North Jersey has had its share of talented high school baseball players over the past 25 years.

Since 2000, 26 Bergen and Passaic county athletes have been selected in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft directly out of high school. Don Bosco has the most drafted players during that span with nine, followed by St. Joseph (6), and Passaic Tech and Rutherford with two apiece.

With the 2025 MLB Draft set to get begin Sunday, July 13 in Cumberland, Georgia, as part of the All-Star Game festivities, there’s a high probability some New Jersey prospects will hear their names called at some point during the two-day event.

Don Bosco senior shortstop Nicky Becker is the top area prospect as some scouts and insiders project his name could be called on Day 1.

This year’s draft begins at 6 p.m. with the first three rounds taking place on opening night followed by rounds 4-20 on Monday, July 14.

Before the festivities begin, let’s take a stroll down memory lane and take a look at the 26 North Jersey baseball players who were selected in the Draft since 2000 (names listed in alphabetical order):

Austin Bodrato, infielder, St. Joseph

A multi-talented athlete for the Green Knights, Bodrato was chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 24th round of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft. With a fastball that touched the low 90s, the Suffern, New York, native received scouts attention as a position player. He hit .382 (34-for-89) with two home runs, 35 RBIs, 28 runs and eight doubles in 29 games. On the mound, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound force finished 5-1 with 59 strikeouts in 36⅓ innings, but was even more impressive as St. Joseph’s leadoff hitter and second baseman. He chose to play at the University of Florida after high school where he was a member of the Gator’s national championship team in 2017.

Tommy Burns, pitcher, Don Bosco

Selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 34th round in 2012 and later the Seattle Mariners in the 22nd round in 2013 from Howard College (Big Spring, Texas). An All-North Jersey selection, the righty went 9-2 as a senior at Don Bosco striking out 67 in 61 innings and had an 0.65 ERA.

Arbert Cipion, outfieler, Passaic Tech

A speedy centerfielder, Cipion was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 9th round in 2018. As a senior he batted over .450 in leading the Bulldogs to a 20-4 record, the Big North Liberty Division title and the New Jersey Technical Athletic Council (NJTAC) tournament championship. Cipion led Tech in runs scored, walks and stolen bases in earning a spot on the All-Passaic County first team. He currently plays for the New Jersey Jackals.

Brandon Cohen, outfielder, River Dell

The Record’s Player of the Year in 2002, Cohen was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 48th round in 2002. The All-State outfielder hit .459 and hit 10 home runs his senior year at River Dell and led Bergen County with 48 RBIs. The River Edge native elected to attend Seton Hall and was a four-year position player for the Pirates where he was a team captain in 2005 and 2006.

Caden Dana, pitcher, Don Bosco

Selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 11th round of the 2022 MLB June Amateur Draft, Dana needed only two years to make his MLB debut on Sept. 1, 2024. As a senior, led the Ironmen to their first state championship in 14 years, pitching in all four of their postseason games. The 6-foot-5 right-hander went 6-1 with a 1.33 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 47⅓ innings, hit four home runs at the plate and was named Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year.

Mike Dennhardt, pitcher, Don Bosco

A member of the Record’s All-Decade team, Dennhardt was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 17th round in 2008 and later by the Cincinnati Reds in the 32nd round in 2011 from Boston College. The Oradell native finished 19-0 in his last two seasons with the Ironmen and as a senior he was 10-0 with nine complete games, six shutouts and a 0.56 ERA.

Jordan Gross, pitcher, Don Bosco

The Franklin Lakes native was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 40th round in 2011. The southpaw went 4-0 and had a 4.24 ERA and recorded 54 strikeouts in 38 innings as a senior for the Ironmen. Pitched for four years at Tulane after high school.

Sean Hard, pitcher, St. Joseph

Hard was the fifth St. Joseph player to get drafted over a 14-year span when he was selected by the New York Yankees in the 20th round in 2021. Led the Green Knights to Bergen County and Non-Public state titles his senior year and was named the North Jersey Baseball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-5 right-hander pitched also played first base. Struck out a North Jersey-best 87 and allowed one earned run, good for a 0.28 ERA in 50⅔innings pitched. Finished with an 8-0 record to complement hitting statistics that included a .419 average, six homers and 32 RBIs. Played four years at Boston College.

Shooter Hunt, pitcher, Ramapo

Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 34th round of the 2005 MLB June Amateur Draft. Put his pro aspirations on hold, opting to take advantage of his scholarship to the University of Virginia. At Ramapo, won 11 games, striking out 147 with a 1.20 ERA his senior year to earn All-Bergen and All-North Jersey honors. Hunt was later drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (31st) in 2008 from Tulane University.

Breyln Jones, pitcher, Rutherford

Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 29th round in 2019. As a leadoff hitter, Jones had a 20-20 season in runs scored and stolen bases and batted over .400. On the hill, the right-hander compiled a 5-1 record and 0.27 ERA through his first 26 innings pitched. Spent parts of three years with the Dodgers before landing in the Frontier league with the New Jersey Jackals (2023) and the Titans (2024). Recently acquired by the Oakland Athletics this past February. Jones is the son of former Major League pitcher Bobby Jones, who played with the Rockies, Mets, Padres, and Red Sox from 1997-2004.

Rob Kaminsky, pitcher, St. Joseph

Kaminsky is the only first-round draft pick out of high school in the last 25 years when he was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 28th pick overall *in 2013. A recipient of the Bob Kurland Award his senior year, the southpaw fanned 126 batters in 64 innings and allowed only 27 hits for a microscopic ERA of 0.10 in leading St. Joseph to the Bergen County Tournament title in 2013. Made his Major League debut with the Cardinals on August 16, 2020.

