2019 NCAA Softball Recruiting Rankings

Top Recruit: Maya Brady (No. 2)
Total Freshmen: 7

The Skinny: Defending national champion UCLA enters the fall looking for a starting catcher. The Bruins lost Paige Halstead to graduation and Colleen Sullivan transferred to Texas, so that creates open competition for Alyssa Garcia (No. 11) and Sara Rusconi Vicinanza, who decommitted from San Diego. UCLA also needs to find a third baseman, which is where Seneca Curo (No. 26) could transition to, and at first base, Maya Brady (No. 2) could see some time there. Lexi Sosa (No. 16) will look to emerge in the circle, especially if Rachel Garcia sits out the season to compete with Team USA in the 2020 Olympics.

Top Recruit: Kelley Lynch (No. 1)
Total Freshmen: 4

The Skinny: There’s no way we can leave Washington out of the top-two spots with the nation’s No. 1 recruit, Kelley Lynch, on the field in Seattle this year. Lynch is coming off a summer with the United States junior women’s national team along with teammate Jadelyn Allchin (No. 12). Lynch can pitch, hit and play a position, if needed, which is important for a team looking to replace Taran Alvelo in the circle. Allchin is an athletic center fielder and could fill the void left by Amirah Milloy.

Top Recruit: Julia Cottrill (No. 4)
Total Freshmen: 6

The Skinny: The Florida Gators have six incoming freshmen and five of them are ranked. Julia Cottrill (No. 4) will be a great addition to the lineup after spending the summer with the USJWNT and catching teammate Rylee Trlicek (No. 5). Her bat and presence behind the plate will complement Kendyl Lindaman, and she could see time at first base. Trlicek was the Texas Gatorade Softball Player of the Year and brings another arm to the circle in Gainesville.

Top Recruit: Kinzie Hansen (No. 8)
Total Freshmen: 8

The Skinny: You simply cannot replace a graduating class that included Sydney Romero, Shay Knighten, Caleigh Clifton, Raegan Rogers and Fale Aviu, but Patty Gasso is going to try. Kinzie Hansen (No. 8) is a catcher who played for Mike Stith's OC Batbusters and could see some time in the infield, along with Mackenzie Donihoo (No. 55). Rylie Boone (No. 58) could slide into the vacated outfield spot, but it will be a grind for her to see steady playing time.

Top Recruit: Julia Jiminez (No. 13)
Total Freshmen: 6

The Skinny: After losing in the Regional final at home, Michigan looks to reload in a big way for 2019-20. The Wolverines have five freshmen who were ranked in the top 67 for the class of 2019. Julia Jimenez (No. 13) could be the replacement needed for two-time All-American Faith Canfield. Michigan is also searching for some outfield help, which is where Lexi Voss (No. 28) could come in to play, and Chandler Dennis (No. 30) is the pitcher-utility athlete that is needed due to Alex Sobczak’s graduation.

Top Recruit: Kiki Milloy (No. 20)
Total Freshmen: 9

The Skinny: The Lady Vols are bringing in a highly talented freshmen class. Six of the eight are ranked in the top 81, with Kiki Milloy leading the way at No. 20. After Matty Moss graduated and Caylan Arnold transferred, Milloy will see some time in the circle, along with Callie Turner (No. 29). The real search will be for a second baseman after Aubrey Leach graduated, which could be Josie Willingham (No. 81).

Top Recruit: Joley Mitchell (No. 3)
Total Freshmen: 4

The Skinny: Notre Dame lost four seniors to graduation, including 2019 ACC Player of the Year Cait Brooks. Enter Joley Mitchell, who is the nation's third-ranked recruit and was named USA Today's High School Player of the Year. She isn't a pitcher, but she will fill in behind the plate or in the infield. Leea Hanks (No. 24) will be a great addition to the outfield after losing four-time All-ACC selection Ali Wester to graduation. Brooke Marquez (No. 39) and Miranda Johnson (No. 79) also have opportunities to be productive as freshmen.

Top Recruit: Maddison Koepke (No. 46)
Total Freshmen: 9

The Skinny: It's not a secret that Auburn lost a lot in the offseason. From graduating seniors Kendall Veach and Casey McCracken, to several transfers like Taylon Snow, who is now at Oklahoma, the Tigers lost quite a bit of talent. Maddison Koepke (No. 46) has the versatility to step in and fill either middle infield position. Carlee McCondichie is not ranked in the top 100, but head coach Mickey Dean feels that she can also fill a void in the infield. Kaylyn Dismukes (No. 89) is the lone pitcher in the signing class, but with Makayla Martin not being granted a medical redshirt, the Tigers will really look to use her in non-conference action.

