2032 Infielders Flashing Advanced Defensive Ability

Elite defense never goes out of style. Case in point, infielders across the country from the Southwest to the Midwest are showcasing their ability to flash the leather and make their names known.   Below, Prep Softball highlights five infielders from the high school graduating class of 2032 who are flashing advanced defensive ability.    In order to be an everyday third baseman, you have to have quick reflexes, a strong arm, and a high level of alertness. Bayla Brewster has all three qualities and put them on display multiple times this summer. On three separate occasions, she was the spark in turning a double play, including a remarkable unassisted gem in which she caught a sharp line drive that was headed for the left-field corner. She then immediately tagged third base with her foot to double off the runner. She plays comfortably, confidently, and with capability. She is doing plenty of work off the field to prepare for the upcoming fall season, which promises to be a positive one for her.     Hailey Lancaster was asked to help out a fellow Bandits squad at PGF Nationals, and she delivered big time with the bat and the glove. Her range and athletic ability were on full display during one play in particular, in which she had to stretch for the ball while keeping her foot on the bag and picking it out of the dirt. She also turned an unassisted double play by nabbing a line drive and, almost in the same move, tagging the bag. She finished the weekend with a solid .953 fielding percentage, made more impressive by the fact that she had never played with the team until the tournament. She brings hustle, determination, and impressive athleticism to the softball field.     Practice makes perfect, and Dilmarie Lopez puts in long hours of it on the softball field. And that hard work has paid off. Lopez shines at shortstop by always playing the ball and not letting it play her. When she gathers the ball, she does not hurry and makes a clean transition from glove to throwing hand. Her footwork is precise, and you can count on her to get in a good position to throw. Most importantly, of course, her throws are strong and on the money. Shortstop is one of the more challenging positions on the diamond due to the range and arm strength needed to play there, but Lopez checks both of those boxes.     Ruby Stoner shocked the world this spring with an incredible diving catch that made its way onto MLB.com as the Sideline HD No. 1 top play of the day. During the play, the batter popped the ball up on the infield down the third base line. The third baseman was playing in, so Ruby was the only player on the field with a chance to make a play. She sprinted from her position at shortstop and dove, leaving her feet for the remarkable catch. In one play, she displayed her tenacity, speed, and agility. Sometimes a single play is all it takes to show the world that you can flash the leather. In Ruby's case, I don't think it will be the last highlight reel moment of her career.     Slow rollers and tough hops are no match for Averie Capetillo. Throughout the summer in her Texas Glory jersey at third base, Capetillo threw strikes to first base while off balance, on her knees, and almost in foul territory. She shows impressive composure and clearly has put in the work off the field. Her mechanics are sound, she knows exactly how much time she has, and never rushes the play. She is exactly the player any coach would want on defense in crunch time because she would handle the moment just as she would in practice.

Elite defense never goes out of style. Case in point, infielders across the country from the Southwest to the Midwest are showcasing their ability to flash the leather and make their names known.