Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

New Jersey Class of 2026 Rankings: Update

December 4, 2024
Dan Valerio & TJ Hunt
PB NJ Staff

The updated 2026 rankings highlight a highly talented class, with a mix of new faces and significant movement among top prospects. This group is shaping up to be a powerhouse, with several players showcasing near-complete toolsets. Here’s a quick rundown of the top 10:

New No. 1

Guy Lynam (3B, Gloucester Catholic) is a twitchy, high-impact corner infielder with standout tools. He features a strong arm and elite bat speed, making him a dangerous presence at the plate. Lynam’s powerful left-handed swing offers significant power potential, and he has already proven his value in Gloucester Catholic’s lineup. As the newly minted No. 1 in the 2026 rankings and an Auburn commit, he’s poised for a breakout spring, with the potential to establish himself as one of the top players in the country.

Weingartner Jumps to No. 2


#2: Alex Weingartner (RHP, St. Augustine Prep) is a dynamic, lean athlete with a strong and explosive skill set. On the mound, he features a powerful arm and demonstrates a solid feel for spin, making him a formidable pitching prospect. In addition to his pitching prowess, Weingartner is versatile, showing the ability to play effectively on the left side of the infield. He brings reliable bat-to-ball skills at the plate, making him a well-rounded player. Committed to Penn State, he adds significant value both on the mound and in the field.


 #3: Jason Amalbert (3B, DePaul Catholic) is a physical, explosive athlete with a dynamic skill set. At the plate, his swing delivers significant power, making him a force in the lineup. On the mound, Amalbert showcases a low-90s fastball with impressive arm-side run, paired with a tight, sharp slider—an unhittable combination that could dominate opposing hitters this spring. An Indiana commit, Amalbert is known for his fierce competitiveness and two-way potential, making him one of the most exciting players in the 2026 class.

No. 4 RHP Ethan Lee (Don Bosco Prep)  is an athletic right-handed pitcher and a pivotal contributor for Don Bosco Prep. Known for his composure on the mound, Lee boasts an impressive pitch mix, highlighted by a fastball that consistently sits in the low 90s. His smooth, easy arm action enhances both his velocity and command, making him a reliable strike thrower. A Future Games alum and recent Virginia Tech commit, Lee's combination of athleticism and pitching prowess positions him as a key player in the 2026 class.

No. 5 C Braeden Lipoff (Gloucester Catholic) is a physically imposing catcher with a strong, built lower half. He has excelled in consecutive Future Games, standing out as both a defensive and offensive force. Behind the plate, Lipoff showcases impressive pop times ranging from 1.8 to 2.0 seconds, demonstrating quick footwork and a strong arm. Offensively, he’s a feared hitter, regularly posting exit velocities up to 100 mph in batting practice. An ECU commit, Lipoff is one of the top catchers in the 2026 class and a key piece of Gloucester Catholic’s lineup.


No. 6 SS Sal Garcia ( Delbarton) is a lean, twitchy athlete with exceptional defensive and offensive abilities. A Duke commit, Garcia has consistently ranked among the top players in his class. He possesses the skills and instincts to remain at shortstop, showcasing high baseball IQ and natural feel for the position. Offensively, he’s a reliable run producer, tallying 26 RBIs in 2023 and 37 in 2024. His simple, efficient swing mechanics, marked by consistent timing, allow for excellent adjustability at the plate. Garcia is a well-rounded player with a knack for delivering in clutch situations.


No. 7 SS JC Pacheco (DePaul Catholic) is an elite shortstop with five-tool potential and a commitment to Arizona State. Defensively, he stands out as a top-tier player, displaying premium actions, excellent body control, and a strong, accurate arm. Offensively, Pacheco brings significant power, evidenced by his 9 home runs last spring. He has a knack for finding the barrel and driving the ball in the air to his pull side, making him a dangerous presence at the plate. His well-rounded skill set and athleticism position him as one of the top players in the 2026 class.


No. 8 C Mickey Gilligan (Passaic Tech) is an athletic and highly mobile catcher committed to Rutgers. Behind the plate, his agility and defensive skills make him a standout. Gilligan’s whippy swing and serious bat speed allow him to generate significant power, as evidenced by his 6 home runs last spring. He also demonstrated impressive consistency at the plate, maintaining a .443 batting average. With his ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball, Gilligan could draw considerable attention leading up to the 2026 MLB Draft.


