By Joe Zedalis | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Chris Knight | The Patriot News
On MLB's radar
With the opening of the high school baseball season, professionals scouts will be on the hunt for talent. While most scouts agree New Jersey doesn't have the talent pool it did last spring, scouts will be on the road looking for hidden gems, who could hear their names called at the MLB Draft on June 12 in Secaucus. Speaking with scouts and coaches, NJ.com looks at New Jersey's most draftable high school players. It also looks at players who could work their way onto a draft board with solid spring performances. The draft list and player evaluations will be updated at the beginning of each month. Read this slide show and share it with your baseball-loving friends.
YouTube
Devin Ortiz, St. Joseph (Mont.), Pitcher-Infield
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
About Devin Ortiz
• 6-3, 190
• University of Virginia recruit
* No. 1 player in NJ according to MaxPreps
• NJ.com 2nd Team All-State selection in 2016
• Has already touched 90 mph on the radar gun this spring
• Throws slider and curves for strikes
• Soft hands
• Drives ball to all fields
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
What the scouts say
Projection: Top 10 rounds
• "He's Alex Rodriguez," said one National League scout. "His stock is going to just rise and rise all season long. He's not going to through much harder than he does right now. But he's going to be a corner guy (first or third base). He has power and speed and he's signable."
• "The question is do you take him as an infielder or a pitcher?" one American League scout said. "I've seen him do both and he does them well. He swings the bat well and there's not question he has a strong arm."
YouTube
Nick Engatuk, Immaculata, third base
James Kratch
About Nick Egnatuk
• 6-2, 185 pounds
• University of Pittsburgh recruit
• Gap-to-gap hitter with power
• Soft hands
• Accurate throwing arm
• Knows the strike zone
• Perfect Game 2nd Team selection
You Tube
What the scouts say
Projection: 10th-15th round
• "The kid has it," a National League scout said. "He was hurt early last spring and still had a decent season. His father was a good player. He the most signable kid in the state."
• "He had a great summer and put himself on the map," an American League scout said. "He went to an MLB Showcase and showed he's a guy worth watching. He is short to the ball wth power, he has a great body and is athletic."
YouTube
Brad Dobzanski, Delsea, Pitcher
Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media
About Brad Dobzanski
• 6-3, 195
• University of Kentucky recruit
• Younger brother of Brian Dobzanski now in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system
• Third-team Perfect Game selection
• Increased his draft stock by adding a breaking ball late in the fall
• Also a standout on Delsea's South Jersey, Group 3 championship wrestling team
• One of the state's hardest throwers
Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media
What the scouts say
Projection: 6th to 12th round
• "Some of his coaches and scouts think he is better than his brothers," the National League scout said. "He touched 94 mph in the fall and found a breaking ball. He has tremendous arm action."
• "He's different than his brother," the American League scout said. "His brother was just a country-strong kid. Brad is looser, but has the same tremendous bloodlines. Really came on late last summer and made people take notice."
YouTube
Buddy Kennedy, Millville, Third base
Stephanie Maksin | For NJ Advance Media
About Buddy Kennedy
• 6-0, 190
• University of North Carolina recruit
• Perfect Game 3rd-team All-American
• Soft hands, good arm
• Short, explosive swing
• Ball jumps off his bat
• Excellent hitting approach
• Powerful hands, natural strength
Stephanie Maksin | For NJ Advance Media
What the scouts say
Projection: 10th to 15th round
• "I think he projects more of a second baseman," a National League scout said. "Second baseman don't usually get drafted, but this kid will. Look, it helps that he comes from the same school as Mike Trout. He has close ties with Mike Trout and that will help."
• "He had a great summer on the travel circuit," an American League scout said. "At the East Coast showcase, he performed well in front of 400 scouts and kids throwing 90. He's a good athlete. He's strong."
Tyler Burnham, East Brunswick, Pitcher
Scott Faytok *
About Tyler Burnham
• 6-2, 190
• Last season's Greater Middlesex Conference Player of the Year
• Helped East Brunswick end an 11-year streak without a title when the Bears won the GMC crown
• Had the game-winning hit in the GMC Tournament title game
• Repeatable delivery
Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media
What the scouts say
Projection: 14th to 20th round
"The biggest thing is that he is very signable," a National League scout said. "He's a big strong kid. He can play first base and the outfield, so he is athletic. But he can really elevate his draft status if he can hit 91-92 mph when the weather warms. Right now, he is sitting 86-88."
Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal
YouTube
Davis Schneider, Eastern, Third base
Jesse Bair | For NJ Advance Media
About Davis Schneider
• 5-10, 190
• Played on the 2016 WWBA Champion Dirtbags
• Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American
• Short, quick stroke
• A nimble, strong-armed defender
• Good approach at the plate
• One of the state's best long-ball hitters
• NJ.com Third-Team All-State selection in 2016
Jesse Bair | For NJ Advance Media
What the scouts say
• "He's a top-five player in the state, but he's not getting a ton of attention," said a National League scout. "He's going to have to hit home runs when the scouts do show up. Big League teams know who he is. He was the Perfect Game MVP just like Jason Martorano (former Christian Brothers star now at North Carolina)."
