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Updated NJ 2026 Player Rankings (Summer 2023)

September 6, 2023
Dan Valerio & TJ Hunt
PBR NJ Staff

With the summer season coming to a close and fall starting up, it's time for an update of the New Jersey 2026 Player Rankings. Taking into account performances from the fall, winter, spring, and summer we are giving the class of 2026 an update as we eye the beginning of the fall. 

The New Jersey 2026s possess some depth top to bottom. Premier arm talent in the No.1 spot in Amalbert. The Indiana baseball commit has electric fastball with high spin for the class. Lynam, Lipoff, and Wilson all move up after dominating performances as 2026s in primarily 2025 event at the 2023 Future Games. Garcia has tremendous talent locking in another top 5 appearance. In this top 10 there are some elite position players that truly change the game in multiple facets. With that being said SS Noah Danza (Virginia commit) slides into the No.8 spot.  Also, this class features some premier lefty pitchers in Shannon and Saccento, Also LHP Danny DiTullio making a splash in the Top 20.

We wouldn't be surprised if there were some additional shakeups by the time the next update comes around. For now, let's review the top 10, risers, and dark horses as we head toward the end of the season.

CLICK HERE to read the full list of 2026 grads in NJ.

 

The Top 10

RANK   NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
1 Jason Amalbert NJ DePaul Catholic 2026 RHP Indiana
2 Guy Lynam NJ Gloucester Catholic 2026 3B  
3 Braeden Lipoff NJ Gloucester Catholic 2026 C  
4 Sal Garcia NJ Delbarton 2026 SS Duke
5 Alex Famolari NJ North Hunterdon 2026 SS Duke
6 Michael Hanna NJ Don Bosco Prep 2026 OF Virginia
7 Mason Wilson NJ Randolph 2026 SS  
8 Noah Danza NJ Clearview 2026 OF Virginia
9 Kerrick Shannon NJ The Hun School of Princeton 2026 LHP North Carolina
10 Garrett Shapiro NJ Millville 2026 RHP Rutgers

 

 

TOP 5 BREAKDOWN

+ No.1  Indiana commit RHP/SS Jason Amalbert (DePaul Catholic HS). Locks down the No.1 spot yet again. A lanky but wiry frame at 6-foot-160 pounds. Explosive and premier array of pitches for this class. A really tough look for a hitter. The fastball is 86-88 (89) mph with heavy arm side run. A sharp slider at 76-78 mph. A changeup that fades at 78-79 mph. This high school season in 38 innings of work Amalbert picked up 52 strikeouts. His era finished at 2.17. Very competitive demeanor on the mound. On the offensive side of things, he turned in a .364 batting average with 2 home runs. Overall athlete with attributes to compete on both sides of the ball at a high level. 

 

+ No.2  Uncommitted 3B/RHP Guy Lynam (Gloucester Catholic HS). Makes a jump to the No.2 spot from No. 4. Making serious strides on both sides of the ball, from his HS season to the 2023 Future Games. Lynam has a tremendous amount of talent at 6-foot-160 pounds. Left-handed hit and right-handed throw. Before this year's future games, Lynam was identified as one of the state's top players in this class but after dominating the competition in late July, he has solidified himself. The left-handed bat has some serious thump in it, batting practice exit velo is 95.5 mph with an impressive max distance of 349 feet. In game production on the offensive side at the '23FG"s Lynam was 3 for 8 (.375 avg) with a double recording at 100 mph exit velo. He has a very athletic tall setup with a controlled forward move, barrel stays in the zone for a long time, looks to do damage in the batter's box. This high school season he hit .364 with 2 home runs. Now transitioning to the arm talent which is just as impressive. Infield velo is recorded at 88 mph. On the mound Lynam has a fastball from 85-88 mph with a tight sharp slider 72-74 mph with +2800 rpm. Recorded 2 saves at the future games. This two-way talent is a big-time player. 

 

+ No.3  Uncommitted C Braeden Lipoff (Gloucester Catholic HS) is as pure of a backstop as it comes. The strength for the class and his age is a separator. Broad shouldered frame at 6-foot-195 pounds. His display of hitting at the 2023 future games was impressive. Tall setup, TT trigger, maintains bat angle throughout, strong top hand through, plus raw power. In game production consisted of exit velos of 97,102, and 99 mph off the bat. Lipoff was 3-9 with a grand slam. In batting practice at the NJ state games his batting practice exit velo was 99 mph with wood. On the defensive side he's a consistent/confident blocker with a strong arm. C pop time is 1.87-1.95 range. Leadership presence behind the dish. Lipoff is way above his years with his bat to ball skills and strength. Look out for a huge spring and summer as he jumps from No.9 to No.3. 

 

+ No.4  Duke commit SS Sal Garcia (Delbarton HS) is no stranger to the top 5. A top end player for this class both regionally and nationally. Had a really solid freshman campaign hitting at the top of the order for a very prestigious high school program in Delbarton. This silky-smooth SS is all of 6-foot-2-170 pounds. Twitchy levers with plus ability to adjust in all facets of the game. This high school season Garcia hit .484 avg, 5 doubles, 2 home runs and 26 rbi's. Athletic base, simple up and down stepover, hands have aggressive but controlled load, gets into slot with ease, catches and finds barrel at a high rate, adjustability is present. On defense and the base paths Garcia is very agile and has a high baseball IQ. With more room to fill out and 3 more years of high school baseball watch out as Garcia will continue to climb and show why he is one of the best players in this '26 class. 

