At any point, one of the top 10 players could be the No. 1 player in the 2022 class. Brut strength, agility, versatility, IQ, and numerous championships make up the top 10. With the first edition of the 2022 Hot 100 rankings completed, we know that we missed talented players. That's why we're updating the 2022 Hot 100 ranking after nationals this summer. Feel free to email flosoftball@flosports.tv for questions or to make nominations.

The talent is overflowing in this class, which is studded with more catchers in the Hot 100 than ever before. Two things that make this class of athletes special are the versatility and strength of hitters and defenders.

We’ve partnered with AthPro360 which measures thousands of athletes at every level and is now gathering data on the top club organizations around the country. AthPro360’s objective performance data will weigh heavily in the Hot 100 rankings. 

One new addition to our class rankings that we’re excited to release are the position-specific rankings. We’ve traditionally ranked the top 100 athletes in their respective class. Following the release of the Hot 100, we are going to rank the top 25 players by position: outfield, middle infield, corners, catchers, and pitchers.  

These rankings are always subject to change in next year's updated list, and this summer and fall will reveal both the contenders and pretenders.

10 | Taylor Pannell, IF | Beverly Bandits - Harkness (Auburn)

At third base, Taylor Pannell shuts down the short game and takes away 5-6 hole singles. Versatile on defense, she can easily play middle infield. A fierce competitor, Pannell is an eternal student of the game and constantly absorbs new information to raise her game. On offense, Pannell is electric to watch, cranking balls to the gap or over the fence. Her speed out of the box is explosive and extra-base hits are the norm for Pannell. Batting .556 at PGF Nationals with three triples and one home run with five RBIs, Pannell was pivotal to the third-place finish for Bandits - Pannell last summer. The Illinois native decided to verbal to Auburn in January 2018 after unofficial visits to Missouri, Oklahoma, Arizona, Wisconsin, Northwestern, and Michigan.

9 | Dakota Kennedy, OF | Lady Magic - Munoz

Tall and lanky, Dakota Kennedy is one of the top all-around athletes in this class. Along with playing softball, she also competes in volleyball and runs track; both of her parents played Division I athletics. Watching Kennedy compete reminds us of UCLA alum BB Bates in the way she mashed the ball and tracked down balls in the outfield. Kennedy hits for power and wreaks havoc on the defense with bunt singles and stolen bases. Typically hitting in the two spot wedged between Shaylen McDowell and Jordan Woolery, Kennedy has a knack for putting the barrel on the ball and shows consistent power from foul line to foul line. Kennedy is likely to be one of the most sought-after recruits for the next couple of years.

8 | Sam Roe, C | Georgia Impact - Newland (Florida)

When we asked fans to vote for the No. 1 player in the country, over 55K votes were cast for Georgia Impact Newland catcher Sam Roe. She is relentless in her pursuit of greatness, jumping up two age groups from 12U to 16U. Roe did not skip a beat and has already become a big contributor on one of Georgia's top teams. Behind the plate, she is solid and gives the pitchers the confidence and feedback they need to throw their pitches. She's very accurate with her throws and quick with her release. This spring she batted .344 with a .458 on-base percentage. As an eighth-grader playing up on her varsity school team, she batted .620 with eight home runs and 45 RBIs in 20 games. In 71 varsity at-bats, she had 30 extra-base hits with 19 stolen in 21 attempts. She led her school to its first state tournament in the school’s history. 

7 | Alea Johnson, P | Birmingham Thunderbolts 04 (LSU)

Johnson is on her way to becoming the best pitcher in the 2022 class. She has been dominant and college coaches are impressed with her ability to control hitters from the circle and mash pitchers from the batter's box. On the mound, she is a power pitcher with spin and finesse, throwing in the 63-64 mph range. She freezes hitters with a 48-50 mph change or blows a rise ball past the bat of the hitter. "She has perfect spin," one college coach commented when talking about Johnson. She was recruited by many top Power Five schools before verbally committing to LSU. 

