The Top Prospects In New Jersey

1. Nick Decker, OF, Seneca HS, Tabernacle, N.J. (BA Rank: 110)
HS • 6-0 • 200 • L-L •
Decker is a left-left outfielder committed to Maryland with a polished approach at the plate. He’s developed a reputation as a talented hitter by repeatedly working quality at-bats throughout the summer and this spring. He has a very disciplined approach and an advanced understanding of the strike zone. This spring, he’s loosened up his hands and improved a swing path that was already solid. The team that drafts Decker will be all-in on the bat, as he profiles as a corner outfielder thanks to his average running ability and below-average arm. At 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, Decker is hard to project too much on currently, but his power is likely close to average because of solid bat speed and a feel to backspin the baseball.

2. Jawuan Harris, OF, Rutgers (BA Rank: 176)
4YR • 5-10 • 185 • R-R •
Like Kyler Murray of Oklahoma, Harris has pulled the double-duty of playing both college football and college baseball during the last few years. On the football field in 2017, Harris played in 11 games and made five starts at safety for the Scarlet Knights, totaling 41 tackles and tying for the team lead with three interceptions. Harris is a better prospect as a baseball player, however, and was selected to the Big Ten all-freshman team in 2016, when he hit .278/.365/.398 with three home runs and 37 stolen bases. Harris’ production has backed up in 2018, as he hit .250/.381/.383 with one home run and 20 stolen bases through 128 at-bats. At 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Harris is a top-of-the-scale runner who does an excellent job tracking down balls in center field and has an average arm. Harris doesn’t project to hit for much power. He hit eight home runs in 186 at-bats as a sophomore, but has hit just four home runs in the 290 at-bats during his freshman and junior seasons. He has good bat speed, but his lack of success in the Big 10—never hitting above .280 and striking out nearly twice as much as he’s walked—is concerning. There is a hope among scouts that Harris’ hit tool will markedly improve once he enters pro ball and focuses strictly on baseball instead of splitting his time between two sports. There are some off-the-field questions with Harris, who was suspended for a violation of team rules and did not travel with Rutgers during its 10-day spring break trip to Florida. The feedback teams receive on Harris’ makeup and how they project his hit tool will ultimately determine where he gets drafted, as the other parts of his game appear steady.

3. Tyler Ras, RHP/OF, Middletown (N.J.) North HS (BA Rank: 188)
HS • 6-4 • 195 • B-R •
A 6-foot-4, 195-pound righthander, Ras has a low-90s fastball that can touch 95 mph. His high-70s, low-80s changeup, which features late, arm-side fade, is his best offspeed offering. Ras struggles to spin both his slider and curveball, which seems to be a direct result of his elongated, unusually stiff arm action that coincides with an over-the-top release point. Regardless of the delivery, Ras has at least average control and does a good job of filling up the strike zone with both his fastball and changeup. Because of his arm action and struggle to consistently land one of his two breaking balls, there are some scouts who believe he would be better suited in a relief role. Ras is a solid athlete and if he ends up on campus at Alabama he has a chance to be a solid two-way player for the Crimson Tide. He is a switch-hitting outfielder and could do both at the collegiate level, even if his future as a pro is likely on the mound.

4. Alex Havlicek, RHP, Indian Hills HS, Oakland, N.J. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS • 6-4 • 215 • R-R •

5. Peter  Serruto, C, Millburn (N.J.) HS (BA Rank: N/A)
HS • 6-1 • 200 • R-R •

6. Justyn-Henry Malloy, 3B, St. Joseph’s Regional HS, Montvale, N.J. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS • 6-2 • 200 • R-R •

7. Max Dineen, OF, Pennsville (N.J.) Memorial HS (BA Rank: N/A)
HS • 5-11 • 185 • R-R •

8. Will Gambino, RHP, Paul VI HS, Haddonfield, N.J. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS • 6-2 • 205 • B-R •

9. Jack Herman, OF, Eastern HS, Voorhees, N.J. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS • 6-0 • 190 • R-R •

10. Jack Carey, RHP, St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS • 6-0 • 190 • R-R •

11. Shane McCarthy, RHP, Seton Hall (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Sr. • 6-2 • 204 • R-R •

12. Jerry D’Andrea, LHP, Ramapo (N.J.) (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Sr. • 6-1 • 192 • L-L •

13. Billy Layne, RHP, Seton Hall (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • RS-So. • 6-4 • 181 • R-R •

14. Al Molina, SS, Seton Hall (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Sr. • 6-0 • 195 • R-R •

15. Danny Serretti, SS, Governor Livingston HS, Berkeley Heights, N.J. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS • 6-1 • 190 • B-R •

16. Bobby  Shannon, SS/2B, Ramapo (N.J.) (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Sr. • 5-11 • 185 • R-R •

17. Karl Blum, RHP, Rutgers (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Gr. • 6-5 • 220 • R-R •

18. Andrew Politi, RHP, Seton Hall (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • RS-Jr. • 6-0 • 195 • R-R •

19. Ben Gross, RHP, Princeton (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Sr. • 6-2 • 215 • R-R •

20. Ryan Smith, LHP, Princeton (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Jr. • 5-11 • 185 • L-L •

21. Matt Leon, RHP, Seton Hall (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Sr. • 5-11 • 183 • R-R •

22. Jesper Horsted, OF, Princeton (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Jr. • 6-4 • 225 • L-R •

23. Justin Fall, LHP, Brookdale (N.J.) JC (BA Rank: N/A)
JC • Fr. • 6-6 • 210 • L-L •

24. Jack Goan, C, Rowan (N.J.) JC (BA Rank: N/A)
JC • So. • 6-4 • 220 • R-R •

25. Brandon Hylton, 1B, Watchung Hills HS, Warren. N.J. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS • 6-6 • 220 • L-R •

26. Chris Mormile, RHP, Mercer County (N.J.) CC (BA Rank: N/A)
JC • So. • 5-10 • 180 • R-R •

27. John Carlos Ariza, RHP, Seton Hall Prep, West Orange, N.J. (BA Rank: N/A)
HS • 6-5 • 235 • R-R •

28. Danny Nunan, LHP, Ocean City HS (BA Rank: N/A)
HS • 6-6 • 215 • L-L •

29. Marcus Eusebio, RHP, Passaic Tech HS (BA Rank: N/A)
HS • 5-10 • 170 • R-R •

30. Cullen Dana, RHP, Seton Hall (BA Rank: N/A)
4YR • Jr. • 6-5 • 225 • R-L •