Five 2028s Who Can Change A Game With Their Speed

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speed changes everything in softball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The moment a true speed threat steps into the box, the defense feels it. Infielders know they have to get rid of the ball quickly. Outfielders know speed means extra bases. Speed forces mistakes, turns routine plays into bang-bang outs, and flips momentum in seconds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are five players from around the country, in the class of 2028, who can change a game with their speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":157579,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ashlyn Pantages ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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":"30","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Sonora","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Firecrackers TJ/Pantages 16U","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69a4d1277e043"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ashlyn Pantages is a dynamic middle infielder who brings elite speed throughout the game. The Sorona High School standout earned Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman and is ready to continue that momentum this season. A threat at the plate, Pantages can bunt, slap, or swing away with power, keeping defenses on edge every at-bat. She had a batting average of .471 last season, scoring 94 runs and stealing 93 bases for her Firecrackers team. She carried that momentum into the fall with 33 runs scored and 34 stolen bases, securing a Premier berth to PGF Nationals, and is currently hitting .500 to start her sophomore season. Ashlyn Pantages is a player to watch this year for her game-changing speed.</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":157581,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kylee Gardner","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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":"27","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lake Ridge","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Lady Dukes Lamar","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69a4d1277e0fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kylee Gardner is incredibly fast on the bases and in the outfield. She consistently clocks in at 2.7 to 2.8 seconds down the line on a slap or bunt, applying immediate pressure to the defense the moment the ball is put in play. With a batting average close to .500 in top tournaments, she forces defenses to work hard for every out. Gardner is dedicated to putting in extra work outside of practice, and it shows. Her slapping technique is advanced; she can keep the ball on the ground, drive it into the gaps across all fields, and still beats out the throw. She finds a way to transform routine situations into stressful ones for opposing teams. Once she reaches base, she quickly moves around the bases, putting her team in a better position to score. Keep an eye on Kylee Gardner as she continues to develop and create chaos on the field.</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":157580,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Callie Hill","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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":"30","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Weddington","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Unity Bryan Jones","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69a4d1277e189"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Callie Hill is an incredible athlete known for her exceptional speed and power. As a true five-tool player, she combines blazing speed with significant power at the plate. She posts an exit velocity of 75 mph and maintains a batting average of over .400. Hill possesses both power in her swings and speed for extra-base hits. She is swift on the bases and has a strong arm, allowing her to cover a large area defensively. Her quick steps and drop steps in the infield showcase her speed and agility. The dedication Hill puts into her game is evident every time she steps foot onto the field. She regularly spends time in the batting cages and the weight room, developing genuine power and refining every aspect of her game. Callie Hill's skill in driving the ball and her speed make her a standout player to watch.</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":157583,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Adriana Layne","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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":"27","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"American Heritage","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Top Gun 16U National","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69a4d1277e212"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adriana Layne is a dynamic and speedy slapper from American Heritage High School and Top Gun 16U National. A true triple-threat, Layne excels at the short game, uses her speed to outpace defenses, and swings for power when necessary. Layne can effectively read defenses and make quick decisions at the plate, whether it's laying down a bunt or hitting a gap. Once she completes her task of getting on, she uses her speed to position herself for a scoring opportunity. As a tremendous defensive outfielder, she utilizes her quick first step and range to cover both gaps effectively, while her strong arm keeps runners in check and limits extra bases. Adriana Layne's speed helps her reach base effectively, which is a strength she will showcase throughout the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["144876"],"_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":157585,"_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-69a4d1277e266"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Demi Lotus is a true game-changer whose speed impacts both sides of the ball. As a natural shortstop, she can also take on the role of center fielder, depending on her team's needs. Her range, quickness, and instincts immediately stand out. Her strong first step enables her to cover a lot of ground while playing with confidence and control. Offensively, Lotus keeps defenses guessing. She can slap, bunt, and swing away, making her a constant threat once she reaches base. With a high softball IQ and aggressive base-running tendencies, she consistently puts pressure on opponents. Lotus showcases impressive speed on both offense and defense, making her a top prospect in her class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->