The Oklahoma Sooners dominate the USA Softball Player of the Year Top 25 list, with more players than any other school in the country
Oklahoma Softball has once again asserted its dominance on the national stage, as four of its standout players which include Gabbie Garcia, Kai Minor, Ella Parker, and Kendall Wells, were named to the prestigious USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 25 list on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
The Sooners stand alone as the only program with four honorees on this elite list, highlighting the incredible depth and talent within the Oklahoma roster.
In fact, OU is one of just six programs nationwide with multiple players represented, underscoring how the Sooners have separated themselves as a powerhouse in NCAA softball this season.
This recognition comes at a critical point in the 2026 campaign, as the list serves as a major milestone on the path toward crowning the eventual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
The field, which includes 21 upperclassmen, features only two freshmen: Oklahoma’s own Kai Minor and Kendall Wells. Gabbie Garcia stands out as one of just two sophomores selected, while Ella Parker earns her first-ever appearance on the list.
The Top 25 will be further narrowed in the coming weeks, first to a Top 10, then to a Top 3, before the winner is announced ahead of the 2026 Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
Gabbie Garcia: Sophomore Standout at Shortstop
Gabbie Garcia, the dynamic sophomore shortstop from Chandler, Arizona, has taken a massive leap in her second season.
She has already eclipsed her entire freshman-year totals in runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, and walks. Through roughly 50 games, Garcia is batting .416 with 22 home runs and a team-leading 66 RBIs.
Those RBI and home run figures currently rank her third in the SEC. Her on-base plus slugging (OPS) sits at an impressive 1.386, reflecting her consistent ability to drive the ball and get on base.
Garcia’s defensive prowess at shortstop, combined with her offensive explosion, makes her one of the most complete infielders in the country.
Kai Minor: Speedy Freshman Outfielder
Kai Minor, a freshman outfielder, has burst onto the scene in spectacular fashion. She currently boasts a .440 batting average, which ranks third among all freshmen nationally and leads all SEC freshmen.
Minor has collected a team-high 66 hits, scored 56 runs, and contributed 11 doubles, five triples, and seven home runs. Her speed has been a game-changer on the basepaths, where she has swiped 17 bases.
With an on-base percentage near .475 and a slugging mark that helps produce a robust 1.195 OPS, Minor brings elite athleticism, contact skills, and timely hitting to the Oklahoma lineup.
Her presence in the outfield adds another layer of defensive reliability for the Sooners.
Ella Parker: Career-Year in Right Field
Ella Parker, a junior right fielder, is enjoying what looks to be a breakout career season. Hitting at a scorching .430 clip with 19 home runs and 57 RBIs, Parker has been a middle-of-the-order force.
Her on-base percentage sits at .548, and her slugging percentage approaches .948, resulting in a 1.496 OPS that ranks among the nation’s best.
Beyond her offensive production, Parker has been flawless in the field, maintaining a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in the outfield while adding three assists.
This combination of elite hitting and reliable defense has made her a first-time selection to the Top 25 and a vital piece of Oklahoma’s championship-caliber roster.
Kendall Wells: Record-Breaking Freshman Catcher
Perhaps the most eye-catching performance belongs to freshman catcher Kendall Wells from Bogart, Georgia. Wells has rewritten the record books in her debut season, leading the entire nation with 36 home runs.
She has already shattered the single-season home run records for the SEC, the University of Oklahoma, and NCAA freshmen. Wells is batting .377 with an astonishing 79 RBIs, 63 runs scored, and a 1.113 slugging percentage.
Her OPS of 1.599 is simply dominant. Behind the plate and in her versatility across positions, Wells has shown poise far beyond her years, anchoring Oklahoma’s offense with raw power that few players in college softball history have matched at any level.
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Process
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award is one of the highest individual honors in women’s college softball.
Each season, USA Softball recognizes the player who has delivered the most outstanding performance over the entire year.
The process begins with a Top 50 Watch List issued early in the season, followed by the narrowing to Top 25 finalists, then Top 10, and Top 3. The final winner is revealed during a special team reception in the week leading up to the WCWS.
Voting is conducted by a distinguished panel that includes previous award winners, coaching representatives from nine Division I conferences across the 10 USA Softball Regions, and members of both national and local media who regularly cover Division I softball.
This rigorous selection process ensures the award goes to a player who has truly excelled in all facets of the game.
Oklahoma’s quartet of honorees not only reflects individual brilliance but also speaks volumes about the program’s culture, development, and ability to attract and cultivate top talent.
As the Sooners push toward another deep postseason run, the spotlight on Garcia, Minor, Parker, and Wells highlights just how loaded this roster truly is.
With the regular season winding down and conference tournament play on the horizon, these four players will undoubtedly be central figures in Oklahoma’s quest for another national title.
2026 Player of the Year – Important Dates
Top 50 Watch List — January 21
Top 25 Finalists — April 29
Top 10 Finalists — May 13
Top 3 Finalists — May 18
Player of the Year — Prior to the WCWS
2026 Player of the Year Top 25 Finalists
Jocelyn Briski - Alabama
NiJaree Canady - Texas Tech
Jocelyn Erickson - Florida
Jordy Frahm - Nebraska
Gabbie Garcia - Oklahoma
Megan Grant - UCLA
Maya Johnson - Belmont
Teagan Kavan - Texas
Emily LeGette - North Carolina
Sage Mardjetko - Tennessee
Ruby Meylan - Oklahoma State
Kai Minor - Oklahoma
Ella Parker - Oklahoma
Mya Perez - Texas A&M
Karlyn Pickens - Tennessee
Moriah Polar - Purdue
Keagan Rothrock - Florida
Taylor Shumaker - Florida
Sydney Stewart - Arizona
Katie Stewart - Texas
Kaitlyn Terry - Texas Tech
Isa Torres - Florida State
Aminah Vega - Duke
Kendall Wells - Oklahoma
Jordan Woolery - UCLA