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Softball America's Player of the Year Rankings: Week 9

by:Jason Rhea•04/03/25
Screenshot 2025-04-03 at 7.12.29 PM
Courtesy of Nebraska Athletics

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.

Each week, the Softball America staff will vote on our top five selections for player of the year. Like last week, Bri Ellis and Jordy Bahl top our list with great weeks. NiJaree Canady joins the list this week after her dominant performances against Kansas. One of the better two-way players in the country, Devyn Netz, joins the top five this week. Also receiving votes and working their way up the list of the softball player of the year rankings are Karlyn Pickens, Taylor Shumaker, and Jordan Woolery.

Softball America Position Power Rankings
P | C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | UTL

RankingPlayerPositionTeamPoints
1Bri Ellis1BArkansas20
2Jordy BahlP/UTLNebraska16
3NiJaree CanadyP/UTLTexas Tech10
4Devyn NetzP/UTLArizona9
5Karlyn PickensPTennessee3
6Taylor ShumakerOFFlorida1
7Jordan Woolery1BUCLA1

Top Five Candidates

1. Bri Ellis

1B | Arkansas | Next Series, 4/4 at Florida

BAOPSHRRBIsSLG %OB %FLD %
0.4941.86218521.2470.6150.989

It was a relatively quiet week for Ellis. However, she did belt her 18th home run of the season, which leads the country. Otherwise, she scored a pair of sacrifice flies to add to her RBI total that ranks seventh nationally. The Razorbacks have won six of seven games but must travel to Gainesville to face Florida this weekend.

2. Jordy Bahl

P/UTL | Nebraska | Next Series, 4/4 at Iowa

ERAW-LWHIPStrikeoutsBat AvgHRRBIs
1.4414-30.821430.4381134

Bahl had a productive weekend as the Cornhuskers took two of three games from Purdue. In two outings in the circle, Bahl pitched seven innings while only allowing two hits and no earned runs. She picked up the win in Saturday’s run-rule victory and recorded her second save this year in Sunday’s win. Additionally, she had two hits and collected three RBIs. Bahl has a favorable matchup as Nebraska travels to Iowa next.

3. NiJaree Canady

P/UTL | Texas Tech | Next Series, 4/4 vs Utah

ERAW-LWHIPStrikeoutsBat AvgHRRBIs
0.6312-40.671630.300420

Canady has made her dominance so effortless that sometimes it’s easy to forget just how consistent she has been. Dominance was the word in Lawrence as Canady threw 12 innings while only relinquishing three hits and one run. She struck out 26 batters over those 12 innings. Canady and the Red Raiders return home to entertain Utah this weekend.

4. Devyn Netz

P/UTL | Arizona | Next Series, 4/4 vs Oklahoma State

ERAW-LWHIPStrikeoutsBat AvgHRRBIs
2.5414-30.96720.3831246

Netz had an impressive weekend at the plate and in the circle as Arizona won two of three games against BYU. She hit two home runs on the weekend and picked up a pair of wins in the series. Netz continues to be a big reason that Arizona is contending for a Big 12 Championship in year one in the league. It will be a huge series for Netz and the Wildcats as they host Oklahoma State this weekend.

5. Karlyn Pickens

P | Tennessee | Next Series, 4/4 vs Mississippi State

ERAW-LWHIPStrikeoutsOpp Bat AvgHRBB
1.0313-40.871430.154434

Pickens jumps into our top five this week after being a key component of Tennessee taking the weekend series from Oklahoma. In 12.2 innings, the Junior only gave up four runs against the four-time defending Champions. Additionally, she struck out 12 batters in those two games. The Volunteers return home to host Mississippi State this weekend.

More from Softball America:

Meylan, Brown star in Oklahoma State, Arizona State pitchers duel
From Geaux Teal to Game Day: Reflections on LSU-South Carolina Series
Bracketology: April 2nd

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