By JOE ZEDALIS, RICH GRECO AND MATT STYPULKOWSKI | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
Mound mastery
So there isn't a Jason Groome in New Jersey this spring. There are plenty of quality pitchers, however. NJ.com looks at the top pitchers across the state, naming the pitchers with the best curveballs, best command and the hardest throwers. Read the slideshow and share it with your baseball loving friends.
Joe Zedalis | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Courtesy Hudson Catholic High School
Adonis Perez, Hudson Catholic, RHP, Fr.
A powerful, 6-foot-3, 180-pound ninth grader from Perth Amboy, Perez is going to get plenty of work for Hudson Catholic this spring. Reports say Perez has a great arm, is already throwing in the mid-80s and has a huge upside.
Courtesy Joe Ventresca Sr.,
Joey Ventresca, Pinelands, RHP, So.
Ventresca, who also plays shortstop and is a solid lefty-hitter, was 3-3 last spring with a 0.89 ERA. He fanned 53 and walked 14 in 42 innings.
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
Sean Heine, Shawnee, RHP, So.
A 6-4, 185-pounder played varsity basketball for Shawnee, so his competitive nature is one of his strength. He is already throwing 85-87 mph with room to fill out over the next two seasons.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
Jacob Ciccone, South Brunswick, LHP, So.
Ciccone pitched 18.2 varsity innings last season with 12 strikeouts and nine walks. He allowed 10 earned runs and 23 hits. Owner of an outstanding breaking ball, Ciccone topped out at 83 mph last season. A year bigger, stronger and wise, he figures to be better this spring.
Best hooks
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Matt Ryan, Montgomery, RHP. Sr.
Ryan out-pitcher is his curveball. The 6-1, 165-pounder has a breaking ball in the 69-72 mph range. He also throws a fastball that hits between 84-87 mph. When Ryan is on the mound, Montgomery has a chance to be any opponent.
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Andrew DeRubertis, Bergen Catholic, RHP, Sr.
A guy who always like to have the ball in big games, DeRubertis can bring the fastball at 87-89 mph. However, what makes him effective his his curveball. DeRubertis is 6-1, 195 and is a Davidson recruit. He throws from a three-quarter arm slot and also features a sweet changeup.
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Billy Cavender, Pitman, LHP, Sr.
Cavender is proof you don't need a 90 mph fastball to be successful. With a fastball at 82 mph, Cavender relies more on location, movement and a knee-buckling curveball to get outs. He struck out 17 last season in a win over Gloucester. After returning from an early season injury, he went 5-0 with a 0.83 ERA. He struck out 83 in 42 innings.
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Nick Maldonado, Seton Hall Prep, RHP, So.
Maldonado brings a fastball in the 90 mph range, but what made him such an impact pitcher last year was his nasty breaking stuff. Maldonado was 6-0 last season with a 1.11 ERA and 31 strikeouts and only six walks in 31 innings.
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Anthony Dimartino, Timber Creek, LHP, Jr.
The 5-10, 165-pounder files under the radar, but he has one of the best curves in South Jersey to go along with a fastball that tops out in the 84-86 mph range.
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Eric Heatter, Monroe, LHP, Sr.
His filthy breaking stuff to go along with an excellent fastball, tremendous mound presence and great courage make Heatter one of the premier pitchers in the state. He works both sides of the plate, throwing his off-speed and breaking staff in any count and brings confidence to every outing. The Rutgers recruit was 4-2 -- one of the losses 1-0 to J.P. Stevens. He had a 0.76 ERA. In 45.2 innings he struck out 74 and walked 14. He also had an .844 WHIP.
Control freaks
Lori M. Nichols | For NJ Advance Media
Ed Sarluca | Brick Memorial High School
Nick Stephan, Brick Memorial, RHP, Sr.
Stephan, a 6-foot-1, 150-pounder is a George Washington University recruit. Stephan isn't overpowering but is always around the plate. Stephan relies on hitting spots to be successful.
Jon Block | Freehold Borough High School
Dan Chiusano, Freehold Borough, LHP, Sr.
