RHP Lenoir-Rhyne College
Bryson Smith NC Apex Friendship 2019 3B Lenoir-Rhyne College
Ethan Smith TN Warren County 2019 OF Lenoir-Rhyne College
Bryce Stober NC Hickory 2019 C Lenoir-Rhyne College
Dillon Taylor NC Grays Creek 2019 SS Lenoir-Rhyne College
Davis Turner NC Mooresville 2019 C Lenoir-Rhyne College

 

 

 

Mid-Atlantic Christian

  • Classification:  USCAA
  • Conference:  N/A
  • Total Commits:  5
  • # of Top 250 Ranked Players in NC: 0

Mid-Atlantic Christian is in the process of building their first roster.  Coach Jason Goetz has five commitments already and is beginning to build his list as he gets into the spring season.  Look for the Mustangs to continue to work to build their brand within their home borders of North Carolina.

<

Premium Content Area

This article is only available to PBRPlus Subscribers. If you wish to continue reading this article:

Login to the Subscriptions Website.
To purchase a NEW SUBSCRIPTION, please click here to go to our subscription products page.
NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
Kameron Ballance NC North Johnston 2019 1B Mid-Atlantic Christian
Parker Crews NC Triton 2019 SS Mid-Atlantic Christian
Tim Heflin NC West Johnston 2019 SS Mid-Atlantic Christian
Eli Maxey NC Greenville Christian 2019 SS Mid-Atlantic Christian
Corey Mitchell