Brayden Fry, a senior from Cranford, has been crowned New Jersey’s 2026 High School Baseball Player of the Year after a decisive fan vote that saw him capture 58.54% of the tally.
Fry’s impact went far beyond the ballot, as he guided his squad to the North 2 Group 3 state championship. He finished the season with a .495 batting average, smashing 10 home runs while driving in 27 runs and delivering 46 hits, nine doubles and 53 runs scored.
The competition was fierce. Jordan Burwell of Seton Hall Prep settled for second place with 15.11% of the vote, posting a .488 average, 41 hits, 42 RBIs, seven homers and 34 runs. Mason Rosenberg of Bishop Eustace Prep followed in third, earning 12.88% after a .410 average, 32 hits, 36 RBIs and 11 home runs.
Other standout performers rounded out the top five. Lizandro Perez of Rutgers Prep, a pitcher with a 1.49 ERA, 102 strikeouts and just 18 walks in 47 innings, earned 5.19% of the vote. Selden Kolkeback from NV‑Old Tappan, who finished unbeaten at 12‑0 with a 0.72 ERA and 126 strikeouts, captured 4.2%.
A New Generation of Talent
The depth of talent extended beyond the top five. Alex Weingartner, named Gatorade New Jersey Baseball Player of the Year, batted .512 with 32 RBIs, six homers, 42 runs and 28 stolen bases, while Mickey Gilligan, the state’s Prep Player of the Year, led the chart with 13 homers and a .639 average, adding 46 hits, 48 RBIs, 11 doubles, four triples and 54 runs.
The recognition underscores a vibrant high school baseball landscape in New Jersey, where fan engagement played a pivotal role in celebrating these athletes. As the next season looms, many of these players are poised to attract college scouts and professional interest, promising even more excitement on the diamond.