2017 Hot 100Sep 20, 2017 by Brentt Eads
2020 Hot 100: Players 80-71
2020 Hot 100: Players 80-71
FloSoftball's 2020 Hot 100: Players 80-71
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We continue our 2020 Hot 100 identifying top talent in the class of 2020. We will reveal the Hot 100 prospects over the next two weeks, spotlighting 10 or more outstanding players each day on the way through our countdown from 100 to No. 1.
This list is an updated version of our initial 2020 Hot 100 rankings and over 40 percent of the players are new additions!
We'll announce the top 10 of the class on Friday, September 29, and shortly after will profile the No. 1 player and then list the "next in" classes comprising recruits 101-200, 201-300, 301-400, and 401-500 as well as which colleges have done the best so far in recruiting this outstanding group of players!
FloSoftball has ranked the Hot 100 beginning with the 2014 class and has done every grad year since including 2015, '16, '17, '18, '19, '20 (the first list exactly a year ago), and '21. We've also updated most of those years several times.
These 2020 honorees were chosen based on input and feedback from college and club coaches as well as our own FloSoftball event and in-person observations.
Criteria for choosing and ranking the players includes performances at the club and high school levels and projecting how they will play at the collegiate level.
T80 | Macy Banks, P | Georgia Power (uncommitted)
Banks is a workhorse in the circle and has assumed that leadership position both on her travel team and high school teams, helping them to successful 2016-2017 seasons. As a freshman at East Hall High School in Gainesville, Georgia, Banks appeared in 25 games with a record of 14-4. She shows efficiency and command of the strike zone, only allowing 19 walks in 136 innings with 81 Ks. Although Banks is uncommitted she has taken several unofficial visits, including schools in the ACC.
T80 | Taylor Caudill, P/SS | Monarchs (uncommitted)
Caudill is another one of those athletes who can do it all. In the circle, with speed in the low 60s and ability to move the ball in all four quadrants, she allowed only four hits in 12 innings at PGF Nationals including 17 Ks. A force at the plate, Caudill batter .429 at PGF Nationals and .352 with 24 RBIs her freshman year at Woodbridge High School, helping lead her team to a Pacific Coast League championship while earning Irvine all-city honors. With great hands and a strong arm, Caudill is also an elite level shortstop and first baseman who has entertained interest from PAC 12, Big West, Mountain West, and Ivy League Schools.
T79 | Taylor Strain, OF/MIF | Centex Buzz (Baylor)
Strain is a lightning-fast leadoff who can drop a two-foot bunt to bring you in and then hit a shot over the fence. As a freshman at Robinson High School, Strain earned first team all-district and newcomer of the year honors. The extremely athletic outfielder also earned all-district honors in basketball and volleyball. This summer, Strain batted .432 with her best performances coming at both Triple Crown Nationals and ASA Gold Nationals. After considering several Power Five conference schools, Strain has chosen to play at Baylor.
T79 | Lauryn Carter, OF | So Cal Choppers - Fausett (uncommitted)
Carter is an eye-catching 5-tool player that is one of the most talented on a team filled with top level DI talent. She can hit for both power and average while utilizing great speed on the base paths. That speed transfers well into the outfield where she is able to cover a lot of ground and show off a cannon of an arm. Carter hit an incredible .646 and drove in 34 runs during her freshman season at Serra High School. Although Carter has been sought after by many top level collegiate programs including some from the PAC 12, Big Ten, and Big 12, she is uncommitted right now.
78 | Mayce Allen, C/OF | Team Mizuno Impulse - Gwyn (Texas A&M)
Allen has all the tools necessary to succeed at the highest level. Not only does she have a cannon for an arm behind the plate but her confidence and maturity allows her to handle the pitching staff well and control the pace of the game. The Frisco Independence High School sophomore is also a high-impact player at the plate, able to hit the long ball (five as a freshman) and is always a threat on the base paths with her speed. Allen has decided to keep her talents in-state at Texas A&M.
T77 | Aaliyah Brown, SS/3B | Gametime Stars (uncommitted)
Brown is one of the most feared power-hitters in her class, shown by her getting 48 walks during the summer but still managing to hit .469 with 46 extra-base hits and five home runs. This comes a year after she clubbed 22 home runs with a .520 average in club ball. Her power bat and and multiple walks led to a .595 OBP and she led the team with a .682 slugging mark. Brown is also a rock at third base where her strong arm guns out the speediest runners, but she also has the speed to play the outfield. She has received a lot of DI interest, including several Big 12 schools.
