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New Jersey 2026 Rankings: Update

September 5, 2024
Dan Valerio & TJ Hunt
Prep Baseball NJ Staff

With rankings season already in full swing, we continue to do some updates as we move to the class of 2026. It's worth mentioning that this particular class has by far the most talent top to bottom that we have seen in a long time. The talent pool rivals that of New Jersey's 2019 class, which has already seen two big leaguers in Delbarton's Anthony Volpe and Jack Leiter. When it's all said and done, don't be surprised when there are several Power 4 commits that are just outside of the Top 30 in the player rankings -- that's just how good these athletes are. There really hasn't been this much depth in a player pool that we have seen in a long time.

CLICK HERE to view the recent update of the 2025 rankings.

CLICK HERE to view the udpated list of 2026 rankings.




The Top 10

Rank Name State School Class Pos Commitment
1 Ethan Lee NJ Don Bosco Prep 2026 RHP
2 Guy Lynam NJ Gloucester Catholic 2026 SS
3 Braeden Lipoff NJ Gloucester Catholic 2026 C East Carolina
4 Sal Garcia NJ Delbarton 2026 SS Duke
5 Alex Weingartner NJ St. Augustine Prep 2026 RHP
6 Jason Amalbert NJ DePaul Catholic 2026 RHP Indiana
7 JC Pacheco NJ DePaul Catholic 2026 SS
8 Mickey Gilligan NJ Passaic Tech 2026 C Rutgers
9 Mason Myers NJ Paul VI 2026 OF Coastal Carolina
10 Alex Famolari NJ North Hunterdon 2026 RHP Duke




Maintainig his No. 1 spot is current uncommitted RHP Ethan Lee (Don Bosco Prep). A Future Games alum, Lee's current FB is 87-91 with ticks into 92 at times. His secondary offering is the most intriguing. SL, CH, SPL. The SL has downer action and swing and miss ability. Lee is an athletic mover who has a clean, loose arm action. Has good direction down the mound. Extension out in front. Polished.



No. 2 is 3B/SS Guy Lynam (Gloucester Catholic). Lynam has some of the best upside out of this class. Smooth LH swing with feel for the barrel to all fields. Loose levers, easy juice. Lynam has real projection headed towards the ‘26 draft. 

Rising to the No. 3 slot is recent East Carolina commit, C Braeden Lipoff (Gloucester Catholic). Lipoff's physicality truly stands out for his age, a true brute-strength backstop with elite bat speed. Has efficient catch and throw ability. On the offensive side Lipoff has produced in all areas. Has the ability to hit a pullside homer and also cut down with a back side single. Has a big gather in his load, but maintains his balance as he lands his front foot.



No. 4 is SS Sal Garcia (Delbarton), a Duke recruit. Lean, projectable athlete with real twitch. Produced at a high level the past two seasons for Delbarton. Drives in runs and locks down SS for them. He has a shoulder width setup, pulls the hands down and back. Has flick in his wrists. Mature approach at the plate. Hampered by injury down the stretch of the HS season but will be back ready to go in 2025.

No. 5 is uncommitted RHP/INF Alex Weingartner (St. Augustine Prep). Explosive athlete that at the moment impacts the game on both sides of the ball for the Hermits. His fastball has a lot of downhill action and plays into the low 90s. Breaking ball has big 11/5 depth in the mid 70s with tight spin.. Offensively he has a heavy barrel with ability to get the ball out in front. 


Newcomers to the Top 10

Rutgers recruit C Mickey Gilligan (Passaic County Tech) is an ultra intruiging prospect. Left handed hitter with elite catch and throw ability and a power bat. Lean, athletic frame with power to the gaps. Don't be surprised if Gilligan rises into the Top 5 by the spring. Major upside.
Recent Coastal Carolina recruit OF Mason Myers (Paul VI) was arguably Team NJ's top prospect at the Future Games this past summer. 90+ mph arm from the OF, 95 EV, and 6.9 runner with wiry, athletic limbs makes him a name to follow as we head toward draft season for next year.



Just Outside the Top 10

No. 11 is Virginia commit, OF Noah Danza (Gloucester Catholic). Danza has the physicality akin to his high school teammate Lipoff. Hit .427 and was tied for second on GC in RBIs with 27 in 2024. 

No. 12 is uncommited C Chase Bagley (Don Bosco Prep). Bagley burst on to the scene in the spring as Don Bosco's leadoff hitter and was a staple on the basepaths all year long. The lefty hitter was a primary outfielder in the spring for the Ironmen, but can play all over the field including on the left side of the infield, if needed. Always puts together mature at bats, never lets an AB get away from him. Bagley can be a true table setter at the top of any order.

No. 13 is OF Michael Hanna (Don Bosco Prep). Hanna returned from a knee injury this spring in a big way for the Ironmen - another left handed hitter that uses his speed and barreling ability to drive the ball into the gaps for extra bases.



Other Names in the Top 15

No. 13 SS Zach Geertsma (Governor Livingston / Virginia commit)
No. 14 Uncommitted RHP Christopher Marano (DePaul Catholic)
No. 15 Uncomitted RHP Nate Bott (Kingsway)



Top Risers

No. 19 OF Matthew Tafuri (Delbarton)
No. 21 RHP JJ Drennan (Seton Hall Prep / Boston College)
No. 22 RHP Andrew Valay (GCIT)
No. 29 SS/RHP Kyle Wenckus (Pascack Hills)
No. 33 3B DJ Ylagan (Rumson-Fair Haven)




Upcoming Events

Showcase State Date Location
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