A strike-throwing, speed-mixing master, Chiusano excels at changing the eye level of hitters and keeping them off balance with a wicked curveball and a sneak fastball. A 5-10, 160-pound, Chiusano is headed for Sean University. Chiusano pitcher a perfect game last season, in a Shore Conference Tournament win over Manasquan. In that game, Chiusano threw only 66 pitches -- 49 of those strikes.
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Harry Rutkowski, Woodbridge, LHP, Sr.
The Rutgers-bound lefty can fit any pitching category. Fastball in the upper 80s. Sharp curveball. Rutkowski likes the ball in big games and knows how to finish them. Rutkowski led the Greater Middlesex Conference with 101 strikeouts last year and 16 walks. In his career, Rutkowski has 235 strikeouts in 174 innings with 1.32 ERA.
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John Stankiewicz, Cherry Hill West, RHP, Sr.
The Fordham recruit throws in the upper 80s with an outstanding breaking pitcher. A master at changing speeds, Stankiewicz simply doesn't walk hitters. Stankiewicz was 4-1 last spring with 66 strikeouts and only 17 walks in 56 innings.
Lori M. Nichols | For NJ Advance Media
Anthony Masselli, Highland, RHP, Sr.
One National League scout called Masselli "a bulldog." Aggressive on the mound, Masselli brings it to the plate at 88 mph and mixes in a nasty slider.
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Ryan Vatcher, Ramsey, RHP, Sr.
A pitcher who could be in for a strong season, Vatcher can make all the pitches -- from a fastball that lights up radar guns at 86-88 to swing-and-miss breaking stuff. Vatcher is a Babson College recruit.
Steve Hockstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Sean Klimek, Pequannock, LHP, Jr.
He may not be overpowering, but a fastball in the 83-84 mph range gets the job done effectively thanks to pin-point control and guile. Klimek is a 5-9, 170-pounder.
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Brennan O'Neill, Morristown, RHP, Jr.
O'Neill, a Seton Hall recuit, pounds the strike zone with fastballs in the 85-86 mph range and a mind-boggling array of off-speed and breaking stuff.
Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media
Drew Wilden, West Deptford, LHP, Sr.
An 88-89 mph fastball complimented by pin-point control could make Wilden a MLB draft choice in June. Among Wilden's 10 wins last spring were three in the state tournament. He finished 2016 with 110 strikeouts.
Robert Samuels | For NJ Advance Media
Peter Woltersford, Hunterdon Central, RHP, Sr.
The 6-1, 175-pound, Lehigh-bound senior proved he is a big-game pitcher with gutty efforts on Hunterdon Central's run to the Group 4 title last spring. Woltersdorf set school records for wins (11), complete games (12) and innings pitched (78.1). He fanned 65 and finished with a 0.80 ERA.
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Stephanie Maksin | For NJ Advance Media
Nick Houghton, Nottingham, RHP, Jr.
A big-game, rise-to-the challenge junior, Houghton was 4-0 in the Mercer County and state tournaments. Houghton was 7-4 overall with a 1.78 ERA and 52 strikeouts.
Perfectgame.com
Joey DeChiaro, Hunterdon Central, LHP, So.
A sophomore who already hits 85-87 mph on the radar gun, the 6-foot-3, 175-pounder also has excellent control. Along with senior righty Peter Woltersdorf, DeChiaro gives Hunterdon Central one of the best one-two starting pitchers in N.J.
Joe Zedalis | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Best gas
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Tyler Ras, Middletown North, RHP, Jr.
The 6-4, 195-pounder committed to Alabama over the summer. Ras, who has a fastball that has topped out at 91 mph, could emerge as the top pitcher in the Shore Conference this spring. Ras had a 4-5 record as sophomore, but had a 1.46 ERA. He fanned 35 in 48 innings and issued only nine walks.
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
Sean Roberts, Pope John, RHP, Sr.
Has an upper-80s fastball and three other pitches and has the ability to become one of the state's best this spring. The 6-3, 195-pounder is a Marist commit. Roberts works full time out of the stretch with a three-quarter arm slot. According to Perfect Game, he has a 66 mph curveball and a 73 mph change-up.
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Sean Miller, Pope John, RHP, Sr.
A capable and reliable starter, Miller has an 86-88 mph fastball and an array of off-speed and breaking stuff that keep hitters guessing. He struck out 56 and walked 28 in 44 innings of work. He allowed 44 hits and 19 earned runs.
