NJ State Games: Top Infielders
August 29, 2018
TJ Hunt
Director, PBR New Jersey
Continuing with our overview of the New Jersey State Games Top Prospects by position, we move to the Top Infielders. There were numerous players that stood out with their feel for the barrel at the plate and overall athleticism during game play. Take a look at the best prospects ranked below:
View the Complete List of Stats from the event in .pdf format HERE
Top Pitchers Article
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Julian Uejima SS / 2B / St. Thomas More, ct / 2020
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Uejima has a broad shouldered, athletic build at 5-foot-10 175-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 6.68-seconds, which was one of the top recorded times of the event. Recorded an exit velocity of 100 MPH, which was the top exit velo reading from the event. Uejima stood out as the top infield prospect at this event with his combination of power and speed. At the plate, he starts in a wide, opened stance with hands in line with his back shoulder. As pitch arrives, he uses a small leg lift and stride to start swing process. Hands load up and back. Short, explosive swing that's initiated with controlled hips with bat lag through the zone. Finishes balanced with slight uptick. Drove balls into the gaps during gameplay, including a double and a triple to deep centerfield that one-hopped the wall. Defensively, took reps at shortstop. Throws topped at 82 MPH across the diamond with carry. High-3/4 slot. Approaches ball with low center of gravity and gathers to chest. Short, quick arm action. Exchange is clean and plays through throws. Bouncy, athletic in the field.
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Will Vergantino SS / Rancocas Valley, NJ / 2020 / elon recruit
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Vergantino has a broad shouldered athletic frame at 6-foot-1 190-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.09-seconds and exit velocity topped at 85 MPH. Vergantino was one of the top uncommitted players at this event. At the plate, Vergantino starts in a wide stance and in a crouch with hands above his back shoulder. As pitch comes in, Vergantino uses a leg kick and stride to start swing. Hands load up and back slightly with fluidity. Short, compact and explosive swing through the zone with a level at bath, Vergantino possesses gap to gap power with his controlled swing. Defensively, shows advanced baseball actions at shortstop. Throws topped at 83 MPH across the diamond with carry. Smooth movements to the ball and gathers at the chest. Short, quick and clean arm action across the infield. Vergantino was a Future Games participant and one of the top offensive performers at that event as well.
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Kenneth Levari SS / RHP / St. Augustine Prep, NJ / 2020 / old dominion recruit
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Levari has a lanky, projectable frame at 6-foot 150-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.25-seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 86 MPH. At the plate, Levari starts in a tall, slightly opened stance with hands in line with back shoulder and bat perpendicular with the ground. As pitch comes in, his hands load up and back as the bat becomes parallel to the ground and wraps around his head. He uses a weight exchange and foot stride to start his swing. Uphill swing and balanced finish. Peppers the gaps with line drives. Defensively – throws topped at 88 MPH across the diamond from SS. Whippy-loose arm action from a high-¾ slot. Tall gather and clean exchange. Throws had backspin and carry.
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Luke Chenault 1B / OF / Pope John XXIII, NJ / 2020
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Chenault has a broad shouldered athletic frame at 6-foot-1 190-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.34-seconds and an exit velocity topped at 96 MPH, which was one of the highest of the event. Offensively, a left handed hitter, starts in a neutral stance and slight crouch with hands above back shoulder. Uses a small leg lift and stride to start swing. Hands load back slightly. Possesses big gap to gap power with a quick, concise swing through the zone and a slight uphill finish. Defensively, throws topped at 72 MPH across the diamond from first base. Replaces feet with rhythm on double play feeds. Long arm action with arm side fade.
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Kyle Vinci 1B / 3B / Delbarton, NJ / 2020
New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Vinci has a broad shouldered, athletic build at 6-foot-2 215-pounds. One of the top uncommitted infielders in the class of 2020 in New Jersey – and for good reason: the ball absolutely jumps off his bat. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.06-seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 94 MPH. At the plate, Vinci starts in a wide stance and a slight crouch with hands above back shoulder and creates some rhythm in arms and hands prepitch. As pitch comes in, Vinci uses a small foot lift and stride to start swing. Hands load down and back and creates elasticity in torso and upper body. Short, explosive swing through the zone, Vinci stood out as a top performer in gameplay with several loud contacts. Finishes balanced and slightly uphill. Defensively at first base, Vinci’s throws topped at 78 MPH across the diamond. Shorter arm action, throws had some armside run. Glovework is easy and transition is clean into a high-¾ slot. Vinci is certainly a name to watch for as he has started for state-champion Delbarton HS since his freshman year.
