Vanderbilt topped Baseball America’s annual recruiting class rankings while N.C. State ranked fourth and North Carolina 20th. The Wolfpack surpasses their previous high ranking of 11th in 2009.

The Commodores landed the nation’s top recruit in unsigned first-round pick Tyler Beede, a bona fide ace with premium stuff, command and makeup. The early enrollment of power-hitting catcher Chris Harvey gives Vanderbilt a second marquee recruit. Athletic outfielder John Norwood and high-upside pitchers Adam Ravenelle and Philip Pfeifer join Beede and Harvey as the core of a very deep class.

Texas brought in the No. 2 class, its eighth top-10 class since the BA recruiting rankings started in the fall of 2000. Southern Mississippi welcomed its best class ever, landing in the recruiting rankings for the first time at No. 3. Mississippi rounds out the top five with its highest-ranked class ever, marking the Rebels’ seventh appearance in the 12-year history of the recruiting rankings.

The Southeastern Conference placed eight teams in the Top 25 for the second year in a row, leading all conferences once again. The Pacific-12 Conference followed with four teams in the Top 25, and the Atlantic Coast Conference produced three ranked classes as Virginia was ranked eighth. Nine different conferences appeared in the rankings.

Four-year transfers were not considered for BA’s rankings, except graduate transfers who are immediately eligible.

For breakdowns on the top 25 classes, plus a look at some of the best classes by region outside the top 25, visit www.baseballamerica.com/today/college/recruiting.