2026 NJ Summer Rankings Update: Class of '28 Risers In The Rankings

August 26, 2026
Prep Baseball NJ

This week, our staff rolls out an updated look at the New Jersey Class of 2028, following a summer that gave us no shortage of meaningful evaluations. Today’s installment spotlights 10+ prospects who made notable climbs this summer, driven by measurable jumps, added physicality, and consistent performance against quality competition.

The highest risers represent a group of prospects who made the most impactful jumps on our board — whether by climbing a significant number of spots in the overall rankings, breaking into the Top 100, or making a noticeable push into the Top 20 within the state.

Risers In The Rankings

Jack Spitaleri OF / 1B / Glen Rock, NJ / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 3

Absolute GRIT right here‼️‼️

Wears a FB on the inner thigh. Stays to hit & laces a 99 mph EV single💥

Love the compete factor✅✅#PBFG26 | @ShooterHunt | @prepbaseball https://t.co/NTn8d0lHKl pic.twitter.com/njNNCu0y5R
— Nate Goranson (@NathanGoranson) July 24, 2026

Adriel Huertas RHP / 3B / Bergen Catholic, NJ / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 16 / POS: 8

My personal “Pick to Click” this week was RHP Adriel Huertas (Bergen Catholic)📈

Legit stuff coming from a unique 4’ 4” release height. Over 20” of IVB on the FB & over 2900 rpm on the SL😵‍💫@adrieljhuertas | @ShooterHunt | #PBFG26 https://t.co/qTVrHMp4tG pic.twitter.com/QY27UJsUJk
— Nate Goranson (@NathanGoranson) July 26, 2026

Michael Donahue RHP / Governor Livingston, NJ / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 24 / POS: 11

. @Djacksbaseball Follow 🆙

'28 RHP/3B Michael Donahue (Governor Livingston)

BUILD: 6-2, 155

FB: 83-85 T85.5
CB: 72-73 (2460)
CH: 77-78 (2430)

Lively arm with a high, over the top release point. Has a lot left in the tank & will be an arm to watch this year💥 pic.twitter.com/8ssCVUljHO
— Prep Baseball New Jersey (@PrepBaseballNJ) February 19, 2026

Nazir Thornton RHP / 1B / Cedar Creek High School, NJ / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 21 / POS: 10

2028 RHP Nazir Thornton (Cedar Creek)

FB: 83-86
CB: 64-66
CH: 69-71

Hyper projectable talent at 6-foot-4📈

Long levers w/ controlled movement patterns. Dual-sport ATH to follow👍@baseball_cedar | @CvCDownbeach | @NathanGoranson pic.twitter.com/c8Nr6A3Zxc
— Prep Baseball New Jersey (@PrepBaseballNJ) April 27, 2026

Tyler Castillo C / OF / Mount Olive, NJ / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 46 / POS: 7

#NJTPG Follow 🆙

2028 C/OF Tyler Castillo (Mount Olive): 6-3, 210.1

EV: 105.4‼️
DIST: 376💣

Uber physical, multi-sport athlete. Lived on the barrel showcasing his ability to back spin the baseball to the pull side💪@ttcast910 pic.twitter.com/ySqUlyTCcR
— Prep Baseball New Jersey (@PrepBaseballNJ) July 7, 2026

Jake Small C / OF / Jefferson Township High School, NJ / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 35 / POS: 4

2028 C Jake Small (Jefferson Twp); 5–10 185 lbs

EV: 96💥

Hands fire into contact. Drove the baseball to the pull side conistently@small_jake22452 | #PBFG26 pic.twitter.com/yVeJhTqacK
— Prep Baseball New Jersey (@PrepBaseballNJ) July 23, 2026

Ashton Ray C / OF / Lower Cape May Regional, NJ / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 47 / POS: 8

#NJTPG Follow 🆙

2028 C/OF Ashton Ray (Lower Cape May Regional): 6-0, 181

EV: 103.1‼️
DIST: 390💣

Presets weight on the back foot, coils around the back leg and turns behind the baseball. Loud bat👍@AshtonRay_15 pic.twitter.com/GyW5SA2EHL
— Prep Baseball New Jersey (@PrepBaseballNJ) July 7, 2026

Will Hunt OF / LHP / Wall, NJ / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 61 / POS: 13

#NJTPG Follow 🆙

2028 OF/LHP Will Hunt (Wall): 6-0, 138

FB: 78-80 T80.6
CB: 68-69
CH: 72-74

High-waisted frame w/ more to come. Fluid mover downhill. Attacked the zone early & often only throwing a couple of pitches for balls in his inning of work👍@will_hunt4 pic.twitter.com/pzS7KIHx7D
— Prep Baseball New Jersey (@PrepBaseballNJ) July 11, 2026

Brody Lombardo LHP / OF / Don Bosco Prep, NJ / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 72 / POS: 3

Alex Silverstein LHP / OF / River Dell, NJ / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 74 / POS: 4

#NJTPG Follow 🆙

2028 LHP/OF Alex Silverstein (River Dell): 6-1, 201.5

EV: 96.2💥
DIST: 382💣

Physical two-way prospect. Covers the lower quadrant really well. Displayed legit pop sending the final pitch of BP off the scoreboard👍@alex_silver40 pic.twitter.com/lUfIzB6koK
— Prep Baseball New Jersey (@PrepBaseballNJ) July 7, 2026

Nate Opiola SS / 2B / Don Bosco Preparatory High School, NJ / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 92 / POS: 16

2028 SS/2B Nate Opiola (Don Bosco Prep (NJ)): 6-0, 170

ARM: 82

Shows off the athleticism & reflexes during this defensive workout. Intriguing ‘28 that continues to improve📈@NOpiola333 | @PrepBaseballNJ | #NYSummerID https://t.co/Yt63s5bH6f pic.twitter.com/Gx5OvuHyWI
— Prep Baseball New York (@PrepBaseballNY) August 19, 2026

Sam Schinestuhl SS / 2B / Scotch Plains-Fanwood, NJ / 2028

Rankings StateRank: 105 / POS: 18

2028 SS/2B Sam Schinestuhl (Scotch Plains-Fanwood); 5-9, 155

EV: 96.1💥
DIST: 373💣

Twitchy athlete catching the baseball out front producing pull side deep fly balls. Quick hands to contact👍#NJTPG pic.twitter.com/OlXnHXrlbF
— Prep Baseball New Jersey (@PrepBaseballNJ) June 26, 2026