 

+ No.5  Duke commit RHP/SS Alex Famolari (North Hunterdon HS) checks in at No. 5 moving into the top 5 for the first time. Slender build at 6-foot-2-160 pounds with a clean easy arm action. He possesses a mid to high 80's FB complimented with a true 11/5 breaker in the low 70's. High ceiling for this right hander. On the offensive side of things Famolari has a clean repeatable path, has a short leg kick in plus counts, and a 2k approach. Finds barrel and had quality at bats all high school season. Turning in a .329 avg with 21 rbi's. 

 

REST OF THE TOP 10 

+ No.6  Virginia commit OF Michael Hanna (Don Bosco Prep HS) takes over at No.6 moving up two spots. Hanna makes a case for being one of the most explosive athletes in this class. He stands at 6-foot-160 pounds with tons of room for growth. The left-handed hitter has a simple operation, front foot hover, stays in his legs/coiled well and creates a buggy whip with explosive hand speed. His to date 60-time best is 6.6. His batting practice exit velo is 98 mph and throwing velo from OF is 84 mph. Hanna checks every box. This high school season Hanna hit in the top of the order for a top baseball program in the state maintaining a comfortable average of .379. Accompanied with 9 doubles and 2 triples. Also drove in 22 and scored 27 runs. Hanna has an innate ability to impact baseball games in many ways. 

 

+ No.7  Uncommitted SS Mason Wilson (Randolph HS) makes a splash in the top 10 after making a name for himself at the 2023 future games. The 5-foot-10-160-pound infielder has an array of talent. First is his foot speed in which he clocked at 6.7 60-yard dash time. An infield throwing velo of 85 mph with very quick and accurate transition throws. In batting practice had a 92 mph exit velo paired with 85 sweet spot %. He went 2-4 with 4 rbis in the Future Games. Crushed a booming opposite field triple. Wilson truly looks the part in all facets of the game. Has a super connected swing, with a smooth barrel path. Stays in his legs throughout and has tremendous feel for the oppo gap. A true name to follow headed into next summer when recruiting dates open up. 

 

+ No.8  Virginia commit SS/OF Noah Danza (Gloucester Catholic HS) weighs in at 6-foot-2-190 pounds, strong athletic frame. Danza committed to UVA this spring. Seems to have utility type attributes in the field. On the offensive side has an act for getting the barrel out, picked up 4 home runs as a freshman. Tons of upside with the combo of speed and power.   

 

+ No.9  North Carolina commit LHP Kerrick Shannon (The Hun School) this southpaw has some character to him. With the exaggerated leg kick paired with the competitiveness. Makes for a top 10 selection. This high school season the 6-foot-1-170 pounder in 30 innings pitched picked up 54 K's. Highlighted with a no-hitter against Peddie. Shannon works with fast tempo and lands all 3 of his pitches for strikes. The fastball is 85-87 (88) L 3/4 slot. The slider lands at 73-76 mph true 12/6 and the changeup 78-79 mph with fade. Lots of upside in this frame. 

 

+ No.10  Rutgers commit RHP Garrett Shapiro (Millville HS) the 6-foot-1-150-pound right hander put on a show at the 2023 NJ State Games. Creating tons of swing and miss with his mix of pitches. The Scarlet Knight commit looked very polished, so much to the point he has moved 6 spots making it into the No.10 spot. The fastball he showcased was a whippy consistent 86-87 with a top of 88 mph. The curveball had heavy 12/6 action at 73-75 mph with a high of (+2466rpm). Strikeout pitch in which landed for strikes. The changeup 75-76. Shapiro is a clean mover with feel for all four quadrants. Look out for more velo jumps! In 26 innings of work as a freshman he collected 33 k's with an era of 2.66. 

 

Uncommitted Names to Know within the Top 20 

 

+ No.13   RHP Christopher Marano (DePaul Catholic HS) 

 

+ No.15   C Carney O'Donnell (Jackson Liberty HS) 

 

+ No. 17  LHP Danny DiTullio (Christian Brothers Academy HS) 

 

+ No. 18  RHP Alex Weingartner (St. Augustine Prep HS) is a 5-foot-11-160 pound frame. Athletic wiry build. Explosive arm talent for the class. With some more in the tank. Fastball is 85-89 mph. Comes out easy. Changeup 79-80 mph and the curveball 69-70 mph. 

 

 

The Top 20: By the Numbers

+ 11 of the Top 20 are committed

+ Duke (3), Virginia (2), Rutgers (2) highlight the most commits

+ 5 RHP, 3 LHP, 3 SS, 1 3B, 3 OF, and 4 Catchers round out the top 20.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2023 NJ Fall ID North NJ 09/20 Wood-Ridge Athletic Complex
2023 NJ Fall ID South NJ 09/27 Rutgers-Camden Field
2023 NJ Fall Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only) NJ 10/08 Centenary University
2023 NJ Last Chance Open NJ 10/28 TBA