Top 2028 Prospects To Watch In Southern California, Sacramento

<p>The Southern California softball scene has a rich history of emerging talent, and the class of 2028 is no exception to that standard. These young athletes are poised to make a significant impact on the game. Whether they are dominant pitchers and catchers, powerful hitters, or speedy outfielders, these players already showcase their skills at an elite level.</p>   <p>In this article, we highlight some of the top prospects from Southern California and the Sacramento area in the 2028 class, providing a glimpse into the game's future.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SoCal Choppers</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Serenity Ward is an outstanding student-athlete from Garces Memorial High School, maintaining an impressive 3.9 GPA. She has earned Honor Roll recognition every quarter. On the field, she excels as both a second baseman and pitcher, showcasing remarkable defensive skills. Ward's been ranked at the top of her class on various platforms, solidifying her elite skills. In 2023, she was selected to participate in the USA All-American Games. Ward displays impressive glove skills and agility at second base. When she's not at second, she often takes the circle, commanding the zone well. Ward's versatility and determination as a student-athlete will guide her to find the right collegiate program as she gets further along in her recruiting process.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Elaine Shirley is a dedicated and vocal SoCal Choppers 14U Fausett team member. She excels primarily as a third baseman, but also plays other infield positions. Shirley maintains a 4.3 GPA at West Ranch High School, consistently achieving a spot on the Honor Roll. Her passion for softball is evident in her dedication to hard work, as she always gives her best effort in every game she competes in. Shirley values teamwork, her connection with her teammates, and the energy she brings to the field each game. She feeds off of this energy while she is on the field, staying vocal and focused no matter the position she is playing. Shirley's quick reflexes are showcased at the hot corner. Her passion and dedication to being an elite student-athlete will serve her well during her recruiting process.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Gretchen Roen stands out as a SoCal Choppers 14U Fausett player and consistently showcases her versatility as an athlete. She excels on the field as a pitcher, outfielder, and first baseman. She attends West Ranch High School, maintaining an impressive GPA of 4.33, and is also a member of the California Scholarship Federation (CSF). Gretchen received recognition from Prep Softball in our <a href="https://prepsoftball.com/2024/11/29/2028-prospects-who-impressed-at-pgf-early-thanksgiving-showcase/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2028 Prospects Who Impressed At PGF Early Thanksgiving Showcase</a> article for her exceptional pitching and hitting skills at the event. Known for her strong work ethic, Roen uses spin and speed changes in the circle to keep batters off balance. She anchors the lineup at the plate, consistently getting on base and scoring runs. Roen's athleticism and competitive spirit will shine at the collegiate level.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Explosion</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Chaden Chatelain is a rising star for the Explosion-Kim/Saunders team as a right-handed pitcher and outfielder. She attends Agoura High School, where she is a dedicated student, maintaining a 3.8 GPA. As a freshman, she has made her mark by starting on the varsity team and demonstrating her dual-threat capabilities. In the pitching circle, Chatelain excels with the ability to spin the ball, change speeds, and accumulate strikeouts. When she is not in the circle, she is a strong outfielder and a valuable contributor at the plate. This fall season, she achieved a perfect record of 15-0, tallied 108 strikeouts, maintained an impressive ERA of 0.887, and posted a batting average of .369. Her versatile skill set and dedication as a student-athlete make her a formidable presence in her class, both on and off the field.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Kaylyn Yi is a standout player for the Explosion-Kim/Saunders team, excelling as an outfielder and second baseman. She attends Fullerton High School with a 4.6 GPA and is active in the Associated Student Body (ASB), contributing over 100 hours of community service annually. Yi has received honors such as being named to the Principal's Honor Roll and the National Junior Honor Society Gold Cord. On the field, Yi showcases her agility as a dynamic slapper with an impressive 2.8 seconds home-to-first time. Her fall statistics highlight her talent, featuring a .460 batting average and 47 hits in 38 games. She is a true offensive threat to any team she plays against. With her impressive speed, Yi excels at tracking down fly balls in the outfield. Her competitive spirit and determination shine both on and off the field, making her a player to watch closely from her class.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Lexi Avila is an impressive middle infielder for the Explosion-Kim/Saunders team and La Serna High School. A dedicated student, she maintains a 3.7 GPA and is on the Honor Roll and in the Student Council. Avila, a multi-sport athlete, is a varsity flag football player who earned the Del Rio League Defensive Player of the Year award in the fall and is now playing varsity softball as a freshman. She's known for her deep understanding of the game and her role as an encouraging teammate. Avila is very athletic and can cover a ton of ground as a middle infielder, not hesitating to make diving plays in the field. At the plate, she works her way on base. Avila's deep understanding of the game, overall athleticism, and dedication as a student create a strong foundation for future collegiate success.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">California Breeze</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Chloe Aflonso is an exceptional catcher and third baseman at College Park High School, holding a 4.0 GPA while excelling in academics and athletics. She proudly participates in her school's Leadership Program and has earned recognition as an Honor Roll student. As a freshman, Alfonso quickly made an athletic impression by earning a spot on the varsity team. She is known for her powerful hitting, while also consistently demonstrating arm strength behind the plate and at third base. She was invited to try out for Team Philippines, showcasing her high-level potential. Alfonso's dedication to her studies and athletic abilities set her apart as a top player in her class with a bright future.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Madison Del Castillo is a dedicated American Canyon High School student-athlete, maintaining a 3.6 GPA and earning Honor Roll recognition. As a freshman, she made the varsity team at American Canyon and aims to make an immediate impact for the squad. In 2024, Del Castillo won MVP of a tournament where she showcased her defensive skills by robbing two home runs over the fence. She is a dynamic offensive threat as well, excelling as both a slapper and a power hitter to keep defenses on their toes. Del Castillo's talent and dedication have earned her a tryout for Team Philippines, highlighting her high potential in softball now and collegiately.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Peyton Newsom is a Woodcreek High School student with a 4.0 GPA and a place on the Honor Roll. As a varsity athlete and a standout on the California Breeze travel team, she excels due to her speed on the bases and in the outfield. In the field, she effectively uses her speed and ability to read fly balls, allowing her to cover a lot of ground. At the plate, her quickness helps her advance bases efficiently, creating scoring opportunities for her teams. She is a player you'd want on base at any point in a game, and is also a reliable player on both offense and defense. Newsom's athleticism and strong softball instincts enhance her role as a key player for her teams.</p>

The Southern California softball scene has a rich history of emerging talent, and the class of 2028 is no exception to that standard. These young athletes are poised to make a significant impact on the game. Whether they are dominant pitchers and catchers, powerful hitters, or speedy outfielders, these players already showcase their skills at an elite level.