No. 9 LHP Ryan Auten (Immaculata) is a towering left-handed pitcher standing at an imposing 6'6", with long levers and a projectable frame. A Wake Forest commit, Auten has recently made waves, particularly after an impressive showing at the Fall Top Prospect Games. His fastball sits in the 87-91 mph range, featuring excellent extension that makes it play even faster. He complements it with a breaking ball that offers significant depth and deception. After transferring to Immaculata, Auten is poised for a breakout spring, solidifying himself as a top prospect to watch in the 2026 class.
 


No. 10 OF Mason Myers (Paul VI) is an athletic center fielder committed to Coastal Carolina. Known for his speed and defensive excellence, Myers projects as a long-term fit in center field. He was a standout at the Future Games, demonstrating a line-drive approach and a swing that consistently finds the barrel. His athleticism extends to his arm strength, with an impressive outfield velocity of 93 mph. Myers combines the ability to run, hit, and throw, making him a well-rounded player with significant upside in the 2026 class.
 

Other Names to Know: 

Sean Loggie (Christian Brother Academy) is a promising left-handed pitcher with a projectable frame and plenty of upside. His fastball ranges from the mid to upper 80s, with the potential to touch the low 90s. Loggie’s long levers and high-effort delivery contribute to his power, but refining his command will be key to unlocking his full potential. If he can harness his control, the southpaw could draw significant attention as a standout arm in his class. Recent Virginia commit.

Sean Sailer (Ramsey) is a promising shortstop who has recently impressed at our events. He’s an athletic player, clocking a solid 6.8 in the 60-yard dash. Offensively, hitting is his standout tool, featuring a clean, compact swing that generates consistent hard contact. His exit velocities frequently exceed 90 mph, with a peak of 92.5 mph. This past spring, Sailer hit .365 and drove in 32 RBIs, demonstrating his ability to produce runs. As an uncommitted prospect, he’s a valuable hitter with a bright future.
 

Kyle Wenckus (Pascack Hills) is a uncommitted two-way prospect from Pascack Hills, excelling both at the plate and on the mound. Offensively, Wenckus posted an exceptional .567 batting average last season, with 3 home runs and 22 RBIs, powered by a strong swing with notable lag through the zone. Although he missed time on the mound last spring due to injury, his 2023 season was impressive, logging 39 innings with 50 strikeouts and a stellar 1.25 ERA. At the Summer ID event, he showcased his pitching potential, throwing 85-88 mph with a variety of effective breaking balls, including a high-spin breaking pitch in the high 70s. Wenckus is a well-rounded player with significant upside, both as a hitter and a pitcher.

Zach Geertsma (Governor Livingston) is a dynamic player who burst onto the scene following an impressive sophomore season. A rising junior, Geertsma hit .342 while showcasing his power with 8 home runs. He also demonstrated speed and aggressiveness on the base paths, stealing 19 bases. Additionally, he drove in 29 runs and crossed the plate 37 times, proving to be a key offensive catalyst. Known for his hardnosed approach and strong swing profile, Geertsma combines power, speed, and grit, making him a valuable addition to UVA's future roster.
 

Lizandro Perez (Rutgers Prep) - is an athletic pitcher who secured his commitment following a strong summer and fall circuit. At the Fall Top Prospect Games, Perez displayed a fastball sitting in the 86-88 mph range, but his standout pitch is a high-spin breaking ball with spin rates exceeding 2600 RPM. His exceptional feel for spin makes him highly effective, capable of keeping hitters off balance. Perez’s combination of athleticism and pitchability positions him as an exciting prospect for Seton Hall.


 

Tyler Bunnell (Robbinsville)is a big, physical right-handed pitcher who has shown significant growth over the past year. Previously sitting in the mid-to-high 80s, Bunnell has recently seen a velocity bump, now touching the low 90s. His continued development makes him a name to watch closely this spring. Recent Pittsburgh recruit. 

Upcoming Events

Showcase State Date Location
2025 Central NJ Preseason ID NJ 01/20 Top Corner Sports - Bridgewater, NJ
2025 Northeast Procase NJ 02/08 The Ballpark - Farmingdale, NJ
2025 NJ Rising Stars ID (2.17.25) NJ 02/17 Iron Peak Sports - Hillsborough, NJ
2025 NJ Preseason All-State: Upperclass (2025-2026s) NJ 02/23 The Dome at Adventure Crossing - Jackson, NJ
2025 NJ Preseason All-State: Underclass (2027-2028s) NJ 03/02 The Dome at Adventure Crossing - Jackson, NJ
2025 NJ Rising Stars ID (3.16.25) NJ 03/16 Sports Domain Academy - Clifton, NJ