Five 2027 Prospects With Gold Glove Potential

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong defense plays a vital role in the success of any softball team. In order to win games, a team must have a strong core of defenders on the diamond.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lockdown defender can be the difference-maker in a key moment or game, and a strong defense is crucial in helping pitchers escape difficult innings. It can limit an opponent's momentum. And it can be the key in a must-win game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, Prep Softball highlights five players from the high school graduating class of 2027 who have serious defensive skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["103503"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":108849,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685320f591c99"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anna Minnick had already made waves after claiming a spot on the 2024 All-Livingston County softball team after a stellar freshman season. She returned to Brighton in 2025 and handled the hot corner and shortstop during her sophomore year. Minnick has demonstrated her defensive versatility, taking reps at second and in center field as well. During a recent Laser Nation Showcase, Minnick demonstrated her range to her backhand side. As a sophomore middle infielder, she finished with a .908 fielding percentage in 38 games. Minnick was able to convert 78 put outs in 85 chances for the Bulldogs. At the plate, Minnick compiled a .437 batting average with 25 RBI and two home runs.&nbsp;<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":108851,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Irelyn Fisher","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"20","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Union","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685320f591d5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Irelyn Fisher was a staple at backstop for Union and was pivotal for the Union Scotties to win the PIAA Class 1A championship on June 13. In the state title game, Fisher went 2-for-2 and scored five runs in her team's 12-2 victory. Fisher helped guide Union to a 22-2 record and a 10-0 finish in the Scotties' conference. As Union's catcher, the Scotties' pitching staff had a 0.56 ERA. Of the Scotties' 22 wins, Union had 19 shutouts. While Fisher held down the backstop for the Scotties, she also moved around the diamond. The sophomore righthander has taken reps in the outfield and as a utility player. Fisher ended her sophomore campaign with a .458/.591/1.279 slash line and 14 home runs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":108852,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Sophie Payne","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"28","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"La Plata","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685320f591deb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophie Payne shifted around the outfield for the La Plata Warriors during her sophomore year. She held down center and left field, while earning Southern Maryland Conference First-Team All-Conference and Charles County All-County selections. Payne displayed a strong arm for the Warriors. She threw out several runners at home from the outfield. Payne played in three more games for La Plata compared to her freshman season. She vastly improved her defense from 2024 to this year. She made 17 putouts in 27 total chances with a .963 fielding percentage. Payne also recorded nine assists compared to 2024's five assists. The sophomore outfielder also pitches and plays second base. Payne completed the 2025 season with a .439/.507/.682 slash line and a 1.189 OPS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":108853,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kelly Cahill","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"20","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Catholic Prep","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685320f591e74"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After a strong freshman season, Kelly Cahill followed it up with an impressive sophomore campaign. The catcher improved behind the plate this year for Catholic Prep. In her sophomore season, she improved her fielding percentage from .857 to .916. Cahill also made 198 putouts in 216 chances with 18 assists. In a May 31 game, she showed off her arm strength to gun out a runner attempting to steal second base. Earlier this season, she showed solid framing skills as well. Cahill helped support a pitching staff that made 13 starts, while allowing two runs or less to score each game. She finished the season with a .455/.516/.736 slash line. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":108856,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"K'lene Gutierrez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"29","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rosary Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685320f591efc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">K'lene Gutierrez was a lockdown defender for Rosary Academy, which went 26-3-1 overall and 10-0 in conference action this season. Gutierrez, an infielder, played 29 games without committing an error for the Royals. She made 155 putouts in 176 chances to go alongside her 1.000 fielding percentage. Gutierrez converted 11 double plays this season and had 21 assists. While she recorded more putouts in 2024 (205) than this year (155), Gutierrez more than doubled the amount of assists she had as an infielder in 2025. At the plate, she ranked third on the Royals in batting average (.489) and on-base percentage (.538), and tied for first with six home runs. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->