Andrew Miller | For NJ Advance Media
Harry Rutkowski, Woodbridge, Pitcher
YouTube
About Harry Rutkowski
• 6-3, 225
• Rutgers University recruit
• A Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American
• Throws hard
• Good off-speed stuff
• Finishes what he starts -- seven complete games in 2016
• Wants the ball in big spots
Andrew Miller | For NJ Advance Media
What the scouts say
• "He has a magic number when it comes to the radar gun," a National League scout said. "He threw 88-89 last year. If he can sit at 90 by mid-April, there could be a spot for him in the draft. If he is sitting at 87-89, there may not be. He's a big strong kid. He's left-handed. Teams like that he's slimmed down since last season."
YouTube
Jamil Vanhenyningen, Seton Hall Prep, Pitcher
Joe Zedalis | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
About Jamil Vahneyningen
• 6-6, 225 pounds
• Campbell University recruit
• Has a projectable body that scouts love
• Throws at a 3/4 arm slot
• Features decent change-up
• Curveball is under construction
John O'Boyle | For NJ Advance Media
What the scouts say
"There's no question he has a great body and a great arm," a National League scout said. "He has hit 94 on the gun. He needs to develop a more repeatable delivery and needs to throw more strikes."
YouTube
Justin Willis, Memorial, Pitcher
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
About Justin Willis
• 5-11, 180
• Vanderbilt University recruit
• Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American
• 3/4 arm slot
• Tremendous spin on his curveball
• Delivery hides ball well
• Works quickly
• Scored 1,440 on his SAT according to perfectgame.org
Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal
What the scouts say
"He elevates his game against the best players in the country," a National League scout said. "But on the high school level, he sometimes pitches like he's bored. He's a dominating force. He's touched 91 on the gun."
"He's going to a place (Vanderbilt) that has historically produced good pitchers," an American League scout said.
YouTube
John Stankiewicz, Cherry Hill West, Pitcher
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
About John Stankiewicz
• 6-5, 220
• Fordham University recruit
• Outstanding command
• Also plays first base
• Not overpowering, but has outstanding command throwing fastball, curveball and change-up for strikes.
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
What the scouts say
"He doesn't walk anybody," a National League scout said. "He throws strikes. He changes speeds. Works both sides of the play. Reports are his fastball climbed to 84-86 over the winter. If he can get to 88 when it warms up, he might get some looks."
Zach Dreznin, Northern Highlands, Pitcher
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
About Zach Dreznin
* 6-4, 220
• University of Notre Dame recruit
• Transferred from Bergen Catholic to Northern Highlands and sat 30 days to start the 2016 season
• Powered Northern Highands to the Group 3 title
• NJ.com Third-Team, All-State selection in 2016
• Scouts like his body and his 90 mph fastball
• Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American
• 3/4 arm slot
• Repeatable delivery
• Excellent change up with 10 mph differential
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
What the scouts say
"Has a great body, is a hard thrower at 90-plus and mixes in off-speed stuff well," one NL scout said. "He has the look of a big-league pitcher. He's an intelligent kid and will be difficult to sign because of the scholarship to Notre Dame."
Tommy Sheehan, Manasquan, Pitcher
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
About Tommy Sheehan
• 6-3, 185
• University of Notre Dame recruit
• Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American
• Athletic and projects physically
• Aggressive mentality, challenges hitters
• Compact delivery with 3/4 arm slot
• Throws consistently upper 80s but could reach 90 mph in warmer weather
• Has command of off-speed stuff
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
What the scouts say
"The kid has all the tools and makes all the pitches," said a National League scout. "He has a great body, throws hard, throws strikes and has an excellent curve and change-up. He will be difficult to sign, though, because of the scholarship to Notre Dame."
Drew Wilden, West Deptford, Pitcher
Tim Hawk | For NJ Advance Media
About Drew Wilden
• 6-1, 195
• University of Maryland recruit
• Bulldog mentality, rises to occasion in big game
• Athletic, also plays football
• Has won sectional titles in football and baseball
• Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American
• Was 88 mph on the radar gun last spring
• Mixes in excellent breaking ball and change-up
Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media
What the scouts say
"If he touches 90 this spring, he's got a shot to end up on somebody's draft board," a National League scout said. "He throws hard. He has good off-speed stuff, he's athletic."
YouTube
Tyler Dearden, Rancocas Valley, Outfield
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
About Tyler Dearden
• 6-2, 185
• Penn State recruit
• Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American
• Athletic. Can pitch, play first base, outfield
• A four-year starter
• .372 career average
• Long, lean with potential to fill out
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
What the scouts say
"He has a great body, a strong arm and looks good in the batter's box," an NL scout said. "He had a good summer. He will get looked at, it's a matter of how he performs when the scouts are in town."
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
More H.S. baseball on NJ.com
• Baseball, 2017: Statewide storylines
• Meet the 16 returning, All-State players
• Former Barnegat ace Jason Groome has Red Sox camp buzzing
• Return to NJ.com baseball page
Ad Choices