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Mason O'Mara, Red Bank Regional, RHP, Sr.
A George Mason recruit, O'Mara rushes the ball to home plate at 88-90 mph with movement At 6-3, 200, he throws downhill. According to Perfect Game, he throws a 70 mph slider with a looping curveball at 60 mph.
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Ryan McLinskey, Don Bosco Prep, RHP, Sr.
Also a standout ice hockey player, McLinsky has to be one of the state's hardest throwers this spring. His fastball has touched 92 mph. The 6-0, 180 pounder is a Seton Hall recruit. According to prepbaseballreport.com his curveball is between 69-71 mph.
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Matt Semon, Don Bosco Prep, RHP, Jr.
At 6-3, 185 punds, Semon has a fastball that reached 91 mph on the camp circuit over the summer. According to prepbaseballreport..com,, he also has a curveball at 69-72 and a change-up at 73-75.
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Bill Price, Delbarton, LHP, Jr.
The 6-foot-6, 185-pounder junior is a Virgina recruit with a huge upside. Prince has been clocked in the middle 80s,
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Winston Allen, Delbarton, RHP, Sr.
The 6-2, 200 pounder with an 86 mph fastball is a Delaware recruit. The only thing missing from Allen's game is consistency. If he finds it, he could be a force this spring.
Saed Hindash | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Nick Payero, Monroe, RHP, Jr.
The Seton Hall recruit could be on an MLB draft board next season. He throws a 92 mph fastball. According to ncsasports.org, he throws a 73 mph change-up and a 71 mph curveball. With lefty ace Eric Heatter, Monroe has one of the best one-starting tandems in the state.
Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media
Jamil VanHeyningen, Seton Hall Prep, RHP, Sr.
The 6-foot-6 senior is a Campbell University recruiting. While need to improve command and consistency, Vanheyningen has a running fastball that has hit 94 on the radar gun. According to Perfect Game, the change-up is a work in progress.
Mitch Powitz | Toms River High School South
Justin Fall, Toms River South, LHP, Sr.
Stands an imposing 6-foot-5 with an 88 mph fastball and a nasty curve. According to bcaasports.org his change-up is 74 mph and his breaking ball 68 mph. In 49.2 innings, Fall struck out 48 hitters and walked 15. He allowed 42 hits and 15 runs.
Larry Murphy | For NJ Advance Media
Ron Voacolo, Nottingham, RHP, Sr.
Voacolo won the biggest game in Northstars history, defeating Ocean Township in the Central Jersey, Group 3 final for the program's first sectional title, and was 9-1 with a 1.92 ERA and 64 strikeouts. Vaocolo has a fastball that touches 90 mph.
YouTube
Tommy Sheehan, Manasquan, LHP, Sr.
The Notre Dame bound lefty has an fastball clocked between 86-87 mph and has the potential to touch 90 when the weather warms. Experience with excellent command, Sheehan could make his way on to an MLB draft board with a strong season.
Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media
Collin Kiernan, Verona, RHP, Sr.
The Rutgers-bound righty is a strike-throwing machine. Last season, in 68 innings, Kiernan fanned 135 and walked only 13. He also did not hit a batter. Has a fastball in the 86-88 range and mixes in decent off-speed and breaking stuff. Last spring, he allowed only eight runs and 35 hits all season.
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Devin Ortiz, St. Joseph (Mont.), RHP, Sr.
Arguably the state's best all-around player, Ortiz has already hit 92 on the radar gun as a pitcher and is a slick-fielding, offensive-minded shortstop. He could be on a major league draft board. He is a University of Vriginia recruit. Last spring, Ortiz went 8-0 with a 1.20 ERA. He is 17-2 in his St. Joseph career. Offensively, he batted .499 with three homers, 16 RBI and 29 runs scored.
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Nick Cantone, St. Joseph (Mont.), RHP, Sr.
A wide receiver on St. Joseph's high-powered football team, Cantone and his 90 mph fastball is another reason why the Green Knights are No. 1 in the NJ.com Preseason Top 20. The 6-1, 180-pounder is a Marist recruit. Cantone struck out 19 and walked five in 13 innings of work last spring.
