New Jersey 2025 Rankings Update
May 1, 2024
With the 2024 spring off to a strong start, it is time for a ranking update in the Junior class. The bulk of the top 10 features some really intriguing hitters. The arms have projectable frames but with the ‘25 draft a year away they have plenty of time to make the jumps they need. This will be a late blooming class but for the meantime let's deep dive into the fresh update of the 2025 group. Three names to key in on are our newcomers at No. 3 Logan Dawson, No. 4 Matthew Ferrara, and No. 9 Chase Kroberger.
Top 5
No. 1 RHP Marcelo Harsch (Seton Hall Prep)
Wake Forest recruit. The long levered 6-foot-4-170 pound frame. Harsch is such an intriguing arm for this class. The biggest attraction is how young he is for the class (16 yr 10 mo). Second is the arm talent, easy arm swing with a fastball that is in the high 80s and grabs low 9’s. In the near future we should be seeing Harsch tick up. His CB and SL variation is elite as well. The curve has 12/6 action and the SL is more of a sharp horz. Feel at 82-83.
25 RHP Marcelo Harsch (@marcelo_harsch)
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) March 24, 2024
Seton Hall Prep HS (@shpbaseball1)
6’4” 170 @WakeBaseball recruit
FB: 87-90 Ride
CVB: 76-79 12/6 🔨
SL: 82-83 sharp
Upside 📈 Long levered. @ShooterHunt // @PBRNewJersey pic.twitter.com/yDZvgPDgMU
No. 2 INF/RHP Evan Taylor (Ocean City)
Alabama recruit. 6-foot-165 pounds. Athletic build; wiry levers. Plays 3B and pitches. On the mound Taylor has been up to 94. Aggressive mover. FB is firm with late life. At the plate he has a down and back load. Loose/whippy hands through contact. Taylor finds the barrel especially on middle-in pitches. Hammers the ball through the gaps. The Alabama recruit slides up into the No. 2 spot for the first time in our polls. Early this spring he has shown how he can impact the game on both sides of the ball.
💣 𝓟𝓑𝓡 𝓑𝓸𝓶𝓫 𝓢𝓺𝓾𝓪𝓭 💣
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 6, 2024
‘25 2-way talent Evan Taylor (Ocean City) committed to @AlabamaBSB.
Hits a no doubter to dead center. Pre coiled setup, sinks into posture. Uphill path with tons of whip. “Athlete.” @ShooterHunt // @PrepBaseballNJ pic.twitter.com/pACG4JPtyE
No. 3 IF Logan Dawson (Eastern)
Wiry, athletic 6-foot-3- 175 pounds. Multi-sport athlete. The uncommitted utility player is off to a good start this spring. Hitting .417 with an improved swing path since we last saw him. LHH has an athletic base, connected upper half. When the frame fills out it should add to his power production. Currently is a high bat to ball profile. Works quality at bats for the Vikings. Has an accurate arm which both plays in the infield and corner outfield. Athleticism in the box is the most intriguing thing about Dawson. Future Games alum.
Uncommitted ‘25 UTL Logan Dawson (Eastern) @LoganDDawson
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 30, 2024
The multi sport athlete continues to impress this spring. Seems to have cleaned up swing and has matured physically. Stands around 6’2/6’3. Wiry frame. In todays performance he hit a PS 3-run 💣. Pull side single on a CB.… pic.twitter.com/GhCS0xifQ1
No. 4 SS Matthew Ferrara (Toms River East)
6-foot-190 pounds. The uncommitted infielder burst onto the scene last spring. He hit .397 as a sophomore and is off to a scorching hot start in 2024. The approach and swing at the plate really translate in game. Maintains posture and has an athletic hinge. Added significant strength this off season. Especially in his lower half. The ‘23 Future Gamer enters the top 10 for the first time. The actions at SS are smooth. He plays with the glove and has the ability to read hops and move side to side. Uncommitted name to follow.
‘25 SS Matt Ferrara (Tr East) @Mattferrara22
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 9, 2024
6’0” 190@PBR_Uncommitted.
The ‘23 future gamer is off to 🔥start this slashing .416/.500/.666 w/4 sb’s.
Tall setup hinges well into the ➡️. Repeatable strong ATH. Makes routine play @ SS. @ShooterHunt / @PrepBaseballNJ pic.twitter.com/sDxLvP77Nh
No. 5 LHP Frank Cairone (Delsea)
Seton Hall recruit. 6-foot-3-195 pounds. We identified Cairone last spring when he came in relief against Bordentown early. K'd a bunch and showed upside, but the frame still needed strength. It seems like early this spring he is tapping into that upside. The fastball has made a jump into the high 80's touching 90. Spin has the potential to be a plus pitch. Saw a high of 75 with late, downer 1/7 bite. This season in 29 innigs of work he has punched out 53 with only 11 BB's. The era is 1.68. Starter Profile with a record of 6-0.