Top Recruit: Devyn Flaherty (No. 53)
Total Freshmen: 7

The Skinny: FSU lost four starters to graduation and another to the transfer portal, but the Seminoles are bringing in seven freshmen to compete for starting spots. Emma Wilson (No. 59) could be the arm that sees the circle early as the 'Noles look to replace Meghan King and Makinzy Herzog. Wilson can also hit for herself. Kaia LoPreste (No. 74) is a catcher and we could see her split time with Anna Shelnutt, as FSU will need to find a new first baseman to replace Carsyn Gordon.

Top Recruit: Macy Simmons (No. 14)
Total Freshmen: 8

The Skinny: Trisha Ford has two recruits in the top 20 and another ranked No. 66. Macy Simmons (No. 14) will most likely start behind the plate on Saturdays (middle game) and at first base or in the outfield on the other days. Jazmine Hill (No. 19) could be the athlete ASU needs to fill the void left behind by Morgan Howe's graduation. Another key to this recruiting class is pitching in the forms of Lindsay Lopez and Morgan Leinstock.

Top Recruit: Taylor Pleasants (No. 7)
Total Freshmen: 7

The Skinny: LSU is looking to find a few starting infielders after losing the left side and second base to graduation. Taylor Pleasants (No. 7) spent the summer with the USJWNT and is looking to be the new shortstop for the next four years. Don't be surprised if Ciara Briggs (No. 10) sees some time in the outfield, as LSU will need to prep for Aliyah Andrews' senior season in Baton Rouge.

Top Recruit: Syd Supple (No. 9)
Total Freshmen: 7

The Skinny: Danielle Williams is coming off a great freshman season and was tops in the nation for innings pitched. She will get help in the form of Syd Supple (No. 9), the fourth-highest ranked pitching recruit in the 2019 class. Supple can also play first base when she isn't pitching, which is an open position after Big Ten All-Defensive Team player Lily Novak graduated. The biggest blow could be losing Morgan Nelson, but her younger sister, Makenna, will be a freshman this year. Angela Zedak (No. 25) and Ashley Schultz (No. 52) are both utility players who can play almost anywhere, which will be huge additions to a team looking to get past Regionals again.

Top Recruit: Ariel Carlson (No. 21)
Total Freshmen: 5

The Skinny: Melyssa Lombardi is letting the softball world know that Oregon will make the postseason in 2020. Ariel Carlson (No. 21), Makenna Kliethermes (No. 27) and Deijah Pangilinan (No. 71) are the top-three recruits in the class with Kliethermes being a right-handed pitcher who will complement All-American Honorable Mention Jordan Dail from the right side. Carlson's versatility can position her almost anywhere. She's a power bat that can play infield, outfield and pitch.

Top Recruit: Gabi Deters (No. 23)
Total Freshmen: 6

The Skinny: The graduations of Abbey Cheek and Katie Reed are going to effect Kentucky in some way, but not if Gabi Deters (No. 23) and Emmy Blane (No. 36) have anything to say about it. Both have a big offensive presence and are versatile infielders. Miranda Stoddard (No. 47) is head coach Rachel Lawson's big pitching recruit, and according to Lawson, Stoddard could be the hardest-throwing pitcher she's every recruited at UK.

Top Recruit: Bella Dayton (No. 15)
Total Freshmen: 3

The Skinny: Arizona lost three starters to graduation and will most likely use all three of its top-ranked freshmen in what should be another WCWS season for the Wildcats. Bella Dayton (No. 15), Janelle Meono (No. 38) and Sharlize Palacios (No. 44) are all going to make a difference in some way.

Top Recruit: Jourdyn Campbell (No. 17)
Total Freshmen: 6

The Skinny: Texas A&M struggled in 2019 and barely got into the postseason. Head coach Jo Evans brought in Craig Snider from FSU to help rebuild the offense, along with three of the top freshmen in the country. Jourdyn Campbell (No. 17), Ashley Daugherty (No. 53) and Sydney Fritsch (No. 88) should see immediate playing time in College Station. Campbell and Fritsch each bring speed and versatility to the offense, while Daugherty's pitching will add much-needed depth to the staff.

