Prep Baseball Report

Inside the 2024 Rankings: Trending Up


TJ Hunt
Director, PBR New Jersey

This week we delve into the weeds of some of the top risers from the recent Class of 2024 rankings update. 

Off the bat, the Class of 2024 in New Jersey already has some parity at the top of the ranks, with a solid combination of elite arms and projectable middle-of-the-order bats.

See below for five names to look into for "Trending Up" - players who have risen significantly since the last update.




Scouting Report

Physical: Lanky, athletic 6-foot 165-pounds - projection to add muscle

The Scoop: Appelman's fastball is primarily in the mid to upper 80s and his strike throwing ability, heavy sink, and ability to spin a breaking ball make him a guy to watch this spring.

The Comp: strong comparisons to his fellow Baseball Warehouse teammate and Rutgers commit, 2023 Zachary Konstantinovsky.






Scouting Report

Physical: strong and athletic build at 6-foot, 172-pounds. runs the 60 yard dash in 6.74 seconds along with an exit velo of 96 MPH.
The Scoop: Even and balanced stance. Bigger leg kick, stays on time. Hands move directly backwards. Strong lower half, clears his hips. Explosive swing, ball jumps off the barrel.
The Comp: 2022 OF Ben Romano (Tulane commit)

 

 




Scouting Report

Physical: Broad shouldered athletic 6-foot-1 170-pounds.

The Scoop: Christopher stood out as a top performer in last August's PRD Scout Day. Long, smooth arm action from a hight-3/4 slot. Repeatable delivery and can rip off a sharp, 1/7 breaker. Fastball sat 80-82 with some late life, breaker at 63-66. More in the tank for Christopher.

The Comp: 2022 LHP JT Kroner (Rutgers commit)






Scouting Report

Physical: Athletic 5-foot-9 150-pounds

The Scoop: Giordano logged some big innings in 2021 as just a freshman and competed with a fastball at 79-82 and the ability to spin a breaking ball for strikes.

The Comp: 2022 LHP Christian Aiello (Rider commit)





Scouting Report

Physical: Athletic 5-foot-11 145-pounds with wiry limbs and plenty of room to fill out.

The Scoop: Another top guy to come out of the PRD Scout Day in August, Levonas's fastball was consistently 81-83 (84) with some late life through the zone (2262 rpm). Flashed some feel for a slurvy curveball at 63-66 (-9 IVB, -11 HM).

The Comp: 2022 RHP Michael Gillen (Seton Hall commit)






Scouting Report

Physical: Strong, broad shouldered 6-foot-2 191-pounds.

The Scoop: Primarily out of the stretch, Gallagher shows a shorter arm action and high-3/4 slot at 81-82 (84). Breaker shows smaller, cutter-like break at 67-69.

The Comp: 2019 LHP Joey DiCharo (Old Dominion)




UPCOMING EVENTS

Central NJ Preseason ID - February 21st

Northern NJ Preseason ID - February 27th

Preseason All State Upperclass (Invite Only) - March 5th

Preseason All State Underclass (Invite Only) - March 6th

2022 Junior Future Games Trials (2026-2027s) - March 12th