Tag: Gatorade National Player of the Year

Addisen Fisher named 2023-24 Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year

A grand high school finale for the UCLA commit and nation’s top-ranked recruit.

UCLA commit Addisen Fisher added an impressive piece of hardware to the mantle this week, with the Bend High School (Ore.) standout being named the 2023-24 Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year.

The announcement culminated a selection process that included half a million student-athletes who play high school softball across the U.S. It concluded with a surprise presentation of the trophy at the Bend softball field, with Fisher surrounded by her family, coaches, and teammates.

Capping off the special moment, the 2014-15 Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year—and UCLA alumna—Rachel Garcia congratulated Fisher during a video call.

(Photo: Joe Greer, Courtesy of Gatorade)

Fisher, who was an incredible three-time Gatorade Oregon Softball Player of the Year, now joins an impressive group of former National winners who have combined for more than 17 gold medals and five National Championships.

For the Lava Bears right-handed ace, it’s a national spotlight on an extraordinary career, one that included a Class 5A state title this past season in which Fisher dominated from the circle and at the plate.

Her stats are fitting of the nation’s top-ranked recruit in the Class of 2024:

  • 0.36 ERA, 10 shutouts, five no-hitters and four perfect games
  • 261 strikeouts in 134.2 innings, averaging 1.9 Ks per inning
  • Opposing hitters batted .092 against her; FIP was .198
  • .667 batting avg. with 17 home runs, 40 RBI, 54 runs and 18 steals

“Addisen Fisher is not only a dominating force on the mound, but one of the best hitters we’ve faced this season,” began Stacy Cox, head coach at Summit High School, in a statement release about Fisher’s dual-threat prowess on the field.

“If you choose to pitch to the talented senior, you risk watching the softball leave the park within seconds, and any pitch (location) is fair game. On the mound, she is near perfection with speeds reaching 70 and a changeup that will stop you in your tracks. Such a talented player with a very bright future.”

Outside the lines, Fisher’s resume is equally impressive.

While maintaining a 4.13 GPA, she donated her time to the Red Cross and mentored intellectually and physically challenged students in life skills. As a WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) member, she served as an instructor and coach with Bend North Little League. And during her time with the National Honor Society, she organized food and blood donation drives at her school.

When all of it is combined, it’s easy to see why Fisher was so deserving of this year’s Player of the Year recognition, which Gatorade president and general manager Michael Del Pozzo noted of the future Bruin.

“With such a talented pool of competition, being selected as the Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year is a testament to Addisen’s hard work and achievements on and off the field,” said Del Pozzo in a statement.

“Addisen’s commitment to excellence in all facets of life is inspiring, and we’re excited to see what’s next for her.” 

Same here, Michael. Same here.

Congrats, Addisen, on the remarkable high school chapter of your career and winning the 2023-24 Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year.

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Clemson signee receives prestigious national honor

A Clemson baseball signee received the distinct honor of being named Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year. Gatorade announced Tuesday that St. Mary’s Preparatory School (Orchard Lake, MI.) Brock Porter is the 2021-22 Gatorade National …

A Clemson baseball signee received the distinct honor of being named Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year.

Gatorade announced Tuesday that St. Mary’s Preparatory School (Orchard Lake, MI.) Brock Porter is the 2021-22 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year.

Porter won the prestigious award for his accomplishments on and off the field, joining an impressive group of former Gatorade National Baseball Players of the Year who have combined for four MLB MVP awards, 42 All-Star appearances and 27 MLB first-round draft picks.

He was surprised virtually on Tuesday by New York Mets all-star shortstop Francisco Lindor.

“It was a complete shock,” Porter said of receiving the award. “I was pretty shocked and just excited to receive the award and be there for the moment.”

At the time of his selection, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior right-handed pitcher had led the Eaglets to a 37-0 record, the June 4 district semifinals of the Division 1 state postseason and a No. 1 national ranking by MaxPreps this season.

He compiled a 6-0 record on the mound through 37 games with a 0.17 ERA and 87 strikeouts against 17 walks in 42 innings. He also posted a WHIP of 0.476 and held opposing batters to a minuscule .024 average. In 29 at-bats this spring entering the postseason, he hit .517 with 17 RBI, four home runs and an OPS of 1.528.

“I’m honestly super shocked and I think this season has been really amazing,” Porter said. “Just me personally, but also my team. I think our team has come together really well and we’re all best friends. “We’ve played amazing…it’s been a miracle. I’m really excited and honored to be on this team and have the teammates I have.”

Ranked as the nation’s No. 12 prospect in the Class of 2022 by Baseball America and No. 7 by Perfect Game, Porter was a 2021 MLB Player Development Pipeline invitee. Michigan’s returning Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year, Porter was also the winning pitcher of the 2019 state title game, he fired a complete-game six-hitter in last year’s semifinals, surrendering one run and fanning 12 to help lead St. Mary’s to Collegiate Baseball News’ No. 1 national ranking in 2021.

Porter has signed his National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Clemson.

“It was the first school I ended up going to when I ended up visiting colleges,” he said. “I fell in love with the campus and the school itself. Talking with the coaches — now that they’re gone — but they were great coaches for me and I got really close with them too. Just even the teammates that I’m going in with, I’ve gotten really close with them. They’re an amazing program and I’m really excited to be a part of them and hopefully win a National Championship with them.”

Porter plans to enroll at Clemson for all intents and purposes, despite the dismissal of Monte Lee, Clemson’s now-former head coach, who Porter committed to back in June of 2019.

With that said, Porter is projected to be an early-round selection in July’s MLB draft.

“I’m gonna have to talk that through with my family and advisors and all that,” Porter said, “but right now, I’m just really excited to go to Clemson and be a part of that journey. That’s all I have to look forward to right now. That and my state championship.”

— Photo and information for this article are courtesy of Gatorade.

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