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Updated NJ 2025 Player Rankings (Summer 2023)

August 29, 2023
Dan Valerio & TJ Hunt
PBR NJ Staff

With the summer circuit coming to a close, it's time for an update of the New Jersey 2025 Player Rankings. Taking into account performances from the fall, winter, spring, and summer we are giving the class of 2025 an update as we eye the start of the fall season. 

The New Jersey 2025's possess some premier bats. With that being said though taking over the No.1 spot is an electric arm talent RHP Marcelo Harsch. This lanky right hander has been floating near the top but with his fastball already over 90 MPH he leaves no doubt in capturing No.1. Now let's dive into the meat of this with some shakeups in not just the top 10 but also the top 20.  

CLICK HERE to see the full list of 2025 rankings.

The Top 10

RANK   NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
1 Marcelo Harsch NJ Seton Hall Prep 2025 RHP Wake Forest
2 Jamie Zee Jr. NJ Bergen Catholic 2025 SS Notre Dame
3 Julius Rosado NJ South River 2025 SS Rutgers
4 Evan Taylor NJ Ocean City 2025 RHP Maryland
5 William Mahala NJ Seton Hall Prep 2025 OF Virginia
6 Jake Lodgek NJ Mainland 2025 RHP Miami
7 Tyler Wiltsey NJ Audubon 2025 OF Rutgers
8 AJ Terry NJ Randolph 2025 SS North Carolina
9 Dylan Passo NJ Red Bank Catholic 2025 1B Notre Dame
10 Joey Erace NJ St. Augustine Prep 2025 SS Rutgers

 

 

The Breakdown: Top 5

+ New No.1 Wake Forest commit RHP Marcelo Harsch (Seton Hall Prep HS). Is an ultra-projectable lanky frame at 6-foot-4-180 pounds. Has tons of room to fill out and on the plus side he is young for the class. Harsch has a loose easy arm action showcased throughout the summer on a national level. Fastball is 90-93 mph. Slider ranges anywhere from 82-87 mph complimented with a CH at 84-86 mph. This past high school season as a sophomore he struck out 41 in 38 innings of work. Highlighted with a no hitter performance against Nutley HS. Harsch truly is a juggernaut for this class, with the velocities where they are for his age, he is a must follow headed into spring 2024. 

 

+ No. 2 Notre Dame commit SS Jamie Zee Jr. (Bergen Catholic HS). Toolsy frame at 5-foot-10-170 pounds. Has a sure glove, paired with quick feet and an accurate arm. On the offensive side this is where Zee excels. Super simple approach, balanced, keeps the head still, uses the whole field to pick up hits. The barrel path is smooth and repeatable. Zee is no stranger to the top of this list. 

 

+ No. 3 Rutgers commit SS Julius Rosado (South River HS). Jumps up a spot, no stranger to the top 5. Strong build at 6-foot-190 pounds. This slugger has an array of talent inside the batter's box, pull side light tower power but also the bat to ball skills to hit for a high average. Athletic setup, controlled leg kick, barrel stays loaded and gets slotted into elite position. His highest recorded batting practice EV is 100.3 mph. Paired with a 60 time of 6.8 and a INF velo of 85 mph. Back to the hit tool, this high school season Rosado hit an astounding .515 avg, 7 HR, 11 doubles, slugged 1.061, and drove in 28. Name to follow!

 

+ No. 4 Maryland commit RHP/INF Evan Taylor (Ocean City HS). Is a legit two-way threat at 6-foot-165 pounds. This twitchy athletic frame with loose actions produces 90 mph fastballs and hitting power to the gaps. This high school season Taylor pitched 21 innings, struck out 22, and maintained an era of 1.31. This right hander has a high 3/4 slot. His fastball is 88-91 (92). CB 76-77 and CH 78-79. On the offensive side he hit .514 avg, 5 HR, 13 doubles, and 39 rbi's. 

 

 

 

+ No. 5 Recent Virginia commit OF William Mahala (Seton Hall Prep HS). 2023 future gamer surges into the top 10 taking over the No.5 spot. Before this summer Mahala was ranked 24th overall but after stellar performances at the state games and future games plus a huge commitment he earned every bit of this. The 6-foot-2-180-pound left-handed hitter has unique swing path with fast twitched hand speed. Finds barrel at a high %, especially in game a lot of feel for backspin to the opposite field gap. Mahala's best attribute is his lighting fast foot speed, turning in multiple 6.5 60 times. The combination of strength and speed makes for an easy sell. Mahala after the 2023 future games decided on the University of Virginia. 

