NJ: Updated and Expanded 2018 Rankings
Thu March 30, 2017
By TJ Hunt
Director of Scouting, New Jersey
With the fall and winter showcases coming to a close, Prep Baseball Report New Jersey takes a look at the Updated 2018 rankings. Many new prospects come into the rankings while many prospects have made jumps, some drastically.
+ Nothing changes within the Top 5, as Vanderbilt-bound 3B Justyn-Henry Malloy (St. Joseph's Montvale HS, NJ) still reigns as the No. 1 prospect, followed by Maryland recruit Jack Herman (Eastern Regional HS, NJ), Duke-bound RHP Jack Carey (St. Peter's Prep HS, NJ), Maryland-bound OF Nick Decker (Sencea HS, NJ), and Alabama recruit RHP/OF Tyler Ras (Middletown North HS, NJ).
+ RHP Nick Payero (Monroe Township HS, NJ) emerged as one of the top uncommitted players in the state at No. 9. Payero was 87-88 in Fort Myers last October with a quick arm from a high-3/4 slot.
+ No. 17 RHP Ryan Cardona (Livingston HS, NJ) burst on to the scene earlier this month, sitting 88-90 and touching 91 in an extended bullpen session. Cardona shows impressive athleticism and explosiveness going down the mound. Showcased a 70-72 mph breaker and a changeup with armside fade at 78-80.
+ No. 21 Arbert Cipion (Passaic County Tech HS, NJ) is another athlete that burst on to the scene this winter - with an impressive showing at the Preseason All-State Showcase, eventually leading him to be named the Top Overall Prospect from the event. The broad shouldered and physically built Cipion stands 6-foot-1 177-pounds. Recorded the PBR NJ record 6.64 60 Yard Dash, threw 89 mph from the OF, and a 93 mph exit velocity.
+ No. 26 LHP Andrew Vail (Gloucester Catholic HS, NJ) was another top performer at the Preseason All-State Showcase showing a lightning quick arm at 85-86 and a changeup with some fade. No. 34 RHP/1B Joseph Sprake (Middletown South HS, NJ) was 86-87 touching 88 at the Preseason All-State Showcase and tied a PBR NJ record for the exit velocity at 101 mph.
+ No. 29 RHP/OF Nick Houghton (Nottingham HS, NJ) exudes athleticism at 6-foot-1 158-pounds. Long, wiry frame that has a quick arm on the mound and is equally as impressive at the plate. Houghton was a major part of Nottingham's run in the state tournament last year, and will continue to make an influence in Mercer County this year. The right hander was 83-84 at the Preseason All-State and also ran a sub-7.00 60 yard dash at 6.96.
+ No. 41 Raul Ortega stated his case for one of the top catching prospects in a NJ class that is chock full of them. The switch hitting Ortega showcased impressive strength from both sides of the plate with a quiet, controlled approach in the box. Recorded pop times between 1.91-1.97 at 77 mph down to 2B as well.
+ No. 46 OF Conner MacNeill (Haddonfield HS, NJ) has a strong, physical build at 6-foot-5 200-pounds. Tied the PBR NJ record for exit velocity at 101 mph at the Preseason All-State Showcase. Shows explosive hips and hands in swing creating power.
+ No. 50 RHP Gerry Siracusa (Bergen Catholic HS, NJ) has a lanky athletic build with a loose, quick arm. Sat 82-84 touching 85 from a high-3/4 slot earlier this month.
+ No. 53 RHP Aiden Tucker (River Dell HS, NJ) has a projectable 6-foot-3 190-pound build. Sat 83-84 earlier this month from a high-3/4 slot and a slider at 72-73.
+ RHP Marcus Eusebio (Passaic County Tech HS, NJ) is 5-foot-11 165-pounds with an athletic build. Sat 86-87 at the Preseason All-State Showcase. Creates power and velocity from strong lower half with a long, loose arm action from a high-3/4 slot.
+ RHP Billy O'Brien (Don Bosco Prep HS, NJ) has a lanky, projectable build with long wiry limbs. Sat 82-84 touching 85-86 earlier this month. Separates himself from the pack with an exceptional 11/5 breaking ball at 69-70 for strikes. Also flashed a slider with smaller, harder break at 75-78.
+ C Drayven Kowalski (Steinert HS, NJ) has a lanky athletic build at 6-feet 168-pounds. Another impressive switch hitting catcher from the Preseason All-State Showcase, Kowalski still has room to put on muscle to his frame. Pop times between 1.91-2.00, and threw 74 mph down to 2B. Explodes out of the crouch.
+ RHP Patrick Spina (Holy Spirit HS, NJ) is another pitcher to be sure to follow throughout this spring and summer. Physically built with broad shoulders already at his age at 6-foot-3 200-pounds. Sat 81-83 at the Preseason All-State. Arm action is clean and mechanics are sound and repeatable. Recently was up to 83-85 in scrimmages earlier this month. Watch for Spina to emerge as one of the top uncommitted 2018s as the summer approaches.
+ C Thomas Rodgers (Christian Brothers Academy HS, NJ) has a strong, athletic build at 6-feet 180-pounds. Explosive lower half at the plate helps him generate some gap-to-gap power. Tied for the highest catcher velocity at 77 mph at the Preseason All-State Showcase. Recorded pop times between 1.94-2.01.
To view the rest of the NJ 2018 Rankings CLICK HERE>>
