December 18, 2023
TJ Hunt & Dan Valerio
PBR NJ Staff
The first edition of the New Jersey Class of 2027 Rankings brings some of the top freshmen in the Garden State into the limelight.The list will surely have many new names added between now and the time they are seniors but the initial list of the Top 25 gives a preview of what's to come. Due to the changes in recruiting rules in April, this is the first time we will see so many uncommitted players on a freshman list, with just one commit to date in Kevin Comblo Jr. (Texas Christian).
When talking about rankings, the younger classes usually have more two-way talents and the differences in phyiscality certainly stand out at this time. With this said, there are certainly players on this list who may not have the objective metrics (yet), but have the necessary actions that will provide the perfect foundation as they continue to add strength.
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TOP 25 NJ 2027 GRADS.
The Top 10
| Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
| 1 | Finnian O'Loughlin | NJ | Delbarton | 2027 | OF | |
| 2 | Nikash Patel | NJ | St. Thomas Aquinas | 2027 | SS | |
| 3 | Kevin Comblo | NJ | St. Joseph's Montvale | 2027 | C | Texas Christian |
| 4 | Hunter Beattie | NJ | Red Bank Catholic | 2027 | RHP | |
| 5 | Dante Matarese | NJ | Bishop Eustace | 2027 | CF | |
| 6 | Michael Fekete | NJ | Cherry Hill East | 2027 | RHP | |
| 7 | Nathaniel Fuller | NJ | The Ranney School | 2027 | OF | |
| 8 | Brayden Morrison | NJ | Union Catholic | 2027 | C | |
| 9 | Yordany Herrera | NJ | Passaic Technical Institute | 2027 | SS | |
| 10 | Justin Kauffman | NJ | Ranney School | 2027 | OF | |
The Breakdown
+ No. 1 Finnian O'Loughlin (Delbarton) has impressed early on in his high school tenure. 6-foot-1 165-pounds, projectable athletic frame with wiry limbs. Explosive two-way talent, up to 83.7 on the mound at the Metro Scout Day in September. At the plate, it's a tall, controlled swing with some barrel lag through the zone. Expect O'Loughlin to be the next guy in line at Delbarton in a long list of high end prospects.
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) September 25, 2023????? ????? ???@PBRNewJersey #Uncommitted ‘27 OF/RHP Finnian O’Loughlin (Delbarton)
6-foot-1, 165 pounds. Athletic frame. Easy, effortless actions. @FinnianOLo | @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/VmtNpzVMrP
+ No. 2 RHP/SS Nikash Patel (St. Thomas Aquinas) is another easy mover at the plate and on the bump. Smooth, repeatable, effortless arm action from a high slot with late life through the zone. At the plate, possesses whip to the barrel through the zone and gap to gap pop.
— ??? ??? ?????? (@PBRNewJersey) July 26, 20232023 ?????? ??????? ?????:
'27 SS/RHP Nikash Patel
(St.Thomas Aquanis HS Edison NJ)Through 3 IP:
FB 78-80 asr
CB 66-68 12/66-foot, 160lb right hander worked efficiently landing both for strikes. #PBRJFG23 @patel_nikash || @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/sEBVNR68Xr
+ No. 5 OF Dante Matarese (Bishop Eustace) has one of the smoothest strokes in the class to date from the left side. Weight shift, small foot stride with effortless pop.
— ??? ??? ?????? (@PBRNewJersey) July 25, 20232023 ?????? ??????? ?????:
'27 OF Dante Matarese (Bishop Eustace)
Tall setup, sway rhythm, small stride, creates early bat angle, very direct barrel. Impressive round of bp using both sides of the field. Present PS power.
Hitting EV: 86mph#PBRJFG23 pic.twitter.com/QuQexa62FB
+ No. 6 RHP Michael Fekete (Cherry Hill East) burst on to the scene this fall at the Fall ID South. Long, wiry limbs at 6-feet 180-pounds - long, loose arm action with whip to the finish through extension.
— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) October 19, 2023‘27 RHP Michael Fekete (Cherry Hill East)
6’0/180lb. Strong frame. Long levers.
FB 80-82
CB 73-75 some bite/sharp
CH 75-77 heavyIntriguing freshman with nice upside. Effortless delivery w/quick arm. @PBRNewJersey | @MichaelFekete27 @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/AqM19iXrg4
+ No. 7 OF/LHP Nathaniel Fuller (Ranney) is an explosive athlete for his age and possesses the tools to be a top flight player in his high school career. 7.23 runner, 88 mph arm from the OF, and currently 82-83 on the bump, the left/left prospect has some true two-way potential.
+ No. 8 C Brayden Morrison (Union Catholic) has a strong 5-foot-10 175-pound build and stood out at the Last Chance Fall Open in October with a compact, explosive stroke through the zone and advanced catch and throw skills for his age.
+ No. 9 SS Yordany Herrera (Passaic Tech) plays the game with urgency. Bouncy, athletic actions in the field, strong arm (85 mph from SS) and some advanced rhythm at the plate already, Herrera stood out this fall at the PS2 Scout Day as one of the top overall performers even though he was the youngest player there.
Names to Watch
+ No. 10 Justin Kauffman (Ranney)
+ No. 11 Rick Watt (Schalick)
+ No. 12 Robert Wrobel (Ranney)
+ No. 13 Zachary Broderson (Mount Olive)
+ No. 14 Jayden Goranson (Millville)
+ No. 15 Joaquin Phillips (Don Bosco Prep)
UPCOMING EVENTS
| Showcase | State | Date | Location |
| Super 60 Pro Showcase | NATIONAL | 02/04 | The MAX - McCook, IL |
| 2024 Northern NJ Preseason ID | NJ | 02/18 | Sports Domain Academy - Clifton, NJ |
| 2024 NJ Preseason All State: Upperclass (2024-2025s) | NJ | 03/03 | Iron Peak Sports - Hillsborough, NJ |
| 2024 NJ Preseason All State: Underclass (2026-2027s) | NJ | 03/10 | Sportika - Manalapan, NJ |
| 2024 NJ Rising Stars ID (3.17.24) | NJ | 03/17 | Sports Domain Academy - Clifton, NJ |
