 | One for the books |
Rating compares this year's group to what a state typically produces, not to other states |
The Garden State is known better for its production of vegetables and its large number of strip malls than it is for its baseball culture, but New Jersey has produced some of the game's top players, including Mike Trout, Rick Porcello and Todd Frazier. In most years, there might be one or two top prospects coming out of New Jersey. This year, the state has arguably the best player in the draft in lefthander Jason Groome, and a collection of promising high school players. After a year in which no New Jerseyan was selected until the 16th round, the Garden State should bear much more fruit in 2016.
1. Jason Groome, lhp, Barnegat (N.J.) HS (National Rank: 3) 2. Adam Laskey, lhp, Haddon Heights (N.J.) HS (National Rank: 81) 3. Tyler Mondile, rhp, Gloucester Catholic HS, Gloucester City, N.J. (National Rank: 127) 4. Gianluca Dalatri, rhp, Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, N.J. (National Rank: 174) 5. Robbie Peto, rhp, Monroe Township (N.J.) HS (National Rank: 179) 6. Brandon Martorano, c, Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, N.J. (National Rank: 208) 7. Kenneth Mendoza, lhp, Clearview Regional HS, Mullica Hill, N.J. (National Rank: 367) 8. Gavin Hollowell, rhp, Montgomery HS, Skillman, N.J. (National Rank: 384)
9. Michael Wilson, of, Colonia High, Woodbridge, N.J. 10. Joey Rose, 3b, Toms River (N.J.) North HS 11. Derek Jenkins, of, Seton Hall 12. Austin Bodrato, rhp/3b, St. Joseph Regional High, Montvale, N.J. 13. R.J. Devish, c, Rutgers 14. Mike Carter, of, Rutgers 15. A.J. Candelario, rhp, Bayonne (N.J.) HS 16. Zach Attianese, lhp, Old Bridge (N.J.) HS 17. Nick Silber, rhp, Lawrenceville (N.J.) HS 18. Kevin Brophy, 3b, Morristown-Beard School, Morristown, N.J. 19. Howie Brey, lhp, Rutgers 20. Zack Weigel, of, Seton Hall 21. Brennan Price, rhp, Felician (N.J.) 22. Kyle Driscoll, rhp, Rutgers 23. Tom Marcinzyk, of, Rutgers 24. Michael Antico, of, Colts Neck (N.J.) HS 25. Zach Prendergast, rhp, Seton Hall 26. Anthony Ciavarella, lhp, Monmouth 27. Matt Blandino, rhp, Felician (N.J.) 28. Reed Shuttle, rhp, Rutgers 29. John Wilson, lhp, North Hunterdon HS, Annandale, N.J. 30. Ian Bentley, rhp, NJIT 31. Vincenzo Aiello, rhp, Rider 32. John Giakis, 1b, Fairleigh Dickinson 33. Danny Hoy, of, Princeton