6 | Jocelyn Erickson, C | OC Batbusters - Campbell (Oklahoma)

Erickson comes from a family of athletes, including a brother and sister who have played baseball and softball at BYU and another is on the way. The youngest of five has benefitted from watching her siblings. “Jocey is off the charts and she has a ton of upside,” one coach said in describing Erickson's skill level. The Phoenix native is a great defensive player and she has all the tools to be a dominant catcher at the next level, while her offensive skills are improving too. Erickson also plays volleyball, which helps her quickness and explosive movements. She had heavy interest from all over the nation before she committed to the Sooners in October 2017. 

5 | SJ Geurin, P | Diamond Sports Hotshots - Nelson (Oklahoma)

"SJ is the No. 1 pitcher because she's a winner. It starts in a circle. I've never see her get rattled. She's got the right makeup," Texas Travelers head coach James Schaefer said. The 5-foot-10 lefty can spot her pitches and mix speeds to keep hitters off balance. Checking in at 57-59 mph, her changeup is the absolute game changer. A proven winner, Geurin has compiled six national titles including two PGF National Championships, a World Fastpitch Championship (WFC), a Triple Crown Championship, and USFA World Series Title. Guerin was also a member of the USA All-American team and named WFC MVP.

4 | Jordan Woolery, SS | Lady Magic - Munoz (UCLA)

Powerful and smooth, Woolery is mature with quiet confidence and a team leader. Woolery is an extraordinary shortstop, leading Lady Magic in RBIs, batting average, doubles, and home runs. The first 2022 Pac-12 commit bats third with a swing like Romo and an IQ beyond her years. That's because Lady Magic has always played up an age group with success. She hits for average and power, leading the team in most offensive categories every season. 

3 | Kaila Pollard, SS/OF | Athletics Mercado/Greg (Florida)

Pollard is an all-around polished player, whether she's playing defense or swinging it on offense. Recruited by top 10 schools, Pollard has competed against the best her entire life. Nicknamed "Lefty," she launches balls out of the park as a top RBI producer and can also utilize her short game. Batting .478 for Athletics - Mercado/Greg and playing shortstop, she is constantly raising the bar on a very talented team. Expect Pollard to be one of the top middles to watch this summer.

2 | Viviana Martinez, SS | Mizuno Storm - Mathis/Holtorf (Oregon)

"She hit a ball that's still going. That kid is special," said one prominent club coach. Martinez is the stud shortstop for Mizuno Storm who hits from the left side. She has tremendous power to hit to all fields with consistency. Martinez has power to gaps, but she can also lay down a drag and showcase her speed to beat the throw. In the field, Martinez gets her smooth Dominican style of infield play from her father, Victor. She has instincts and movements that you cannot teach. Her arm is above average and so is her range. Her ability to attack the ball on the run and get rid of it is incredibly smooth and quick. Martinez has great hands and feet when it comes to fielding. 

1 | Maci Bergeron, C | Diamond Sports Hotshots - Falterman (LSU)

"I think she's the No. 1 overall player because of her arm. Her desire to be perfect. She's got the whole package. I think she'll be a starter the day she arrives on campus," one prominent club coach said when asked about LSU commit Maci Bergeron. She is touted as the best catcher in the country and has reached over 70 mph overhand speed. Batting .494 last season, Bergeron crushed 24 home runs with 102 RBIs and got on base over 50 percent of the time. She has been instrumental in the success of aces SJ Geurin and Emma Strood, building their confidence and getting strikes called. Bergeron was a central piece of the Hotshots' equation in winning both the 10U and 12U PGF championships. Her leadership behind the plate and at the plate helped propel the Hotshots to a USA Elite Select WFC title and Triple Crown title. Her pop time behind the plate is among the best in the nation in any class. Her ability to be so precise behind the plate and put up power numbers is why she was the most sought-after catcher in her class.