2025 Northeast Buzz 9/22-9/28
September 22, 2025
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Welcome BACK to The Northeast Buzz, your weekly pulse on the rising stars, breakout performances, and can't-miss moments from the diamond across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. Whether it's a flamethrower lighting up the radar gun in Philly, a smooth-swinging shortstop making noise in North Jersey, or a sleeper prospect turning heads in upstate New York, we’re here to highlight the talent that’s shaping the future of baseball in the Northeast.
Each week, we’ll deliver scouting insights and player write-ups to get a better understanding of the great talent that surrounds us. In this region, the grind is real, the ceilings are high, and the buzz is just getting started.
Week of 9/22/25
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Dante Matarese OF / Bishop Eustace, NJ / 2027Rankings StateRank: 26 / POS: 8
The sweet-swinging left-handed hitter was a Prep Baseball Future Games participant this past summer. At 6 ‘0 and 186-pounds, Matarese is pound-for-pound one of New Jersey’s biggest power potential bats. The offensive metrics jump off the page after you see how free and easy he was swinging while producing those metrics. His exit velocity has peaked at 98.7 mph alongside a 90.2 average exit velocity and a 92 percent sweet-spot percentage. He hits from a tall set-up with low, relaxed hands. His load is a simple toe-tap gather and uses a tight barrel turn with a slight upward bat path. Defensively, he can cover ground in the outfield with his 7.17 sixty speed and his arm strength up to 86 mph can produce outfield assists. One of New Jersey’s outfielders to keep an eye on.
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Jack Nicholls RHP / 3B / Haddon Heights, NJ / 2027Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 6
One of New Jersey’s highest rising pitching prospects after tearing up the summer circuit. The lean, wiry 6 ‘0 and 180-pound right-hander has electric arm talent that has continued to improve over the course of the summer. His arsenal consists of a fastball that sits 87-90 and tops 91.4 mph, a cutter at 81-82, curveball at 74-76, and an occasional changeup at 78-81 mph. At the Future Games, Nicholls found success when he located his fastball at the top of the zone and when he threw his cutter as his go-to secondary pitch. His cutter was tight and sharp with late movement that induced late, uncomfortable swings from the hitters. The fastball has some carry and ride to it with up to 21 inches of induced vertical break. Nicholls has put his name into the conversation of one of New Jersey’s top arm talents.
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Peyton Price RHP / OF / Cedar Cliff, PA / 2027Rankings StateRank: 21 / POS: 7
A proven winner that has performed under some of the brightest lights in the Keystone State. Price was the workhorse, star pitcher for the PIAA 6A State Championship winners Cedar Cliff Colts. At 6 ‘0 and 185-pounds, he has run his fastball up to 89.5 mph and typically sits 86-89 mph. His other pitches are a slider that is 77-79 mph and a changeup at 80-81 mph. What separates Price from other pitchers is his high-level pitch ability. His accuracy and command put himself in positions where he can go long into games and sometimes even go all seven innings. With an arsenal that is trending up and pitch ability that is already high-level, Price is a must-see prospect for programs at the next level.
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James Wall OF / RHP / Lampeter-Strasburg Shs, PA / 2027Rankings StateRank: 49 / POS: 12
One of the Keystone State’s most underrated prospects, Wall can do almost everything on the diamond very well. The athletic, twitchy outfielder is 6 ‘0 and 160-pounds. Offensively, the speed and power production is very impressive from a simple foot lift and loose wrist barrel turn. He has produced a max exit velocity of 98.3 mph, an average exit velocity of 91 mph, a max distance of 362 feet, and a bat speed of 74.3 mph. In the outfield, Wall can patrol any part of the outfield with comfort and ease with his 6.90 sixty speed and his 91-mph arm strength. The combination of his arm strength and speed provides defensive versatility. Overall, this impressive outfielder has one of the state’s most underrated skillsets.
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Lorenzo Laface SS / 2B / CBA-Syracuse, NY / 2027Rankings StateRank: 103 / POS: 13
The MIF shows strength and athleticism throughout his actions. Following a strong preseason and summer, LaFace continues to make steady gains, now posting a sub-7.0 60-yard dash and an 86 MPH arm across the diamond while moving fluidly with soft, reliable hands. At the plate, he turned in an impressive BP round with a 97 MPH peak exit velocity (88 MPH avg), showcasing both barrel strength and consistency. With his blend of athleticism, arm strength, and offensive upside, LaFace is a high-follow going into next year.
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Max Hogan RHP / 3B / Saratoga Springs, NY / 2027Rankings StateRank: 30 / POS: 14
At 6-foot-4, 172 lbs, this primary RHP offers big upside on the mound. He works with an athletic, uptempo delivery and creates deception from a closed stride, hiding the ball well before accelerating through a high ¾ slot. The fastball shows life with arm-side run up to 17 inches, and he counters with a sharp, two-tier slider spun at 2300+ RPM. With his long frame, clean operation, and considerable projection left, Hogan is a must-follow heading into next spring.
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