By TJ Hunt
New Jersey Scouting Director

As the signing period has come and gone, it is time to look at some of the top uncommitted  prospects on the board in New Jersey. There is a plethora of talent still out there, and there is still plenty of time for these players to decide on the perfect fit for them. 

Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be highlighting some of the top uncommitted seniors by position. This week  we start with the top uncommitted senior pitchers:

Alphabetical by last name

+ Isaiah Acosta, RHP, John F. Kennedy HS, NJ
Winter Trials South (January 30, 2016)
On the mound Isaiah uses a short drop step with a leg drive to just over the belt. Long and deliberate unwinding from his balance point. Lands on a stiff front leg working through a  3/4 arm slot with sinking action to his FB at 81-83 MPH, touching 84 MPH. Gets under his CB with some loose spin at 67-69 MPH. Good feel for change up at 70-71 MPH, although could close the gap with the differential. Power pitcher frame with some raw ability on the bump.

+ John Barone, RHP, Wayne Hills HS, NJ
NJ Futures Preview (6/4/16)
Barone has a slender 6-foot-2 175-pound frame; long, wiry limbs and plenty of room for added muscle and development. One of the top velocities at the Futures Preview at 86. High-3/4 pitcher, has a long back swing that wraps around his head on release. Slider had hard 11-5 break up to 73 - and if he locates it for strikes, can be used as a true out pitch. On occasion misses up with fastball, when it's down in the strike zone, it's heavy and hard to hit.

+ Makhi Booker, RHP, Montclair HS, NJ
Booker is 5-foot-11 170-pounds and has a very athletic build. Clocked at 84-86 but has some deception in his arm action. Throws from a 3/4 slot, but has a short but quick arm swing. Has heavy sink and armside run because of slot and arm action. Low glove side but is still able to stay in control and drive down the mound. Sound mechanics, lands square and athletic after each pitch.

+ Jaden Diaz-Lambert, RHP, Timber Creek HS, NJ
Diaz-Lambert is a wiry athletic 6-foot-3 170-pounds. Works primarily from the stretch. Clean, short arm action at 84-86 with some arm side run. High-3/4 slot. Mechanics are controlled for size and length. Occasionally, wraps wrist with breaking ball, flashed a changeup for strikes with some fade. Uses lower half well going down the mound - elastic looking frame with room for muscle.

+ Cal Egan, RHP, West Milford HS, NJ
Egan has a strong build at 6-foot-3 200-pounds. Topped at 83 mph and sat 81-82 for most of his outing. Flashed a sharp curveball with 11/5 depth at 70-71 mph. Locates fastball down in the zone and throws curveball for strikes in any count.

+ Tavian Gibson, RHP, Paul VI HS, NJ
New Jersey Games (July 23, 2016)
Gibson is 5-foot-10 165-pounds and was one of the top athletes at the entire event. Ran the 60 in a 6.76, good for second at the event. Offensively, sets up in a tall, narrow stance. Uses a short foot stride for a load, but hands do not move. Hands are stiff, but still is able to clear hips with his swing. Exit Velo 84. Defensively - Throws were on line with plus carry and backspin for his age. Very good at tracking balls in the outfield. 
Pitching - Explosive on the mound, Gibson throws from a 3/4 arm angle with a clean, lightning quick arm stroke.  Sat mostly 85-86 with fastball. Slider had sharp 11/5 break between 76-79. Can be developed into a true strikeout pitch for him. Was able to throw it for strikes.

+ Evan Menendez, LHP, Christian Brothers Academy HS, NJ
New Jersey Games (July 23-25, 2016)
Menendez has an athletic build at 5-foot-9 160-pounds. Has smooth rhythm in delivery and repeats well. Throws from a high-3/4 slot. Clean, loose arm action, topped at 81, sat 76-79 with fastball. Spun breaking ball very well. Has tight spin and sharp 1/7 action at 72-74. Hand speed is fastball-like, makes it difficult to pick up, especially for LH hitters. Flashed a changeup with some armside fade at 74. Can throw three pitches for strikes in any count.

+ Andrew Montalvo, RHP, Paramus Catholic HS, NJ
New Jersey Games (July 23-25, 2016)
Montalvo has a slender, athletic build at 5-foot-11 155-pounds. Throws from 3/4 slot. Gets heavy armside run and sink. Establishes armside half of home plate well. Topped at 84, sat 82-84 for most of his outing. Breaking ball is more of a slider at 74-75 mph with 11/5 break. Short, stabby arm action, but action is quick. Changeup can be a good pitch for him, especially with how much run/sink he gets naturally on FB. Frame still is still wiry, room to put on weight/muscle.

+ Spencer Perez, RHP, Eastern Regional HS, NJ
Unsigned Senior Showcase (October 16, 2016)
Perez has an athletic build at 6-feet 175-pounds. Fastball topped at 82 but sat consistently 81-82 for the entirety of his outing. CB 67-68 mph and straight CH at 75 mph. Up tempo delivery, pauses slightly in balance point causing him to fall somewhat down the mound instead of driving off the rubber. Tall finish, landing leg posts early restricting him of extension, but creates his sink/run on his fastball. High-3/4 slot with stab in arm swing. Utilizes two-seam fastball to run in to right handed batters well.

+ Jeremie Torres, RHP, Paramus Catholic HS, NJ
Last Chance Open I.D. Showcase (November 5th, 2016)
Torres has a lanky build with long, wiry limbs at 6-foot-2 160-pounds. Topped at 82 and sat 81-82 mph. Short, whippy-loose arm action. Showed 11/5 breaking ball with sharp downer action at 70-72 mph and a straight changeup at 69-70 mph. Shows athleticism and explosiveness in delivery. Elastic body type, minimal effort in delivery. Up tempo delivery, drop and drive type pitcher. Stays over the rubber well on backside, helping him get into legs well. Shoulders have an uphill plane on first contact. Hips clear while independently of shoulders/upper body on first contact - showing flexibility and the "whip" action of a prototypical pitcher. High-3/4 slot, get some natural armside run on fastball. Landing is square and athletic. Shows body control and good extension on finish.  

+ Wilfredo Valenzuela, LHP, Eastside (Paterson) HS, NJ
Valenzuela  was the hard luck loser to Cole Patten's perfect game, a 2-0 loss. Valenzuela has an athletic body with a quick arm. sat 82-83 up to 84 mph with FB. Three pitch mix for strikes. 68-69 1/7 curveball with 69 mph straight changeup. Delivery is slow and under control. At balance point, tucks head into front shoulder. High-3/4 to over-the-top arm slot. Short, quick action, hides ball well.

+ Jared Vega, RHP, Sterling HS, NJ
Unsigned Senior Showcase (October 16, 2016)
Vega has an athletic build at 5-foot-9 165-pounds. Fastball sat 82-83 touching 84-85. Showed a hard slider/cutter breaking ball at 78-80 with minimal break. Wind up is in rhythm - shows athleticism in landing. Over-the-top slot, Long arm action - minimal effort in delivery. Finish is square, but tends to drift toward first base. If he can keep consistent stability in landing leg/foot, it can help maintain consistent arm slots for command of strike zone. Uphill shoulders at balance point and going down the mound helps him get some leverage and extension.



Check out the full 2017 rankings here


 
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