As we look back on the 2025 summer tournament circuit here in Kansas City, we’ll be breaking down the top players by tool from each class — based on evaluations from our scouting team at Homefield and Creekside. Follow along as we take a deep dive into these players and highlight the summers they put together. Each week will feature our top five players based on each tool from the class, presented in no particular order.

Top Defenders Class of 2028

Charlie Foote C / 1B / Blue Valley Southwest, KS / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 7 / POS: 1

Charlie Foote earns a spot on our top defenders list as one of the best backstops in the area—and for good reason. His physical tools are trending toward those of a very capable college catcher, and he consistently shows the skill set and quickness needed to excel in the catch-and-throw game while keeping the ball in front of him. 

A 2024 Junior Future Gamer, Foote posts pop times in the 2.00–2.05 range with a 74 mph arm behind the plate. While those numbers may not top leaderboards, they help tell the story of why we like him. Foote ranks in the 85th percentile for Reactive Strength Index (RSI), highlighting the quickness that allows him to get the ball out efficiently as his footwork continues to improve. He also shows above-average hand speed and a right-handed grip strength in the 93rd percentile, signaling real upside for continued gains in arm strength as he gets stronger.

Follow along on X: @ljhatchpb and Instagram: @ljhatchprepbaseball as we continue breaking down the top tools from this past summer.