Top 2028 Prospects To Watch In Northern California

<p>California has been a powerhouse in producing elite softball players for decades, and numerous top organizations in the state field teams throughout various regions of California.</p>   <p>Below, Prep Softball highlights some of the top softball prospects from Northern California in the high school graduating class of 2028.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NorCal Choppers - Wardlaw</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Kate Saxton is an exceptional student-athlete representing the NorCal Choppers and Laguna Creek High School. Her play combines strength, precision, and athleticism, showcasing a versatile skill set on and off the field. As a former baseball player, she made history by becoming the first girl selected for her Little League All-Star team in a decade and led her travel baseball team in hits during her final season. After transitioning to softball, Saxton quickly established herself as a key player, excelling in center field and at the plate. According to her coach, she consistently demonstrates the ability to hit both for power and for average. In the field, she showcases her strong arm, ability to track deep fly balls, and leadership. Saxton excels academically, maintaining a 4.5 GPA in a rigorous International Baccalaureate program. Kate Saxton is an elite student-athlete with versatile skills and leadership qualities that will continue to attract the attention of collegiate programs.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Azariah Maddox is a talented and hardworking student-athlete for the NorCal Choppers and Laguna Creek High School. She brings a fierce competitive spirit to the field and always wears a smile. Maddox is known for her significant impact both defensively and offensively. Her aggressive defense stands out, particularly her ability to track down any ball in the outfield. Offensively, her skills are evident through her strong batting and exceptional base running. She led her team in games, at-bats, and stolen bases, maintaining a perfect record on the base paths. Additionally, people recognize Maddox for her positive attitude, strong work ethic, and coachability, as she always strives to improve. In the classroom, she maintains a 3.8 GPA in the International Baccalaureate Program and participates in the National Honor Society and The Black Student Union. Azariah Maddox's competitiveness, coachability, and hard work on the field and in the classroom will help to attract attention from college coaches.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NorCal Corona Angels</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Taylor Cordell is an exceptional pitcher who attends Whitney High School and has been recognized as one of the top players in the 2028 class. She is a powerful presence both on and off the field. Academically, Cordell maintains a 3.5 GPA, reflecting her commitment to her studies and the effort she puts in every day. As the pitching anchor for her teams, she keeps her squads competitive in every game with her determination and competitive spirit in the circle. Cordell demonstrates a strong work ethic in all activities, especially during her weekly pitching sessions. She consistently works hard to command the strike zone and effectively spins each of her pitches. Taylor Cordell is a highly coachable player who supports her teammates, while also maintaining a positive attitude. Her grit, leadership, and passion for the game make her a valuable asset to any team she joins.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Brooklyn Atteberry is an exceptional student-athlete from Las Plumas High School, recognized for her outstanding athletic abilities and impressive academic achievements, boasting a 3.8 GPA. She demonstrates impressive speed and power on the base paths. As a regular starter in the lineup, Atteberry is one of the team's most dependable players. She is frequently called the "spark plug" because of her ability to ignite the offense at the plate. At third base, she leads her team vocally and displays quick reflexes at the hot corner and a strong arm. Atteberry stands out because of her energy and excitement while playing. Her teammates often use her energy to get pumped up during games. Off the field, Brooklyn Atteberry dedicates time to her softball workouts, spending hours in the batting cage to refine her swing. She exemplifies hard work and commitment to both athletics and academics. Her relentless pursuit of excellence makes her a standout student-athlete and a role model for her teammates.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sorcerer 16 Gold - T/K</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Brea Poindexter is a stellar student-athlete from Sanger High School and a proud Sorcerer 16 Gold - T/K team member. She maintains a 4.0 GPA and has seen great success in school. While in middle school, Poindexter earned recognition on the Principal's List and Honor Roll, along with MVP titles in volleyball, basketball, and softball. She stands out on the field as both a catcher and an infielder, showcasing her exceptional versatility. Although Poindexter is the team's youngest member, she has quickly become a key leader, recognized for her vocal presence and ability to lead by example. She is a power hitter with a high batting average, consistently serving as one of the top hitters on the team. Defensively, she is an elite catcher with exceptional blocking skills and a pop time under 1.7 seconds. Brea Poindexter's athleticism enables her to excel at third base and shortstop, highlighting her quick reflexes and smooth footwork. Her skills and commitment as a student-athlete have already caught the attention of many Division I programs, suggesting that she will become a significant recruit in the future.