Line Drive Media

The 2030 Line Drive Hot 100 Player Rankings… Closer to the Top With #’s 20-11 (Feb. 6, 2025)

By Brentt Eads

February 6, 2025

Emma Thornton of EC Bullets - Jackson connects on the pitch.

The 2030 Line Drive Hot 100 Player Rankings… Closer to the Top With #’s 20-11 (Feb. 6, 2025)

We continue our extensive look at the 2030 Line Drive HOT 100 player rankings by featuring those talented athletes rated #’s 20-11.

This class will also be updated several more times so know that there will be a lot of change over the next several years!

Each weekday for two weeks we are honoring players via our countdown with 10 spots each day per the following schedule:

  • #’s 100-91 (Mon., Jan. 27, 2025)
  • #’s 90-81 (Tue., Jan. 28, 2025)
  • #’s 80-71 (Wed., Jan. 29, 2025)
  • #’s 70-61 (Thu., Jan. 30, 2025)
  • #’s 60-51 (Fri. Jan. 31, 2025)
  • #’s 50-41 (Mon., Feb. 3, 2025)
  • #’s 40-31 (Tue., Feb. 4, 2025)
  • #’s 30-21 (Wed., Feb. 5, 2025)
  • #’s 20-11 (Thu., Feb. 6, 2025)
  • #’s 10-1 (Fri. Feb. 7, 2025)

Line Drive Softball will also list those prospects ranked #’s 101+ as well as the 2030 Class Position Rankings, Regional Rankings and a spotlight on the top-rated player.

To send in information including player updates and other news, e-mail:

Brentt.Eads@LineDriveMedia.com

*****

T-20—Norah Box, C, TN Mojo 2011 – Brown
Norah is a standout catcher from Portland, Tenn., and is called “an incredible athlete who can play nine positions on the field,” per Head Coach Brandon Brown, “but she’s definitively one of the best at her position in the 2030 class. She’s become an elite catcher that teams cannot run against.” Over the past two seasons, she’s caught 45 percent of runners stealing on her with an elite 1.78 pop time and 63 mph overhand throw. One of her highlights from Fall was throwing out the leadoff hitter for at top Midwestern team in the PGF Super Select Southern championship game and turning a double play in ITB to seal the win. In the Fall, she had a .488 on-base percentage. Adds Coach Brown: “Aside from all her on-the-field accomplishments, Norah is a culture setter on our team. She’s a vocal leader who keeps the dugout loose and is always looking for ways to encourage her teammates and help them get better.” Academically, she carries a 4.0 GPA

T-20—Lila Peters, P, Texas Glory Gold 14U
Lila is a 5-foot-9 pitcher and pure hitter with raw power, elite hands and barrel control. Bruce Johnson, her hitting coach, comments: “She is far beyond a normal 13-year-old in that she can play first, pitch and hit in the 3, 4 or 5-holes.” Playing at the 14U level, she hit .438 last year and helped her Glory team win the TFL Summer Championship and was named to the All-Tournament team. Both parents were college athletes, and that athleticism has translated to Lila as she was the Alliance Fastpitch National Pitcher of the Month and helped her team to a runner-up finish at the Alliance National Championship in 2024. She attends Spring Hill Middle School in Longview, Texas.

T-20—Emma Thornton, C, EC Bullets – Jackson
Emma is a true utility player, willing to play any position and cheer on her teammates as well as a leader on and off the field. Head Coach Stephanie Genchi says: “You will be hard-pressed to find a more deserving player of HOT 100 recognition.” Last year, Emma hit .412 and was in the Top 15 in her district in West Palm Beach, Fla., though she was just a a 6th grader, started as a second baseman and even made Honorable Mention All-County. Off the field, Emma is an Ambassador for her school, The King’s Academy, which is a leadership role that requires application and interviews. She was nominated for the Impact Leadership program by multiple faculty members and carries a 4.00 GPA in the classroom.

