Eight 2028 Breakout Outfielders So Far This Season

<p>The class of 2028 is already making an impact, particularly in the outfield. Across the country, freshmen are stepping up and taking on key team roles, from speedy players causing chaos on the base paths to defensive stars making highlight-reel plays in the outfield.</p>   <p>Below, Prep Softball highlights eight standout outfielders from the 2028 class who are making a name for themselves this high school season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Colorado</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Bailey Tickle is a talented outfielder from Thunder Ridge High School and Top Gun 18 National. She showcases a combination of athleticism, versatility, and determination. She excels as a student in the classroom and maintains a 4.0 GPA. Tickle has also been selected for the USA Softball High Performance Pool, and is already gaining attention at the national level. Tickle is recognized for outstanding defensive instincts and a strong arm, excelling in the outfield while continuously working to improve her skills. Offensively, she is a true triple threat, capable of hitting for power, executing slaps, and dropping bunts as the situation demands. Known for her coachability and relentless competitiveness. Bailey Tickle is a player who diligently puts in the work and lets her performance speak for itself. As she continues to excel, she will likely attract serious interest from several Division 1 programs.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Arkansas</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">London Steplock is an exceptional outfielder from Greenbrier High School, a dedicated student, and an elite athlete. She demonstrates a strong commitment to academics and athletic pursuits in the classroom. Known for her speed and versatility, she is a constant threat on the field. Offensively, as a left-handed hitter, she can slap, bunt, or swing for power, making her a true triple threat. Steplock uses her impressive 2.8-second home-to-first speed to create problems and chaos for opposing defenses. Defensively, Steplock is recognized as an aggressive outfielder who isn't afraid to dive for the ball. She consistently makes elite plays without hesitation. Steplock has a deep understanding of the game, which boosts her confidence on the field, and she utilizes her above-average arm strength to continue standing out. London Steplock is coachable, driven, and hard working, making her a true standout and rising talent to continue to watch.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Florida</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Sasha Campbell, an outfielder and utility player from Windermere Prep School, brings speed and enthusiasm to every game. Not only is she an outstanding athlete, but she is also a focused and dedicated student who has maintained a 4.0 GPA. As a left-handed slapper with an impressive home-to-first time of 2.55 seconds, she excels as a leadoff hitter, consistently presenting challenges for defenses and setting an early tone for the game. Whether bunting, slapping, or stealing bases, Campbell can pressure her opponents and significantly impact a game. Defensively, her strong softball IQ enables her to excel at multiple positions, but she currently holds down the outfield and plays with confidence and remarkable range. Sasha Campbell is a dynamic game-changer with a work ethic and energy every coach dreams of. Her focus as a dedicated student-athlete is impressive as she continues to grow on and off the field.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Carolina</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Phoenix Scott is an exceptional athlete who combines elite athleticism with strong academic aspirations and a lively personality. As a freshman at Providence High School, she maintains an impressive 3.8 GPA while enrolled in advanced classes. She is a varsity starter on the field, boasting an impressive batting average of .463. In just 18 games at the time of this writing, she has recorded 23 hits, scored 24 runs, and accumulated 16 stolen bases. At LSU's Elite Prospect Camp, she recorded an outstanding time of 2.56 seconds from home to first base, making her the fastest among the 150 athletes in attendance. She also excels at track, having qualified for the Adidas Indoor Nationals in the 55m and 300m events. Scott is a player with elite speed and the ability to track down all fly balls in the outfield. With a strong background in athletics from her family, Scott deeply understands high-level competition. She's an athlete to watch this summer.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New York</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Nina Vandernoth is a talented outfielder and right-handed pitcher from St. Anthony's High School, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Known to be a natural leader on and off the field. Vandernoth brings intensity, focus, and poise to every game. She was recognized as one of Newsday's Long Island Top 100 Softball Players in both 2024 and 2025. A crucial contributor to her team's back-to-back appearances in the County Championship finals, she earned All-County Team honors in 2024. Vandernoth remains composed under pressure and consistently delivers strong performances, whether in the outfield or pitching in the circle. A proud member of Team Long Island and the 2025 TCIC Team Philippines 16U squad, she is recognized for her coachability, work ethic, and softball IQ. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Oregon</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Maddox (Maddy) Larson may stand at just 5'0", but her presence on the field is undeniable. Larson attends Sunset High School and maintains her focus as a student with a 3.85 GPA. As a left-handed hitter with exceptional plate discipline, she currently leads the No. 2-ranked 6A Sunset team in walks, on-base percentage, and on-base plus slugging, highlighting her keen eye and ability to get on base. She has gap-to-gap power and rarely chases pitches out of the zone. In the outfield, especially in right field, her quick reads, fast release, and accurate arm effectively shut down baserunners and prevent them from getting extra bases. Larson is a two-time Maddi Higgins All-Star and a 2024 TCF Sparkler All-American. Maddy Larson's success in academics and softball will guide her to her future college.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Alix Penning has already made a significant impact during her freshman season at Mountainside High School. She plays for the Mountainside team and attends Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering (BASE), where she maintains a 3.85 GPA. Penning is the starting right fielder for the squad, leading her team in home runs, slugging percentage, and on-base plus slugging. As a left-handed hitter with impressive bat-to-ball skills, she demonstrated power to all parts of the field. She plays defense with relentless effort, diving for balls and doing whatever it takes to help her team succeed. In addition to her physical abilities, Penning is recognized for her leadership, communication skills, and positive energy, which set her apart as a key contributor to any team's success, both now and in the future.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Washington</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Hadley Smith is a dedicated freshman who excels both academically and athletically. With a 4.0 GPA, Smith manages a demanding schedule of AP classes, while also shining on the softball field. She plays both outfield and catcher, where she is a vocal leader. Smith demonstrates her speed in the outfield and consistently uses her strong arm to prevent runners from advancing, both in the outfield and as a catcher. Offensively, she shows strong bat-to-ball skills with a short and compact swing, and the ability to perform under pressure. Smith is a competitive batter in the box, fighting off pitches until she finds the right one for her to hit. She currently leads her Bothell team with 13 walks and an on-base percentage of .462. She is known for her coachability and hard work, as she is always willing to put in extra effort and learn from her teammates. Beyond softball, she has also earned a varsity letter in flag football, showcasing her athleticism and versatility. Hadley Smith's exceptional work ethic and commitment will lead her to do great things at the next level.</p>

The class of 2028 is already making an impact, particularly in the outfield. Across the country, freshmen are stepping up and taking on key team roles, from speedy players causing chaos on the base paths to defensive stars making highlight-reel plays in the outfield.