New Jersey Class of 2027: First Release

The Breakdown

+ No. 1 Finnian O'Loughlin (Delbarton) has impressed early on in his high school tenure. 6-foot-1 165-pounds, projectable athletic frame with wiry limbs. Explosive two-way talent, up to 83.7 on the mound at the Metro Scout Day in September. At the plate, it's a tall, controlled swing with some barrel lag through the zone. Expect O'Loughlin to be the next guy in line at Delbarton in a long list of high end prospects.

????? ????? ???@PBRNewJersey #Uncommitted ‘27 OF/RHP Finnian O’Loughlin (Delbarton)

6-foot-1, 165 pounds. Athletic frame. Easy, effortless actions. @FinnianOLo | @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/VmtNpzVMrP

— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) September 25, 2023

+ No. 2 RHP/SS Nikash Patel (St. Thomas Aquinas) is another easy mover at the plate and on the bump. Smooth, repeatable, effortless arm action from a high slot with late life through the zone. At the plate, possesses whip to the barrel through the zone and gap to gap pop.

2023 ?????? ??????? ?????:

'27 SS/RHP Nikash Patel
(St.Thomas Aquanis HS Edison NJ)

Through 3 IP:
FB 78-80 asr
CB 66-68 12/6

6-foot, 160lb right hander worked efficiently landing both for strikes. #PBRJFG23 @patel_nikash || @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/sEBVNR68Xr

— ??? ??? ?????? (@PBRNewJersey) July 26, 2023

+ No. 5 OF Dante Matarese (Bishop Eustace) has one of the smoothest strokes in the class to date from the left side. Weight shift, small foot stride with effortless pop.

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'27 OF Dante Matarese (Bishop Eustace)

Tall setup, sway rhythm, small stride, creates early bat angle, very direct barrel. Impressive round of bp using both sides of the field. Present PS power.

Hitting EV: 86mph#PBRJFG23 pic.twitter.com/QuQexa62FB

— ??? ??? ?????? (@PBRNewJersey) July 25, 2023

+ No. 6 RHP Michael Fekete (Cherry Hill East) burst on to the scene this fall at the Fall ID South. Long, wiry limbs at 6-feet 180-pounds - long, loose arm action with whip to the finish through extension.

‘27 RHP Michael Fekete (Cherry Hill East)

6’0/180lb. Strong frame. Long levers.

FB 80-82
CB 73-75 some bite/sharp
CH 75-77 heavy

Intriguing freshman with nice upside. Effortless delivery w/quick arm. @PBRNewJersey | @MichaelFekete27 @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/AqM19iXrg4

— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) October 19, 2023

+ No. 7 OF/LHP Nathaniel Fuller (Ranney) is an explosive athlete for his age and possesses the tools to be a top flight player in his high school career. 7.23 runner, 88 mph arm from the OF, and currently 82-83 on the bump, the left/left prospect has some true two-way potential.

+ No. 8 C Brayden Morrison (Union Catholic) has a strong 5-foot-10 175-pound build and stood out at the Last Chance Fall Open in October with a compact, explosive stroke through the zone and advanced catch and throw skills for his age.

+ No. 9 SS Yordany Herrera (Passaic Tech) plays the game with urgency. Bouncy, athletic actions in the field, strong arm (85 mph from SS) and some advanced rhythm at the plate already, Herrera stood out this fall at the PS2 Scout Day as one of the top overall performers even though he was the youngest player there.

Names to Watch

+ No. 10 Justin Kauffman (Ranney)

+ No. 11 Rick Watt (Schalick)

+ No. 12 Robert Wrobel (Ranney)

+ No. 13 Zachary Broderson (Mount Olive)

+ No. 14 Jayden Goranson (Millville)

+ No. 15 Joaquin Phillips (Don Bosco Prep)

UPCOMING EVENTS