T-19—Ally Halstead, P, GA Impact Premier ‘11 – Cleghorn
Ally has pinpoint control and is able to hit her spots and always work ahead in counts. She has one of the best changeups in the 2011 age group and has tremendous movement on her curve and rise. She is able to keep hitters off balance and guessing in the box and pitches to soft contact. Head Coach Jason Cleghorn comments: “She is a true competitor and always wants the ball.” Last year, Ally put up great stats including an 18-0 record for the Georgia Impact with a 0.89 ERA and a .167 batting average against. The 2030 pitcher also helped lead the Impact to championship wins at PGF Super Selects over the last four years.

T-19—Lizzy Johnson, IF, Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2030 – Wilkerson
Lizzy is a standout shortstop who batted .416 last year with a .464 on-base percentage, a .519 slugging percentage and had 40 RBIs and 28 steals. Head Coach Jeff Wilkerson says: “She is very long and has great footwork that gives her tremendous range in the six-hole. Lizzy has a very strong arm that enables her to throw players out and make plays that most in her age group can’t do.” She also is known for her high softball IQ which allows her to anticipate plays before they happen. A leader on the team, Lizzy is very vocal on the field and is the leadoff hitter for the Bolts. She is from Lebanon, Tenn. and carries a 4.0 GPA in the classroom.

T-19—Ruby Rice, IF, Rhode Island Thunder – Lieto/Lotti
Ruby is a rising star in the Rhode Island Thunder program where she is often compared to fellow Thunder corner infielder Phoenyx Silva. At the plate, she is a force boasting a .640 batting average, 10 doubles, three home runs, and an impressive 50 RBIs in just 30 games. Her performance under pressure makes her a dependable leader and allows her to earn her teammates’ trust. On defense, she’s a rock-solid presence with a .996 fielding percentage, 75 putouts, nine assists bringing strength and leadership to every play. Off the diamond, Ruby’s athleticism also shines as a talented point guard in basketball. According to her Head Coach Frank Lieto: “Ruby is an absolute stud who plays years ahead of her age. She will be a household name on the national circuit soon!”

T-18—Giulliana Baronci, C, Georgia Unity 16U
Giulliana, often called “Gugu,” is a talented backstop who stands out as a 13-year-old playing up in age. A natural leader behind the plate, she has mastered skills that most players her age are still developing. What truly sets her apart, however, is her ability to compete at a high level while playing up on the Unity 16U team where she’s playing against girls up to three years older than her without missing a beat. Giulliana is following in the footsteps of her sisters, Angelina and Catalina, who are two of the top players in the 2026 class. Both recently committed D1 on scholarships for softball. As a hitter, Giulliana has an impressive combination of power with gap-to-gap consistency. She not only excels on the field, but also off with her lowest grade being a 97.

T-18—Evie Sanders, C, Mojo 2012 – West
Evie produced big stats, including a .403 batting average last year and also has a work ethic where she’s never satisfied with where she is in her game. One coach notes she pushes herself to improve every lesson and every game. Defensively, she has a 1.8 pop time and also shines in basketball as well. A USSSA Select 30 invite, Evie also hit a game-winning shot to the fence last year to help the Courtney West’s team to a PGF title. Her coach notes, “Evie rarely has runners attempt to steal on her. She is great at framing and blocking for her pitchers. She is also a great hitter for us, usually in the 3/4 hole.”

T-18—Carlei Whitted, IF, LLG Prospects – Smith
Carlei is a difference-maker as she is “athletic and dynamic, far beyond her years” according to organization head John Corn. In 130 at-bats last summer, she hit .523 with a .569 on-base percentage and hit five home runs while stealing 27 bases. Her exit velocity is in the upper 60’s and her overhand velo is approaching 60 mph also. Carlei is a standout soccer and basketball player but has turned her main focus to softball. An ace in the classroom as well, with a 3.8 unweighted GPA, “she is the total package—put her anywhere on the field, and Carlei makes an immediate impact on both sides of the ball,” adds Coach Corn. “With her size, power, speed, athleticism, grit, and insatiable work ethic, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.”

