On
12-5-24, MLB.com posted their top 100 prospects in the upcoming draft.
Beginning 2-2-25, we will post it in backward order, ending with the pick for
1.1
https://www.mlb.com/prospects/2025/draft/ -
#96 Justice
de Jong RHP, Poly Prep (NY)
17/yrs
old 6' 3" 210
COMMITTED
- Duke
Scouting
grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50
| Overall: 45
Poly Prep
in Brooklyn is going to be busy once things warm up this spring, with two
intriguing Draft prospects for evaluators to check out, and both likely have
futures on the mound. Miguel Sime Jr. brings power as a pitcher only, while de
Jong has legitimate two-way talent, though scouts prefer his now stuff and
projection on the mound after seeing him pitch well against premium talent on
the summer showcase circuit.
At
6-foot-3, de Jong fits the description of the prototypical high school
right-hander with a ton of upside, especially when considering he’s yet to
focus solely on pitching. He has the chance to have three at least
above-average pitches when all is said and done, starting with a fastball
that’s up to 96 mph with life and more in the tank to come. He has a hard
downer curve that could be a true out pitch, and he also has a quick, late
slider in his arsenal. He can also throw his changeup for strikes with excellent
deception and will throw it at any time. He can find the strike zone with all
of his offerings.
Should de
Jong go on to Duke, he’d likely get the chance to keep playing both ways, with
plenty of power in his right-handed swing. He’s a hard worker with plus makeup,
so it’s not difficult to envision what he could become, with No. 2 starter type
of a ceiling, should he start his pro career and put the bat aside.
1-27-25 - Just Baseball –
2025 MLB Draft - Top 80 High School Prospects
https://www.justbaseball.com/college/mlb-draft-top-high-scool-prep-prospects/
HT/WT: 6’3/215 | Bat/Throw: R/R | School: Poly Prep Country
Day (NY) | Commitment: Duke | Age: 17.11
Another two-way talent in this class, de Jong is a lanky,
physical specimen that many prefer as an arm. He controls his body well and
moves fluidly down the mound, requiring little to no effort in his delivery.
There’s good arm speed and pitchability in his profile, plus he fills up the
strike zone with all three of his pitches.
The heater is more of a dead-zone shape and doesn’t miss a
ton of bats, but he sits in the 92-94 MPH bucket consistently and has crept
into the mid-90s in shorter stints this summer. He’s likely a sinker guy at the
next level, though his deception helps it play up a bit.
His upper-70s curveball can get a bit slurvy, but it’s a true
sweeper with up to 15+ inches of horizontal movement and good depth. It tunnels
off the heater well and breaks sharply away from righties.
The change-up is a viable weapon to lefties with firm shape,
too. If scouts prefer the bat, it’s potentially big right-handed pop with bat
speed and leverage, though there’s swing-and-miss to his profile. De Jong won’t
turn 18 until after the draft, which helps him become more of a model-friendly
prospect. He’d be eligible as a junior in 2028 out of Duke if he goes to
campus.
https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/PlayerProfile.aspx?ID=728491
–
2024
National Showcase
Justice
de Jong is a 2025 3B/RHP/1B with a 6-3 210 lb. frame from New York, NY who
attends Poly Prep Country Day. Big and strong young build. Primary third
baseman on defense but graded out higher at this event as a pitcher. Right
handed hitter, sets up in a wide and slightly open base, small hand drop load,
rotational upper body swing, has bat speed and strength and can impact the
ball, power really projects when he learns to extend better through contact,
106 EV in batting practice, best when he's turning the barrel over. Step by
step actions on defense, clean glove work, still learning his footwork, plenty
of arm strength. Has a full arm stroke on the mound and a high 3/4's arm slot.
Fastball was up to 95 mph with up to 18" of IVB. Curveball was an
outstanding pitch with 20" of horizontal life and nice late sharpness,
also threw a quality change up while over matching some very good hitters.
Extremely young for the 2025 class which adds to his projection, especially on
the mound. Excellent student, verbal commitment to Duke.
https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/news/PBR/aag-spotlight--justice-de-jong--ny--2025-
-
DeJong, a
Duke recruit, was a standout late in the summer on the national scene where his
two-way prowess applied pressure from all angles. The sturdy and athletic,
6-foot-3, 205-pound right-hander who will not turn 18 until after the Draft
shows some power potential at the plate, but it is his polish and poise, along
with big arm strength on the mound, that stand out most. Equipped with an
advanced arsenal that includes sharp spin, de Jong has a chance to make even
bigger jumps in coming months, especially given his hard-working and
competitive mentality.
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