We going back-to-back.
One year after earning Best Pitcher honors at the 2025 New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series Fresh 50, Manalapan, NJ’s Justin Monterosso did it again, this time at the Underclass Premier, held in September at Mississippi State’s Dudy Noble Field. It was mostly a curveball-fastball mix for the five-foot-ten, 162-pound righty, with the latter offering crossing the plate between 82-84 MPH.
Our scouts see an arm that’s a “D1 prospect with improved control/command,” and like his two-way ability as a whole, although the award history here will tell you there’s at least the potential that the future will unfold on the mound. Our scouts would like to see him “be more aggressive in the zone earlier in counts,” but have future grades between 40’s and 55’s on his most recent report.
About New Balance Future Stars Series
New Balance Future Stars Series is a global platform for amateur baseball development and scouting, powered by a commitment to impact, integrity, and player-focused innovation. Its alumni can be found throughout professional baseball, and its events and partnerships have reshaped how talent is identified, nurtured, and celebrated.
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Since 2003, he has six World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked eight Super Bowls, 13 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, the NCAA D1 Men's Basketball Tournament, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,300 games covered in his career.
An avid trading card enthusiast and motorsports fan, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son, future No. 1 overall draft pick in 2042, William, their beloved dog, Bailey, and occasionally well-behaved cat, Smokey.
- 2026 Underclass Premier Award Winners: Justin Monterosso, Best Pitcher - November 9, 2026
- Five Names To Know: JUCO Regional Seminole (Oklahoma) - October 31, 2026
- 2026 Underclass Elite Award Winners: Juaquin Ochs, Best Pitcher - October 30, 2026
