By Rich Greco, Matt Stypulkoski and Joe Zedalis | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
Preseason Top 20
Thousands and thousands of pitches will be thrown throughout the spring, but before it gets started, NJ.com's baseball writers took a shot at picking the 20 best teams in the state. Here's a look at where teams stand during the preseason and, as a result, which squads might have the best chance to pick up some hardware this season.
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
20-Northern Highlands
Final 2016 ranking: No. 9
The reigning Group 3 champion lost a good deal of senior talent, but still returns First Team All-Group 3 pitcher Zachary Dreznin, plus sophomore shortstop Breylin Jones, in its effort to repeat last year's postseason magic.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
19-Hunterdon Central
Final 2016 ranking: No. 3
NJ.com's Coach of the Year, Mike Raymond, is no longer at the helm, but last year's Group 4 champion has pitcher Peter Woltersdorf – already the school's all-time wins leader – back for his senior season, plus plenty of other core players ready to work for a repeat.
Saed Hindash | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
18-Monroe
Final 2016 ranking: N/R
On the heels of a 15-6 season, Monroe returns two of the state's best pitchers – righty Nick Payero and lefty Eric Heatter – for another push this spring. Monroe should be among the top teams in the GMC and compete for hardware within Group 4.
Robert Samuels | For NJ Advance Media
17-Westfield
Final 2016 ranking: No. 38
Westfield was among the top teams in Union County last season, when it reached the UCT semifinals, and should be again this year. The Blue Devils have a great pitcher-catcher battery to build around, too – righty Alex Pansani and junior catcher Jake Vall-Llobera are among the best in the state at their positions.
Larry Murphy | For the Times of Trenton
16-Steinert
Final 2016 ranking: No. 12
Last year's Mercer County Tournament champions are back for another big spring. The Spartans did lose a crop of seniors, but the return of Ryan Mostrangel – a Second Team All-State outfielder – will help cushion the blow and keep Steinert on track to be one of Mercer's best teams once again.
Andrew Miller/For The Times of Trenton
15-Allentown
Final 2016 ranking: N/R
Expect a big step forward from last year's 12-11 record for an Allentown squad that boasts two of the best pitchers in the state. Oklahoma State-bound left Jordan Winston and righty Ryan Hueth lead a rotation that should come up big for the Redbirds.
RELATED: Baseball preview - N.J.'s top 30 hitters
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
14-Seneca
Final 2016 ranking: N/R
Seneca has to replace last year's core of seniors, but has the benefit of junior Nick Decker to help cushion the blow. The first baseman is one of the state's top hitters and infielders, on top of his work on the mound.
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
13-Millburn
Final 2016 ranking: No. 19
After reaching the semifinals of both the Greater Newark Tournament and North 2, Group 4 last season, Millburn is back for another go behind Maryland-bound outfielder Rich Schiekofer and Rutgers-bound catcher Peter Serruto.
Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media
12-Gloucester Catholic
Final 2016 ranking: No. 5
Gloucester Catholic may have lost Tyler Mondile – a sixth-round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft – but still returns plenty of weapons from a team that reached the Diamond Classic final and the sectional semis. Catcher Sam Punzi, first baseman Brendan Bean, shortstop Evan Giordano and third baseman Alex Persichetti lead a deep lineup.
Russ DeSantis | For NJ Advance Media
11-Toms River North
Final 2016 ranking: No. 25
Toms River North lost 10 seniors from last year's team, but still boasts a deep pitching staff led by junior righty Brandon Mullins. Senior shortstop Mike Nyisztor spearheads a lineup that should be among the Shore's best.
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
10-Nottingham
Final 2016 ranking: No. 28
Nottingham was one of Mercer County's top teams last spring and reached the MCT final. The Northstars should be back in the mix again this season led by a pair of stud right-handed pitchers – junior Nick Houghton and senior Ron Voacolo.
Michael Dempsey | The Jersey Journal
9-St. Peter's Prep
Final 2016 ranking: No. 27
St. Peter's Prep won a second straight Hudson County Tournament title last spring and is the favorite there again this season. The Marauders should also be a force within Non-Public A behind flame-throwing junior Jack Carey and William and Mary-bound shortstop Matt McDermott.
Andrew Miller | For NJ Advance Media
8-Gov. Livingston
Final 2016 ranking: No. 35
One year after winning its first-ever Union County Tournament title, Gov. Livingston is working on a repeat. The Highlanders have all but two starters returning, with Georgia Tech-bound senior Drew Compton leading the lineup.
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
7-Red Bank Catholic
Final 2016 ranking: No. 36
Red Bank Catholic reached the semifinals of the Shore Conference Tournament and South Jersey, Non-Public A last season and should compete for both titles again. The Caseys have two of the state's best outfielders in Dom Caraballo and David Glancy, plus a stud second baseman in Navy-bound senior Aaron Ahn.
RELATED: N.J. baseball's most draftable players
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
6-Don Bosco Prep
Final 2016 ranking: No. 43
The Ironmen reached the Bergen County Tournament semifinals and the North Jersey, Non-Public A quarterfinals last spring and could well improve on those finishes this year behind a pair of pitchers that throw 90-plus – senior righties Ryan McLinskey and Matt Semon. Third baseman Casey Dana leads a deep lineup.
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
5-Delbarton
Final 2016 ranking: No. 23
The Green Wave want to improve on their North Jersey, Non-Public A semifinal appearance from last year and have the pieces to do it, with Bill Price and Winston Allen leading the rotation and Virginia-bound Andrew Papantonis spearheading the lineup.
Scott Faytok/For NJ Advance Media
4-Bergen Catholic
Final 2016 ranking: No. 15
Bergen Catholic suffered some late-season heartbreak with losses in the Bergen County Tournament final and North Jersey, Non-Public A semifinals last spring. But the Crusaders have another shot at both titles this season, especially with Notre Dame-bound catcher David LaManna back in the lineup alongside 12 other seniors that return from last year's squad.
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
3-Seton Hall Prep
Final 2016 ranking: No. 1
The reigning Non-Public A champions may have lost a pair of All-State picks, but still return one in junior outfielder Jack Zyska. The Pirates also have a pair of top-tier pitchers in Jamil Van Heyningen and Nick Maldonado, which will keep them in the mix for another title this spring.
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
2-Eastern
Final 2016 ranking: No. 4
Eastern brings back a pair of All-State selections – First-Teamer Jack Herman in the outfield and Third-Team pick Davis Schneider at third base – from a team that won the 2016 Diamond Classic. That kind of top-level talent will keep Eastern in the mix again this season, as it looks to make a deep run within Group 4.
Scott Faytok/For NJ Advance Media
1-St. Joseph (Mont.)
Final 2016 ranking: No. 2
Last year's Bergen County Tournament champions and North Jersey, Non-Public A finalists are absolutely loaded once again. The Green Knights have three of N.J.'s top hitters in Justyn Henry-Malloy, Connor Kolich and Devin Ortiz. Ortiz is also among the state's best pitchers, alongside Nick Cantone. And the St. Joseph (Mont.) staff throws to one of the top backstops around in Raul Ortega. Top to bottom, the Green Knights are stacked with talent and, as a result, enter 2017 as the frontrunners.
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Richard Greco may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RichardGrecohs.
Matt Stypulkoski may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @M_Stypulkoski.
Joe Zedalis may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @josephzedalis.
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