The 2024 MLB First-Year Player Draft is taking place in Arlington, Texas this year and we are expecting there to be a lot of New Jersey flavor in the mix. Our team of MMJ’s will have full coverage throughout the three-day event as New Jersey natives could be drafted by one of the 30 pro teams. Stay tuned from Sunday through Tuesday!
Round 2, No. 44 overall: SS Luke Dickerson, Washington Nationals (Morris Knolls High School)
The top overall player in New Jersey this season is headed to the Nation’s Capital. Dickerson had a senior season for the ages and was recognized by many scouts as the top prep bat in the Northeast this draft cycle. Dickerson smashed 18 home runs this season, tying a New Jersey single season record also held by Mike Trout. He served as Morris Knolls’ leadoff hitter and batted .467 with a massive 1.086 slugging percentage. Dickerson had 49 hits, scored 64 runs and stole 27 bases this season. He won two straight Group 3 state championships with his baseball team and was a top performer on Knolls’ hockey state championship team this winter.
Jersey Sports Zone’s Morris Knolls coverage is brought to you by Ramapo College
Round 2, No. 57 overall: RHP Bryce Meccage, Milwaukee Brewers (Pennington School)
With a flaming fastball and stellar command, Bryce Meccage became the first player from Pennington to ever be a MLB Draft pick. Meccage did not allow a hit all season long for his high school team and showed out every time scouts rolled into Mercer County to watch him pitch.
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Pennington is brought to you by Princeton Orthopaedic Associates
Round 2 CB-B, No. 67 overall: RHP Chris Levonas, Milwaukee Brewers (Christian Brothers Academy)
Chris Levonas’ catcher said watching the dominant right-hander pitch was like watching a video game. Levonas had a breakout fall and parlayed that into a dominant senior season at CBA. Levonas allowed just nine hits over 31.2 innings pitched and tossed a sparkling 0.44 ERA. He also struck out 68 batters and was NJ’s must-see pitching prospect for most of the spring.
Round 3, No. 75 overall: SS Josh Kuroda-Grauer (Franklin HS)
JKG was the Big Ten Player of the Year hitting .425 with 95 hits. The Scarlet Knights shortstop will join former teammates Ryan Lasko and Drew Conover in the A’s organization. Kuroda-Grauer hit .477 in his senior season at Franklin High School in 2021!
Round 4, No. 133 overall: RHP David Hagaman, Texas Rangers (Holy Spirit HS)
David Hagaman continues the South Jersey pipeline to the pros. The righty went from Holy Spirit to West Virginia University where he was in the Mountaineers weekend rotation over the last two years. Hagaman is a 4th round selection by the Texas Rangers on day two of the 2024 MLB Draft.
JSZ was there when he pitched six strong innings in the 2021 Non-Public B State Championship game leading Holy Spirit to a title:
Round 8, No. 231 overall: LHP Jack Findlay, St. Louis Cardinals (Roxbury)
Jack Findlay missed his junior season at Notre Dame due to injury but his two years at the collegiate level were enough to show his pro potential. Findlay goes to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 8th round of the 2024 MLB Draft.
Check out his JSZ highlights during his stellar career at Roxbury High School:
Round 8, No. 235 overall: LHP Donovan Zsak, Cleveland Guardians (St. Joe-Metuchen)
St. Joe-Metuchen lefty Donovan Zsak threw in the mid 90’s during his college career at Rutgers. The lefty became the second Scarlet Knight drafted on Day 2 of the MLB Draft. Zsak overcame Tommy John surgery to have an oustanding senior year for St. Joe’s.
Round 12, No. 351 overall: OF Ian Petrutz, St. Louis Cardinals (Bishop Eustace)
Ian Petrutz went from South Jersey to the University of Maryland followed by a stint at the University of Alabama The St. Louis Cardinal selected the Crimson Tide outfielder in the 12th round of the 2024 MLB Draft. Petrutz hit .449 in his senior season at Bishop Eustace who went 21-1 in the 2021 season.
Check out Petrutz’s JSZ highlights from his high school days!
Round 13, No. 389 overall: OF Anthony Stephan, Cincinnati Reds (Ridgewood)
Stephan won a Group 4 state championship for Ridgewood as a sophomore, and it was all up from there for the Maroons’ product. Stephan was a reliable piece for the University of Virginia during his college career before hearing his name called on the third day of the draft. We go back into the vault for some of his best moments in front of JSZ cameras!
Round 14, No. 409 overall: LHP Justin Sinibaldi, Chicago White Sox (Bridgewater-Raritan)
Round 16, No. 479 overall: RHP/IF Jimmy Romano, Cincinnati Reds (St. Joe’s Mont.)
The Reds tapped into a second Bergen County product on the final day of the 2024 MLB Draft when they selected Duke’s Jimmy Romano. Romano was a monster during his high school days at St. Joe’s, who smashed nine home runs with 18 RBI during a state championship season in 2021. Romano didn’t pitch for most of his senior season as he recovered from injury, but delivered out of the bullpen late in the season to secure a title. Romano made 29 appearances with a 3.91 ERA for the Blue Devils during the 2023-24 season.
Round 18, No. 549 overall: RHP Mike Caldon, Baltimore Orioles (Matawan)
Round 19, No. 576 overall: INF Tony Santa Maria, Tampa Bay Rays (Atlantic Tech)
