Link to my full rankings: 2026 Preseason Top 25

D1Baseball Ranking: 11

Baseball America Ranking: 7

Perfect Game Ranking: 18

#9) North Carolina

Coming off a 2025 season that saw a 46-15 record, an ACC Championship, and a trip to the Super Regionals, Scott Forbes’ North Carolina Tar Heels enter 2026 ranked inside the top 10 of my preseason rankings

Despite losing four high-profile stars to the MLB Draft—including National Pitcher of the Year Jake Knapp and first-round catcher Luke Stevenson—the Diamond Heels return many talented arms and a top-tier transfer class.

Returning Hitters:

This year’s North Carolina lineup will be the big question. It is projected to feature 6 transfers, many from mid-major programs. How will they adjust to ACC pitching?

• Gavin Gallaher: The lone everyday player from last year’s lineup. Slashed .325/.409.603 with 17 HRs while leading the team in hits, wRC+, and RBIs. An interest stat I found: He is 17-34 with 4 home runs in 8 career regional games.
• Sawyer Black & Perry Hargett: Two sophomore expected to take a leap in production after limited playing time last season.
• Carter French: Senior leader that collected 100 ABs last season.

Transfers & Freshmen:

• Macon Winslow (Duke): Hit .278/.391/.490 with 9 HRs last season. He was the #16 transfer hitter according to D1 and has ACC experience behind the plate.
• Jake Schaffner (NDSU): Athletic SS that hit .367/.435/.467 with 18 SBs. Likely finds a spot at the top of the order.
• Michael Maginnis (Georgia State): Graduate transfer that hit .302/.385/.516 with 10 HRs last year in the Sun Belt.
• Erik Paulson (Stony Brook): Hit .358/.452/.585 with 9 HRs last season. Had interest from numerous SEC & ACC schools while in the portal.
• Cooper Nicholson (Iowa Central JC): A top JuCo recruit that produced 21 HRs last season. Went yard against Walters State in the fall scrimmage.
• Owen Hull (George Mason): Was 1 of 3 D1 players to produce 40+ stolen bases and a 1.000+ OPS last season. Likely slides into CF.

Returning Pitchers:

This is UNC’s strength. The Tar Heels led the ACC with a 3.47 team ERA last season and return 65% of their innings pitched. Despite losing Knapp, this staff will free feature 3 strong starters with multiple bullpen options.

• Jason DeCaro: In his first two seasons as a Tar Heel, DeCaro has compiled a 15-4 record with 148 strikeouts. D1 Baseball 2nd team preseason All-American.
• Ryan Lynch: Potential 1st round pick, ranking #60 in MLB.com’s 2026 draft prospects. 2.93 ERA with 27.2 K% across 61.1 out of the pen as a freshman.
• Folger Boaz: Boaz was a member of the 2024 weekend rotation his freshman season before suffering a season-ending injury. Produced a 3.90 ERA across 30 innings last season. Struggled at times in the Cape, but had a good start in the Championship series and put together a good fall.
• Walker McDuffie: D1 Baseball 2nd team preseason All-American and the staple of the bullpen. 55.1 IP, 3.74 ERA with a 31.9 K% as a freshman.
• Matthew Matthijs: Returns from injury after being a reliable arm on the 2024 team that made it to Omaha.
• Olin Johnson: 3.56 ERA across 30.1 IP last season. Adds depth.
• Boston Flannery: He has not seen much action at UNC but the staff is high on him. Fastball up to 98.
• Kyle Percival: Returns from injury after only throwing 5 innings last season. Posted a 2.42 ERA and appeared in 22 games during the 2024 season.

If the transfers adjust and the lineup produces, I believe this team ends their season in Omaha. This pitching staff will carry. I will be investing in a ticket.