Five 2028 Prospects With Gold Glove Potential

Defense is often the difference-maker in what makes a team great. Becoming a solid defender takes practice and hard work. Add on the adjustment to a player's first year of varsity softball, and it is no easy task to maintain high-level defensive skills.   Below, Prep Softball highlights five prospects from the high school graduating class of 2028 with some serious defensive skills.    Reese Legaspi had a strong freshman season for Brimfield High School. The class of 2028 right-handed batter handled the catching duties, and also played some first and third base for Brimfield this year. Legaspi recorded a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in her freshman campaign. She made 341 total putouts in 351 total chances without committing an error. Legaspi helped Brimfield record 10 double plays and tally 10 assists in 34 games played. Behind the dish, she also flashed solid framing skills. Legaspi compiled a .327/.393/.626 slash line in her first varsity season. Later in the season, she played the hero in Brimfield's sectional semifinal game. Legaspi delivered the game-winning two-run home run for her squad in that contest.     As a freshman, Arlie Tatum handled some catching duties, third base responsibilities and a utility role for El Cerrito High School. In her first varsity season, she recorded 20 assists with 145 putouts in 166 total chances. Tatum only committed one error in 23 games played and helped convert three double plays. In an Alliance Nationals 14U game, she showed off her glove at third base. She has the defensive versatility to shift around the infield and in the outfield as well. At the plate, Tatum was a force for El Cerrito. She led the team in batting average (.731), on-base percentage (.777), home runs (10) and stolen bases (34).     Tiffany Mewshaw flashed her defensive skills as a freshman on Northeast High School's junior varsity team. She spent most of her JV season at first base, while also handling some duties at second. In 12 games, had a 1.000 fielding percentage. Mewshaw also made three putouts with seven assists and didn't commit an error. At the plate, she hit .684 (13-for-19) in 22 plate appearances. Mewshaw scored six runs, drove in three and connected for four extra-base hits in 12 games. She made one pitching appearance for Northeast's varsity team. In two innings pitched, Mewshaw faced seven batters and struck out five. She surrendered one hit in an 11-0 Northeast victory.     Laura Austin worked primarily as a second baseman for Larue County High School. She can also hold down the shortstop position, displaying a strong feel for the middle infield as a freshman. On the varsity team, she made 187 putouts in 203 total chances. Austin also tallied 14 assists and turned one double play. In 32 games played, the middle infielder committed just two errors in 203 total chances. Her .990 fielding percentage ranked 45th in the state of Kentucky. Austin held down the middle infield for a Larue County team that went a solid 27-7 and 7-0 in the district this season.     Regan Wise was a defensive force at the catching position during her freshman season. The right-handed catcher was named a First-Team All-League selection and a Most Valuable Defensive Player in 2025. In 30 games played, she had a .991 fielding percentage, which led her team, alongside 206 putouts in 224 total chances. Wise also added 14 assists this season. She had a strong defensive impact on a Sheldon squad that finished the year 19-10-1, ranking second in the league (9-3). At the plate, she slashed .343/.352/.426 with a .776 OPS.

Defense is often the difference-maker in what makes a team great. Becoming a solid defender takes practice and hard work. Add on the adjustment to a player's first year of varsity softball, and it is no easy task to maintain high-level defensive skills.