Rankings Insider: Top 2021 NJ LHPs

April 7, 2020
TJ Hunt
Director, PBR New Jersey

With our latest rankings release for the 2021 class we decided to dive in deeper with a breakdown of the top 10 in each position. Next up: the top LHPs in NJ's 2021 class.

Class of 2021 Rankings Release

Top RHPs

Scouting Report

Quick Hit: Lanky, athletic frame at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds. Long, loose arm action with some funk to delivery. Deceptive on hitters. 90-92 this winter, hard late 1/7 slider at 79-80; swing and miss pitch.

First Glimpse: Gloucester Catholic vs. St. Augustine April 2019 Coaches vs. Cancer at Mainland HS. Was 86-88.

Breakout Performance: Area Code Games, summer 2019.

The Future: North Carolina recruit has a starter profile at the next level. Heavy fastball with late life in the upper 80s and low-90s with a true out-pitch slider and a late-fading changeup to boot. Expect Solometo to be a high school name to watch for the draft come this time next year.

Scouting Report

Quick Hit: Wiry frame at 6-foot-7 200-pounds. Up to 90 this winter with more in the tank as he continues to fill out frame. Sharp curveball with 1/7 tilt at 70-72 and a split-changeup with late tumbling action

First Glimpse: Winter, 2017

Breakout Performance: Wladyka Pitcher Showcase, 2020.

The Future: Coppola's stock has risen in the last calendar year with a velocity jump and big time performances on big stages at various events in the summer. A dark horse draft guy for 2021, Coppola possesses an innate ability to control his long, wiry limbs consistently in his delivery - which is rare for a guy of his size and body type.

Scouting Report

Quick Hit: Broad shouldered, physical frame at 6-foot-2 214-pounds. 86-88 with late armside run on fastball from a high-3/4 slot.

First Glimpse: Spring 2019

Breakout Performance: April 2019 vs. Middlesex HS. After dealing with an injury, Abbott came out of the gate ready to go in his start. 86-88 and flashed a big 1/7 breaker for strikes as well.

The Future: The Duke recruit is one of the top arms in the class - Abbott can benefit even more from a successful spring (hopefully) and summer campaign. Reminds me of former St. Augustine standout and Duke pitcher Bill Chillari (2016) - with an upper 80s fastball and command of offspeed.

Scouting Report

Quick Hit: Athletic frame at 6-foot-3 180-pounds. 84-87 touching 89 with 1/7 curveball at 71-72.

First Glimpse: BPC showcase, November 2018

Breakout Performance: Garden State Underclass Games, June 2019

The Future: Nunan, a Boston College commit, has the makings of a front-line guy. The bigger range on his fastball compared to his max bodes well for more velocity gains sooner than later. The feel for spin is there, too.

Scouting Report

Quick Hit: Athletic frame with clean arm and high-3/4 slot. Pitchability at 84-86 with breaker that is swing and miss. Lulls hitters to sleep, ball jumps out.

First Glimpse: Spring, 2018 vs. Ramapo HS at Roxbury.

Breakout Performance: Garden State Underclass Games, 2019

The Future: The Notre Dame commit certainly has some projection left and has some craft to his stuff. 84-86 consistently, touching 88 at the Garden State Underclass Games - Findlay possesses feel for a smaller, harder slider and a more top-to-bottom breaker at 70-73. With a couple notches on velocity, Findlay will continue to rise in the state and national rankings.