It's game time, as the high school softball season can begin as early as Feb. 23.
If you've been following college softball, attended games last spring, or are familiar with the travel ball scene, it's obvious the amount of talent present in the Sac-Joaquin Section.
MaxPreps has identified 20 players to keep an eye on this season. We've limited these selections to only one player per team, understanding that some squads are loaded from top to bottom. The choices were made based on last year's accomplishments and 2024 projections.
The list below is in alphabetical order.
Sydney Barker, Rocklin, Sr.The Oklahoma commit possesses one of the best gloves at shortstop in the entire country. It's a rare treat to have one of the top prospects in the country as a homegrown talent.
Olivia Bauer, Sutter, Sr.The Boise State signee led the Huskies in batting average (.527), hits (49), doubles (15) and six triples. She also went 23-2 in the circle.
Briseis Botonis, Wheatland, Sr.It will be hard to top her numbers from last season — 14 home runs and 52 RBI. But she's improved her numbers every season.
Kwinci Brown, Sheldon (Sacramento), So.The Huskies' powerful right-handed pitcher saw the bulk of the innings in 2023. We see her getting stronger and stronger in the circle.
Marisa Bryson, Pioneer (Woodland), So.The middle infielder had a phenomenal freshman year, batting .554, hitting eight home runs and driving in 50.
Addison Buckley , Elk Grove, Sr.The outfielder and Sacramento State commit is back, looking to help the Thundering Herd compete for a Delta League title.
Charlize Cai, Vista del Lago (Folsom), Sr.After helping the Eagles on the basketball court, the Cornell commit will be back on the diamond, looking to make another deep playoff run.
Kailey Estes, Gregori (Modesto), Sr.The ace in the circle for the Jaguars has a career 0.94 ERA and 518 strikeouts in more than 306 innings.
Ysabella Granata, Liberty Ranch (Galt), So.The young catcher made her presence known as a freshman, smashing 11 home runs and batting .529.
Naomi Kalanetra, Davis Sr., Sr.She won't be headed far next fall, as she is a UC Davis commit. The catcher does work behind the plate and can also swing a good bat, finishing the spring with a .509 average.
Hayden Kyne, Vacaville, Jr.The Notre Dame commit is part of a stacked Bulldog lineup. The catcher batted .415 as a sophomore.
Tylie Kitchen, Whitney (Rocklin), Jr.The San Diego State commit, once finished with basketball, is a bat to keep an eye on all season. She led the Wildcats in 2023 with a .436 average and seven home runs.
Felesha LePenske, Dixon, Sr.A do-it-all player for the Rams for the past three seasons, she has a career .498 average and has mowed down 258 hitters in the circle.
Chase Mueller, Ponderosa (Shingle Springs), Sr.The Abilene Christian commit finished 2023 batting .467 for the D3 section champs. Look for the lefty to be the team's ace this year as well.
Brooklyn Paratore, Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills), So.The catcher was one of the top hitters in the Sierra Foothill League as a freshman. She finished 2023 batting .515.
Kiah Silva, Vanden (Fairfield), Sr.The Saint Mary's commit is part of a Vikings squad that is always dangerous. She hit .420 as a junior.
Emily Taylor, Del Campo (Fair Oaks), Sr.The University of San Diego commit can play the outfield as well as anyone and can swing the bat too, finishing 2023 with a .532 average.
Ayla Tuua, Capital Christian (Sacramento), So.Hard to top a freshman year like the one she had. She led her team to a section title, dominating in the circle and at the plate.
Macie Vickers, Escalon, Sr.The Nebraska commit finished 2023 batting .604 with four home runs. She was also walked 10 times, pushing her OBP to .667.
