Before the top two high school players in the Class of 2023 prepare to join forces as future Florida Gators next fall,
Keagan Rothrock of
Roncalli (Indianapolis) and
Ava Brown of
Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas) aim to defend their respective state titles as undefeated high school state champions. The duo has the opportunity to secure their place as two of the most dominant high school softball players in history.
To be considered for this list, each player had to have played or be expected to play for their high school team during the fall or spring during the 2022-2023 school year; players who opted out were not included.
These players were chosen based on a combination of factors, including 2022 statistics reported on MaxPreps, postseason honors at both the local and national levels, and player rankings from ExtraInnings Softball, Perfect Game, and Softball America.
1. Keagan Rothrock, Roncalli (Indianapolis)Position: P
College: Florida
The MaxPreps 2022 National Player of the Year is known for her dominance in the circle, but she can also hit with power. She had a .523 batting average and 14 home runs last spring.
2. Ava Brown, Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas)
Position: P
College: Florida
The 2022 Texas Player of the Year had a perfect record in the circle last spring, going 36-0. Like her future teammate Rothrock, Brown can also swing the bat. She hit .405 with 10 home runs as a junior.
3. Ryan Maddox, Clovis North (Fresno, Calif.)
Position: P
College: Arizona
The left-handed pitcher is another versatile player on the field. She is nine strikeouts from 500 during her high school career.
4. Ella Parker, Notre Dame (SO) (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
Position: Pitcher/1B/OF
College: Oklahoma
Parker is a jack-of-all-trades on the field. She can pitch, and play first base or the outfield. She was nearly unstoppable at the plate as a junior, reaching base nearly 80 percent of the time.
5. Kayden Henry, Dickinson (Dickinson, Texas)
Position: OF
College: Texas
Henry is a threat on the bases due to her speed, as she is also a track star. Last year, she stole 31 bags for the Gators.
6. Addie Mettler, Pitman (Turlock, Calif.)
Position: C
College: UCLA
A solid catcher and a powerful hitter are a few reasons the Bruins signed one of Northern California's top players. She'll enter her senior season with a near .600 batting average.
7. Kasidi Pickering, Atascocita (Humble, Texas)
Position: UT
College: Oklahoma
Coach Patty Gasso calls her one of the best outfielders in the country. Pickering can also hit. As a junior, she finished with a .608 average and 14 home runs.
8. Olivia Duncan, Buford (Ga.)
Position: P
College: Clemson
Duncan had a successful fall season, winning a Class 7A title. She was 13-1 in the circle and hit eight home runs at the plate for the Wolves.
9. Ashtyn Danley, Huntland (Huntland, Tenn.)
Position: P
College: Florida State
Danley can do it all. She batted over .650 with 15 home runs and struck out 217 in the circle, leading her team to a state title in 2022. She's been committed to Florida State since the seventh grade.
10. Mya Perez, Norco (Calif.)
Position: 1B/P
College: Texas A&M
The utility player is a powerful hitter. Last season, she hit 17 home runs while batting .676.
11. Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, Maryknoll (Honolulu)
Position: IF
College: Oklahoma
Another strong hitter from Hawaii will soon join the Sooners lineup. McEnroe-Marinas is also a winner, as she played a big role in the Spartans winning their first state championship.
12. Kaitlyn Terry, Greenway (Phoenix)
Position: P
College: UCLA
A player of the next level that all coaches dream of having. Terry hit 17 home runs and led the state with 427 strikeouts as a lefty ace.
13. Katie Kutz, Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.)
Position: P
College: Oklahoma State
She puts in all the work needed to be a standout player. When she's not lifting weights, she's shutting down hitters, finishing the 2022 season with an impressive 0.39 ERA.
14. Katherine Flannery, Spain Park (Hoover, Ala.)
Position: IF
College: Oregon
Hit .451 last season for the Jaguars, with her 18th career home run playing a key role in their success.
15. Savanna Bedell, Northside (Columbus, Ga.)
Position: OF
College: LSU
She finished her high school career on a high note, with three hits during the Patriots' Class 5A state title victory in the fall. She ended the season with a .495 average and 10 home runs.
16. Sierra Daniel, Seton Catholic (Chandler, Ariz.)
Position: IF
College: LSU
A hitting machine, she had at least one hit in all 26 games last season, and 16 games with multiple hits.
17. Isa Torres, Georgetown (Texas)
Position: IF
College: Florida State
The left-handeder puts the ball in play and makes things happen at the plate, striking out seven times in 138 at-bats. She finished with a .413 average for the 34-4 Eagles last spring.
18. Alexa Rosales, Chino Hills (Calif.)
Position: OF
College: Ole Miss
Rosales plays all over the field for the Huskies, displaying her consistent hitting skills with one of the top high school and travel ball teams in the country.
19. Maddie Mckee, Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas)
Position: UT
College: LSU
Named a First Team MaxPreps All-American, McKee stole 77 bases, batted .511, drove in 47 runs, and hit seven home runs.
20. Jenissa Conway, Marysville (Calif.)
Position: OF
College: Michigan
A lefty with power, speed, and massive athleticism, Conway batted .567 with nine home runs and 23 RBI in 22 games with 25 walks last spring.