T-17—Gianna Alejandro, P, Batbusters 14U – Gann
Gianna throws 65 mph and averages about one and a half strikeouts per inning. Last year, she had 213 innings pitched with 359 strikeouts, a 1.77 ERA and a 1.078 WHIP. Also impressive: she was hitting 65 mph as a 12-year-old. Head Coach Jason Gann adds: “Gianna has won on the biggest stages and is playing up in 14U and dominating.” From Stockton, Calif., she is home schooled and maintains a 3.8 GPA academically. Coach Gann praises Gianna’s work ethic and desire to learn and improve off the field as well when he states: “She also tries to read a book each day.”

T-17—Emersyn Haney, OF, TN Mojo 2011 – Brown
Emersyn’s statistics and performances on the field are “truly impressive,” begins Head Coach Brandon Brown who continues: “It’s clear that she brings a unique energy and leadership to the team.” With a batting average in the Fall of 2024 of .479, an on-base percentage of .532, and 34 hits—including eight triples—Emersyn, from Dora, Ala., has proven herself to be a consistent and powerful offensive force. Her 24 RBIs, 27 runs, and 17 steals highlight not only her ability to get on base but also her aggressive and smart base running. Defensively, Emersyn’s .972 fielding percentage and 26 putouts further demonstrate “her reliability and effectiveness on the field,” per Coach Brown who adds: “Emersyn’s all-around contributions—hitting, running, and fielding—along with her leadership, sets a high standard for her teammates. It’s no surprise that her work ethic and dedication are making such a lasting impact on the team. Emersyn is the hardest-working player in any room. She lives softball and has worked her way into being the player that she is today.”

T-17—Brenna Whitten, P, Aces National 13U – Whitten
Brenna has four pitches she can throw at any point in the count: a drop curve, drop, rise and change-up which keeps hitters guessing thanks to her pinpoint accuracy. Last year in 111 innings, she had 111 strikeouts with a 1.89 ERA. Brenna is also an extremely hard out at the plate with only seven strikeouts in 157 at-bats.  Playing for the Aces—formerly known as the Nebraska Gold 13U team—she batted .442 with 53 RBIs. Head Coach JJ Whitten says: “Brenna is a leader on and off the field. In the classroom she is a 4.0 student and an even better person off the field.”

T-16—Carsyn Hunter, P, Mojo 2012 – Raysor
A standout pitcher from Burford, Ga., Carsyn pitched 96.2 innings in 2024 with 138 strikeouts, a 1.49 ERA and a batting average against of .181. She helped her own cause by hitting .328 with a .464 on-base percentage. “When Carsyn is on the mound, great things happen,” says Head Coach Isaiah Raysor. “As a coach, she’s a pitcher you can always count on. She’s a hard worker and takes pride in what she does. Her future is very bright.” A 4.0 student, Carsyn also plays basketball and sings in her school chorus.

T-16—Brooke Osborne, P, PowerSurge – Hammond
Brooke is a powerhouse pitcher with a natural ability to command the strike zone. She consistently delivers high-pressure performances and has a reputation for shutting down opposing hitters. Her pitching coach, Hanah Bowen, explains: “Brooke has a strong work ethic and gives us a high-level of performance and dominance in the circle.” From Santee, Calif., she has improved each year and, playing against top talent in Southern California regularly, especially in San Diego where she lives, Brooke has shown she can play and beat the best competition in the country.

T-16—Zahleah Porres, P, Firecrackers – Medina/Medrano
Zahleah brings an exciting mix of speed, power, and defensive excellence to her team. She has a strong ability to read the game, making her a threat both offensively and defensively. Her leadership and athleticism combined to give her impressive stats last year: a .415 batting average with a .481 OBP. Once on base, Zahleah can get around the bases quickly as she had 23 steals last year. Head Coach Paul Medrano says of the 2030 athlete from Pomona, Calif. who has a 4.0 GPA: “Beyond softball, she has a passion for the arts enjoying activities like art, modeling, and drawing. She’s also an avid reader, which fosters her imagination and critical thinking skills.” Zaheleah is also a member of her school’s volleyball team.

