High school softball's leading home run hitter, a sophomore sensation throwing gas and versatile utility players leading some of the premier programs in the country headline our look at contenders for the MaxPreps National Player of the Year.
The winner will be announced in June so there is still plenty to be determined as postseason play is underway in some states. Others are still in the thick of regular season action, meaning new contenders are sure to emerge in the weeks ahead.
Read on for a look at past winners dating back to 2010 and 19 contenders for this year's POY award.
Know a player we should be watching? Email steve.montoya@playonsports.com.
Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year2010 — Kasey Fagan, Dunnellon (Fla.)
2011 — Paige McDuffee, The Woodlands (Texas)
2012 — Kenzie Conrad, Keystone (La Grange, Ohio)
2013 — Casey Stangel, Lake City (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho)
2014 — Johanna Grauer, Amador Valley (Pleasanton, Calif.)
2015 — Tannon Snow, Chino Hills (Calif.)
2016 — Caroline Hedgecock, Downers Grove South (Downers Grove, Ill.)
2017 — Taylor Dockins, Norco (Calif.)
2018 — Montana Fouts, East Carter (Grayson, Ky.)
2019 — Sydney Supple, Oshkosh North (Oshkosh, Wis.)
2020 — No selection due to pandemic
2021 — Jordyn Bahl, Papillion-LaVista (Papillion, Neb.) / Sophia Simpson, Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, Texas)
2022 — Keagan Rothrock, Roncalli (Indianapolis, Ind.)
2023 — Ava Brown, Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas)
2024 — Jordan Heavener, Pace (Fla.)
Anabela Abdullah, Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.)Texas commit is crushing the ball this season, batting .603 with 13 home runs. The junior has recorded two or more hits in 15 games and has driven in 51 runs.
Ansley Bennett, Summerville (S.C.)Committed to South Carolina, Bennett is chasing another state title to cap her storied career. The senior has tallied 114 strikeouts in 60 innings with a 0.23 ERA. At the plate, she is batting .485 with six home runs and a .545 OBP.
Lilly Bethune, West Limestone (Lester, Ala.)The senior has hit 29 home runs this season, pushing her career total to 70. She is also batting .532 with 84 RBI. Committed to Middle Tennessee State.
Baylor Bockhaus, Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, La.)Just a freshman, Bockhaus is batting .562 with 25 home runs and 87 RBI. With 39 extra-base hits, she has her squad knocking on the door of another state championship.
Kennedy Bradley and Eloisa Maes, Melissa (Texas)We're keeping an eye on a handful of Cardinals, a team that has combined for over 100 home runs. Bradley, a Florida commit, leads the way with 21. Maes, a sophomore, has stepped up in a big way for the top-ranked team in the nation. She is 24-0 in the circle with 180 strikeouts.
Abby Davidson, Del Oro (Loomis, Calif.)The Utah Tech commit is a key part of one of California's toughest lineups. The senior has hit 12 home runs and is batting .438 in one of the most competitive leagues in the country.
Hannah DeMarcus, Pace (Fla.)The sophomore sensation has been mowing down hitters all season. The powerful right-handed ace has 336 strikeouts in 136 innings. She has recorded 10 or more strikeouts in every game, including a 33-K performance in a 12-inning marathon.
Lilly Goodwin, Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.)Junior left-handed ace is having another standout season. The Northwestern commit is 15-0 with a 0.41 ERA and is also batting .527 at the plate.
Alexis Jensen, Gretna (Neb.)Nebraska signee was instrumental in Gretna's perfect 38-0 fall season. She blasted a walk-off home run to win the Class A state championship.
Emily Needham, Saint James (Montgomery, Ala.)Recently surpassed 1,000 career strikeouts. The junior South Alabama commit leads the nation with 378 Ks and holds a 30-5 record with a 0.83 ERA over 193 innings.
Ava Phillips, Rosary Academy (Fullerton, Calif.)The sophomore ace for the nation's No. 12-ranked team has been a workhorse. She owns an 18-2 record with a 1.09 ERA and 102 strikeouts.
Tamryn Shorter and Leighton Gray, Norco (Calif.)The Cougars face one of the toughest schedules in the country and this duo powers one of the most potent offenses. Shorter, a Boise State commit, has hit seven home runs, while Gray, a sophomore, has nine.
Ella Kate Smith and Montgomery Henderson, Katy (Texas)Katy has smashed 78 home runs as a team and holds a 34-1 record. Smith, an Oklahoma commit, has 14 home runs and more than 100 strikeouts in the circle. Henderson, an Oklahoma State commit, leads the team with 17 homers.
Ambrey Taylor, Curry (Jasper, Ala.)The Alabama commit boasts one of the best bats in the nation. The senior is batting .601 with a .663 OBP and 21 home runs. She has tallied two or more hits in 30 games this season.
Hannah Wells, Coahoma (Texas)Texas commits
Mia Clemmer and Wells have played key roles in Coahoma's current 85-game win streak. Wells, a senior, is batting .646 with 23 home runs and is also 14-0 with a 0.52 ERA in the circle.
Chloe Younggren, Mount Juliet (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.)The junior leads Tennessee with 20 home runs. Batting .625, she has recorded three or more hits in 11 games.
