Updated 2023 New Jersey Player Rankings (2024)

The post summer rankings update comes to an end with a refresher of the current senior class, the class of 2023.We've been able to get a true & honest look at most of these prospects this summer, whether it be at tournaments at LakePoint Sports, a showcase setting or at a high school game this past spring.

The fall of senior year is always a fun update for PBR State Directors because it gives us the first true taste of who the top MLB Draft talent will be - especially after big national events including East Coast Pro and the Area Code Games. Let's take a look at some of the top players in the New Jersey 2023 class.

+ CLICK HERE for the Class of 2025 Update

+ CLICK HERE for the Class of 2024 Update

+ CLICK HERE for the Full Class of 2023 List

The Top 5

+ No.1 Oregon recruit RHP Steven Echavarria (Millburn) takes back the top slot after a monster showing at the Area Code Games in August. Echavarria's fastball got up to 93 mph at the event - the arm action is whippy and the frame still has room to fill out. Slider shows flashes of a sweeper at 75-77 and some solid armside run on an 83-85 changeup as well.

+ No. 2 Miami commit OF Luca Reyes (Bergen Catholic) raised some eyebrows on the national stage, too. Reyes was one of the top overall position players at the event, as discussed by our own National Crosschecker, Shooter Hunt in August. "The left-handed hitter gains leverage from the long frame, spreading out before moving well through impact. He delivered a big home run early in the week which likely sparks future power potential thoughts, and presented a balanced look with some feel to use the whole field," Shooter said in his writeup of Reyes.

+ No. 3 Vanderbilt commit RHP Alex Kranzler (Old Tappan) was nursing an injury for all of the summer, but that certainly does not take away from how he took over the 2022 New Jersey High School season, leading Old Tappan to a Bergen County Tournament championship. Kranzler is solidly built at 6-foot-3 212-pounds with broad shoulders. Kranzler was up to 93 in the late part of the season. Short, quick arm action from a true-3/4 slot, Kranzler punched out 115 in 73.1 IP while walking just 19 on way to garnering 2022 New Jersey Player of the Year honors.

+ No. 4 is Virginia commit SS Eric Becker (Don Bosco Prep). Becker has an athletic frame at 6-foot-2 175-pounds and a smooth, effortless stroke from the left side. There's no frills with Becker's game, sure handed up the middle and power hitting lefty bat make him the prototypical UVA commit. Tough at bats, barrel lag through the hitting zone, and reliable with the glove - Becker fits the historical mold of Virginia infielders well.

+ Rounding out the Top 5 is Rutgers commit RHP Zachary Konstantinovsky (North Brunswick). It was truly splitting hairs this spring when deciding the player of the year, and Konstantinovsky was the legit runner up. After walking just two batters all spring, Konstantinovsky maintained the momentum through the dog days of summer at the Area Code Games, where he worked 87-90 and flashed feel for a changeup and breaker for strikes. I loved his quiet confidence on the mound throughout the spring and he showed that he was not fazed by the spotlight in the summer.

The Top 10

Risers

+ No. 9 RHP Cameron Flukey (Egg Harbor Township) has a lanky, projectable 6-foot-6 frame with a long arm action and over the top slot. Really blew up at the Area Code Games where his fastball was 90-93 and mixed in a slider at 73-77 as well. Coastal Carolina commit.

+ No. 10 SS Michael Lucarelli (Paul VI) has some physicality to his frame a 6-feet 180-pounds. Left handed hitter, quiet, wide stance with small hand load and short stride. Explosive hips and hands through the hitting zone and produces some loud line drive juice through the middle of the field. 6.93 runner, Tulane recruit.

+ No. 11 Virginia commit CMark Gialluisi (St. Joseph's Metuchen) finished second in the state in total hits with 51 in the spring. Always known for his advanced catch and throw abilities, Gialluisi came into his own in 2022 as a table setter and true offensive force for the Falcons.

+ Recently decommitted C/Ut. Brendan Buecker (Notre Dame) was among the state's top players in 2022. Another top catch and throw guy from behind the dish, Buecker can also play third base with ease. Athletic 5-foot-10 185-pounds. Tall, opened stance, small leg kick and rhythm in hands prepitch. power to the gaps.

Top 100 Uncommitteds

+ Brendan Buecker (Notre Dame)

+ RHP Joseph Duffield (Delran)

+ C/1B Jack Moses (The Lawrenceville School)

+ RHP/INF Rodney Pena (DePaul Catholic)

+ 3B Christopher Villavicencio (Ferris)

+ RHP Bruce Wadiak III (St. Augustine Prep)

+ OF Wayne HIll Jr. (Millville)

+ C Joseph Bernardo (DePaul Catholic)

+ LHP Stanley Cedeno (Bergen Catholic)

+ C/OF Zachary Novakowski (Pascack Valley)

+ RHP Connor Bonham (Cumberland Regional)

+ RHP Derek Baretk (Parsippany)

+ RHP/INF Elijah Foster (Seton Hall Prep)

+ LHP Sean Busanic (Pascack Hills)

+ C Brandon Doubek (Columbia)

+ C CJ Orrego (Wayne Hills)

+ OF Peyton Bonds (Franklin)

+ INF Josiah Brown (St. Joseph's Metuchen)

+ OF Marco Maselli (Delbarton)

UPCOMING EVENTS