LSU commit Ayla Tuua and catcher Ava Hodo headline the nation's top juniors.
The talent pool is deep in high school softball's Class of 2026. The juniors bring a mix of power hitters, dominant pitchers, speed and the ability to make plays all over the field.
Below are 20 Class of 2026 standouts to watch this spring. Selections were based on prior success, local and national honors and potential for breakout seasons.
The powerful right-handed pitcher struck out 245 batters in 2024 and opponents hit just 0.75. Tuua also batted .448 with 11 long balls.
First team MaxPreps All-American selection as a sophomore after hitting 12 home runs with 63 RBI and a .488 average. The Arkansas commit was a big reason why the Makos were the No. 1-ranked team in the country.
3. Ella Kate Smith, P, Katy (Texas)Smith, an Oklahoma commit, was the one of Katy's main weapons in the circle and at the plate.
4. Mia Clemmer, UT, Coahoma (Texas)Almost impossible to keep off the bases in 2024. Committed to Texas, the catcher and corner infielder had 54 hits, walked 21 times and finished with a .664 OBP.
5. Madi Doty, P, Grandview (Texas)Texas commit finished 25-2 on the rubber last spring with a 0.62 ERA and 314 strikeouts. She also hit .581, drove in 71 and went deep 16 times.
6. Grace Swedarsky, P, Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.) The right-handed ace struck out 77 batters over the final five games of the season, including 13 Ks in the Class 4A state championship game. The Virginia Tech commit finished the season with 270 total punch-outs.
7. Anabela Abdullah, IF, Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.)The Texas commit is considered one of the top defensive players in the Class of 2026. She is also a major weapon on offense with a big bat and speed on the base paths.
8. Lilly Hauser, P, Murrieta Mesa (Murrieta, Calif.)A force on offense and defense. The Arizona commit batted .514 and hit nine jacks while going 23-1 with a 0.63 ERA.
9. Lilly Goodwin, P, Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.)The lefty fanned 201, finished 16-1 and ended with a 0.54 ERA. The Northwestern commit also batted .554 as a sophomore.
10. Ava Lorenzatti, P, Beecher (Ill.)Headed to Florida State, Lorenzatti brings it in the circle. As a sophomore, she struck out 10 or more batters in 19 games and finished with 271 total. She also hit .532 last spring.
11. McLaine Hudson, IF, South Warren (Bowling Green, Ky.)Kentucky commit was deadly with the bat in her hands all season long in 2024, crushing 22 home runs, batting .639 and driving in 67 runs.
12. Torynn Slaughter UT, Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.)Nearly impossible to get out last spring, Slaughter finished with a .619 average. The Alabama commit had a hit in every game as a sophomore.
13. Kynzee Anderson, P, Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, La.)The Georgia commit has already struck out nearly 800 batters. She finished last year with a 25-2 mark and 274 strikeouts.
14. Sydnee Williams, OF, O'Connor (Phoenix, Ariz.)The LSU commit has already hit 20 home runs to start her prep career. The lefty slugger was walked 26 times in 2024.
15. Brooklyn Paratore, C, Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills, Calif.)Oak Ridge could have two of the top catchers in the state on one team. Paratore, a Washington commit, is back with teammate and LSU commit
Sam Alekman. These two will lock up the middle of a very solid Trojans lineup.
16. Maggie Krause, P, Northview (Brazil, Ind.)The Tennessee commit has already surpassed 500 career strikeouts. She had 16 games during her sophomore year where she mowed down at least 10 batters.
17. Ki'ele Ho-Ching, IF, Long Beach Poly (Calif.)Named Moore League player of the year in 2024 after hitting nearly .700. The Oklahoma commit can smash at the plate and has a solid glove in the infield.
18. Brooklyn Gidley, IF, A&M Consolidated (College Station, Texas)The Florida commit can do it all as a left slapper, driving the ball in gaps, beating out soft grounders and catching opponents off guard with a sneaky bunt.
19. Jordyn Thibodeaux, P, Calallen (Corpus Christi, Texas)A massive reason the Wildcats captured the Class 4A state championship in 2024. The McNeese State mowed down 154 batters, went 20-1 and finished with a 0.93 ERA last spring.
20. Malaya Majam-Finch, P, Fullerton (Calif.)The Oklahoma commit brings power to both sides of the plate. She pumps gas with speeds in the upper 60s in the circle and hit over .470 as a freshman and sophomore.
