These North Jersey baseball players are ‘Gold Glove’ fielders

These North Jersey baseball players do some of their best work with a glove, and their defense often makes the difference between a win and a loss.

Here is the 2025 North Jersey baseball “Gold Glove” team, as chosen by coaches and provided by NorthJersey.com.

(Webmaster note: The article has been edited to highlight the seven NJIC student-athletes)

Alex Caserta

Waldwick senior right fielder

Caserta’s background as a football quarterback and defensive back helps make him a better outfielder. He has a .967 fielding percentage and his lone error came on a throwing miscue.

“He possesses a strong arm and roams the outfield as a true ‘ball hawk’,” Warriors coach Dan Freeman said. “His willingness to put his body on the line has led to several diving catches, including a game-saving, diving grab at Park Ridge, with the tying run in scoring position, to end the game.”

Max Gonzalez

Lyndhurst junior catcher

Gonzalez is a two-year starter at catcher. In his first 217 total chances this season, he has 198 putouts, 17 assists and only two errors for a .991 fielding percentage. He has thrown out 14 of 31 base stealers.

“Max is our field general behind the dish,” Golden Bears coach Pat Auteri said. “He sets the tone day in and day out, grinding through every bullpen and every blocking drill. He has a passion for this great game and a work ethic that is second to none. He finds purpose in the work that no one sees and that’s why he is a gamer.”

Tyler Manarang

Cresskill senior center fielder/pitcher

Manarang is a non-stop hustler, in the field and on the basepaths. He has started 18 games in center field and has only made one error. He has 28 putouts from that position and four assists.

“Tyler has been ‘Mr. Reliable’ in center field for us this season,” Cougars coach Alex Muggeo said. “It’s a no-brainer putting Manarang in the lineup every day. He leaves everything on the field for us and has put his body on the line multiple times to come up with a ball.”

Luis Placido

New Milford senior center fielder

Placido is a four-year starter and two-time Gold Glove selection. One of North Jersey’s premier base stealers, his speed helps him turn hits into outs and his arm prevents base runners from advancing. He only has two errors in two seasons.

“When you talk about defensive excellence, Luis sets the standard,” Knights coach Sean Ryan said. “Whether it’s snagging line drives, getting to balls in the gap, or making clutch catches in the outfield, his glove speaks louder than words. He’s the kind of player who gives pitchers confidence.”

Anthony Way

Saddle Brook sophomore outfielder/first baseman

Way splits time between left field, right field and first base. His speed enables him to cover a lot of ground in the outfield and track down balls in the gap. At first, his ability to dig throws out of the dirt and stretch for wide throws is huge. He only has two errors.

“Anthony is having an exceptional defensive year, committing only two errors all season,” Falcons coach Garrett Luna said. “Whether he’s in the outfield or holding down first base, his glove gives us confidence and stability every inning he’s on the field.”

Vinnie Stigliano

Pompton Lakes senior shortstop/pitcher

Stigliano is the veteran centerpiece of a program that last year won its first state championship. He has a .979 fielding percentage and has contributed to nine double plays.

“Stigs has a powerful arm and advanced instincts,” coach Mike Riordan, whose Cardinals won last year’s Group 1 title, 14-4, over Point Pleasant Beach. “Especially on grass and dirt fields, he has the ability to adjust to bad hops.”

Dominic Vicente

Wallington senior left fielder

Vicente has battled back from injuries during his career, including a torn ACL. Left field is a tough assignment at Wallington, where there is no fence and 80 yards of football field behind him, and he handles it well. He has 19 putouts and two assists.

“Dominic gets great jumps on balls hit his way and always takes great paths to the ball,” Panthers coach Colin Hourigan said. “His arm strength is something that he worked on this off season and he’s nabbed two runners trying to advance after the putout.”

Christopher Pellegrino

Wayne Hills senior second baseman

Pellegrino is a two-year starter at second base. In his first 63 total chances this season, he had 49 putouts, 12 assists and only two errors. Over two seasons, he has 122 putouts, 17 assists and only five errors.

“Chris has been more than reliable at second base,” Patriots coach Mike Abate said. “He is a leader who wants the ball hit to him. Wayne Hills is not an easy place to play infield and Chris makes it look easy. His defense alone has not gone unnoticed and helped contribute to many wins this season.”

Steve Klein

Westwood junior center fielder

Klein is part of the Cardinals’ stellar class of 2026. As a multi-sport athlete, he has good speed, athleticism and instincts, and he made his first 41 putouts without an error.

“Steve looks like an MLB center fielder and his athleticism allows him to cover more ground than most,” Cardinals coach Nick Urbanovich said. “When the ball is hit in his direction, we know it’s an out and that’s a comforting feeling for everyone on the field and in the dugout.”

Matt Mackey

Mahwah senior shortstop

Mackey is a three-year starter who also saw time as a freshman. In 98 chances this season, he has 62 assists, 29 putouts and turned eight double plays. He has 145 assists and 80 putouts for his career.

“As a sophomore he was our second baseman and moved over to shortstop his junior year and took it by storm,” T-Birds coach Jeff Remo said. “Mackey has been consistent and clutch for us as our shortstop. His smooth glove has made some spectacular plays and has saved us from long innings many times.

James Sutera

Dumont sophomore shortstop

Sutera has handled multiple positions, but he’s primarily a shortstop. He has a .953 fielding percentage, only committed four errors, and has been a part of six double plays.

“James makes defense a priority and it shows through his continued hard work during practice, as well as his play on the field,” Huskies coach Joe Algieri said. “James holds himself to a very high standard on the field and he equally holds his teammates to that same standard.

LJ Renshaw

Indian Hills senior catcher

Renshaw is a three-year starter behind the plate and an invaluable veteran presence for a young staff. He had not made an error in his first 20-plus games and threw out 16 of 32 base stealers.

“He has shown tremendous leadership in addition to his prowess behind the plate,” Braves coach George Hill said. “He has caught a pitching staff of two sophomores and two juniors, all pitching varsity for the first time.

Christian Pelaez

Hackensack senior shortstop

Pelaez is a three-year starter and three-time Gold Glove honoree. He has the speed, range, glove and arm to excel, and through his first 59 chances, the William Paterson commit only made four errors.

“It is a breath of fresh air for the pitchers when a ground ball is hit to short,” Comets coach Frank DiLorenzo said. “He is a leader on the field and is dynamic with the glove.

Emmanuel Paula Ruiz

Ridgefield Park sophomore right fielder

Paula Ruiz has been a mainstay in right field since freshman year and enjoyed a productive offseason that led to significant improvement. He has a .971 fielding percentage and five outfield assists.

“This year he has taken his defense and overall game to the next level,” Scarlets coach Scott Papetti said. “He came in bigger, faster and stronger and it showed with his ability to run down balls in the gap, as well as cut down runners trying to take an extra base.”

Shane Patten

DePaul senior first baseman

Patten is a four-year starter and two-time Gold Glove honoree. He is one of the program’s hardest workers, consistency is his strength, and he regularly transforms teammates’ errant throws into outs.

“His consistent performance has earned the complete trust of our infielders. They play with enhanced confidence knowing their throws do not always need to be perfect with Shane’s tremendous ability around the bag,” Spartans coach John Zisa said. “He’s the best defensive first baseman that I have ever coached.”