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Tyler Cannon SS / 2B / Gloucester Catholic , NJ / 2019 / iona recruit
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Iona recruit. Cannon has an athletic build at 6-foot 170-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.06-seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 91 MPH, which was one of the highest recordings for a middle infielder at the event. At the plate, Cannon starts in a tall, neutral stance with hands above back shoulder and bat parallel to the ground. Uses a small leg kick and stride to start swing; hands load up and back. Ball jumps off Cannons bat with line drive pop and gap to gap potential. Uphill finish and maintains balance throughout. Defensively, took reps at shortstop. Throws topped at 81 MPH across the infield with carry. Smooth, easy footwork and a clean, quick transition into a true-¾ slot. Plays through throws to first base with momentum.
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Sebastian Mueller 1B / 3B / St. Joseph's Metuchen, NJ / 2020
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Mueller has a strong, broad shouldered frame at 6-foot 200-pounds. Is one of the top uncommitted first basemen in the state for the 2020 class. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.53-seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 93 MPH,one of the best recordings of the infielders of the event. At the plate, Mueller starts in a neutral stance with weight on back side and hands just above back shoulder and bat perpendicular with the ground from the right side. As pitch arrives, Mueller uses a leg kick and stride to start swing as hands load up and back with rhythm. Bat goes from perpendicular position to more of a parallel position in load. Foot lands and barrel has some lag through the zone, showcasing a “whip-like” action. Ball jumps off bat with loud contact into the gaps. Balanced finish with a slight uptick. Defensively, throws topped at 80 MPHacross the diamond. Replaces feet with fluidity on double play feeds. Throws from a high-¾ slot with a short, quick arm action.
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Anthony Petrosino 2B / SS / Don Bosco Prep, NJ / 2019
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Petrosino has a broad-shouldered, athletic build at 5-foot-10 175-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 6.72-secondsand recorded an exit velocity of 90 MPH. At the plate, Petrosino starts in a slightly opened stance with bat just above back shoulder, parallel to the ground. As pitch comes in, Petrosino uses a weight exchange and foot stride tos tart swing and hands load up and back. Quiet, controlled but quick barrel path through the zone. Petrosino has advanced bat control. Balanced finish with slight uptick. Defensively, took reps at shortstop. Throws topped at 78 MPH across the diamond. Soft hands and quick exchange from a high-¾ slot and short, quick arm action.
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Ryan Nutley SS / 2B / Gloucester Catholic, NJ / 2020
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Nutley has an athletic build at 6-foot 155-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.21-seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 84 MPH. At the plate, Nutley starts in a neutral stance with hands above backs shoulder. Uses a foot lift and stride to start swing. Minimal hand load. Short, quick swing through the zone with an uphill finish. Stiff front leg on contact, will rise up occasionally on finish as well. Defensively, took reps at shortstop. Throws topped at 83 MPH across the diamond, which was one of the best recorded infield velocities of the event. Fields ball out in front of body with left foot/leg in front of right, which closes himself off to first base upon receiving the ball. Brings glove to chest for a gather, smooth transition and short arm action from a high-¾ slot.
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Danny Helfgott SS / Don Bosco Prep, NJ / 2019 / njit recruit
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
NJIT recruit. Helfgott has an athletic build 5-foot-9 165-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.50 seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 84 MPH. At the plate, Helfgott stands in a tall, opened stance with hands above his back shoulder, and in front of his face. Uses a leg kick and stride to start swing, as hands load down and back with some rhythm. Hands show some quickness through the zone and controls the bat with short, compact stroke and a balanced finish. At shortstop, Helfgott’s throws topped at 76 MPH across the diamond. His baseball actions are advanced as he bounces around the infield and is quick with his glove exchange and release.
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Raymond Ortiz SS / RHP / St. Peter's Prep, NJ / 2020
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Ortiz has a lanky-athletic build at 6-foot 165-pounds with tons of room to fill out. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.25-seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 84 MPH. At the plate, Ortiz starts in a neutral stance with hands above back shoulder from the right side and bat parallel to the ground. Quiet approach at the plate prepitch, Ortiz maintains control as pitch comes in with a small foot stride and hand load that goes up and back slightly. Swing mechanics are foundationally sound right now as a 2020, with line drive pop. Power will continue to improve as he adds muscle to his projectable frame. Defensively, took reps at shortstop. Throws topped at 80 MPH across the diamond. Long, loose arm action from a high-¾ slot, Ortiz can play anywhere in the infield with ease. Moves effortlessly from side-to-side and is able to throw from multiple different arm slots with accuracy. Ortiz is certainly a player to watch for as he continues to fill out.
