The Carolina Triangle has a reputation for being one of the most robust talent pools each and every year in terms of premier draft talent. This year is not different. Let’s ride.
Names To Know (Carolinas)
LHP Tristan Smith, Boiling Springs HS (SC)
The 2022 prep pitching class is one of the best in recent memory and Smith finds himself in the upper echelon, and for good reason. Coming in at 6’2”, 200 pounds, the Chesnee, SC native has a strong, athletic build with a crossbody delivery that makes him a nightmare for left-handed hitters in the box. Smith is more of a two-pitch guy currently, as the fastball/curveball combination that Smith possesses is as lethal as they come. The fastball will reach spin rates of 2,600 RPM’s, with notable life at the plate and the pitch explodes out of his hand. He’s primarily in the low-90’s presently, but has touched as high as 95 MPH this summer. The curveball tunnels very well with the fastball and has had spin rates reach as high as 3,000 RPM’s, primarily sitting 79-82 MPH range. He is comfortable pitching backwards when he lacks fastball feel and it’s super tough on left-handed bats. He’ll throw a change-up on occasion, with good sink and improving feel for the pitch. His strike throwing has improved over the past year, though some more consistency will be key for Smith. He’s committed to Clemson.
INF Tucker Toman, Hammond HS (SC)
Toman profiles as one of the better switch-hitting bats in this prep class. He’s got a strong, athletic build at 6’1”, 187 pounds that has primarily played at the hot corner. Scouts have liked his left-handed swing more than his right-handed one, though he’s gotten more comfortable from the right side as the summer has progressed. He’s got more bat speed and power from the left side, with great barrel feel and consistency. The right side consists of a more line drive oriented approach. He does a good job of getting separation between his hips and shoulders from both sides of the plate. In the field, he’s got sound actions at third base, with strong throws across the diamond, with the arm getting up to 88 MPH, and solid movements to his left and right. There’s a chance he could end up at second base in the future, but he projects at the hot corner presently. He’s currently committed to play at LSU.
LHP Carson Whisenhunt, East Carolina
I want to give a big shoutout to Trevor Hooth for sending me GIF’s of Whisenhunt’s first start this year. That’s what really got him onto my radar.
Whisenhunt came to East Carolina as a two-way player from Mocksville, NC, but primarily focused on pitching this year and got rave reviews from scouts. It’s a similar profile to current Cubs farmhand Jordan Wicks. He’s got an athletic frame at 6’3”, 205 pounds with projection, suggesting that more is definitely in the tank for Whisenhunt. The fastball will primarily sit in the low-90’s, getting up to 94-95 MPH at times. The real star of the show is the change-up. It’s a plus pitch presently with plenty of tumble, flashing plus-plus on occasion. It’s a swing-inducing monster, with one start getting 15 swings and misses on the pitch alone across five innings. That is elite numbers. His third pitch is a solid breaking ball in the high-70’s, low-80’s with good shape and depth to it. He’ll drop it in for a strike and has good feel for it, but it’s more of a fringy-to-average offering currently. He’s shown good control and command this spring, though after an injury, both seemed to be hampered. Nonetheless, it’s a tantalizing profile and he will likely take over the Friday night role that was previously occupied by 2021 first rounder Gavin Williams.
RHP Henry Williams, Duke
Remember Bryce Jarvis’ late ascension to the first round in 2020? Duke may very well have another first round arm on campus in the form of Henry Williams. It’s an athletic frame and operation on the mound, standing at 6’5”, 200 pounds with plenty of projection that folks love. It’s a high spin fastball that Williams possesses, reaching upwards of 2,500 RPM’s, that will sit in the low-90’s, bumping 93 MPH at times. There’s some late arm-side action on the offering, too. He’s shown off a tighter slider in the low-80’s, with similar spin rates to the fastball with two-plane tilt. He’s got good command of the pitch, though it can get a bit inconsistent at times. Much like Jarvis, the change-up is a high-spin, high-80’s pitch that has some late sinking action to it. The pitch has gotten upwards of 2,300 RPM’s of spin. He is coming off a forearm injury, so that will be something to keep note of with Williams. However, there’s a lot to suggest that he will add more velocity with time. He’s got good command of all three pitches and would benefit greatly from a full, healthy season.
SS Zach Neto, Campbell
If you want to find the highest draft pick in Campbell’s history, you have to go all the way back to 1974, when Marvin Townsend went 18th overall to the Red Sox. Zach Neto has a good chance to go higher than that next July. The 2021 Big South Player of the Year, Neto has plenty of athleticism at 6’0”, 190 pounds with plenty of raw pop in his bat. It’s a noisy setup at the plate with a high leg kick, but Neto does a great job of extending through the ball and being on time. He’s started to show off more opposite field power and he will utilize all fields for hits. He’s a sound defender at shortstop, with excellent body control and soft hands at the position. The one knack on Neto would be his arm, which likely profiles better at second base. He continued his breakout campaign with Brewster on the Cape, though an ankle injury kept his action limited. Plenty of scouting brigades will find themselves in Buies Creek this upcoming spring to get looks at him.
