Team New Jersey’s roster has been finalized for this Sunday’s clash with PBR New York and New England. Featured at the event are some of the strongest underclassmen position players in the state; filled with a good mix of present ability and projectable skills.  

Matthew Cocciadiferro (St. Joseph Regional) will be the lone 2016 graduate representing the Garden State. Cocciadiferro is an outfielder who really stood out at the Unsigned Senior Showcase on September 19^th. He ran a 6.81, threw 92 miles-per-hour from the outfield, and had an impressive in-game performance, going 3-for-3 with a triple. Although he will not be pitching at the event, the 6-foot, 165 pound right-hander showed raw upside on the mound as well, touching 86 miles-per-hour without much use of his lower half.

Representing us behind the dish will be a trio of 2017 graduates; Jesse Gerdes (Montgomery HS), Hunter Silvernail (Pope John XXIII) , and Blake Gorski (Ocean City HS).

+ Gerdes was recently featured in the Hot List in an article previewing some of the top uncommitted catchers from PBR states. He is an above average receiver who has extremely loose hips for a catcher of his size (5-foot-10, 200 pounds). He exhibits raw power at the dish and, as he learns to control his body, will be able to translate it more into games.

+ Silvernail is another solid prospect who, at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, possesses a very athletic build. He has the best arm strength of the bunch and projects to a high level catch-and-throw as he learns to move more efficiently with his feet. He is an aggressive swinger who will hit more as he begins to have better feel for balance and control.

+ Gorski is 5-foot-10, 155 pounds and could eventually be 185 pounds with hard work and maturation. He has soft hands and solid lateral movements; displaying looseness in his hips and an advanced feel for blocking. His throwing mechanics are more smooth and natural in-game and he does a fine job of delivering the ball to the bag. Offensively, he shows a short stroke and a feel for contact, especially when he looks to live up the middle.

At first base will be two more 2017 graduates; Eric Vaz (Seton Hall Prep) and Evan Geisler (Lodi HS). Both check in at 6-foot-2, providing sizeable targets for the infielders. Vaz is a right-handed hitter with a line drive swing plane and Geisler is a left-handed hitter who has power potential; both possess a feel for the barrel. It’ll be nice to have these two sticks in the New Jersey lineup.

Around the infield will be 2017s Matt McDermott (St. Peter’s Prep), Ryan Swift (Washington Twp), Nick Carnevale (Lyndhurst HS), and Anthony DeRosa (Red Bank Catholic). Each of these infielders bring a little something different in their games that make them stand out. McDermott is a 6.88 runner, has a knack for getting dirty, and shows an advanced feel for contact. Swift is a high level defender who makes the game look easy at shortstop. Carnevale has the best arm strength of the group and with steady improvements to his game, projects at a high level. DeRosa is one of the best hitters in the 2017 class; possesses both the hit and power tools. The lone 2018 graduate will be switch-hitting shortstop from Governor Livingston and Jersey Boyz baseball, Danny Serretti. Serretti is top ranked shortstop in the state; 18^th best overall.

Flying around the outfield with Cocciadiferro will be 2017 Vinnie Martin (Bergen Catholic) and 2018 graduates Anthony Galason (Colts Neck HS) and Ryan Teschko (Gateway HS).

+ Martin has a very high baseball IQ. He is a left-handed hitter with a smooth stroke. He is one of the best pure hitters in the state’s 2017 class. Despite just a 7.26 60-yard dash time, Martin plays an above average centerfield due to advanced instincts and an excellent first step.

+ Galason has a bulldog mentality in everything he does. He’s strong, athletic, and aggressive. He produces loud contact to all fields. He isn’t afraid to let the ball get deep and utilize his hand speed which is something you don’t see much from such a young prospect. He moves well around the outfield and projects for average to above average raw speed.

+ Teschko has a long, projectable build. He has athleticism and, like Galason, should wind up as one of the best outfield prospects in the 2018 class. He is another aggressive hitter who generates good whip in his bat. He projects well in the outfield and shows that he can cover a ton of ground.