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Alex Pansini, Westfield, RHP, Sr.
Slender but with a fastball that has touched 90 mph, Pansini is a Marist recruit. Athletic with a three-quarter release, he makes hitters swing and miss. Pansini struck out 31 and walked 12 in 31 innings of work last spring. He allowed 37 hits and 24 runs.
John O'Boyle | The Star-Ledger
Jack Billings, St. Augustine, RHP, Jr.
When injuries hammered the St. Augustine staff last spring, Billings was thrust into the closers role and responded wth six saves for the Hermits, who reached the Non-Public A final. With a fastball and could reach 90 mph this spring, Billings Last season,struck out 34, walked eight and has a 1.48 ERA.
Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal
Justin Willis, Memorial, RHP, Sr.
The 5-11, 180-pound Vanderbilt has all the tools -- a fastball that has touched 91, curveball, slider, change up and an attacking attitude. With a good spring he could end up on an MLB draft board come June. A quickly worker, his three-quarter arm slot allows him to hide the ball during his delivery.
Phil McAuliffe | For NJ Advance Media
Jordan Winston, Allentown, LHP, Sr.
The son of late Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Darrin Winston, Jordan Winston was the Times of Trenton Player of the Year during the football season. Winston touched 93 mph two summers ago has will attend Oklahoma State. Slowed by arm injuries last spring, a healthy Winston will make Allentown a contender for divisional, county and sectional titles in 2017.
Phil McAuliffe | For NJ Advance Media
Ryan Huth, Allentown, RHP, Sr.
A 6-foot-5, 240-pounder, Huth was an All-State lineman on Allentown's sectional championship football team in the fall. A cannon-armed righty, Huth is another smoke-thrower with an 86-88 mph fastball in the pitching-rich Colonial Valley Conference.
Matt Smith | For NJ.com
Matt Busher, North Hunterdon, RHP, Jr.
The quarterback on the football team, Busher is the heir apparent to the role of ace on the North Hunterdon staff replacing graduated All-State selection John Wilson. Busher was throwing 90 mph by the end of the summer and pounds the zone.
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Zach Dreznin, Northern Highlands, RHP, Sr.
The Notre Dame recruit sat 30 days after transferring to Northern Highlands from Bergen Catholic, but still managed to go 6-1 with 52 strikeouts, 17 walks and 23 hits allowed in 46 innings. He helped Northern Highlands win a group title. He finished 2016 with a 0.91 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP.
Michael Dempsey | The Jersey Journal
Jack Carey, St. Peter's Prep, RHP, Sr.
Carey has the potential to be the hardest thrower in the state this spring. His fastball has already lit up radar guns at 94 mph. The 6-0, 180-pounder is a Duke recruit. "With this kid on the mound, St. Peter's is capable of beating any team in the state," a National League scout said.
James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Makhi Booker, Montclair, RHP, Sr.
The athletic booker, who plays both second base and the outfield when not pitching, has a great arm and can get a fastball to the plate in the 87-90 mph range.
Keith Smicklo | Toms River East High School
Brad Brush, Toms River East, RHP Sr.
The 6-2, 200-pounder is headed for the United State Military Academy at West Point. According to Perfect Game, his crossfire delivery features a fastball in the 84-86 mph range.
Keith Smicklo | Toms River East High School
Nick DeGenarro, Toms River East, RHP, Jr.
The 5-11, 165-pounder is a Stony Brook recruit. Throws downhill with a fastball that could touch 90 this spring. According to Perfect Game, he has a curveball with good bite and a 76 mph slider.
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Thomas Babalis, Somerville, LHP,
The 6-1, 180-pounder struck out 41 in 29 innings last season with an explosive, moving fastball. He walked only six, allowed 29 hits and six earned runs.
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Daniel Wilson, Audubon, RHP, Sr.
The 6-2, 205-pounder was the ace for Brooklawn's powerhouse American Legion team in the summer. Wilson hits 86-88 on the gun and throws all three pitches in his arsenal for strikes.
Calista Condo | For NJ Advance Media
Rich Racobaldo, Washington Township, RHP, Sr.
The 6-3, 200 pounder brings the fastball and 87-90 mph and figures to be one of the more dominant pitchers in South Jersey.
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
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