Top Recruit: Lexi Kilfoyl (No. 6)
Total Freshmen: 4

The Skinny: Montana Fouts and Lexi Kilfoyl (No. 6) will be able to handle any task ahead of them in the circle. Both pitched for the USJWNT over the summer and the thought of both of them on the same staff for the next three years is jaw-dropping. Jenna Johnson (No. 63) may not see immediate playing time because of the crowded outfield, but she could see some playing time early in non-conference action.

Top Recruit: Paige Smith (No. 33)
Total Freshmen: 6

The Skinny: Ole Miss has been to Super Regionals in two of the last three seasons, but Mike Smith has the tall task of finding someone to fill the void left in centerfield after Kylan Becker graduated. Nyomi Jones (No. 40) could be that player. Paige Smith's (No. 33) ranking is actually a little low as she was named SA's 18U Travel Player of the Year. Her smooth defense and consistent bat will make an immediate impact. She could play third base or middle infield and will reunite with her high school teammate, Mikayla Allee.

Top Recruit: Megan Delgadillo (No. 34)
Total Freshmen: 5

The Skinny: BYU is reloading and recharging after a rough 2019 season. The Cougars lost five seniors to graduation and two to transfer. This gives the freshmen an opportunity to fight for starting spots at several positions. Megan Delgadillo (No. 34) could take over the outfield role Brooke Vander Heide left behind when she transferred out, and her travel ball teammate Carley Brown (No. 72) is a true pitcher that will bring talent and depth to a staff that was hit a lot last season. Huntyr Ava (No. 97) is expected make an immediate impact at the plate and in the infield.

Top Recruit: Mya Rodriguez (No. 54)
Total Freshmen: 7

The Skinny: Ohio State has two freshmen ranked in the top 68 of the 2019 class. Mya Rodriguez (No. 54) is a middle infielder who will compete for a starting role at shortstop or second base after Ohio State lost Lilli Piper and Emily Clark to graduation. Taylor Pack (No. 68) will also see some time behind the plate or in the field as head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly expects her to catch and play infield. Another name to watch for is Hope Straight. She isn't ranked in the top 100, but she should see a lot of playing time, as she is a lefty pitcher and power hitter.

Top Recruit: Aliyah Pritchett (No. 18)
Total Freshmen: 6

The Skinny: Don't sleep on Baylor this year. After its best two players missed last season due to injury, the addition of two of the top-ranked players in this class only adds to the Bears' depth. Aliyah Pritchett (No. 18) was a two-way player in high school and put up monster numbers in the circle and at the plate. Emily Hott (No. 82) is considered a five-tool athlete by head coach Glenn Moore, as she can play both infield and outfield. Campbell Selman, the younger sister of Kelsee Selman, is also headed to Baylor, where she is expected to compete for middle infield playing time.

Top Recruit: Sydney Steele (No. 42)
Total Freshmen: 6

The Skinny: Three pitchers are in the 2019 recruiting class for Stanford. Alana Vawter (No. 75) helped the NJ Intensity to three top-five finishes at PGF Nationals. Sydney Steele (No. 42) looks to crack the starting lineup in an infield that returns almost every starter. The Cardinal was a young team last season overall and the freshmen class adds much-needed depth and flexibility to the lineup.

Top Recruit: Abby Herbst (No. 31)
Total Freshmen: 6

The Skinny: Abby Herbst (No. 31) is one of the highest-ranked two-way players in the 2019 class. According to head coach Yvette Healy, Herbst is one of the most-feared and highly-recruited lefty power hitters in the game. She is more of a pitch-to-contact pitcher and will help the staff that returns Kaitlyn Menz. Fiona Girardot (No. 98) is the other ranked recruit in the class for Wisconsin. She is a middle infielder and will enter into competition for a starting spot.

Top Recruit: Maci Cunconan (No. 73)
Total Freshmen: 6

The Skinny: Kenny Gajewski has turned Stillwater into a top destination in D-I softball. Maci Cunconan (No. 73) is a left-handed pitcher and first baseman who will most likely see more time at first than in the circle. Madison Neighbors (No. 83) is a true power catcher who should see time early and split duties with Raquel Dominguez if she doesn't completely take over the starting role.

Top Recruit: Hannah Kumiyama (No. 86)
Total Freshmen: 4

The Skinny: Hannah Kumiyama (No. 86) joins her sister Alyssa at South Carolina this season. She is a true utility player who can play the corners, outfield and pitch, if needed, but her bat really moves the needle, as she can hit for power like her sister. Bailey Betenbaugh (No. 93) was named the 2019 South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year for the second time. The pitcher adds another arm to a staff that returns Cayla Drotar and Kelsey Oh.