T-15—Madison Farr, IF, St. Louis Chaos – Miller
Madison is a standout infielder from Florissant, Mo., whose ability to produce at the plate and flash elite defensive tools make her one of the most complete players in the 2030 class. Competing for St. Louis Chaos, Madison posted a .389 batting average in 2024 driving in 51 RBIs, scoring 80 runs, and swiping 21 stolen bases while maintaining an impressive 98 percent fielding percentage. Gerald Riley, the Head Coach at Cardinal Nike RBI, says: “She has consistently excelled at the highest levels, often competing against older competition and still putting up dominant numbers.” Madison has been recognized with multiple elite honors including thrice being a USSSA All-American Direct Invite, a 2025 USSSA Select 30 participant, a USA Softball Region 7 All-American, and a PG Elite 20 All-Tournament selection. Despite her impressive athletic success, Madison has had to overcome adversity— she plays at an incredibly high level while managing Sickle Cell Disease, a challenge that has never held her back on the field or in the classroom where she has a 4.0 GPA.

T-15—Charlotte Schrand, IF, TN Mojo West – West
Charlotte is a talented infield with impressive stats last year including a .449 batting average and a .902 fielding percentage. She has a good softball IQ, a dedicated work ethic, is dependable in the field and doesn’t let anything past her at any position. One of her coach’s notes, “Charlotte also plays volleyball and does anything she can to better her softball skills. That could be community service, helping younger kids develop their softball skills, and always watching softball.” She also has a side business of selling dog treats that have clean and limited ingredients and academically maintains a strong GPA of 3.95.

T-15—Paisley “Pip” Wright, C/OF, Impact Gold National – Holmes
Paisley, who also goes by “Pip,” is a standout catcher who is tall and a strong power hitter. From Glenview, Ill., she plays a year up with her team and is known for her impressive arm and success behind the plate. A three-sport athlete who also plays volleyball and runs track, Pip was second in the district in the 100 meters and the 4 x 100 meters. Head Coach Chad Holmes says: “Behind the dish, Pip is one of the best at what she does by consistently working to earn strikes for her pitchers. Her quickness behind the plate, ability to frame pitches, and keep runners honest makes her an asset any team would love to have. There aren’t many girls that try to advance on her, but when they do, it usually ends in Pip’s favor.” At the plate, the 2030 consistently hits the ball hard all over the field and her ability to hit the long ball was evident last Summer as she smacked four home runs and had a .347 batting average. In school, she maintains a 3.9 GPA.

T-14—Allie Gautney, C, Athletics Gold – Tamborra/Olson
Allie is an elite catcher and one of the best in the 14U age group as a 2030 grad. She threw out nine of the 27 steal attempts (33 percent) last Fall and does a tremendous job of stealing strikes and blocking balls behind the plate. Offensively, Allie is a consistent and powerful hitter, usually batting in the 3 or 4 spot, and is known for coming through in clutch moments regularly with game-winning hits. Allie compiled a .400 batting average last year with three home runs and was second on the team in RBI’s. Although young, Allie has a reputation throughout the 14U 2011 age group as a dominant hitter who hits with power and is an extremely tough out. Last year, as an 11 and 12-year-old, she challenged herself by catching USA pitcher Kelly Barnhill throughout the winter two-to-three times per week, and continues to catch college and 18U pitchers regularly such as Kyra Aycock with Oklahoma State and Malayna Tamborra with Auburn.

