NJ Class of 2026 Rankings Update
December 9, 2025
The final rankings update of 2025 has arrived and it's time to take a look at the top seniors. Many are names that have been atop the rankings for some time, while a couple have emerged as "Helium Hopefuls" from a strong summer campaign.
The Top-10 remains mostly untouched, with INF Guy Lynam (Glouceste Catholic) and INF Jason Amalbert (DePaul Catholic) leading the way Amalbert emerged as a top riser over the summer with a strong showing at various national events. LHP Sean Loggie (Christian Brothers) possesses the top arm in this class. The Virginia recruit has been into the mid-90s from the left side, although there is still some polishing left in his repetoire. No. 4 is arguably the best all around athlete in the class in INF/RHP Alex Weingartner (St. Augustine Prep). The Penn State commit is a 6.5 runner and has been up to 94 on the mound, too. Rounding out the Top-5 is East Carolina commit C Braeden Lipoff (Gloucester Catholic). A true offensive catcher, Lipoff has a strong catch and throw ability as well.
2026 SS/3B Jason Amalbert (DePaul Catholic, NJ); 6-1 185 lbs@OU_Baseball Commit
— Prep Baseball New Jersey Scouting (@PB_NJ_Scouts) September 25, 2025
Worked into a grove of sending baseballs off & over the tall LF wall💥
One of the more all-around hitters in the class. Power + hit tool #JrSubwaySeries | @amalbert_jason | @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/YEaseKF9iC
The Top 10
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
| 1 | Guy Lynam | NJ | Gloucester Catholic | 2026 | SS | Auburn |
| 2 | Jason Amalbert | NJ | DePaul Catholic | 2026 | SS | Oklahoma |
| 3 | Sean Loggie | NJ | Christian Brothers Academy | 2026 | LHP | Virginia |
| 4 | Alex Weingartner | NJ | St. Augustine Prep | 2026 | OF | Penn State |
| 5 | Braeden Lipoff | NJ | Gloucester Catholic | 2026 | C | East Carolina |
| 6 | Noah Danza | NJ | Gloucester Catholic | 2026 | OF | Mississippi State |
| 7 | Hunter Brown | NJ | North Hunterdon | 2026 | RHP | Penn State |
| 8 | Sal Garcia | NJ | Delbarton | 2026 | SS | Virginia |
| 9 | Mickey Gilligan | NJ | Passaic Tech | 2026 | C | Rutgers |
| 10 | JC Pacheco | NJ | DePaul Catholic | 2026 | SS | Arizona State |
Draft Hopefuls
No. 7 RHP Hunter Brown (North Hunterdon), another Penn State commit in the Top 10, burst on to the recruiting scene late last summer with a fastball into the low-90s and a lean, athletic build at 6-foot-5. Expect scouts to start flocking to his starts once the weather warms.
No. 8 SS Sal Garcia (Delbarton), a Virignia recruit, was the NJ Player of the Year in 2025 and has been an offensive juggernaut since he stepped foot on campus. Garica has the tools: 6.6 runner, 90 mph arm, upper 90's EV, along with a strong contact tool to put him into contention.
No. 9 C Mickey Gilligan (Passaic Tech) a Rutgers recruit, certainly has the catch and throw ability and has arguably the best arm tool of the position players. Pair this with a strong offensive showing in 2026 and Gilligan could be called next July.
2026 C Mickey Gilligan (Passaic Tech); 5-11 180 lbs@RutgersBaseball Commit
— Prep Baseball New Jersey Scouting (@PB_NJ_Scouts) September 24, 2025
Stays thru this 2-strike CH for a single up the middle💥Quick barrel turn w/ good extension thru the ball#JrSubwaySeries | @GilliganMickey | @PrepBaseballNJ pic.twitter.com/vJi6W56gYk
No. 14 RHP JJ Drennan (Seton Hall Prep), a Boston College recruit, dominated last summer's national circuit with a low-to-mid 90's heater and a hard, late breaking slider in the low 80's as well. Drennan's ability to fill the strikezone and put hitters away will be his calling card in 2026.
Finally, No. 17 RHP/INF Albert Maldonado Jr. (Alexander Hamilton Prep / Elizabeth) is another Rutgers recruit with the projection as we head into the offseason. Maldonado is young for the grade but stands out phyiscally with a 6-foot-4 broad shouldered frame. He's already been into the low 90's on the mound but possesses strong bat to ball skills from the right side that could see him stick with the bat at the next level.
2026 MIF Albert Maldonado Jr. (Alexander Hamilton Prep); 6-4 182 lbs@RutgersBaseball commit had a loud BP full of barrels gap-to-gap💥
— Prep Baseball New Jersey (@PrepBaseballNJ) September 15, 2025
Simple leg lift with a controlled forward move. Displayed the ability to elevate the ball with authority✔️@AlbertM_8 | @metroscoutday |… pic.twitter.com/bI17AhhCBg
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