Top Recruiting Classes
The excitement of “fall ball” is in the air across the country which means it’s time to start taking a look at what we can expect come the 2020 season. Let’s start by taking a look at the top recruiting classes in the country according to our “Top Prospect Report” for the Class of 2019. You can find the full list, here. We will consider both the number of ranked “Top Prospects” as well as the program’s average player ranking in compiling this list.
The Class of 2019 is powerful; both at the plate and in the circle with many of these student-athletes poised to make instant impacts on their various programs.
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1) Tennessee – Player Ranking Average: 63.125
The Lady Vols boast eight Top Prospects from the Class of 2019. With their highest ranked player coming in at No. 9, Kiki Milloy. Milloy was an outfielder and pitcher for the Beverly Bandits. Another impressive addition to the Vols’ roster is No. 14 Callie Turner. Hailing from Land O’ Lakes, FL. Turner joins Tennessee with a wealth of experience under her belt. She was the 2018 Florida 6A Pitcher of the Year and has Team USA experience. There is a ton to be excited for if you are a fan of the white and orange.
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2) Florida – Player Ranking Average: 36
Following what was considered a “down” year for the Gators during the 2019 campaign, Florida fans should be “chomping” at the bit to see their squad take the field. Coach Walton welcomes a powerhouse class including No. 3 prospect, Julia Cottrill (Georgia Impact). Cottrill spent this past summer with Team USA and was integral in the USA taking home the gold medal in the 2019 WBSC U-19 Women’s Softball World Cup. A teammate on the U-19 roster, Rylee Trlicek (No. 3, OC Batbusters), has the potential to fill the huge hole left in the circle with the graduation of Kelly Barnhill.
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3) UCLA – Player Ranking Average: 15.25
The reigning National Champions, the UCLA Bruins, pick up four mighty Top Prospects. Maya Brady (No. 2, OC Batbusters), Alyssa Garcia (No. 4, Firecrackers – Rico), Seneca Curo (No. 27, Athletics Mercado), and Lexi Sosa (No. 28, Athletics Mercado) highlight the, in total, six athlete freshmen class. There isn’t much else to say but sit back and watch!
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4) Washington – Player Ranking Average: 31
While Taran Alvelo has graduated, Kelley Lynch prepares to step in. Lynch is the No. 1 ranked prospect in the country and also has Team USA experience; including working with head coach Heather Tarr. She is joined by No. 11 Jadelyn Allchin, No. 55 Hannah Dardano, and No. 57 Brooke Nelson who may also add some depth in the circle.
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5) Oklahoma – Player Ranking Average: 58.285
Not to be outdone, Oklahoma continues to crush the recruiting trail and comes in second on our list with seven Top Prospects. This class is pure power with the ability to add some depth in the circle. Kinzie Hansen, No. 12, is the Sooners’ highest ranked prospect and hails from the OC Batbusters.
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6) Kentucky – Player Ranking Average: 63.2
Five new ranked Wildcats will suit up with a number of strong and highly talented athletes. Emily Blane, ranked No. 23, tops the class and comes from the Louisville Lady Sluggers program. Another name to keep an eye on this season will be Miranda Stoddard (No. 46, Athletics Mercado). Head coach, Rachel Lawson, had this to say about Stoddard, “I believe that Miranda is the hardest-throwing pitcher that we have ever signed at Kentucky. She has great power in the circle and in the box. She’s an excellent athlete and has a competitive championship mindset and can play any position on the field at an elite level.”
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7) LSU – Player Ranking Average: 64.8
The Tigers welcome a number of long awaited additions to their roster and nabbed five Top Prospects; highlighted by Ciara Briggs (No. 5, So Cal Athletics) and Taylor Pleasants (No. 8, Scarp Yard Internationals). Briggs was named the 2019 Orange County Player of the Year and Pleasants was a member of the dominate USA U-19 this past summer.
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8) Michigan – Player Ranking Average: 39
The Wolverines continue to rebuild a powerful roster with the goal of returning to the WCWS and this freshmen class should be another big step towards that goal. Look at for No. 18 Julia Jimenez (Firecrackers – Rico) to find her way into the lineup and make an immediate impact.
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9) Florida State – Player Ranking Average: 72.6
An incredibly well-rounded class, the Seminoles have added a little bit of everything to their 2020 roster with five Top Prospects. Emma Wilson headlines the class (No. 41, East Cobb Bullets) and was called the potential “find of the 2019 class” by the ‘Noles coaching staff. Wilson could be part of the answer in filling the hole left following the graduation of Meghan King.
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10) Texas A&M – Player Ranking Average: 70.8
With all the transfers out of the Aggie program in recent years, Texas A&M needs to bring in a number of strong classes to help them climb back to the top of the SEC. With the off season hire of former Florida State assistant coach, Craig Snider, there is a reasonable expectation that the Aggies’ offense will be better leaving a bigger question mark focused on the circle. Jourdyn Campbell (No. 17, Impact Gold) and Shaylee Ackerman (No. 67, Firecrackers Brashear) may be able to help carry the load depending on how quickly they adjust to the collegiate and SEC game.
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Worth Mentioning
Notre Dame – Player Ranking Average: 40
The Fighting Irish have some interesting recruits coming joining the roster for 2020 campaign including No. 10 Joley Mitchell. USA Today’s 2019 High School Player of the Year, she is bursting with talent to help provide a big spark to the lineup. It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff develops these student-athletes and when they find their way into the lineup.
Penn State – Player Ranking Average: 113.667
The Nitty Lions welcome nine freshmen this fall, seven of them found a place in our Top Prospect rankings. It could be an exciting season for the Lions who have desperately needed stability in the circle which they will look to get from Vanessa Oatley (No. 105, Georiga Impact) and potentially Grace Marsalo (PA Strikers, No. 141). CJ Wright is the class’s highest ranked recruit coming in at No. 87 and hailing from the Lady Lightning program. Playing on the “east” side of the Big Ten Conference there is a lot of room for Penn State to make a big jump if they can piece things together.
