The first week of June was a big one for a handful of high school players in the Garden State. Stay tuned with JSZ over the next day as we break down all of New Jersey’s selections in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Anthony Volpe, Delbarton, SS — New York Yankees (Round 1 | 30th overall)
Volpe’s selection by his hometown team made waves across the tri-state area on Monday night. The Delbarton star shortstop was selected in the first round the Bronx Bombers after hitting .500 with seven home runs and 33 RBI with one more game to go. His signing bonus would be $2.37 million, according to MLB.com
Watch JSZ’s highlight reel of Anthony Volpe:
Jack Leiter, Delbarton, RHP — New York Yankees (Round 20 | 615th overall)
There’s simply no argument about it — Jack Leiter was one of the most prized arms available in the 2019 MLB Draft.
So far, Leiter’s posted an 8-1 record with a 0.54 ERA across 52.1 innings pitched. He collected 88 strikeouts, 19 walks and surrendered only 23 hits and allowed only four earned runs.
It just so happens that instead of heading right to the pro’s, Leiter seems dead-set on honoring his full-ride college commitment to Vanderbilt University, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman and various other media reports:
Jack Leiter, is, of course, the son of two-time MLB all-star Al Leiter. Al Leiter stepped away from the broadcast booth at the YES Network to experience his son’s final high school season. Al was a constant figure behind home plate all season long charting pitches.
JSZ covered Jack Leiter’s high-profile senior season extensively. Here’s a breakdown for each of the outings JSZ was on hand for during the 2019 year.
April 13, 2019 — 5 IP, 10 K’s, 2 ER vs. Red Bank Catholic:
Leiter’s second game of the 2019 season was a scout-filled bonanza in North Brunswick for the annual Strike Out Autism challenge. He fanned 20 batters and wowed those in attendance as Delbarton captured a 9-7 win.
April 30, 2019 — 2 IP, 5 K’s vs. Pope John:
Delbarton traveled out to Sparta for an inter-conference showdown against Pope John to close out the first month of the season. Leiter got the start but threw only 35 pitches in a brief outing. Delbarton eventually lost on a walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh inning.
May 4, 2019 — 6 IP, 11 K’s, 1 ER vs. Montville :
As tournament and post-season play increased, Leiter became a mainstay on the mound. This outing came on his home field in the Morris County Tournament semifinals. The 11 strikeouts against Montville would be his third-highest single game total during the 2019 season.
May 11, 2019 — 7 IP, 14 K’s, 1 ER, 1 Hit vs. West Morris:
This was, far and away, Leiter’s best outing all season long. He was perfect through 6.2 innings before surrendering a questionable fourth ball on a 3-1 count. Leiter would then allow an RBI double right after, but righted the ship and led Delbarton to its sixth Morris County Tournament championship in school history.
May 24, 2019 — 5 IP, 7 K’s, 3 Hits vs. Oratory Prep:
Leiter got the call again early in the state sectional playoff tournament and pitched five innings of stress-free baseball, helping the Green Wave advance into the next round.
May 31, 2019 — 6.2 IP, 8 K’s, 3 Hits vs. Don Bosco Prep:
With the season on the line, Jack Leiter was nearly flawless as he led the charge to the Green Wave’s 2-0 win over Don Bosco Prep to capture the Non-Public A North sectional title. Leiter hit his in-game pitch limit of 113 with one out to go in the seventh inning but did more than enough work to help seal the win.
Breyln Jones, Rutherford SS — Los Angeles Dodgers (Round 29 | 881st overall)
Breyln Jones was a dynamic playmaker for the Rutherford Bulldogs over the 2019 season. He was the team’s leadoff hitter and also split time between shortstop and as a starting pitcher. Jones finished the 2019 campaign with a .403 batting average, 27 hits, 29 runs, eight RBI and 19 stolen bases. On the mound, he commanded a 5-1 record with a 0.25 ERA through 28.1 innings with 48 strikeouts, 14 walks but surrendered only eight hits and one earned run.
Vincent Bianchi, Red Bank Catholic RHP — Los Angeles Angels (Round 34 | 1,051 overall)
Vin Bianchi had just won the Shore Conference Tournament title with his friends in what would be his last high school game. Then it got even better — Bianchi immediately found out he was selected by the Los Angeles Angels. Bianchi was one of the Shore Conference’s top arms all season long as he led the Caseys in innings pitched (38.2), strikeouts (41) and wins (five) in his senior season. Bianchi is committed to Saint John’s University and is leaning towards college baseball.
Cade Hunter, Lenape C — Colorado Rockies (Round 35 | 1,059 overall)
The Virginia Tech commit was the first South Jersey player to come off the board this year. Hunter led the Indians to a 12-9 record this season and an appearance in the Group 4 South playoffs. He hit eight home runs and finished with a .463 batting average.
Ryan Ramsey, Pascack Hills LHP — Cleveland Indians (Round 36 | 1,090 overall)
It would be hard to argue the point that Ryan Ramsey has been the best public school pitcher over the last two seasons in New Jersey high school baseball. In a pair of varsity seasons, Ramsey has a 16-3 record, a 0.53 ERA over 119 innings, 221 strikeouts to only 29 walks while allowing only nine runs. Staggering numbers indeed. Ramsey is committed to the University of Maryland so it’s yet to be seen what his decision will be, but he’ll most likely be on the mound one last time Saturday as Pascack Hills plays for a Group 2 state championship
Jayson Hoopes, St. Augustine Prep RHP — Chicago Cubs (Round 36 | 1,092 overall)
Jayson Hoopes has been as solid as they come for New Jersey pitchers. The University of Virginia commit pitched to a 6-0 record so far in 2019 with a 0.70 ERA through 32 innings. He recorded 58 strikeouts and surrendered only 19 walks on the season while helping St. Augustine Prep reach a 24-4 record. Hoopes is expected to be on the mound on Thursday night when the Hermits face Delbarton in the Non-Public A final.
