Prep Baseball Report

Updated and Expanded 2023 Rankings


TJ Hunt
Director, PBR New Jersey

After a strange fall season that saw numerous reclass players, we are finally able to sift through our 2023 rankings release. One thing that stood out - arms.

28 of the top 50 players are pitchers in this class, and the top 10 provides a microcosm of the rest of the class.

To view the full list of 2023 Rankings, CLICK HERE

The Top 10

RANK   NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
1 AJ Gracia NJ Ranney School 2023 LHP Duke
2 Ryan Jaros NJ Cranford 2023 3B Georgia Tech
3 Aidan Teel NJ Mahwah 2023 RHP Virginia
4 Luca Reyes NJ Bergen Catholic 2023 OF Miami
5 Stanley Cedeno NJ St. Joseph's Montvale 2023 LHP  
6 Joey Tuttoilmondo NJ South Brunswick 2023 RHP  
7 Justin Herbstman NJ Old Bridge 2023 LHP Virginia Tech
8 Justin Sweeney NJ Egg Harbor Township 2023 RHP Rutgers
9 Duke McCarron NJ Ocean City 2023 RHP Maryland
10 Braden Connors NJ Bergen Catholic 2023 C Virginia

 

Georgia Tech commit 3B Ryan Jaros (Cranford HS, NJ) rises several spots to No. 2 in the rankings after a successful summer and fall campaign. The physicality stands out with Jaros, who was a standout performer at the NJ Last Dance Tournament, which made national headlines as a psedo-replacement for the spring season that was lost. Jaros is 6-foot-3 200-pounds and packs a strong punch into the gaps and showed the ability to perform on the big stage this summer.

Uncommitted RHP Joey Tuttoilmondo (South Brunswick HS, NJ) made huge strides this summer in several events down south. The athletic 5-foot-10 hurler was 88-90 touching 91 at WWBA Underclass and has the ability to rip off hard-late breaking curveballs in the mid to upper 70s.

LHP Justin Herbstman (Old Bridge HS, NJ) brought a shot of life to the Future Games Select event in early July - a wiry-athletic frame at 6-foot-1 160-pounds with room to fill out. 81-84 (2300rpm) with the fastball and commanded a swing and miss breaker at 63-67.

High Risers and Newcomers

No. 16 SS Eric Becker (Don Bosco Prep HS, NJ) joins a laundry list of Power 5 commits for the Ironmen. Becker's stock rose significantly this summer, with an easy, effortless left handed stroke and stability in the infield. Becker sprays line drives all over the field and really has a feel for the barrel.

No. 17 OF Peyton Bonds (Franklin HS, NJ) exploded on to the scene at the NJ Marlins Scout Day in October. The name should sound familiar, as his family is deeply entrenched in baseball history, most notably with his uncle, Barry. Bonds has a physical 6-foot-4 frame and explosive bat through the zone. Still uncommitted, Bonds will not be on the board for long.

BONDS VIDEO

 

No. 27 Elon recruit RHP Toby Smith (Hanover Park HS, NJ) made a statement at the 2020 Fall Limited Series at Yogi Berra Stadium. Smith was an easy 82-84 with command of a sharp swing-and-miss breaker. Clean and repeatable, Smith hurled 6+ innings and punched out 10 batters. It was an impressive effort.

No. 28 RHP/3B Justin Ford (Roxbury HS, NJ) was exceptional at the Fall Underclass Games in October at Mercer County Community College. Fastball sat 82-84 touching 85 and spun a sharp 11/5 breaker for strikes with wipeout potential. At a lanky-athletic 6-foot-2 175-pounds, Ford should see his velocity continue to jump as he fills out.

FORD VIDEO

 

No. 29 SS Charlie Meglio (Jackson Memorial HS, NJ) has a wiry-athletic frame at 6-foot-3 170-pounds. Meglio, like his travel ball teammate Bonds, was a top performer from the NJ Marlins Scout Day. He showed impressive pop from the right side with an explosive barrel and extension on finish. In the infield, Meglio showed some twitch and the ability to slot his throws on the run. Meglio is a high follow, especially as he continues to fill out his frame.

No. 31 INF Michael Whooley (Ramapo HS, NJ) has a physical 5-foot-11 190-pound frame with a compact stroke through the zone and has one of the strongest arms across the infield in the class, routinely in the upper 80s and tops at 90 mph. a 7.1 runner, Whooley is one of the top uncommitted players in this class.

More Top Newcomers

+ No. 35 RHP Nick Sulpizio (Bishop Eustace)

+ No. 38 LHP Landon Edwards (Kingsway HS, NJ)

+ No. 40 RHP Luke Roccesano (Christian Brothers Academy HS, NJ)

+ No. 41 3B Christopher Villavicencio (Bergen Catholic HS, NJ)

To view the full list of 2023 Rankings, CLICK HERE

 

Upcoming Events
+ February 6th 2020 - Preseason Upperclass Invitational (2021-2022)

+ February 15th 2020 - Preseason Underclass Invitational (2023-2024)