Tools of the Trade: Class of 2028 Defense
January 8, 2026
When scouts talk about the “five tools” of a baseball player—hitting for average, hitting for power, speed, arm strength, and defense—it’s often the glove that gets overshadowed. Yet defense is the backbone of a complete ballplayer, the tool that can change the rhythm of a game with one clean read, one quick transfer, one fearless dive.
In the Northeast, where raw spring days and unpredictable hops on dirt test even the most polished athletes, defense becomes more than just a skill, it’s a separator. The players who can handle the glove with confidence and consistency stand out in a region where every rep is earned and every out matters.
C Eddie Mitchell (Lenape, 2028) the number 1 catcher in New Jersey and 10th overall player is a standout defender every time you watch him play. Mitchell has flashed a strong arm up to 80 mph with a quick pop time of 1.83-1.93. In gameplay at the East Coast Super Sophomore Games, he threw out multiple runners attempting to steal second base. Mitchell’s ability to present each pitch consistently gives him the ability to steal more strikes throughout the game for his pitcher.
SS Nico Leone (Liverpool, 2028) bounces around the infield like an energizer bunny and flashes his glovework by making some remarkable plays. He has shown the ability to make plays on the run on slow rollers, laterally in the hole to the glove side and backhand, and the ability to make quick adjustments on tricky hops and bounces. The dynamic infielder throws 83 mph across the infield with a loose, electric arm action. He is an infielder that every pitcher wants to defend behind them.
SS Cooper Stiscak (Pine-Richland, 2028) is a talented shortstop with a 6-foot-1, 181-pound frame. The premium framed shortstop is a 6.95 runner that shows his lateral quickness and range in the field. He flashed a quick first step with body control and repeatable actions. His 84-mph arm strength allows him to make difficult throws in unique situations.
SS Vince Filis (Princeton Day, 2028) is a smooth mover in the infield with above average lateral range. He flashed body control and a repeatable routine with every ground ball taken. He consistently fields the baseball out front of his body with a clean transfer and efficient footwork that allows him to deliver an 85-mph strike to first base. Filis is a reliable and trustworthy defender you would want to lock down the middle of the infield.
C Julian Martinez (Stony Brook School, 2028) the number 1 catcher in New York’s 2028 class and second overall prospect is a standout talent behind the plate. Martinez has flashed a low pop-time of 1.89-2.02 with an arm strength of 77 mph. He works out of the right knee down set up and transitions into a hybrid stance to make his throws to second base. Martinez also has soft hands with minimal movement that allows him to steal strikes for his pitchers.
C Matthew Madonna (North Catholic, 2028) was a standout performer at this summer’s East Coast Super Sophomore Games where he displayed his mature defensive capabilities behind the plate. He controlled a very talented pitching staff showing off his receiving, blocking, and pitch calling skills. Alongside his impressive in-game performance, Madonna also flashed a 1.95-2.02 pop time with a 78-mph arm strength.
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