New Jersey’s top-ranked southpaw enrolls with NSR

Alan Zenobi didn’t have to wait too long or look too far to enroll his first Diamond Nation baseball prospect this month after National Scouting Report became the official recruiting arm of the largest baseball/softball complex in the Northeast.

Bob DeChiaro, director of corporate partnerships for Diamond Nation, enrolled his son, Joey, almost immediately after the ink dried on the partnership agreement with NSR.

Joey DeChiaro, a highly touted freshman at Hunterdon Central High School, located just 2 miles from Diamond Nation in Flemington, N.J., is ranked No. 1 among left-handed pitchers in New Jersey and No. 13 nationally by Perfect Game.

“NSR was the only organization we considered when it came to college recruiting services for my son,” Bob DeChiaro said. “The Diamond Nation staff built his foundation and NSR has taken him to a higher level in terms of exposure and connections.

“The college recruiting process is not only painstakingly time-consuming, but it’s equally complex for both the player and the parents. NSR has created a ‘GPS navigation-type program’ that provides the player with all the necessary avenues he needs while establishing a partnership with dozens of scouts around the country.”

Zenobi, Area Director for Central New Jersey, couldn’t wait to start working with Joey. A 6-foot-1, 170-pounder with an 84-mph fastball, Joey boasted an 11-2 record and 1.20 ERA last year for the Diamond Jacks, a highly competitive travel team representing Diamond Nation. His biggest claim to fame was a 1-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts in the Perfect Game 14U Mid-Atlantic Qualifier.

“Joey is a young, extremely talented 2019 LHP who is just starting to fill out physically,” Zenobi wrote in his NSR scouting report. “At 6 feet 1 and 170 pounds, he has plenty of room to grow. He throws in the low to mid 80s consistently with control and movement of his pitches while hitting his marks. He is mentally tough on the mound. Working his way out of tough situations makes him a force against opponents. He is a future star with plenty of upside.”

Joey, who was named to the 2016 Rawlings-Perfect Game High School Underclassmen Preseason All-America team, 2015 WWBA Freshman World All-Tournament Team, 2015 Perfect Game 14U Super 25 All-Tournament Team and 2015 Perfect Game 14U Mid-Atlantic All-Tournament Team, is determined to succeed on the mound and in the classroom.

“I have been playing baseball since the age of 5, most recently for the Diamond Jacks,” he wrote in his NSR personal message to college coaches. “My passion is baseball and I work hard to get better daily. I am focused on my pitching and also getting stronger in my lower body, core and shoulder. I also bring the same work ethic to the classroom where I maintain a 3.35 GPA. I look forward to bringing my talents to the next level and getting a sound education for my future.”

Joey is the second Diamond Nation prospect to join NSR, following Hopewell Valley Central High School pitcher Zach Bregenzer, who was enrolled last fall by Southeastern PA/South Jersey Area Director Gary Silvers. NSR scouts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania will be attending numerous DN baseball and softball tournaments seeking more qualified prospects for college coaches across the country.

“Going through the process on your own is certainly an option,” Bob DeChiaro said. “So is heading out on a trip without directions. Unless you are highly skilled in the entire process and have the patience and time to be sure all the right things are being done, you’d be best served to enroll your child with NSR.”