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Eddie Javier Jr. 3B / 2B / Bergenfield, NJ / 2019
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Javier has an athletic broad-shouldered build at 5-foot-11 180-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.37-seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 90 MPH, one of the highest of the third basemen at the event. At the plate, Javier starts in a wide, opened stance with hands above back shoulder and bat slightly wrapped around his head. As pitch comes in, Javier uses a leg kick and stride to start swing; hands load up and back with sound rhythm and fluidity. Explosive, short hands and hips help his swing through the zone; has feel for the barrel and line drive pop with more in the tank, too. Defensively, throws topped at 80 MPH across the diamond from third base. Short, quick arm action from a true-¾ slot with some armside run. Soft hands and some bounce to his step, Javier attacks the ball out in front and has a quick, smooth glove transition. One of the top uncommitted infielders in the state, Javier is a high riser in the 2019 rankings.
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Jake Wagner 2B / OF / Pope John XXIII, NJ / 2020
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Wagner has an athletic build at 5-foot-8 165-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.15-seconds and exit velocity topped at 82 MPH. Offensively, from the right side Wagner starts in an opened stance with hands below back shoulder and bat parallel to the ground with weight visibly on back side. As pitch comes in, his hands load back and uses a stride to start swing. Quick, short stroke through the zone with an uphill finish. Line drive hitter right now and has the foundation to improve as he continues through high school. Defensively, took reps at shortstop. Short quick arm action from a high-¾ slot. Throws had arm side run at 76 MPH. Clean, quick exchange and gather at the chest. Plays through throws with momentum.
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2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Ippolito has a lanky-athletic frame at 5-foot-11 155-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 6.97-seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 82 MPH. Offensively, Ippolito starts in a wide stance with hands just above back shoulder and bat parallel to the ground. Bat wraps around head. As pitch comes in, Ippolito uses a leg lift and stride to start swing, hands load down and back. Creates extension in hands and arms through his swing - power will only continue to develop as adds muscle to frame. Defensively, took reps at SS. Throws topped at 85 MPHacross the diamond, which was the second best of the infield velocities of the event. Fields ball out in front of body and gathers at the chest. Quick, fluid exchange and long, loose arm action. Throws from a high-3/4 slot with carry.
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David Ring 2B / SS / Ramapo, NJ / 2019
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Ring has a lanky, athletic build at 5-foot-10 155-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.22-seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 83 MPH. At the plate, starts in a slightly opened stance with weight visibly on back side and bat rested on back shoulder, parallel to the ground. As the pitch comes in, Ring uses a leg kick to start swing and a stride. Level bat path through the zone and finishes tall with some lift. Line drive hitter with more in the tank as he continues to add strength to his frame. Defensively, Ring took reps from Shortstop. Throws topped at 81 MPHacross the diamond from a high-¾ slot and short arm action. Throws were firm with carry across the diamond. Exchange is clean and quick.
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Josh Crowding 3B / 2B / Kingsway, NJ / 2019
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Crowding has a broad shouldered frame at 6-foot 195-pounds. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.40 seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 88 MPH. At the plate, Crowding starts in an opened stance with weight on back side and hands above back shoulder. Uses a leg lift and toe-tap stride to start swing. Hands load up and back. Creates extension in hands and arms for line drive pop. Uphill finish on back leg. Defensively, took ground balls at third base. Throws topped at 81 MPH across the infield. High-¾ slot, the ball jumps out of his hand with carry and throws were on the bag. Fields ball out in front and brings to chest for a transfer. Clean footwork throughout fielding process. Plays through his throws with momentum.
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Evan Cornwell SS / OF / Pompton Lakes, NJ / 2020
2018 New Jersey State Games (7.24.18)
Cornwell has a lanky 5-foot-9 145-pound build with wiry arms and room to fill out. Ran the 60 yard dash in 7.13-seconds and recorded an exit velocity of 81 MPH. Cornwell is a switch hitter with feel for the barrel from both sides. Pop will continue to improve as he adds muscle to lanky frame, but foundations are present. From the right side, Cornwell starts in a crouch with an opened stance and hands above back shoulder. As pitch comes in, Cornwell uses a foot stride to start swing, hand load is minimal. Level bat path through the zone and a controlled finish. Similarly from the left side, Cornwell is opened and uses the same foot stride to start his swing. From the left side, Cornwell starts with the bat rested on his shoulder and parallel to the ground. In the infield, Cornwell took reps from shortstop and recorded throws that topped at 81 MPH across the diamond. Smooth, easy glovework and transition into a high-¾ slot. Short, quick and easy arm stroke with slight arm side run.
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Continue to follow right here for more top performers from each position, leading into a top overall performers article to come soon.
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