By TJ Hunt
Scouting Director, New Jersey


Much has changed over the course of four months since we last updated the Class of 2019 overall rankings, starting with the speed at which these rising sophomores are pledging their verbal commitments.

Good, bad or indifferent, recruiting is moving at a breakneck pace these days. How fast, exactly? In the updated and expanded Top 150 overall 2019 rankings, the first 12 players are already committed, and 24 of the top 30. In all, more than a third (56) of the top 150 have made their pledges. 

So far in New Jersey, just two of the top ranked 2019s have committed to play, No. 4 and No. 65 nationally Lillo Paxia (Gloucester Catholic HS, NJ) to Florida State and No. 13Stephen Restuccio (Hammonton HS, NJ) to Wake Forest. 

RHP/SS Nick Maldonado (Seton Hall Prep HS, NJ) retains the top spot in NJ, and sits currently at No. 27 nationally. On the mound, Maldonado has been up to 87 and sits between 85-87 consistently from a high-3/4 angle. Possesses a swing-and-miss 11/5 slider as a nice complement to his fastball. Already has experience in the trecherous NJ Parochial School State Tournament, Maldonado started the Sectional Final for Seton Hall Prep as a freshman. 

SS Anthony Volpe (Delbarton HS, NJ) is the No. 2 ranked player in NJ and No. 29 nationally. Volpe stands an athletic 5-foot-8, 165-pounds with visible strength projection. Very sleek, rangy defender up the middle, preps around the ball while getting low and out-in-front with the glove as he fields through the ball. Demonstrates an effortless glove-to-hand exchange from multiple arm-slots. Arm strength and carry are already currently visible.

No. 3 RHP/SS KC Hunt (Ramapo HS, NJ) has a tall, wiry frame at 6-foot-3 170-pounds. On the mound, Hunt has been up to 87 mph, but consistently sits 84-86. Showcases an advanced ability to throw offspeed pitches for strikes, including a sharp 11/5 slider at 76 mph, a changeup with armside sink and fade, and a knuckleball that has splitter-like tumble. At the plate, eft handed hitter starts opened with hands above shoulder. Uses a leg kick that starts load. Hands are loaded pre pitch. Leg kick generates power, very quick hands and aggressive hips.

No. 4 is the aforementioned Florida State commit, 1B Lillo Paxia (Gloucester Catholic HS, NJ). Paxia possesses raw power from the right side. Tall, strong presence in the box He utilizes a small leg kick to load then explodes his hips and arms through the hitting zone to produce outstanding bat speed.

Rounding out the top 5 is LHP Joey DeChiaro (Hunterdon Central HS, NJ). DeChiaro has a lanky frame at 6-foot-1 170-pounds - very projectable pitcher's body. Was 80-82 touching 83 in June, but has been up to 85. Has very balanced and controlled mechanics for his age, gloveside gets great uphill extension as he is going down the mound. Throws from a high-3/4 with slight run. Smooth rhythm and lands athletic and in line. Will continue to add velocity as he continues to fill out his frame.

The rest of the top 10:
+ No. 6 3B Drew Compton (Governor Livingston HS, NJ) - switch hitting infielder with plus bat speed from both sides for his age.

+ No. 7 1B Jordan Sweeney (Egg Harbor Twp. HS, NJ) - tall lanky RH hitter with apparent bat speed and gap to gap power. Hit three HR's in 50 ABs in the spring.

+ No. 8 RHP Jack Leiter (Delbarton HS, NJ) -  Leiter is a lean and athletic 5-foot-10 165-pound RHP with a quick arm and big upside. Up to 86 mph from a high-3/4 slot with feel for 11/5 breaking ball for strikes.

+ No. 9 RHP Sam Favieri (Ridgewood HS, NJ) - 6-foot 165-pounds 84-86 mph, sharp 11/5 curveball at 68-71 mph.

+ No. 10 C Justin Kapuscinski (Marlboro HS, NJ) - strong bodied at 6-foot-2 215-pounds with gap to gap power.

THE TOP 20

RANK	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
1	Nick Maldonado	NJ	Seton Hall Prep	2019	RHP
2	Anthony Volpe	NJ	Delbarton	2019	SS
3	KC Hunt	NJ	Ramapo	2019	SS
4	Lillo Paxia	NJ	Gloucester Catholic	2019	1B	Florida State
5	Joey DeChiaro	NJ	Hunterdon Central	2019	LHP
6	Drew Compton	NJ	Governor Livingston	2019	3B
7	Jordan Sweeney	NJ	Egg Harbor Township	2019	1B
8	Jack Leiter	NJ	Delbarton	2019	RHP
9	Sam Favieri	NJ	Ridgewood	2019	RHP
10	Justin Kapuscinski	NJ	Marlboro	2019	C
11	Brandon Drapeau	NJ	Clearview Regional	2019	1B
12	Chad Cole	NJ	Passaic Valley HS	2019	RHP
13	Stephen Restuccio	NJ	Hammonton	2019	RHP	Wake Forest
14	Luke Kaschak	NJ	Washington Township	2019	3B
15	Anthony Petrosino	NJ	Don Bosco	2019	2B
16	Marty Higgins	NJ	Nutley	2019	C
17	John Whooley	NJ	Ramapo	2019	C
18	Jack Povey	NJ	Red Bank Regional	2019	RHP
19	Elliott Hayward	NJ	St.Anthony's	2019	OF
20	Joey Ventresca	NJ	Pinelands Regional	2019	RHP

Click Here to View the Rest of NJ's 2019 Rankings >>

Click Here to View the Overall 2019 Rankings >>


UPCOMING EVENTS:

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Unsigned Senior Showcase	NJ	Oct 16	Mercer Community College (West Windsor, NJ)
Last Chance Open I.D. 11.5.16	NJ	Nov 5	NJ Sports House - Oakland, NJ