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Updated NJ 2024 Player Rankings (Summer 2023)

August 22, 2023
Dan Valerio & TJ Hunt
PBR NJ Staff

With the summer season coming to an end, which was full of invite only events and premier national showcases. Taking into account performances from this spring and summer we are giving the class of 2024 an update as we head into the fall. 

Being that the 2023 MLB draft is over, all the scout's attention is on the new crop. The 2024 MLB draft is 11 months away. It is the beginning of the process for these guys but some in our updated top 10 has truly made a name for themselves, after showcasing their skillsets on the highest stage. 

The New Jersey 2024 has a new man on top. Pitching dominates the top part of this class. Showcasing arms that have high spin rates on breaking balls complimented with multiple 90 mph arms. Let's dive into the players who have stood out this summer and truly have made a name for themselves. 

CLICK HERE to see the full list of 2024 Rankings 

The Top 10

RANK   NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
1 William Kirk NJ Ramsey 2024 LHP Virginia
2 Luke Dickerson NJ Morris Knolls 2024 SS Virginia
3 Ryan Lynch NJ Moorestown 2024 RHP North Carolina
4 Bryce Meccage NJ The Pennington School 2024 RHP Virginia
5 Ryan Costello NJ Ranney 2024 1B Louisiana State
6 Chris Levonas NJ Christian Brothers Academy 2024 RHP Wake Forest
7 James Kleiven NJ Randolph 2024 RHP  
8 Sean Griggs NJ Red Bank Catholic 2024 3B Alabama
9 Yomar Carreras NJ North Brunswick 2024 SS Rutgers
10 Harrison Lollin NJ Monroe Township 2024 RHP Penn State

 

The Breakdown: Top 5 

+ Virginia commit LHP William Kirk skyrockets up the board after dominating the summer circuit. Kirk takes over as the No.1 player in the state previously was No. 9. The southpaw is as poised as they come. Fills up all four quadrants with a three-pitch mix that is full of deception. Sat 88-91 all summer long, punching out premier hitters in the country.

 

+ Virginia commit SS Luke Dickerson still remains top of this class. Full range of 5 presentable tools. Had consistent at bats in premier events. Splitting the gaps with High exit velos. Plus, runner that translates from 60 time into the game. As the 2024 MLB draft comes near, watch out for this prospect. 

 

+ UNC commit RHP Ryan Lynch remains in the top 5. Holding down the No. 3 spot also the No.1 RHP spot in the state. This 6-foot-3 215-pound right hander comes right at you with a mix of pitches. Power breaking ball with a fastball that sits in the 89-92 range with ride. Lynch has a high leg kick with a fluid arm action. Polished mound presence, with lots of confidence in his stuff. Watch out for this name as he is identified nationally as a potential draft prospect. 

 

+ Virginia commit RHP Bryce Meccage is no stranger to the top 5. He is here for a reason with his electric arm talent. Wiry athletic build with loose actions. High competitor with lots of room to fill out. Fastball ranges 88-92, SL 78-82 and a heavy CH 85-86. This high school season he dominated the competition striking out 66 guys in 29 innings. 

+ LSU commit 1B Ryan Costello breaks into the top 5 for the first time. The 6-foot-3 215-pound frame. This left-handed bat has premier bat to ball skills. In bp averages exit velos in the 100 mph ranges. Paired with a simple operation, small stride, consistent barrels. Tremendous feel of the strike zone, and box presence. On the highest stages this summer Costello left his mark as one of the most polished hitters in this class. 

 

 

 

Newcomers to the Top 10

+ Uncommitted RHP James Kleiven takes over the No.7 spot. After a dominating summer showcasing a 94-mph fastball with spin rate upwards of 2800 rpm. Power righty that has a durable frame. Breaking ball presents 77-79 11/5 action. Kleiven is no stranger to collecting strikeouts. In a national event he picked up 4 over 2 innings of work, against the top players in the country. 

 

+ Rutgers commit SS Yomar Carreras enters the top 10 for the first time. Carreras takes over at No.9. The smooth fielding SS has elite transfer skills. The switch-hitter has simple setups on both sides. Level swings which this high school season produced a .411 batting average. Above average runner with a versatile skill set. 

Top Risers


+ South Carolina commit RHP Ryder Garino (Cherry Hill West) jumps up to the No. 13 spot after another strong showing in the spring and summer. Lanky 6-foot-5 frame with low release point and gets whiffs up in the zone with FB’s in the upper 80s and a tight breaking slider for strikes, too.
 

+ ‘22 Future Gamer and James Madison commit Colin Richter (Roxbury) tore it up in 2023, clubbing 8 homers and batting at a .451 clip. Richter jumps up to No. 17
Seton Hall commit SS Tommy Manzo (St. Joseph’s Montvale) possesses some smooth actions in the field with some juice at the plate, too. Lanky, athletic 6-foot-1 170-pounds jumps up to No. 29.
 

+ Massachusetts-Lowell commit RHP Nolan Geisler (Bayonne)  had a strong junior campaign for the Bees, punching out 65 in 56.2 IP and walking just 13. Easy arm action, ball jumps out into the mid to upper 8’s. Geisler jumps to No. 19.
 

+ Bucknell recruit RHP Everett Garber (Dwight-Englewood) burst on to the scene in late spring and early summer with a fastball sitting 87-89 touching 92. Projectable 6-foot-4 frame.


The Top 50: By the Numbers


Commits by Conference

+ 14 ACC 
+ 7 B1G 
+ 6 Big East
+ 5 Patriot League
+ 3 Sun Belt
+ 3 SEC
+ 2 CAA
+ 2 America-East
+ 1 Ivy League
+ 1 Southern
+ 1 A-10
+ 1 MAAC
5 uncommitted

Commits by School

6 - Rutgers
5 - Seton Hall
3 - Virginia Tech
3 - Virginia
3 - Wake Forest
2 - North Carolina
2 - Lehigh
2 - Coastal Carolina

Commits (45) by Position

+ 23 RHP
+ 5 LHP
+ 8 SS
+ 4 OF
+ 2 C
+ 2 3B
+ 2 1B

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