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 fourth-annual North Jersey baseball "Gold Glove" team, as chosen by coaches and provided by NorthJersey.com:

Mike Carcich

Westwood senior first baseman

Carcich is a multi-sport standout and four-year starter at first base for a team seeded No. 3 in the Bergen County Tournament. Through his first 97 chances, he had a .990 fielding percentage.

"Mike is one of the leaders of our team, he has been our first baseman since his freshman year and has saved us on many occasions,” coach Nick Urbanovich said. “He is as tough as they come and makes our entire infield better because he is so solid."

Ethan Chiaramonte

Dumont senior shortstop

Chiaramonte is a captain and three-year starter at shortstop. He has a .906 fielding percentage and, as one of the Huskies’ primary pitchers, he also fields his position well on the mound.

“Each season he has focused on getting better each day,” coach Joe Algieri said. “He is a great leader, an exemplary teammate, and someone who leads by example each and every time he steps on the field.”

Ryan Choo

Leonia senior first baseman

Choo’s work enabled the Lions to qualify for the Bergen County tournament for the first time since 1991. Through the first month, he was error-free, with 11 chances, 10 putouts and 16 assists.

“Ryan works on his craft and prides himself on making the big-time play when his team needs him the most,” coach Joe Prenenski said. “Ryan's defense keeps us in games and allows his teammates to play the game without worrying about making a mistake.”

Harrison Curran

Pompton Lakes senior SS/3B

Curran is a four-year starter for a team that entered this week riding an 11-game winning streak. He is considered by his coach as the program’s “best defensive third baseman” over the past three decades. He has a .943 fielding percentage and five double plays.

“Harrison is a four-year starter who could play any position on the field,” coach Mike Riordan said. “Equipped with a freakish baseball IQ, Harrison combines an accurate arm with speed and textbook groundball technique.”

Tommy Manzo

St. Joseph senior shortstop

Manzo covers so much real estate that the Seton Hall commit has been tagged for multiple errors after colliding with teammates who cannot get out of the way as he throws. Through 17 games, he had 53 chances, six errors, 43 putouts, four assists and two double plays.

“He covers so much ground that it’s unbelievable,” coach Mark Cieslak said. “He’s able to keep the runners close at second base and not lose a step on the ground. And his throws are strong and accurate.”

Mike Montgomery

Park Ridge senior second baseman

Montgomery is a four-year starter at second base. Through his first 41 chances, he was error-free, and he has only made 12 errors in his career. He also fields well on the mound.

“He takes pride in his defense with his work ethic at practice every day and has continuously improved throughout his four years – his confidence continues to grow with each game,” coach Dylan Evans said.

JC Pacheco

DePaul sophomore shortstop

Pacheco has been a centerpiece for Passaic County’s top-seeded team. Through 14 games, he had 42 chances with only one error, 23 assists, 18 putouts and turned five double plays.

“JC is a gifted player. He has a plus arm, combined with above-average range and exceptional hands,” coach John Zisa said. “JC brings extreme mental toughness to one of the most difficult defensive positions on the field.”

Daniel Pascual

Fair Lawn senior first baseman

Pascual has been the anchor for a team that relies on defense in its quest for a winning season. In his first 30 chances, he was error-free, with 26 putouts and four assists.

“Dan is arguably the most important piece to the puzzle for our success,” coach Mike Rosenblum said. “For a team built on pitching and defense, Dan makes plays that save multiple errors and gives the infield the opportunity to throw the ball with confidence and without the fear of making a mistake.”

Dominic Passero

Hawthorne senior first baseman

Passero is a multi-sport standout and three-year starter with much better speed and agility than most first basemen. In his first 310 career chances, the coach’s son only committed five errors and has a .984 fielding percentage.

“Dominic has tremendous range for a first baseman, and has been a great target for our varsity infield the last three years,” coach John Passero said, adding, “His ability to field inaccurate throws to first have saved our team many runs over the years.”

Christian Pelaez

Hackensack junior shortstop

Pelaez has been an anchor in the infield and leadoff spot for a team that is headed for the Bergen County Round of 16. He has very good speed, range and glove and, through the first month of the season, only made one error.

“Christian gives the pitchers confidence to throw strikes, as they know a ball hit to shortstop is an out,” coach Frank DiLorenzo said. “He can be found making diving plays up the middle or the long throws from the hole.”

Luis Placido-Fana

New Milford junior outfielder

Placido-Fana, a prolific base-stealer and multi-sport athlete, uses his speed in center field to cover plenty of ground. In his first 23 chances, he made 22 plays and has a .956 fielding percentage.

“Luis is one of the best athletes in our school and uses his incredible speed, glove and ability to cover the entire outfield for us.” coach Sean Ryan said. “His speed and baseball IQ has helped the program both in the field and at the plate with his 38 steals through our first 14 games.”

Adrian Rozon

Becton junior outfielder

Rozon has kept the Wildcats above .500 and in contention for an NJIC division crown with his work in center field. Through 15 games, he had 24 chances and was error-free.

“His extreme athleticism and fantastic speed allows him to run any ball down,” coach Michael Lind said. “We, as coaches, are confident that if a ball is hit anywhere in the vicinity that he is going to come down with it and his arm has held runners at bay, ensuring that no additional bases are taken.”

Lucas Thomas

Elmwood Park junior first baseman

Thomas’ specialty is transforming errant throws into outs. His ability to play first allows the Crusaders to better position his teammates, and in 21 chances, he has a .905 fielding percentage, with 18 putouts and one assist.

“Lucas has been an anchor at first base all season, despite some intense struggles in the field for Elmwood Park,” coach Daniel DiStasio said. “It seems like he is putting out fires every inning with errant throws and sporadic defensive play.”

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: These North Jersey baseball players are 'Gold Glove' fielders