Top 10 New Jersey baseball players in Class of 2022
ROBBINSVILLE, N.J. (BVM) — The Garden State isn’t really known for being a baseball powerhouse. However, these 10 New Jersey high school baseball players stand out above the rest in the Class of 2022 and are worth keeping an eye on. Time will tell if one of them could be the next Mike Trout or Todd Frazier.
10. Carsten Sabathia, 1B, Bergen Catholic
The son of retired Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, the first baseman stands a solid 6-foot-4, 180 pounds. His size works well at first base proving a big target to throw to, and he picks it well out of the dirt. Carsten is more mobile than his dad was, and has a lot of power from the right side of the plate. With so much athleticism, there is still time for him to develop into a true power hitter. It is likely Carsten will head to Georgia Tech, where he is committed, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could be drafted this July.
9. Donovan Zsak, LHP, St. Joseph-Metuchen
After missing his entire junior season because of Tommy John surgery, the southpaw has returned to the mound and is proving that his determination, perseverance, and hard work are paying off. In his first outing, he finished with 10 strikeouts and no earned runs. In his follow-up performance, he tallied 12 Ks for the Falcons. Zsak throws a nice fastball that tops out at 92 mph and also has a quality curveball with a 1-7 shape. Though Zsak is committed to Virginia, with a few more months to play, it wouldn’t be shocking to hear his name called in this year’s draft.
8. Andrew Fischer, 3B, Wall
At 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Fischer strikes an athletic build with poise, balance, and control. He shows good arm strength from the left side of the field and ran a 6.68 in the 60-yard dash. The left-handed hitter batter uses his core to accelerate to stay behind the ball. Fischer is committed to Duke.
7. Trevor Cohen, OF, Holy Spirit
The Rutgers commit is a two-sport athlete at Holy Spirit. Aside from being a formidable outfielder, he was also the school’s starting quarterback. However, at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Cohen has been a big name on the local baseball scene since he was 13. He was a member of the 14-year-old Atlantic Shore team that won a World Series title in 2018. Cohen hit .360 during his junior season when he collected 27 hits, including six doubles, two triples, and a home run while recording 19 RBIs and 28 runs.
6. Maximus Martin, SS, Moorestown
Martin started gaining attention from scouts last spring when the middle infielder hit a two-run triple-off then ace, Chase Petty, in the South Jersey Group 3 semifinals against Mainland. Petty was selected in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Since then, scouts have been paying attention to Martin. Last season, Martin tallied five homers as well as 13 extra-base knocks. A solid and poised defender, the Rutgers commit who stands at 6-feet and 180 pounds is now on the radar. It wouldn’t be a surprise to hear his name called come July.
5. Kyle McCoy, LHP, Hunterdon Central
The Maryland commit looks tremendous on the mound at 6-foot-5 and 180 pounds compared to other pitchers. The lefty has incredible body control considering his size. McCoy throws a 91 mph fastball with a dangerous arm side and downward angle on the pitch. His secondary is a slurvy-shaped breaking ball, and his arsenal also includes a fading changeup. He’s good at holding runners and shutting down the running game. His best showing so far this season was a one-hitter with nine strikeouts in six innings versus North Hunterdon.
4. Chris Maldonado, SS/IF/RHP, Seton Hall Prep
Athletic, quick, and agile Maldonado is a star at shortstop. He fields the ball out front and aggressive in attacking the ball and has mastered a quick transfer and release. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, his arm has proven consistent, accurate and strong. The right-handed batter gets the barrel out well and can work line-drive contact. Collegiate America named the Clemson commit a preseason second team All-American.
3. Zach Crotchfelt, LHP/1B, Jackson Memorial
This southpaw had an outstanding performance during the showcase season. Powerfully built at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, the lefty has a compact delivery that adds deception when he closes off towards the end. He throws 93 mph with varied shape and movement. Crotchfelt’s slider is an effective secondary pitch. Let’s not forget that the Auburn commit stems from the same high school that produced former major leaguer Matt Thaiss.
2. Caden Dana, RHP/3B, Don Bosco Prep
Lean, athletic, and sporting a classic pitcher’s build at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, this standout moves well on the mound. Throws a 95 mph fastball, as well as a no-nonsense curveball with an 11-5 shape and a good changeup. Much like the top player on this list, Dana performed well at the All-American Classic throwing a scoreless inning, including two strikeouts. The Kentucky commit just helped Don Bosco sweep archrival Bergen Catholic in the regular-season series. About three dozen scouts were in attendance to watch the ace. It’s no wonder Bosco is in command at the No. 1 spot in the North Jersey Top 25.
1. Nazier Mule, RHP/SS, Passaic County Tech
A potential first-round pick, this exciting player showcases a mid-90s fastball. Talented at both the plate and the mound, he has a lot to offer. This past summer he took the mound during the Perfect Game All-American Classic. His fastball sat at 99 mph and even hit 100 during his one-inning outing. At 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Mule boasts an athletic frame with long limbs and broad shoulders. He’s also a powerful hitter and a great defender at short. Mule is committed to Miami, but that could all change if he’s drafted high enough.