Big Ten Reveals 2026 Big Ten Softball Players to Watch
First pitch of 2026 season set for February 5
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced the 2026 Softball Players to Watch list, as selected by the conference head coaches.
The watch list is highlighted by reigning National Player of the Year Jordy Frahm of Nebraska and includes eight 2025 All-Americans. Also featured are 16 All-Conference selections from last season, three All-Defensive honorees and five All-Freshman selections.
In 2025, Frahm became the first player in conference history to earn both Big Ten Player and Pitcher of the Year honors. Also among this year’s players to watch is Washington’s Alexis DeBoer, the 2025 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Last season, eight Big Ten teams advanced to the postseason, with Oregon and UCLA earning berths to the Women’s College World Series.
Four conference teams appear in the NFCA/GoRout Top 25 Preseason Coaches Poll, announced on Tuesday: No. 5 Oregon, No. 7 UCLA, No. 10 Nebraska and No. 25 Ohio State.
The 2026 season officially begins Thursday, Feb. 5, with conference play opening March 6–8.
The complete list of the 2026 Big Ten Softball Players to Watch is listed below.
2026 Big Ten Softball Players to Watch
Adisyn Caryl, Jr., INF, Illinois
Eileen Donahue, Jr., INF, Illinois
Megan Nuechterlein, Jr., P, Illinois
Alex Cooper, Jr., INF, Indiana
Avery Parker, Sr., C, Indiana
Aly VanBrandt, Jr., INF, Indiana
Leah McAnally, Jr., C, Iowa
Mariah Myers, Fr., INF, Iowa
Serayah Neiss, Sr., P, Iowa
Keira Bucher, Sr., P, Maryland
Bailey Murphy, Jr., INF, Maryland
Sammi Woods, Sr., INF, Maryland
Jenissa Conway, Jr., OF, Michigan
Indiana Langford, Sr., INF/OF, Michigan
Lauren Putz, So., UTIL, Michigan
Britain Beshears, Sr., INF, Michigan State
Kirsten Caravaca, Sr., C, Michigan State
Hannah Hawley, Sr., INF, Michigan State
Cameron Chard, So., C, Minnesota
Tinley Easton, So., INF, Minnesota
Sydney Schwartz, Sr., P/INF, Minnesota
Hannah Coor, Sr., OF, Nebraska
Jordy Frahm, Sr., P/UTIL, Nebraska
Ava Kuszak, Sr., INF, Nebraska
Kaylie Avvisato, So., INF, Northwestern
Kelsey Nader, Sr., OF, Northwestern
Kansas Robinson, Sr., INF, Northwestern
Reagan Milliken, Gr., INF, Ohio State
Hadley Parisien, Jr., OF, Ohio State
Lexi Paulsen, Sr., P, Ohio State
Lyndsey Grein, Sr., P, Oregon
Amari Harper, Sr., OF, Oregon
Rylee McCoy, So., INF, Oregon
Michela Barbanente, Jr., UTIL/INF, Penn State
Brooke Klosowicz, Jr., UTIL/DP, Penn State
Kaylie Walters, Jr., INF, Penn State
Khloe Banks, Sr., OF, Purdue
Julia Gossett, Jr., P/INF, Purdue
Moriah Polar, Jr., OF, Purdue
Makenna Coleman, Jr., OF, Rutgers
Sam Rohwer, Jr., INF, Rutgers
Brooke Shifflett, Jr., P, Rutgers
Megan Grant, Sr., UTIL, UCLA
Taylor Tinsley, Sr., P, UCLA
Jordan Woolery, Sr., INF, UCLA
Alexis DeBoer, So., INF, Washington
Jadyn Glab, Jr., C, Washington
Morgan Reimer, So., P, Washington
Hilary Blomberg, Jr., C, Wisconsin
Kendra Lewis, So., P/OF, Wisconsin
Jackie Showalter, R-Fr., INF, Wisconsin