‘25 LHP Frank Cairone (Delsea)
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 30, 2024
6’3” 195
FB 86-89 (T90x1)
SL 71-75 🌪️
CH 79-80x2
The southpaw has made huge physical and velo jumps this offseason. Last spring saw Cairone around the 79-82 range. Good name to follow this summer.
4 IP | 6 K bringing his total to 53 K in… pic.twitter.com/WwnBYA8k0m
The Rest of the Top 10
No. 6 OF/1B Dylan Passo (Red Bank Catholic)
Notre Dame recruit. 6-foot-1-195 pound frame. The some of the most hitterish actiions in this class. ATH frame. Wide base in his stance, has a 60/40 weight distribution. Loads the hips well, maintaining it into his forward move. The best attribute that Passo showcases time in and time out is his extension through the ball. He has great post contact extension, no sign of rolling over, barrel lag through the zone. This season Passo has been punishing doubles into the gaps, with addition of strength and size can confidently say this bat has power upside.
‘25 1B Dylan Passo (NJ) delivering a heavy barrel to this one for a double into the back side gap.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) April 21, 2024
Some present strength on durable 6’1” 195 frame with room to add. @NDBaseball recruit@PrepBaseballNJ pic.twitter.com/RFXZUI54sz
No. 7 SS Jaime Zee (Bergen Catholic)
Notre Dame recruit. 5-foot-10-180 pounds. Zee possesses some really impressive tools but the makeup is just as impressive. In terms of his IQ and leadership skills make him a top of the class candidate. Early this spring against Ramsey he launched a big home run to tie the ballgame. Has a crouched setup with strong posture. Hands have fluidity, meaning he keeps them moving creating adjustability. Makes the routine plays, active feet and reliable arm. Hampered by injury so far this year, look for Zee to be a guy to watch as playoff baseball rolls around.
💣𝑷𝑩𝑹 𝑩𝒐𝒎𝒃 𝑺𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒅 💣
— Prep Baseball New Jersey (@PrepBaseballNJ) April 5, 2024
‘25 SS Jamie Zee Jr. (Bergen Catholic) @jamiezee3 @NDBaseball recruit.
The Future Game alum in a huge moment delivered for his team. Down a run in the last inning, Zee clobbers a pull side home run.
Top ranked in the class. @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/kGy3EpwAbN
No. 8 3B Julius Rosado (South River)
Rutgers recruit. Brute 5-foot-11-200 pounds. The corner infielder has some of the most intriguing raw power out of the class. In BP it's loud and lights up the trackman/blast metrics. His highest recorded EV to date from batting practice is 100.9 and (77.8 bat speed avg) from 6/15/23. He runs well for his build to date his best time is 6.8. This spring Rosado is off to a hot start .417 avg with 6 HR’s. He is one away from tying his total from last season (7). He has a strong built lower half, uses it well in his swing. It's a simple operation with a connected swing. Uphill path.
Top ranked ‘25 IF Julius Rosado (South River) @JRosado_25
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 23, 2024
5’11” 200
Physical lower half. Controlled leg kick. Direct barrel. Ball explodes off the bat.@ShooterHunt // @PrepBaseballNJ pic.twitter.com/oBqci2qwzB
North Carolina recruit. 6-foot-180 pounds. Terry was at our ProCase in the winter in which he posted some projectable metrics and showcased twitch in the infield, too. The future Tar Heel ran a 6.8. Was 87 mph across the diamond and hit 92.4 exit velo. Having a nice offensive spring hitting currently .472.
💣 𝑷𝑩𝑹 𝑩𝒐𝒎𝒃 𝑺𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒅 💣
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 16, 2024
‘25 SS Aj Terry (Randolph) @AJTerry17
The @DiamondHeels recruit. Answers back in a big way for his team. Hits a 2 run home run to bring his team within one. #BeSeen || #PBRbombsquad @ShooterHunt // @PrepBaseballNJ pic.twitter.com/3bDsOGW9fT
No. 10 OF Chase Kroberger (Moorestown)
6-foot-180 pounds. ATH OF'er with twitch and speed. Krobergers has a very tight turn in his swing, keeps his hands close to his body. Creates a whip effect with the barrel. This high school season he is currently hitting .423/6 HR/15 RBI. Kroberger showed XBH potential last season with 7 triples but this season in 26 at bats he is showing the ability to drive the ball over the fence. 6 HR in just 26 AB's. He can really go get the ball in CF with his 6.5 speed. Uncommitted name to know.
