Six years ago, Eric Newell knew he would be coaching a superstar in the making.
The Haddon Heights head coach drove home from the first day of tryouts in 2019 smiling from ear-to-ear, thanks to an impressive first-year player who tried out for the Garnets.
That standout freshman had bat-to-ball skills, a distinct plate discipline, and a refreshing selflessness that Newell had never seen from a high school baseball player before.
This heralded up-and-comer was Caden Bodine, a switch-hitting and elite defensive catcher, who would become exactly the star Newell predicted.
Bodine has filled a trophy case’s worth of accolades and awards in both high school ball (All-State selectee) and collegiate ball (All-American selectee).
Just this past season, Bodine led Coastal Carolina to the program’s second-ever championship appearance in the College World Series, which saw them fall to LSU. His memorable junior campaign with the 56-win Chanticleers has elevated his status as the top catching prospect in this year’s 2025 MLB Draft, according to most draft boards.
With the draft approaching on July 13, Bodine is projected to be selected in the first round as the top prospect from New Jersey.
Caden Bodine (24) of Haddon Heights bobbles the ball but makes an impressive catch during the NJSIAA Group 2 baseball Final between Ramsey and Haddon Heights at Bob DeMeo Field at Veteran’s Park in Hamilton, NJ on Saturday, June 18, 2022. Tom Horak | For NJ Advance MediaTom Horak | For NJ Advance Media
“Right out of the gate, you could just tell that Caden was going to be different,” Newell said.
“He can play all nine positions at an elite level. It was obvious that this kid was going to make it far in this game.”
Bodine will look to become the fifth player in Haddon Heights HS history to play professional affiliate baseball, joining:
Alfred Jakubowski (Reds affiliates, 1956-58)Jeff Jones (Reds, Cubs, 1979-85)Adam Laskey (Cubs, Marlins affiliates, 2021-present)Nick Sciortino (Red Sox affiliates, 2016-19)
Batting .318 this season at Coastal in 2025, Bodine clipped 78 hits in 67 games, including 24 for extra bases. Backed by 21 multi-hit games, his on-base percentage was .454, which led to him being named a First Team All-American by D1Baseball.com.
“Getting the recognition is always nice, but I’m just more excited about the season that our program had,” Bodine said.
“We won 26 games in a row going into the CWS finals. When you have a season like this one as a team, it’s hard to turn that switch off,” Bodine said.
On top of an impressive offensive season, Bodine especially shined behind the plate, and is considered the top defensive catcher in the country. Bodine threw out 19 runners in 2025, and logged just one error.
He is a 2025 ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Winner, and was the recipient of the Buster Posey Award and the Johnny Bench Award this season, which goes to the top collegiate catcher.
“Meeting Buster was the coolest thing ever, though. It was a really humbling experience,” Bodine said.
FILE – Coastal Carolina’s Caden Bodine (17) celebrates hitting a solo home run during an NCAA super regional college baseball game against Auburn, Friday, June 6, 2025 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File)AP
In three seasons at Coastal, Bodine amassed 236 hits in 701 at-bats (.337) with 25 home runs, 55 doubles, two triples, and 160 RBIs.
“It really is awesome to see Caden go through all of these amazing things. He represents this program so well as a person and a player,” Newell said.
“He deserves everything. He’s talented, kind, and works so hard.”
Before his time in college, Bodine tore through the high school circuit, landing on the NJ.com All-State Team as a senior in 2022. Leading Haddon Heights to a Group 2 state championship appearance, Bodine batted .527 that season with 42 RBIs, 31 runs, and 15 extra-base hits.
He also hit a home run in the first inning of the state championship to end his high school career on a 10-game hitting streak.
Caden Bodine (24) of Haddon Heights bats left-handed.Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
Caden Bodine (24) of Haddon Heights bats right-handed.Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
Bodine has left his mark in high school and college baseball, doing everything possible to prove himself worthy of being a first-round pick.
None of this happens without his parents, according to Bodine.
“My mother, Amy and my father, Ray have been there every step of the way. I’m nowhere without them,” Bodine said.
“I’m excited to have them with me as I approach professional baseball. It’s our dream come true.”
A switch-hitting defensive-minded catcher is already the complete package. Perhaps Bodine’s humbleness is just another distinguishable tool to add to his draft stock.
PJ Potter covers high school baseball.
He can be reached at ppotter@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @PJ_Potter
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