Big Ten Reveals 2026 Big Ten Softball Players to Watch

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