Marquise Liverpool, outfielder, Don Bosco

A speedy outfielder and multi-sport athlete, Liverpool was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 33rd round in 2004. The Teaneck native was a two-time All-State football selection as well as a member of the Record’s All-Decade team. Signed with the Mariners six days before he was scheduled to begin football practice as a freshman at Boston College. Advanced as high as Class AAA with Seattle before leaving baseball behind to pursue college football at Temple University.

Brendan Lobban, pitcher, St. Joseph

Selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 45th round of the 2008 MLB June Amateur Draft. A left-fielder/pitcher, Lobban had six home runs and 45 RBIs with 39 hits and 13 stolen bases. Played at St. John’s after high school.

Jaren Matthews, infielder, Don Bosco

Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 17th round in 2007 and later the Cincinnati Reds in the 32nd round in 2010 from Rutgers. A member of the Record’s All-Decade team, the Teaneck native hit nine homers and stole 49 bases in his last two seasons at Don Bosco. Led the Ironmen to a Bergen County title as a senior with a .500 average, five home runs, 33 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.

Vin Mazzaro, pitcher, Rutherford

Selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 3rd round in 2005. He first reached the majors in 2009 as a starter and pitched for five MLB teams with a record of 24-23 and a 4.79 ERA. Led Rutherford High School to consecutive Group 2 championships, showcasing his skills for scouts throughout his amazing final two years with the Bulldogs.

Nazier Mule, pitcher, Passaic Tech

Mule was the second Passaic Tech player drafted over a four-year span following in Cipion’s footsteps when he was chosen by the Chicago Cubs in the 4th round in 2022. A four-year starter for the Bulldogs, Mule chose to sign with the Cubs over a scholarship offer from the University of Miami. In his final varsity pitching ledger, the right-handed pitcher went 9-2 with a 2.18 ERA and 163 strikeouts in 93 career innings. He currently plays with the Cubs Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

David Palladino, pitcher, Emerson

The Record 2011 Player of the Year, Palladino was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 13th round in 2011 from Emerson and later the New York Yankees in the 5th round in 2013 from Howard College (Big Spring, TX). Initially, the 6-foot-9 right-handed pitcher attended the University of South Carolina Upstate out of high school before transferring to Howard. Earned All-Bergen honors his senior year, going 10-1 with a 1.08 ERA. Threw three no-hitters and struck out 131 in 72 innings.

Luca Petrocelli, pitcher, Hackensack

An All-Bergen County and All-State selection as a senior, Petrocelli was selected by the Royals in the 34th Round in 2000. Finished 8-2 in his final season for the Comets, striking out 126 batters in 71 innings. Attended Briarcliff Community College on Long Island after high school.

Logan Pevny, pitcher, West Milford

Selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 49th round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft. Chose the Pirates over a scholarship offer from Fairleigh Dickinson. Went 3-2 in his senior year and posted a 4.59 ERA and recorded 49 strikeouts in 32 innings. He also hit .340, with a team-high eight homers and drove in 34 runs. Pevny is the first West Milford player drafted directly out of high school.

Eric Pfisterer, pitcher, Don Bosco

Chosen by the Cincinnati Reds in the 15th round in 2008. The Saddle River resident went 10-0 in his senior year and started the Bergen County title game and pitched four innings of relief in the State Non-Public A final. Batted .525 (52 for 99) with 10 doubles, four home runs, 48 RBIs and a .788 slugging percentage. Pitched for Duke after high school. 

Steve Proscia, infielder, Don Bosco

Another member of the Record’s All-Decade team, the Suffern, New York, native was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 39th round out of high school and later by the Seattle Mariners in the 7th round in 2011 from the University of Virginia. Batted .545 as a senior at Don Bosco and hit in the cleanup spot for No. 1-ranked Virginia his junior year where he led the team in RBIs (48), home runs (five) and stolen bases (11).

Isaias Quiroz, catcher, St. Joseph

Battery mates with Kaminsky as a junior at St. Joseph, the catcher was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 20th round in 2014. Also known as “IQ,” Quiroz earned All-North Jersey honors, hitting a team-high .364, with two home runs and 24 RBIs as a senior for the Green Knights.

Ryan Ramsey, pitcher, Pascack Hills

Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 36th round in 2019 out of Pascack Hills and the Kansas City Royals in the 13th round in 2022 from the University of Maryland. The left-hander closed out a dominant career with a one-hit shutout in the Group 2 state final, leaving him with an 8-2 record, 0.66 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 63⅓ innings, during which he allowed 29 hits and 11 walks for a 0.63 WHIP.

Niko Spezial, pitcher, Don Bosco

The Waldwick native was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 32nd round of the 2009 MLB June Amateur Draft from Don Bosco and later by the Washington Nationals in the 19th round. Chose to play college baseball at Wake Forest after high school where he had a career-low 2.83 ERA and won a career-high six games in seven decisions in his last season. In four seasons at Wake Forest, Spezial appeared in 80 games (78 in relief), and posted a 4.46 ERA in 101 innings.

Martin Vergara, pitcher, DePaul

The All-Passaic and All-State hurler was chosen by the Cleveland Indians in the 15th Round in 2001. Posted a 9-2 record as a senior for the Passaic County parochial school with a 1.60 ERA. Struck out 147 in 74 innings. Also batted third in the lineup and hit .425 with five doubles, four triples, three homers, and led the Spartans in RBIs with 27. Vergara was a pitcher with the Notre Dame baseball team from 2002-06. As a freshman, he helped the Fighting Irish advance to the College World Series for just the second time in program history.

Brent Weiss, infielder, St. Joseph

A Second Team All-State selection after leading St. Joseph to the Bergen County championship his senior year, Weiss was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 47th round in 2005. The Suffern, New York, native was also a standout quarterback at St. Joseph, guiding the Green Knights football team to back-to-back state sectional titles in 2003 and 2004.