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Lila Gannaway is an exceptional athlete at Garces Memorial High School, maintaining an impressive 4.3 GPA. She is a proud Sorcerer 16 Gold T/K team member, showcasing her versatility and skills as an outfielder and a right-handed pitcher. Additionally, Gannaway is a multi-sport athlete, recognized as the 2024 Cato Basketball Defensive Player of the Year and the Cato Softball MVP. She has earned numerous academic accolades, including the Cato Cavalier Spirit Award and the Academic Excellence Award, presenting her commitment to academics and athletics. Gannaway is a reliable hitter who led her team in batting average this season. With a mix of speed, power, and strong fundamentals, she excels at bringing home runners and often takes extra bases. Gannaway excels defensively in all outfield positions, showcasing a strong arm and quick reflexes. She throws 60-62 mph as a pitcher with a deceptive changeup and screwball, effectively commanding the strike zone. Her strong work ethic, dedication to being an elite student-athlete, and high softball IQ make her a true asset to any team she joins.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">West Coast Preps 16U</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Alyssa Powers is a dedicated student-athlete from Alhambra High School, maintaining a 3.5 GPA. In 2023, she was recognized as a Softball Youth All-American and received the Softball Youth Elite Award. Defensively, she demonstrates strong fundamentals and exceptional skill with her glove and footwork. You may see her playing as a middle infielder or an outfielder on the West Coast Preps 16U team, where she consistently demonstrates her speed in the outfield and her quick reflexes as a middle infielder. While in the infield, she uses her voice to help lead her team. Offensively, she has been working hard to transition to the left side of the field to improve her chances of getting on base with her speed. In addition to her skills and abilities on the field, Powers is a positive and uplifting presence for her team, and her teammates rely on her to maintain a positive atmosphere. Alyssa Powers' commitment as a student-athlete, passion for the game, and determination to improve will help her succeed at the collegiate level.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">LTG Carda/Pettis 14U</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Mckenzie Abriol is a standout shortstop and versatile utility player for the LTG Carda/Pettit 14U team. Known for her athleticism and leadership, she attends Lincoln High School with a 4.0 GPA and is on the Principal's Honor Roll. Abriol has made a notable impact at the 14U level, earning two Golden Glove Awards and multiple tournament honors. Her elite speed and quickness enable her to excel at various positions, whether turning double plays at shortstop or tracking fly balls in the outfield. Offensively, she is a true powerhouse at the plate, consistently hitting in the three spot of the lineup with 31 hits and 12 stolen bases during the 2024 fall season. Her disciplined approach makes her a consistent offensive threat. Mckenzie Abriol's leadership and work ethic inspire her teammates, enabling them to look up to her. Her drive to improve, passion for the game, and success on and off the field position her for a bright future ahead.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Malia Davis is a right-handed pitcher from Heritage High School who is rapidly establishing herself as a rising star with LTG Carda/Pettis. She maintains a GPA of 3.55 and has achieved notable academic honors, including being named to the Fall 2024 Honor Roll and receiving the Bristow Middle School Gold Award. Davis excels academically and athletically, demonstrating her commitment to being a dedicated student-athlete. As a pitcher, she earns the nickname "workhorse" from her coaches for her reliability and endurance. She controls the zone with all her pitches, including a strong changeup. In the fall season, she pitched 57.1 innings and struck out 62 batters, establishing herself as a key member of the pitching staff. Davis has faced some top 14U teams and thrives under pressure, never getting too high or too low with her emotions. Malia Davis is poised for an amazing future at the next level as her dedication, continuous improvement, and strong work ethic attract attention from top college programs.</p>

California has been a powerhouse in producing elite softball players for decades, and numerous top organizations in the state field teams throughout various regions of California.