Top 2027 Prospects To Watch In Idaho

As the new year gets into full swing and northern schools begin their final preparations before outdoor practices, it's time for Prep Softball to open up the treasure trove of Big Sky country. Idaho has two Division I softball programs that have already fielded plenty of in-state talent, and the current sophomore class proves to have a strong crop of players ready to make a name for themselves as well.   Below, Prep Softball highlights some of the top softball players from Idaho in the high school graduating class of 2027.    Talk about bursting onto the scene. As a freshman at Owyhee High School, Hailey immediately made a name for herself on the varsity team. She led all Idaho pitchers with a 1.13 ERA and earned a First-Team All-State selection. Breaking onto the varsity rotation on a team that finished second in the state with a 25-4 record became a feat in itself, but to then mow through opposing lineups, allowing just a tick above a hit per outing, demonstrated that Hailey is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the next few seasons. Her sophomore year should be a big step toward making her a national name, and as soon as they're allowed to reach out, college recruiters will likely be breaking down the door to get ahold of Hailey.     One way to find a spot on your varsity team as a freshman is to be an above-average defender at a variety of positions. Nyliyah has done just that, and it has led to her becoming a recognizable name in the state of Idaho. She has a versatile glove that translates to all three outfield positions, as well as at shortstop. Nyliyah is still developing at the plate, but with more discipline can become a reliable leadoff hitter for Minico High School. As her already strong glove and range continue to grow, Nyliyah will certainly become an intriguing player for college recruiters.     Gracie is an intimidating presence in the circle, and has already punched above her class as one of USA Explosion's reliable starting pitchers (while two years younger than the majority of the team). The ball quickly explodes out of her hand, and she uses her lanky frame perfectly with strong extension. With Bonneville, Gracie went 10-8 last season with a 2.78 ERA, striking out 214 batters in 118 innings and putting the entire state on notice. This could be a big year for Gracie, who is already succeeding at a regional level on a talented travel ball team.     Grace plays high school softball in one of the deepest classes in the state of Idaho, and she tore through opposing pitchers all season in her first year at the varsity level. She saw consistent playing time with Skyview from the jump and never looked back, batting a whopping .459 through 98 at-bats with 14 doubles, four triples, two home runs and 38 RBI. What's even more impressive than her staggering batting average is that she struck out just 15% of the time. If she can get that number under 10% and up her walk rate a bit more, Grace could become one of the most feared hitters in Idaho.     Like her counterparts on this list, Peyton took hold of the reins at her high school and never let them go. The freshman third baseman batted .333 with 34 RBI, scored 32 runs and stole a staggering 33 bases with Glenns Ferry as the Pilots stormed through the conference to a District 3 championship. The ball simply explodes off her bat, and she harnesses the type of powerful swing that translates to a feared clean-up hitter. She can also help Glenns Ferry and Snake River Synergy as a pitcher with a strong repertoire.

As the new year gets into full swing and northern schools begin their final preparations before outdoor practices, it's time for Prep Softball to open up the treasure trove of Big Sky country. Idaho has two Division I softball programs that have already fielded plenty of in-state talent, and the current sophomore class proves to have a strong crop of players ready to make a name for themselves as well.