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Updated NJ 2024 Player Rankings (Spring 2023)

May 9, 2023
PBR New Jersey Staff
Director, PBR New Jersey

With the high school season in full gear, it's time for an update of the New Jersey 2024 Player Rankings. Taking into account performances from the fall, winter, and first half of the spring, we are giving the class of 2024 an update as we eye the end of the high school season and start the summer circuit.

Being that we are heading into this class' junior year summer, it is a huge time for these players especially as the MLB Draft comes and goes and all eyes switch to the '24s for next year's crop.

The New Jersey 2024s possess some depth top to bottom. 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 see the full list of 2024 rankings.

The Top 10

RANK   NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
1 Luke Dickerson NJ Morris Knolls 2024 SS Virginia
2 Ryan Lynch NJ Moorestown 2024 RHP North Carolina
3 Chris Levonas NJ Christian Brothers Academy 2024 RHP Wake Forest
4 Sean Griggs NJ Red Bank Catholic 2024 3B Alabama
5 Bryce Meccage NJ The Pennington School 2024 RHP Virginia
6 Jon Young Jr. NJ Cherry Hill West 2024 SS North Carolina
7 Ryan Costello NJ Ranney 2024 1B Pittsburgh
8 Harrison Lollin NJ Monroe Township 2024 RHP Oregon
9 William Kirk NJ Ramsey 2024 LHP Virginia
10 Jaxon Appelman NJ Edison 2024 RHP Coastal Carolina

 

The Breakdown

+ North Carolina commit RHP Ryan Lynch (Moorestown HS, NJ) jumps a couple spots to take over the No. 2 slot in the rankings. It's a super clean, 3/4 arm action with a fastball up to 92 already this spring and a solid 11/5 breaker that he can rip off for some punchouts late in the game. Broad shouldered, projectable 6-foot-3 210-pounds, Lynch has fanned 45 in 27 innings thus far.

+ Knocking at the door of Lynch and Dickerson is Wake Forest commit, RHP Chris Levonas (Christian Brothers Academy). Levonas has some free and easy juice to his right arm. Fastball already up to 93 mph this spring with the ability to drop in a bigger breaker for strikes and add some velo and late bite for a swing and miss. There's still some filling out to do at 6-foot-1 170-pounds, but he's got some loose, wiry limbs that can certainly add some velocity as he gets stronger.

+ Pittsburgh commit 1B/OF Ryan Costello (Ranney) emerges as one of the top bats in the state. Costello had to sit out the first part of the spring due to the NJSIAA's transfer rules, but since his return on April 25th the left handed slugger has launched four homers and is slugging 1.100. Fluid hand load, consistently on time and drives the ball to all fields. Expect Costello to be a guy to watch for on the summer circuit.

+ Oregon commit RHP Harrison Lollin (Monroe Township HS, NJ) has proven time and time again that he's a gamer, innings eater, and swing and miss machine. Broad shouldered, athletic frame at 6-foot-1 195-pounds, Lollin possess and compact arm swing with tighter, later breaking CB. He's logged 41 IP, punched out 64, and walked just 8 as of May 9th.

High Risers

+ No. 13 Rutgers commit OF Jack Sweeney (Allentown HS, NJ) jumps into the top 20 with an easiness to his game from the right side. Fills out the batters box, small foot lift and stride to start his swing and has shown advanced feel for the barrel. He's leading Allentown in every offensive category and has 7 homers, 7 doubles, and 26 RBIs with just under a month left in the regular season.

+ No. 17 Former Future Gamer and current top uncommitted player in the class, C Jake Howlett (Wall HS, NJ) has enjoyed himself a solid start to the spring season. The power hitting backstop has already launched 7 homers and is among the top in the state in homers and RBIs this spring. Howlett made waves last summer, homering twice at the Future Games and adding two other barrels in front of a ton of eyes. Clearly he's continued his power surge into his junior campaign.

Top 50: By the Numbers

+ 40/50 are committed already.

+ Commits by School:
(6) - Seton Hall
(5) - Rutgers
(3) - Virginia
(3) - Wake Forest
(2) - Coastal Carolina
(2) - James Madison
(2) - North Carolina
(2) - Lehigh
(1) - all other commits

+ 20/40 commits are primary pitchers.

+ 10/40 current commits are primary SS.

+ The next highest commitment by position are: outfield (4), catcher (3), third base (2), and first base (1).

 

UPCOMING EVENTS


SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2023 NJ Summer Preview NJ 06/03 Centenary University - Hackettstown, NJ
2023 Junior New Jersey State Games (2027 Grads) NJ 06/27 William Paterson University - Wayne, NJ
2023 New Jersey State Games (Session 1) NJ 07/01 FDU Florham Park
2023 New Jersey State Games (Session 2) NJ 07/02 FDU Florham Park
PBR Junior Future Games NATIONAL 07/25 LakePoint
2023 NJ Unsigned Senior Games NJ 08/08