LHP Jackson Ferris, IMG Academy
Ferris may pitch at IMG Academy in Florida, but he resides from Mount Airy, NC, a small town northwest of Winston-Salem near the border with Virginia. Ferris transferred to IMG prior to this year and has reaped the rewards, with his velocity jumping from 88-91 MPH last August to mid-90’s this past spring, touching 97 MPH. The heater has exceptional riding life to it, keeping hitters off-balance at the plate and inducing plenty of swings and misses at the top of the zone. It’s been his primary out pitch this summer, most notably being the source of his six strikeouts at PG National in July. The curveball is a tight spinning pitch that has gotten up into the high-70’s. The pitch has solid depth and spin rates, though it can get a tad inconsistent at times. He’s shown an ability to roll over a decent change-up in the mid-high 80’s with some tumble, though refinement is needed. It’s a long arm action, though the delivery is relatively easy. With improvement to his secondaries, Ferris likely could end up somewhere in the first two rounds next July. Formerly an NC State commit, Ferris flipped to Ole Miss last summer.
High Follows
LHP Chris Villaman, NC State
Villaman was NC State’s “swingman” in 2021, but it’s looking like he’ll take the step forward and be in a starting role for the Wolfpack in 2022. The fastball has seen a velocity uptick since he reached campus, primarily sitting in the low-mid 90’s and has gotten up to 96 MPH with natural cutting action. His best off-speed is a low-spin change-up in the low-80’s that tunnels well off the heater and likely projects as average at the next level. He does have a breaking ball in the high-70’s, but it’s more of a “get-me-over” pitch that lacks bite and will need more development as time progresses. He’s shown flashes of brilliance in starting roles for NC State, so it’ll be interesting to see how he handles a full starting workload.
RHP Sam Highfill, NC State
Say hello to this draft’s “unicorn”, if you will. Highfill doesn’t have the loudest stuff of the local group, but he was a workhorse in his first year of starting with the Wolfpack, proving vital in their CWS run. The fastball will generally sit in the lower-90’s, topping out at 94 MPH with some running life. He’ll flash a decent change-up and a curveball in the high-70’s from a three-quarters slot, but he will drop down to a sidearm delivery at times. With that sidearm slot, Highfill throws a high-80’s sinker and a sweepy slider in the mid-70’s. He does a good job of mixing the armslots and being effective while doing so.
OF Michael Gupton, Rolesville HS (NC)
If there is one thing you need to know about Gupton, it’s his blazing speed. A sprinter when he’s not on a baseball diamond, Gupton’s second gear is one of the best I have seen. At PG National, Gupton smashed the 60 yard dash record, leading the way with a remarkable time of 5.96 seconds. He’s built like a running back with a muscular and athletic frame at 5’11”, 190 pounds. In BP, Gupton has flashed good power potential, with exit velocities exceeding 100 MPH, though he’s still working on transitioning that to in-game at-bats as he works on pitch recognition. With his speed, he’s a lock to stick in centerfield, as he takes good routes and covers plenty of ground to the ball. His college commitment belongs to NC State.
1B/OF Ryan Clifford, Pro5 Academy (NC)
The first of two Pro5 Academy players in this piece, Clifford has long been a popular name in this draft class. Clifford had previously played at Leesville Road high school before leaving school and enrolling at Pro5 Academy in Cary before the 2020-2021 school year. He has a strong, athletic frame at 6’3”, 215 pounds and has good power potential to all fields thanks to plenty of bat speed from the left side. He’s split time between first base and right field, though the bat will likely dictate where he ends up at the next level. He’s shown good tools in right field, showcasing a strong arm that has been up to 94 MPH with accuracy.
1B Xavier Isaac, East Forsyth HS (NC)
Isaac fits the pure definition of a big bopper. Coming in at 6’4”, 240 pounds, Isaac has an XL frame with plenty of strength, giving him plenty of pop to all fields. He’s consistently had exit velocities above 95 MPH, reaching upwards of 109 MPH in the past year. The left-handed bat possesses a lot of bat speed and will keep it simple at the plate and utilize the middle of the park for base hits. His defensive profile is limited to first base, where he’s got smooth actions. Previously committed to East Carolina, Isaac flipped his commitment to Florida last October.