Uncommitted ‘25 OF Chase Kroberger (Moorestown) @chase_kroberger
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 30, 2024
Plus runner. Kroberger is having a monster junior campaign hitting .485/6 HR/17RBI. In todays game he was causing havoc on the bases. Stole (3). High motor player with a frame that has room to fill out. Also made… pic.twitter.com/z4OlEJI3ph
RISERS
No. 11 RHP Eamon Mcdermott (Bishop Eustace)
6-foot-1-190 pounds. The recent Boston College commit in 7.2 innings of work this spring has K’d 16 and walked only 3. The right hander has an outlier pitch. His Slider is sharp at 76-82 with spin above 2800 rpms. The fastball sits in the 86-91 range. He is an athletic mover. Throws the breaker with conviction, upside.
‘25 RHP Eamon McDermott (Bishop Eustace) @Eamon_McDermott
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 20, 2024
The @BCBirdBall recruit came in to close the 🚪 against a very quality club. The spin was working again. Punched out 4 and caused weak contact. Help lead his team to a 8-1 W @EustaceBaseball
FB 86-90
SL 76-79 outlier… pic.twitter.com/KCJiwE5X7N
No. 14 RHP Jackson Smallets (Gloucester Catholic) - Uncommitted
Lean Projectable 6'4 framed right hander. Runs it up into the low 90s. Sharp breaking ball to go with it. Gloucester Catholic already has a loaded staff but with the emergence of Smallets it is going to take them over the top come playoff time. Uncommitted name to follow.
No. 17 OF Dylan Fitzsimmons (Morris Knolls) - St. Johns
St. John's commit. 6-foot-195 pounds. Physical left handed hitter. Fitzsimmons stood out at the Fall Top Prospect Games. Loud barrel. This fall he committed to St. Johns University. He is in the heart of the order for a very impressive lineup. He is hitting .524/3 HR/5 2B/16 RBI. Its a wide base, strong lower half, aggressive load but the barrel whip and bat speed are plus. Intriquing name to follow headed into the summer circuit.
‘25 OF Dylan Fitzsimmons (Morris Knolls) @Dfitzsimmons34
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 21, 2024
Fitzsimmons continues to impress this season. The @StJohnsBaseball is really coming into his own in the batters box. It’s strong, QAB consistently and has bat speed.
On the day 3 hits including a 💣to end the game.… pic.twitter.com/lYYUbukRxN
No. 22 RHP Matthew Diskin (Gov. Livingston)
‘25 RHP Matt Diskin (Gov. Livingston) @matthew_diskin
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 16, 2024
6’1” 200@StetsonBaseball recruit.
Diskin got the W going 6 innings. Punched out 7 and only walked 2. His FB was 86-88. 12/6 break on the CB (69-73). Paired with a slurvy SL (74-75). Landed the CB in zone and for… pic.twitter.com/qXcJeCTy1W
No. 23 RHP Justin Hascup (Old Bridge)
The Uncommitted ‘25 and ‘23 GMC pitcher of year. RHP Justin Hascup (Old Bridge) @jhascup2006. @OBVBaseball
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 21, 2024
6-foot-1-195 lbs, Hascup has a strong lower half. 3-pitch mix featuring a FB that is 85-88 (89), SL 75-77, and CH 80-82. Competitor. Filled the zone up. Went 6.1 IP and… pic.twitter.com/9ITjMJp32H
No. 25 1B Carter Cumiskey (Spotswood)
The 2025 1B Carter Cumiskey (Spotswood) is off to a scorching hot start this season. Hitting well over .500. Driving the ball to all parts of the field. Had himself a 2-4 day. The most impressive thing about Cumiskey is how he transformed his frame over the offseason. The… pic.twitter.com/Ug51UOi5cz
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 23, 2024
No. 26 INF Jack Mustaro (Gloucester Catholic)
‘25 OF Jack Mustaro (Gloucester Catholic) @JackMustar29972
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 20, 2024
6’0” 185 Uncommitted
Hits in the 3 hole for a stacked lineup. Tall setup; controlled sink. Does his job here scoring the runner on third with infield in. @PrepBaseballNJ // @GCbaseballrams pic.twitter.com/Can0PlIv0L
No. 30 RHP Jason Kuhn (Don Bosco Prep) - Seton Hall
‘25 RHP Jason Kuhn (@jasonk3434)
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 18, 2024
Don Bosco Prep
Impressive outing from the uncommitted arm. Clean athletic mover. Kept DePaul off balance especially the LHH’s. Mixed speeds well. Control present. Showcased a fastball with ride and some sink in the 84-88 range, CH heavy fade… pic.twitter.com/HYfTyY3f7R
No. 37 OF Curt Chropuvka (Ranney)
‘25 OF Curt Chropuvka (Ranney) @curt_chropuvka
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 16, 2024
The @LafayetteBsbl recruit and ‘23 future game alum opens this game up for the panthers with an rbi single. Simple balanced approach. Noticeably strength gains. @ShooterHunt // @PrepBaseballNJ pic.twitter.com/p8yPz2hlW5