T-14—Mia Miller, P, Wisconsin Lightning 2029/30 – Sturino
Mia is a two-way star with elite pitching skills and offensive firepower. In the 2024 season, she pitched 172 innings striking out 174 and at the plate hit .380 with a .964 OPS, driving in 39 RBIs and launching a pair of home runs. Playing for the Lightning 13U (2029/30) team, Mia has competed in high-level tournaments, including being part of a second place finish in the PGF Super Select Midwest Championship. “Mia brings rare power on both sides of the game,” says Head Coach Jason Sturino: “She throws 60 mph, has a devastating changeup, and her exit velocity reaches 68-70 mph at the plate. She’s one of the hardest-working players we have.” Off the field, Mia is a multi-sport athlete playing basketball and volleyball while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

T-14—Avery Murphy, C, Atlanta Vipers – Murphy 2011 –
After joining the Atlanta Vipers Murphy 2011 team in the Spring of 2023, Avery quickly proved to be an invaluable player behind the plate and in the batter’s box.  As the Vipers’ starting catcher, she is dependable and one of the best framers in her class.  Avery’s strong arm and quick release make her very difficult to steal on.  Offensively, she is one of those special players who hits for a high average with big time power.  This past season, she hit .432 with four home runs and drove in 59 RBIs.  Avery’s Hitting Coach Bobby Bell, the hitting coach for the Houston Astros AA team, notes: “Avery Murphy is one of the most passionate, twitchy and explosive young athletes I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with. Her willingness to be challenged in different movement patterns to improve her game is exceptional, especially for her age. She is an absolute joy to be around and to challenge on a daily basis.  With her natural abilities and her dedication, I could easily see her being a top prospect.”

T-13—Ella Birchwood, IF/P, LLG Uprising NC –  Wilson
From Summerville, S.C., Ella comes from a strong athletic family of both soccer and volleyball players. On the softball side, “she possesses very mature skills as a two-way player,” according to John Corn, the organization’s president. “Ella has power, speed, defensive skills, and brings a very refined skill to the mound. She is a rising star that will shine all summer.” Her stat-line in 2024 included a .450 batting average, 17 steals, 33 runs scored, and, on the mound, Ella had a 2.50 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. She is equally strong academically with a 4.0 GPA.

T-13—Liv Schaack, P, BSC Bengals 2012 – Haldorsen
Liv Schaack is a dominant presence in the circle, showcasing her ability to compete at the highest level in the 12U circuit. In the Fall of 2024 season, the athlete from Costa Mesa, Calif., posted a 21-4 record and pitched 102 innings with 154 strikeouts and an elite 0.96 ERA. Batters struggled against her, hitting just .131. Liv helped her team compile a 9-2 record to finish 7th place in the PGF Platinum division—the highest finish for an all-first year 12U team. Her stats included pitching 37 innings with 40 K’s, a 1.11 ERA and a 16-strikeout complete game in bracket play. Head Coach Tommy Haldorsen comments: “Liv is the consummate competitor and has consistently demonstrated the ability to do her best in the toughest games. She can do that because of her excellent command of multiple pitches including a cutting fastball (59 mph) and a devastating changeup (35-37 mph). Her pitches have a high spin rate, which leads to a lot of swings and misses or weak contact.”

T-13—Jazlynn Skanes, IF, Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2030 – Wilkerson
Jazlynn has extreme power, very quick hands and excellent speed, leading Head Coach Jeff Wilkerson to say: “Jaz is one of the most athletic kids around.” She led the Bolts team with a .507 batting average and added a .587 on-base percentage, 57 RBIs, 25 multi-base hits including two home runs and stole 36 bases. Jaz is solid defensively as well, producing a .908 fielding percentage last year. One highlight of her career so far was helping her Bolts team win the PGF Super Select 12U Championship with a sizzling .706 batting average. She also was named the Offensive MVP of the USSSA National Championship where she hit .500, had seven RBIs and stole three bases. Coach Wilkerson continues: “Jaz is such a force at the plate that many teams intentionally walk her regardless of the game situation.” Defensively she has great range utilizing her speed and size. Jaz is a three-sport athlete as she’s on a 14U elite volleyball team and also plays hoops with her Saraland (Ala.) Middle School.