1B Eli Serrano, Pro5 Academy (NC)
If you are looking for a frame to dream on, look no further than Eli Serrano. Coming in at 6’5”, 195 pounds, Serrano has an XL frame with plenty of projection and athleticism to it. He’s primarily been an outfielder in his career, where he’s shown off a solid arm that has gotten up to 91 MPH this summer and moves well. He’s been tried out at first base, too. At the plate, Serrano boasts a lot of power potential, particularly to his pull-side. He’s got above-average bat speed and has good hip/shoulder separation from the left side. It’s a fun profile to dream on. Hailing from the same school as Ryan Clifford, Serrano is committed to NC State.
RHP Eric Adler, Wake Forest
The Wake Forest pitching machine just keeps on a-rollin’. Jared Shuster and Ryan Cusick both became first round arms for the Demon Deacons the past two years, and while Adler likely won’t meet that same criteria in 2022, he blossomed during the Cape Cod league this summer. It all begins with his lively mid-90’s heater that possesses high spin rates. It plays well up in the zone thanks to great riding action to the pitch. His primary secondary is a mid-80’s slider, though the shape can be inconsistent at times. He’s been a reliever only for Wake Forest and that’s how he will continue in 2022. There’s effort in the delivery and his control lags behind the stuff presently, which will need to be addressed. Despite this, he’s got a good chance to potentially be a top five round pick next July.
RHP Eli Jerzembeck, Providence HS (NC)
If you happen to like spin, Jerzembeck is definitely an arm you will enjoy. Hailing from the Charlotte area, Jerzembeck doesn’t have the top tier velocity like some others in this class, primarily sitting in the high-80’s, occasionally getting up to 90-92 MPH. His curveball is the star of the show, however, as it projects as a future plus offering. It’s thrown hard in the high-70’s with sharp 11-5 movement and spin rates reaching upwards of 3,000 RPM’s. It keeps hitters off balance and induces quite a bit of swing and miss. He’s got a change-up with sink in his arsenal, though it’ll need more development. Everything comes out of a three-quarters arm slot and Jerzembeck has done a nice job of getting his arm up at footplant. South Carolina is where his college commitment belongs to.
RHP Isaiah Lowe, Combine Academy (NC)
Lowe profiles as the top arm hailing from western NC powerhouse Combine Academy. He’s an arm first two-way player with a strong frame at 6’2”, 220 pounds. He possesses a high-spin fastball that primarily sits in the low-90’s and has reached upwards of 94 MPH this summer with good life. A high-70’s slider is his primary secondary presently, with spin rates reaching 2,700 RPM’s with depth and sweep to the pitch. The change-up is still a work in progress, thrown in the low-80’s with good arm speed and he’s progressing with feel for the pitch. When not on the mound, Lowe has showcased good arm strength at the hot corner and has big power potential, with exit velocities touching 99 MPH. Should he reach campus, he’ll be in good hands with Wake Forest.
RHP Mack Anglin, Clemson
Anglin is a familiar name to those who followed the 2021 cycle, as he was a draft-eligible sophomore for the Clemson Tigers. It’s an extra large frame at 6’4”, 220 pounds and the stuff is loud. The heater has previously sat in the mid-90’s and reached 98 MPH and he has two distinct breaking balls with a curveball and slider, the latter with wipeout potential. Both pitches have extremely high spin, exceeding 3,200 RPM’s at times. He’s thrown in a change-up, but it’s sparsely used. There’s some reliever risk with his profile, mostly due to effort in the delivery and lack of control and command. He was tried out as a starter in 2021 and the plan is for him to likely return to the rotation for Clemson in 2022.
Best of the Rest
RHP Hunter Sloop, Combine Academy (NC)
Sloop is a large kid at 6’8”, 235 pounds hailing from the Combine Academy. It’s an athletic frame on the mound from a high three-quarters slot with a fastball that has gotten up to 94 MPH and sits in the 90-92 MPH range. Has good feel for a sweepy slider in the high-70’s that he has landed for strikes and can manipulate the shape of. Sloop is committed to Tennessee.
RHP Luke Schmolke, Lake Norman HS (NC)
Schmolke has a projectable frame at 6’0”, 180 pounds and hails from Lake Norman High School, roughly half an hour north of downtown Charlotte. He utilizes a lengthy arm action with an over-the-top slot and a loose arm. Fastball has gotten upwards of 95 MPH this summer, but usually sits in the low-90’s with life. His bread and butter is a hammer curveball in the high-70’s with sharp 12-6 shape and bite. He’ll utilize a change-up that tunnels well with the heater in the low-80’s. Schmolke is committed to Georgia Tech.
RHP Austin Williamson, Combine Academy (NC)
Williamson is the final Combine Academy arm on this list. It’s a big and physical frame at 6’4”, 220 pounds with present strength. He’ll sit in the low-90’s and top out at 93 MPH from a low three-quarters arm slot, generating running life to the pitch. The slider sits in the low-80’s with good biting action and plays off the fastball well. Change-up in the same velocity band has made only a couple of cameos in games this summer. Originally committed to Alabama, Williamson flipped to South Carolina earlier this year.
