2022 Rankings Update

The start of the offseason means its time to update our 2022 Overall and State Rankings. From the top, as our Shooter Hunt mentioned in his article earlier this week, little has changed. In fact, only one move was made—C Jared Jones (Walton HS, GA), a Louisiana State recruit, slid up a spot to No. 10. The top player in the class, OF Ryan Clifford (Leesville Road HS, NC), continued to excel as a premier prospect. The left-handed hitter possesses outstanding power that is far advanced for the class, and is sure to be a carrying tool down the line.

Check out the Overall update HERE >>

From a state standpoint, New Jersey had 17 players in the updated Top 400 Overall Update and the state rankings were expanded to 85 players.

The Top 10 has a similar sentiment to that of the Overall Update - in that no new players were introduced this time around. However, there were slight movements - with Vanderbilt recruit RHP Tom Finnegan (Ocean City HS, NJ) jumping up to the No. 4 slot. The length and projection are there with Finnegan. He has advanced body control for an athlete with such long levers, and possesses a sharp breaking ball and fastball velocity into the upper 80s with little effort involved.

A player that shouldn’t go overlooked heading into the offseason is No. 10 OF Trevor Cohen (Holy Spirit HS, NJ). Cohen, the quarterback this fall for his high school football team, has an explosive left handed swing. Short, under control with a small leg left hand smooth, athletic load. Cohen’s impressive showing at the Future Games garners him a rightful spot in the Top 10 in New Jersey. 

No. 11 Maryland recruit LHP Kyle McCoy (Hunterdon Central HS, NJ) burst on to the scene at the Summer Preview in June with his easy, athletic delivery up to 82 MPH and ability to spin a breaking ball for strikes and a true swing-and-miss changeup, too. McCoy’s lanky frame bodes more velocity to come - similar to Joey DeChiaro from Hunterdon Central a few years ago.

No. 16 SS/RHP Ryan Weingartner (St. Augustine Prep HS, NJ) was one of the top performers at the Underclass Games in October at Centenary University and rightfully so. The 5-foot-10 150-pounder ran a 6.83 60 yard dash and 89 MPH across the infield. At the plate, he stands in a neutral set up with hands above back shoulder. Uses a toe tap to start weight transfer as hands move back smoothly. Elastically strong with wiry limbs, Weingartner’s swing is quick and produces some gap to gap power.

No. 19 is C/RHP Sebastian Pisacreta (Bishop Eustace HS, NJ). Pisacreta is broad shouldered at 5-foot-11 190-pounds with a strong lower half. He is equally as impressive on the mound as he is behind the plate - the rare pitcher-catcher combo. On the bump, Pisacreta was up to 84 MPH at the Underclass Games and mostly sat 80-82. The ball gets on the hitter quick from a high-¾ slot and short quick arm action. Changeup showed late fade at 75-77. Behind the plate, Pisacreta was 76 MPH down to 2B and consistently around a 2.00 pop time during the defensive workout. At the plate, starts in a tall, athletic stance with a small leg lift and stride to start his swing. Hands stay mostly stagnant, but explosive through the zone and produces gap to gap power.

No. 25 SS/2B Ryan Taylor (St. Augustine Prep HS, NJ) ran an event-best 6.74 60 at the Underclass Games and showed some twitchy actions in the field as well. Expect Taylor to be a contributor this spring, especially when Kenny Levari vacates an infield position to toe the rubber for the Hermits.

No. 29 is corner INF Joey Gmitter (Steinert HS, NJ). Gmitter’s physicality really stood out this fall at several events. At 6-foot-1 185-pounds, Gmitter’s strength from the left side turned heads. Slightly opened to start, uses a leg lift to center body as hands move back. Tall, firm finish to swing with some present bat speed, Gmitter shows impressive pull-side pop.

No. 30 INF Alex Ciccone (South Brunswick HS, NJ) has some arm strength from SS and as he continues to mature, expect Ciccone to make a jump this spring as well. Lanky, athletic frame at 5-foot-11 160-pounds.

The Top 10