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Softball America's Player of the Year Rankings: Week 8

by:Jason Rhea•03/27/25
Screenshot 2025-03-27 at 8.52.09 AM
Courtesy of Arkansas Athletics

As we move deeper into conference series play, the discussion around the country’s top player grows louder. Each week, the Softball America staff will vote on our top five selections for player of the year. Bri Ellis tops our list because of her consistent play throughout the year and her leading the country in home runs. However, hot on her tail is Jordy Bahl, who has more than proved her worth both in the circle and at the plate.

Note: All tiebreakers will be broken by the player who received the highest number of votes. Any additional tiebreaker will be listed in alphabetical order.

RankingPlayerPositionTeamPoints
1Bri Ellis1BArkansas14
2Jordy BahlP/UTLNebraska13
3Taylor ShumakerOFFlorida6
4Reese AtwoodCTexas6
5Ruby MeylanPOklahoma State4
6Danieca Coffey3BLSU1
7Devyn NetzP/UTLArizona1

Top Five Candidates

1. Bri Ellis

1B | Arkansas | Next Series | 3/28 vs Kentucky

Ellis has had an outstanding year, putting up incredible numbers in just 30 games. She leads the country in home runs with 17. Additionally, she is third in the country in RBIs with 49 and seventh in batting average at .513. Also, she played well defensively, only committing two errors all year at first base. Ellis has a favorable matchup against Kentucky this weekend, with a team ERA of 3.00.

Bat AvgOPSHRRBIsSLG %OB %FLD %
0.5131.91517491.2760.6390.988

Film Study: Bri Ellis

2. Jordy Bahl

P/UTL | Nebraska | Next Series | 3/28 vs Purdue

ERAW-LWHIPStrikeoutsBat AvgHRRBIs
1.5313-30.841300.4541131

Bahl has proved to be the premier two-way player in the land this season. Her eye-popping stats have landed her at the number two spot this week. She is second on the team with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs, which only trails Ava Kuszak. Bahl had some bad luck in her three losses to Texas Tech, Duke, and Oklahoma State. In those games, through 21.2 innings pitched, she only surrendered one earned run. The Cornhuskers host Purdue this weekend, which is near the bottom of the Big 10 standings.

3. Taylor Shumaker

OF | Florida | Next Series | 3/28 vs Auburn

Bat AvgOPSHRRBIsSLG %OB %FLD %
0.4071.37213520.8800.4921.000

Shumaker settled into an already dominant lineup and has made her presence felt. She leads the Gators in most offensive categories, including OPS, Home Runs, RBIs, and Slugging. Also, she is number two in the nation in RBI, only trailing Katie Stewart of Texas. Defensively, she’s been outstanding playing right field, where she has not committed an error all season.

See where Shumaker lands in our Mid-Season Freshman Power Rankings

4. Reese Atwood

C | Texas | Next Series | 3/28 at Mississippi State

Bat AvgOPSHRRBIsSLG %OB %FLD %
0.4211.53213470.9790.5531.000

Atwood, who was a top-three finalist in 2024, is picking up right where she left off. The Longhorns are loaded offensively, but Atwood still leads the team in home runs, OPS, and Slugging. One of the areas in which she excels is being selective at the plate, which is evident as she leads the team in free passes through walks and being hit by a pitch. The Longhorns travel to Mississippi this weekend.

5. Ruby Meylan

P | Oklahoma State | Next Series | 3/28 at Georgia Tech/Penn State

ERAW-LWHIPStrikeoutsOpp Bat AvgHRBB
1.2712-30.941210.177430

To round out our list, we have the ace of the Cowgirls staff in Ruby Meylan. Meylan has been the workhorse of the staff in throwing just over 53% of the total pitches this season. She currently ranks first on the team with a 1.27 ERA. The Cowgirls step out of conference play this week as they face Georgia Tech for two games and Penn State for a single game.

Film Study: Ruby Meylan

More from Softball America:

SEC Power Rankings
ACC Power Rankings
Big 12 Power Rankings
Big Ten Power Rankings

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