The Softball America Spotlight: 2026 Jazmine Ramos-Merced

As Softball America grows its coverage at all levels, we continue our recruiting spotlight series with Jazmine Ramos-Merced. The corner infielder from Florida recently committed to St. John’s University.

Name: Jazmine Ramos-Merced
Primary Position(s): Corner
Class Year: 2026
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Travel Ball Organization: Virginia Unity Meadows-Johnson

What is your favorite travel ball memory? 

I have many memories since I started playing travel ball six years ago. One of my favorites was making it to the final of the Show Me the Money summer and fall tournament and playing at Katie Seashole Presley Stadium, home of the UF Gators, and the UCF Softball Field home of the Knights. Another one just happened this past April, I had the opportunity to represent my heritage playing for the Puerto Rico National Team 18U. We went to Colombia to play for the Pan American title and won the gold medal going 9-0, undefeated. We also qualified for the Phase Group of the World Cup in China and also qualified for the Pan American Juniors game in Paraguay 2025. Our team is the first in any category to win a gold medal for Puerto Rico during any Pan American games.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from a coach?

Keeping my eyes up. I was going through a hitting slump during my very first season playing for VA Unity and my coach, Coty Meadows, asked me to be at the field two hours before the game. Before we even touched a ball he told me I was struggling and I just didn’t know how to deal with it. He said softball is just natural for me and for the first time ever I was having a hard time doing something on the field. The question he asked was what was I going to do with it, was I going to keep looking down and give up, or look up, and ask God to show me what to do and then do it? He said trust me, keep your eyes up, keep working and you will find the way to fix this, and when you figure out how to overcome this, then turn around and show your teammates how to overcome their obstacles. Since that day I always look up to God before my games and then I go to work.

How did you get interested in softball? 

My oldest brother played baseball and since I was a couple weeks old, I was at the fields for his games. I started playing T-ball at three years old, played baseball, and started softball at 8U because they needed two girls to complete a team for our rec ball association. I said ok I would play both and we ended up playing All Stars and went all the way to play in the Babe Ruth World Series and won the Diamond Bracket. After that, I played one more season and decided to stick with softball because I just loved it.

What are your strengths as a player? What are you trying to improve on the most? 

My strength is my work ethic. My dad has always told me that no one will give me anything in life and if for some reason someone does, then it is probably something that is not worth it because I didn’t earn it the right way. The right way is to work hard to achieve my goals and dreams. As for improving, I have learned to embrace failure as a teacher. If a pitcher strikes me out with a change-up then during batting practice I will ask my coach to throw me as many change-ups as I need to become a better change-up hitter. For me, working hard on the areas I need to improve is what working with a purpose is all about.

What player(s) do you look up to the most? 

Roberto Clemente is one of them for what he did on and off the field, and even today people talk not only about his feats in the game but also about who he was as a human being. If I can help someone on or off the field, then I have honored his legacy.

What are your favorite hobbies outside of softball? 

I volunteer with the child care in my church on Sundays. I also play soccer and I like cooking just like my abuela from Puerto Rico. I also love praying and reading my daily devotional.

What excites you the most about playing college softball?

I am excited to be able to be an asset to the team and represent the school as a student and athlete. I am excited to get my education which I hope will allow me to help others achieve their goals and dreams. Both my older brother and sister are adopted and I hope to be able to help kids in the foster/adoption system obtain an education while playing college softball.