RHP Marcus Johnson, Duke
Johnson has been a relief arm only for the Blue Devils in his two years on campus, but there’s a lot to like about the stuff. There’s a lot to dream on with a slender frame at 6’6”, 200 pounds with a quick and easy arm. The fastball has been up to 96 MPH in stints this year, primarily sitting in the low-mid 90’s with good life. His change-up is a mid-80’s menace and is currently his best secondary with good fade and sink, plus he has feel to spin a slider that he can land for strikes. It’s a repeatable delivery for Johnson, which helps him throw strikes. He got stretched out often in the Duke bullpen, proving to be a force in their surprise ACC Tournament run, so don’t be shocked if he gets tried out in the rotation in 2022.
INF Mac Horvath, UNC
For those wondering, yes, Rhys White bribed me to put him on this list.
Joking aside, Horvath will be one of the youngest players in this upcoming draft cycle. Formerly out of Minnesota, Horvath went to IMG Academy in Florida before stepping foot on campus in Chapel Hill. Horvath started out as more of a bench bat, but was inserted into UNC’s lineup later on in the season. He’s added strength since reaching campus with some projection still remaining at 6’1”, 197 pounds. He’s got good pull-side pop in his bat and showed good plate discipline, with respectable strikeout and walk rates. He primarily manned third base, where he showed good actions and throws across the diamond. He’ll see more playing time this upcoming spring.
INF Josh Hood, NC State
Hood was one of the casualties of the Ivy League canceling play in 2021, resulting in him utilizing the Coastal Plain League and the Cape to get playing time this year. He’s likely to take over shortstop at NC State with Jose Torres being selected by the Reds in this past draft. A freshmen All-American in 2019, Hood hasn’t quite been as sharp at the plate since, with an increasing strikeout rate on the Cape this summer. He’s got some pop to his bat, but he is looking to re-introduce himself to scouts in this cycle.
OF Dom Pilolli, NC State
Both Pilolli and LuJames Groover transferred from UNC-Charlotte and wound up in Raleigh, where both will likely slot themselves into the lineup instantly. Pilolli put himself on the map with a loud start to the abbreviated 2020 season. There’s a lot of athleticism and twitch with Pilolli and he’s comfortably a plus runner. He’s shown an ability to utilize the gaps and has some sneaky pop in his bat. He’s primarily manned left field in Charlotte, where he’s made some highlight reel plays in his career there. He is coming off a significant knee injury that ended his 2021 campaign, but all signs point to him being healthy and in the leadoff spot for NC State in 2022.
C Jonathan French, Clemson
French will be entering just his second year on campus in the 2022 season. It’s a strong, burly frame on the catcher that works well behind the plate with improving actions and a strong arm. At the plate, he’s shown above-average to plus raw power in batting practice, though that power has yet to translate to in-game consistently. There are some concerns on swing and miss, especially with breaking pitches, for French. He’ll be an interesting follow once the 2022 season gets underway.
OF/RHP Calvert Clark, Charlotte Christian HS (NC)
A prominent name in this cycle, Clark has put his two-way potential on display this summer. It’s an athletic frame at 6’4”, 205 pounds with good projection and easy motions. On the mound, he’s gotten up to 92 MPH on the fastball, primarily living in the high-80’s. He’ll utilize a mid-70’s curveball with some depth and bite as his primary secondary, with a developing change-up hovering around 80 MPH. At the plate, he’s got good bat speed and projects in a corner outfield position, with a strong and accurate arm. Clark is committed to Clemson.
3B Austin Knight, Charlotte
A transfer from Tennessee, Knight brought immediate impact to a UNC-Charlotte squad that received its first tournament bid in ten years. He’s got a good frame at 6’1”, 180 pounds and uses all fields at the plate with some pop in his bat. He’s shown off some aggressiveness on the basepaths, as well. He will have to cut down on the strikeouts in 2022 to help improve his stock, but it’s a loud bat and good defense in the infield, too.
OF Dylan Brewer, Clemson
Brewer is an interesting player. He’s got the frame that scouts dream of, coming in at 6’2”, 180 pounds with plenty of projection. However, the bat hasn’t quite shown up yet for Brewer. He’s got good bat speed and pull-side power from the left side, but his contact rate and strikeout concerns have held him back. He’ll show patience and draw some walks, but in 2021, Brewer had 65 strikeouts in 215 plate appearances. He went to the Coastal Plain League and showed off improved plate discipline and made more contact with wood bats, slashing .350/.444/.608 in 144 plate appearances. The hope is that it will translate to ACC play come spring.