T77 | Sierra Kersten, OF | Finesse - Dreher (uncommitted)
Kersten is a multi-sport, five-tool athlete who earned first team all-state honors as a freshman last spring in high school and during the summer led the Finesse 14U-Skapyak squad to a second-place finish at the ASA "A" Nationals in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She batted .458 with 41 RBIs and five home runs for the Finesse as a lefty hitter who can bat leadoff or in the 2- and 3-spot thanks to her great speed as a bunter/slapper and dangerous 240-foot power to all fields. Defensively, Kersten can run down almost everything hit to her in center field and has a strong arm to nail runners looking to take the extra base. She has multiple Power Five conference offers and will take more visits this fall before committing.
76 | Grace Lorsung, C | Indiana Magic Gold (Illinois)
Lorsung has been describd as the "defensive rock" at catcher for the Magic and can do it all behind the play. She plays efficiently and had a .971 fielding percentage this year and has been recorded with a 1.72 pop time. Her physical tools are matched by a great in-game intelligence as she calls all the pitches in the games she catches. Lorsung is also an excellent athlete with the tools to have played every position but pitcher on the field last year for her Indiana team. A student of the game, her softball IQ and physical skills make her one of the top catchers in her class. She committed to the Illinois prior to leading her squad to a third-place finish at PGF Nationals this year.
75 | Mariana Torres, IF | Texas Bombers (Texas A&M)
Torres is the prototype infielder who is smooth and fluid in the field and makes everything look effortless. She's played shortstop at the club and high school level and helped her Plugerville, Texas, team to a 27-6 record last spring as she hit .379 with a .419 on-base percentage in limited action. Torres has excellent field vision and plays with confidence to make her teammates better around her. With the stick, she hits to all fields and can bat for a high average while having home run pop also. She was being recruited by Big 12, ACC, and Big Ten schools before she committed the Aggies.
T74 | Taylor Holcroft, 3B | Explosion - Flores 16U (Nevada)
Holcroft has a big stick and the potential to be a top-of-the-line power hitter in any major conference at the next level. One coach said of the SoCal standout, "This kid rakes, pure and simple." Taylor made a big splash at the 2016 OnDeck camp at Mt. Sac and is most known for her power. After milling around the recruiting circuit, Taylor verbally committed to Nevada who will be a team to watch in the next couple years. She adds a solid glove to the infield playing mostly third base but can adjust and play first.
T74 | Madi Simon, MIF/OF | Explosion - Denio/Wilson (Duke)
There is so much upside to Madi Simon's game because of her ability to play multiple positions and ignite an offense. At Beckman High School, she batted .425 with an OB % of .469. With 37 hits in 87 at-bats she drove in 32 runs and dropped 13 home runs. Simon's speed is sneaky fast as she's able to steal a number of bases.
73 | Crystal Davila, IF | Texas Bombers 16U Gold (Texas)
Before tearing her ACL, Crystal Davila was off to a tremendous start batting .500 with an OB % of .571. This Texas-bound recruit will be one to watch this summer once she recovers from surgery. Davila comes with incredible range and versatility. She's the full package bringing base-stealing speed and power to all fields. Davila was the first 2020 to commit to Texas.
T72 | Hannah Lerma, C/OF | Corona Angels - Tyson 14U (Central Florida)
Lerma is another one of the great athletes to come out of the Corona Angels program. She's a dynamic leadoff batter with excellent speed and a very strong bat. She can call a great game as a backstop for other notable 2020 recruits like Sarah Willis (Washington) or use her athleticism to roam the outfield. Lerma hits for power, but can also drop a bunt and is also a big threat on the base paths. One coach said of her, "She really rakes the ball," while another said, "Hannah has the heart to play against anyone; she's tough and is a grinder." The Southern California sophomore hit .430 on the year and verballed to UCF.
T72 | Mallorie Black, MIF | East Cobb Bullets - Caldwell (Georgia Tech)
Black anchors the Bullets' middle infield and is best known for raising her level of play when the game is on the line. She delivers in clutch situations offensively and defensively. One scout said of her, "Mallorie is money in the field; she just gets it done." A great all-around athlete, she also plays basketball and runs track and has been to ASA Nationals since she was 10 years old. Black had SEC and ACC interest and was even dead-set on Florida State before committing to Georgia Tech in July of this year.
71 | Amber Linton, P/MIF | Georgia Impact - Newland (Tennessee)
Linton can throw any pitch in any count and locate to both sides of the plate and her drop and curve are straight nasty. At 6-0, she's an intimidating presence in the circle. Linton led Georgia Impact - Newland this season with a 1.64 ERA and a 5.33/1 strikeout to walk ratio, throwing pitches like her extremely deceptive change with high spin rate. Linton never gets rattled, and, looking at her face, you wouldn't know whether she was pitching a championship game or preparing to take nap, which inspires confidence in her team. Linton had a great showing at PGF Nationals this year, throwing a complete game against the Ohio Hawks Gold and striking out six to get the win.
