Baseball

The 2024 MLB Draft is less than two weeks away, and starting on Sunday, July 14th, hundreds of College and High School ball players will anxiously wait to hear their names called. This past season, we saw abundant talent throughout the Garden State, leaving four players a chance to make the jump, skipping college, and heading right into a Major League Farm System.

Before the draft gets underway, here are five New Jersey high school players who rank in the Top-100 of the Perfect Game 2024 Draft Board:

RHP Chris Levonas, Christian Brother Academy

  • PG Rank: 40 
  • Committed to Wake Forest
  • NJ Rank: Overall: 2 / RHP: 1
  • National Rank: Overall: 41 / RHP: 9
  • 2024 Stats: 4-0 / 31.2 IP  / 0.44 ERA / 68 K / 10 BB / 2 ER
  • Career Stats: 79.1 IP / 1.06 ERA / 149 K / 27 BB / 12 ER
Overview:

Many daft experts have been discussing Levonas as draft day approaches. The top-ranked RHP in New Jersey stands at 6’1” and has an electric Fastball that has topped out around 97 MPH, along with three other pitches. He is currently ranked 90th overall on the MLB draft board and has the potential of being selected in the first round.

SS Luke Dickerson, Morris Knolls

  • PG Rank: 42
  • Committed to Virginia
  • NJ Rank: Overall: 6 / SS: 1
  • National Rank: Overall: 133 / SS: 33
  • 2024 Stats: .467 AVG / 18 HR / 46 RBI / 24 BB / 27 SB
  • Career Stats: .441 AVG / 34 HR / 105 RBI / 79 BB / 58 SB
Overview:

Dickerson skyrocketed up the draft board for many teams after his historic season for the Golden Eagles. Dickerson tied Mike Trout’s record with 18 home runs and has impressed thus far in front of scouting directors. While he is committed to Virginia, don’t be surprised to see him taken in the 2nd or 3rd round and going straight to a Farm System.

RHP Bryce Meccage, The Pennington

  • PG Rank: 65 
  • Committed to Virginia
  • NJ Rank – Overall: 4 / RHP: 2
  • National Rank – Overall: 105 / RHP: 27
  • 2024 Stats: 4-1 / 22 IP / 0.64 ERA / 47 K / 9 BB / 2 ER
  • Career Stats: 79.2 IP / 1.05 ERA / 158 K / 42 BB / 12 ER
Overview:

Meccage is right behind Levonas on Perfect Game, ranked the 2nd best RHP in the state. MLB.com has him as the 1st overall prospect heading into the draft. Standing at a towering 6’4”, Meccage has a mid-90s fastball to go along with a mid-80s slider, a curve, and a changeup. Control has been his kryptonite, but that can be worked out over time. A team could pull him away from his UVA commitment if he is taken high enough.

LHP William Kirk, Ramsey High School

  • PG Rank: 167 
  • Committed to Virginia
  • NJ Rank – Overall: 5 / LHP: 1
  • National Rank – Overall: 118 / LHP: 18
  • 2024 Stats: 4-0 / 32 IP / 0.22 ERA / 62 K / 9 BB / 1 ER
  • Career Stats: 155.2 IP / 0.72 ERA / 263 K / 28 BB / 16 ER
Overview:

The Garden State’s top LHP is also currently committed to UVA (an Incredible recruiting class for the Cavaliers), but make no mistake, teams will come calling to pry him away. The 6’2” southpaw may not throw as hard as Levonas or Kirk, but the movement of his fastball is what makes him unique. All lefties love throwing a two-seamer; it adds even more run to their fastball and can be a valuable pitch. With a curve and changeup, Kirk has shown he has command of each of the pitches in his arsenal, making him a sleeper pick this year.