 

The Returners

+ No. 6 Miami commit RHP Jake Lodgek (Mainland HS). The fluid right hander pitcher fastball range is 86-88 (89). CB 74-77 11/5 action. This high school season he helped guide his team to a state final. In 47 innings of work Lodgek fanned 58.

 

+ No. 7 Rutgers commit OF Tyler Wiltsey (Audubon HS) is a speedy lean outfielder. Versatile and athletic enough to play anywhere on the field. Wiltsey's best 60 time recorded to date is 6.65. Simple approach at the plate that produces line drives. He hit .447 avg, 15 doubles, scored 42 runs, and stole 17 bases. Dynamic! 

 

+ No. 8 North Carolina commit SS AJ Terry (Randolph HS) the skilled infielder has an array of skills from power/contact mix at the plate to running speed and so on. To date his best 60 time is 6.8. This high school season Terry hit .394 avg with 9 doubles. Above average fielder with true attributes of a SS. 


The Newcomers to the Top 10:

+ No. 9 Notre Dame commit OF/1B Dylan Passo (Red Bank Catholic HS) makes a jump into the top 10 for the first time. Locking in the No.9 spot. This is well deserved as the hit tool is off the charts. Presentable power and athleticism to adjust on off speed. Has a strong setup and controls first move well, Passo's barrel stays very connected. Very projectable/high HR guy. 

 

+ No. 10 Recent Rutgers commit SS Joey Erace (St.Augustine Prep HS) joins the top 10 after having a dominating performance at the 2023 future games. Showed he is able to contribute in every facet of the game. The 92 mph INF velo is very impressive. At the plate stays within himself producing quality contact. 

Newcomers outside of the Top 10

+ No. 11 Recent Rutgers commit RHP Dawson Guerard (Roxbury HS) is a 6-foot-3-220 pound broad shouldered. Power arm that has a fluid arm action. Fastball was 84-87 at the 2023 future games. His CB 72-74 tight spin picked up s & m. This arm will pick more velo and should see 90 shortly. 

 

+ No. 14 Recent Seton Hall commit SS Matthew Ferrara (Toms River East HS) is a very intriguing prospect just because of his overall demeanor. Very poised and under control at all times. Elite ability to find the barrel. Came onto the scene late into the spring and never looked backed. Earning himself a spot on the 2023 future game team and then committed to Seton Hall University. 

Uncommitted players within the Top 20:

+ No. 16 LHP Luke Wood (Pennsville HS) this high school season struck out 55 in 42 innings of work. His fastball is 83-86. Lands two breakers for strikes. Interesting get for a university because there is a lot of competitiveness paired with projectability on velo. 

 

+ No.19 OF Chase Kroberger (Moorestown HS) hit .458 avg, 7 triples, and stole 15 bases. Really nice mix of speed, power, and athleticism. Was a 2023 future game selection. Impressive overall player. 

 

+ No. 20 OF Bennett Siegel (West Windsor South HS) strong LHH with feel for both gaps. Strong setup paired with an aggressive load. Stays connected and punishes baseballs. Handled velo with ease. Dominated the competition at the future games with a very impressive showing.  

The Top 50: By The Numbers

+ 27 out of 50 are committed

Conference Breakdown

10 - ACC
10 - B1G
3 - Big East
1 - Colonial
1 - A-Sun
1 - American

Commits by Position

10 - RHP
10 - SS
2 - OF
2 - 1B
1 - 2B
1 - LHP

Commits by School

7 - Rutgers
3 - Virginia
3 - Seton Hall
2 - Notre Dame
1 - Virginia Tech
1 - North Carolina
1 - Wake Forest
1 - Penn State
1 - A-10
1 - Miami
1 - Maryland
1 - Iowa
1 - Delaware
1 - Boston College
1 - Tulane
1 - Stetson

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2023 NJ Fall ID North NJ 09/20 Wood-Ridge Athletic Complex
2023 NJ Fall ID South NJ 09/27 Rutgers-Camden Field
2023 NJ Fall Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only) NJ 10/08 Centenary University
2023 NJ Last Chance Open NJ 10/28 TBA