This list is an updated version of our initial 2020 Hot 100 rankings and over 40 percent of the players are new additions!
We'll announce the top 10 of the class on Friday, September 29, and shortly after will profile the No. 1 player and then list the "next in" classes comprising recruits 101-200, 201-300, 301-400, and 401-500 as well as which colleges have done the best so far in recruiting this outstanding group of players!
FloSoftball has ranked the Hot 100 beginning with the 2014 class and has done every grad year since including 2015, '16, '17, '18, '19, '20 (the first list exactly a year ago), and '21. We've also updated most of those years several times.
These 2020 honorees were chosen based on input and feedback from college and club coaches as well as our own FloSoftball event and in-person observations.
Criteria for choosing and ranking the players includes performances at the club and high school levels and projecting how they will play at the collegiate level.
T80 | Macy Banks, P | Georgia Power (uncommitted)
Banks is a workhorse in the circle and has assumed that leadership position both on her travel team and high school teams, helping them to successful 2016-2017 seasons. As a freshman at East Hall High School in Gainesville, Georgia, Banks appeared in 25 games with a record of 14-4. She shows efficiency and command of the strike zone, only allowing 19 walks in 136 innings with 81 Ks. Although Banks is uncommitted she has taken several unofficial visits, including schools in the ACC.
T80 | Taylor Caudill, P/SS | Monarchs (uncommitted)
Caudill is another one of those athletes who can do it all. In the circle, with speed in the low 60s and ability to move the ball in all four quadrants, she allowed only four hits in 12 innings at PGF Nationals including 17 Ks. A force at the plate, Caudill batter .429 at PGF Nationals and .352 with 24 RBIs her freshman year at Woodbridge High School, helping lead her team to a Pacific Coast League championship while earning Irvine all-city honors. With great hands and a strong arm, Caudill is also an elite level shortstop and first baseman who has entertained interest from PAC 12, Big West, Mountain West, and Ivy League Schools.
T79 | Taylor Strain, OF/MIF | Centex Buzz (Baylor)
Strain is a lightning-fast leadoff who can drop a two-foot bunt to bring you in and then hit a shot over the fence. As a freshman at Robinson High School, Strain earned first team all-district and newcomer of the year honors. The extremely athletic outfielder also earned all-district honors in basketball and volleyball. This summer, Strain batted .432 with her best performances coming at both Triple Crown Nationals and ASA Gold Nationals. After considering several Power Five conference schools, Strain has chosen to play at Baylor.
T79 | Lauryn Carter, OF | So Cal Choppers - Fausett (uncommitted)
Carter is an eye-catching 5-tool player that is one of the most talented on a team filled with top level DI talent. She can hit for both power and average while utilizing great speed on the base paths. That speed transfers well into the outfield where she is able to cover a lot of ground and show off a cannon of an arm. Carter hit an incredible .646 and drove in 34 runs during her freshman season at Serra High School. Although Carter has been sought after by many top level collegiate programs including some from the PAC 12, Big Ten, and Big 12, she is uncommitted right now.
78 | Mayce Allen, C/OF | Team Mizuno Impulse - Gwyn (Texas A&M)
Allen has all the tools necessary to succeed at the highest level. Not only does she have a cannon for an arm behind the plate but her confidence and maturity allows her to handle the pitching staff well and control the pace of the game. The Frisco Independence High School sophomore is also a high-impact player at the plate, able to hit the long ball (five as a freshman) and is always a threat on the base paths with her speed. Allen has decided to keep her talents in-state at Texas A&M.
T77 | Aaliyah Brown, SS/3B | Gametime Stars (uncommitted)
Brown is one of the most feared power-hitters in her class, shown by her getting 48 walks during the summer but still managing to hit .469 with 46 extra-base hits and five home runs. This comes a year after she clubbed 22 home runs with a .520 average in club ball. Her power bat and and multiple walks led to a .595 OBP and she led the team with a .682 slugging mark. Brown is also a rock at third base where her strong arm guns out the speediest runners, but she also has the speed to play the outfield. She has received a lot of DI interest, including several Big 12 schools.
T77 | Sierra Kersten, OF | Finesse - Dreher (uncommitted)
Kersten is a multi-sport, five-tool athlete who earned first team all-state honors as a freshman last spring in high school and during the summer led the Finesse 14U-Skapyak squad to a second-place finish at the ASA "A" Nationals in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She batted .458 with 41 RBIs and five home runs for the Finesse as a lefty hitter who can bat leadoff or in the 2- and 3-spot thanks to her great speed as a bunter/slapper and dangerous 240-foot power to all fields. Defensively, Kersten can run down almost everything hit to her in center field and has a strong arm to nail runners looking to take the extra base. She has multiple Power Five conference offers and will take more visits this fall before committing.