T-12—McKenzie Flowers, P/OF, Corona Angels  – Tyson
McKenzie is a two-way threat, excelling both as a pitcher and an outfielder. She is recognized as a top performer in her class and her presence in the circle is intimidating thanks to her strong arsenal of pitches that keeps hitters off-balance. At the plate, she consistently drives the ball with power and can change the course of a game with one swing. Angels coach Dominique Tyson describes McKenzie as “a fierce competitor who never backs down from a challenge.” The SoCal standout is a legit pitcher, outfielder, hitter and can steal a base at any time. McKenzie’s ability to contribute both offensively and defensively makes her a highly valuable player. Adds Coach Tyson: “Her determination and work ethic set her apart, and she is poised to make an even greater impact as she continues to develop her skills.”

T-12—Abigail Parr, IF/OF, Lady Dukes – Rooney
Abigail, who also goes by “Abby,” is a sure-handed infielder with a strong arm from the outfield as well. “At the plate,” says one top coach in the Lady Dukes organization, “the right-hander’s strength is driving the ball to all fields. Abby is one the brightest players in the program as a a true athlete with a big bat.” She should be one of the most sought-after players in her class as she nears high school graduation and draws praise for her leadership on and off the field. From Portage, Mich., Abby batted .570 in the Fall playing up and she will be a big-time prospect for years to come in the Lady Duke’s program.

T-12—Ella Rackley, IF, GA Impact Premier ‘11 – Cleghorn
Ella is a 2012 birth year who has played up a year with Coach Jason Cleghorn since she was seven-years-old. She is a tremendous athlete with a very high ceiling. Ella has played every position on the field for the Impact and is a true utility player. Always playing up a year against the best competition in the 2011 age group, Ella has always excelled. Coach Cleghorn says: “She is a constant RBI machine while being able to swipe a bag at any moment as well. I feel confident putting her at any position on the field at any time knowing she will produce.” Abby’s stats in 2024: a .417 batting average, a .607 slugging percentage and 40 RBIs. The 2030 grad’s older sister, Addie Rackley, plays for GA Impact – Taylor and is committed to LSU to pitch and play in the infield. Their father, Derek, who is also a coach for GA Impact – Taylor, played in the NFL for several seasons with the Falcons and Seahawks.

T-11—Annabelle Graham, OF, Athletics – Mercado/Romero
Annabelle is a versatile and dynamic leadoff hitter who brings speed, power, and precision to the top of the lineup for Athletics Mercado Romero. A .402 hitter with a .503 OBP, she is the definition of a triple-threat in that she’s capable of slapping, hitting for power, and creating chaos on the basepaths. Her ability to adjust mid-game makes her one of the most difficult outs in her class. Head Coach Isaiah Romero raves about Annabelle’s impact, stating: “She is one of the most versatile triple-threat leadoffs in the country. Annabelle has an uncanny ability to read defenses and adjust accordingly. More importantly, she’s a phenomenal teammate and leader.”

T-11—DaeSun McGaughy, P, Beverly Bandits Premier Ault – Ault
DaeSun is a dominant force in the circle, combining power, precision, and a high softball IQ to dismantle opposing lineups. She compiled a .350 batting average with 22 RBIs last year, but it’s her pitching dominance that sets her apart. Over 18 games, she recorded 85 strikeouts, leaving hitters guessing with her elite command and velocity. DaeSun has been a standout competitor at every level, winning the Fastest Pitch Title from 8U through 12U. One of her defining moments came when she secured a victory at the high school level in an indoor winter league, proving that she can compete with players well above her age. Her power at the plate is just as impressive—she smashed four home runs in a single tournament. Head Coach Ty Ault praises her tenacity, saying,”DaeSun is one of the hardest-working athletes I’ve ever coached. She attacks hitters with confidence and dominates in big moments. She’s the type of player every coach wants on their team.”

Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball

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