76 | Grace Lorsung, C | Indiana Magic Gold (Illinois)
Lorsung has been describd as the "defensive rock" at catcher for the Magic and can do it all behind the play. She plays efficiently and had a .971 fielding percentage this year and has been recorded with a 1.72 pop time. Her physical tools are matched by a great in-game intelligence as she calls all the pitches in the games she catches. Lorsung is also an excellent athlete with the tools to have played every position but pitcher on the field last year for her Indiana team. A student of the game, her softball IQ and physical skills make her one of the top catchers in her class. She committed to the Illinois prior to leading her squad to a third-place finish at PGF Nationals this year.
75 | Mariana Torres, IF | Texas Bombers (Texas A&M)
Torres is the prototype infielder who is smooth and fluid in the field and makes everything look effortless. She's played shortstop at the club and high school level and helped her Plugerville, Texas, team to a 27-6 record last spring as she hit .379 with a .419 on-base percentage in limited action. Torres has excellent field vision and plays with confidence to make her teammates better around her. With the stick, she hits to all fields and can bat for a high average while having home run pop also. She was being recruited by Big 12, ACC, and Big Ten schools before she committed the Aggies.
T74 | Taylor Holcroft, 3B | Explosion - Flores 16U (Nevada)
Holcroft has a big stick and the potential to be a top-of-the-line power hitter in any major conference at the next level. One coach said of the SoCal standout, "This kid rakes, pure and simple." Taylor made a big splash at the 2016 OnDeck camp at Mt. Sac and is most known for her power. After milling around the recruiting circuit, Taylor verbally committed to Nevada who will be a team to watch in the next couple years. She adds a solid glove to the infield playing mostly third base but can adjust and play first.
T74 | Madi Simon, MIF/OF | Explosion - Denio/Wilson (Duke)
There is so much upside to Madi Simon's game because of her ability to play multiple positions and ignite an offense. At Beckman High School, she batted .425 with an OB % of .469. With 37 hits in 87 at-bats she drove in 32 runs and dropped 13 home runs. Simon's speed is sneaky fast as she's able to steal a number of bases.
73 | Crystal Davila, IF | Texas Bombers 16U Gold (Texas)
Before tearing her ACL, Crystal Davila was off to a tremendous start batting .500 with an OB % of .571. This Texas-bound recruit will be one to watch this summer once she recovers from surgery. Davila comes with incredible range and versatility. She's the full package bringing base-stealing speed and power to all fields. Davila was the first 2020 to commit to Texas.
T72 | Hannah Lerma, C/OF | Corona Angels - Tyson 14U (Central Florida)
Lerma is another one of the great athletes to come out of the Corona Angels program. She's a dynamic leadoff batter with excellent speed and a very strong bat. She can call a great game as a backstop for other notable 2020 recruits like Sarah Willis (Washington) or use her athleticism to roam the outfield. Lerma hits for power, but can also drop a bunt and is also a big threat on the base paths. One coach said of her, "She really rakes the ball," while another said, "Hannah has the heart to play against anyone; she's tough and is a grinder." The Southern California sophomore hit .430 on the year and verballed to UCF.
T72 | Mallorie Black, MIF | East Cobb Bullets - Caldwell (Georgia Tech)
Black anchors the Bullets' middle infield and is best known for raising her level of play when the game is on the line. She delivers in clutch situations offensively and defensively. One scout said of her, "Mallorie is money in the field; she just gets it done." A great all-around athlete, she also plays basketball and runs track and has been to ASA Nationals since she was 10 years old. Black had SEC and ACC interest and was even dead-set on Florida State before committing to Georgia Tech in July of this year.
71 | Amber Linton, P/MIF | Georgia Impact - Newland (Tennessee)
Linton can throw any pitch in any count and locate to both sides of the plate and her drop and curve are straight nasty. At 6-0, she's an intimidating presence in the circle. Linton led Georgia Impact - Newland this season with a 1.64 ERA and a 5.33/1 strikeout to walk ratio, throwing pitches like her extremely deceptive change with high spin rate. Linton never gets rattled, and, looking at her face, you wouldn't know whether she was pitching a championship game or preparing to take nap, which inspires confidence in her team. Linton had a great showing at PGF Nationals this year, throwing a complete game against the Ohio Hawks Gold and striking out six to get the win.