The voters for the 2022 Hot 100 made FloSoftball history with nearly 140,000 nominations cast to help decide which players were included in the rankings. The talent is overflowing in this class, which is studded with more catchers in the Hot 100 than ever before. Two things that make this class of athletes special are the versatility and strength of hitters and defenders.

These rankings are always subject to change in next year's updated list, and this summer and fall will reveal contenders and pretenders. But we are excited to reveal our first round of 2022 Hot 100 players ranging from Arizona, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Tennessee.

100 | Rylie Lauffer, P | Mizuno Storm

Lauffer is a right-handed pitcher who has faced and beat some of the best teams from all over the country. Predominantly a down-ball pitcher, most hitters top the ball inducing groundouts. Lauffer has very good command of her secondary pitches and can frustrate really good hitters by locating her changeup. Deceiving hitters with her change, she can quickly go to her fastball that looks virtually the same coming out of her hand. Lauffer has made visits to Penn State, Michigan State, and Arizona State.

99 | Nadia Sykes, MIF | Lady Dukes

Coach Marissa Young sang nothing but high praises for five-tool athlete Nadia Sykes. The middle infielder brings excitement to the offense, utilizing her speed, power, and short game to keep the defense guessing. This East Coast middle knows how to play at a West Coast speed thanks to veteran club coach Robert Young and James Lamar. Her instincts and ability to read the ball off the bat is uncanny.

98 | Maveryck Lightfoot, MIF/OF | Tulsa Elite OKC

One of the youngest players on the Tulsa Elite OKC 2021 team, Lightfoot is savvy beyond her years. Coach Jeff Falali called her a double-play machine given her quick transfer and release. Her range and arm strength put her on the next level with shortstops of the South. On offense, she displays strong barrel control and pop to all fields with great speed on the bases.

97 | Sylvia Burroughs, UTL | Team NC - Eaton

Versatility is key when it comes to performing and adapting to the next level and Burroughs does just that. At any given time, coach Nate Eaton has Burroughs playing infield or outfield and you wouldn't notice a difference in her play or comfortability. One of the top hitters in the East, Burroughs has a high softball IQ that will no doubt lead to a long and successful career. A verbal commit to Virginia, Burroughs will be a great addition to the Cavaliers program.

96 | Juliana Scogna, P | EC Bullets - Coleman

Former Delaware coach Rachel Coleman is stoked to have 6-foot right-handed pitcher Juliana Scogna on his roster. She possesses all of the tools to be an excellent DI pitcher. Her levers and smooth delivery will be sure to grab the attention of pitching coaches all over the country in the next few years. Drawing comparisons to a young Megan Kleist, Scogna has tremendous upside to increase velocity and develop deceiving pitching combos.

95 | Trinity Nichols, IF | Lady Lightning Gold Futures

One of the top hitters coming out of the Tar Heel State, Nichols is primed for a good summer with the Cardinals. A five-tool player, Nichols has been grinding in the cage with former ACC home run record-holder Renada Davis. At the plate, Nichols is electric regardless of whether she's blasting balls out of the park or dropping a sneaky bunt for a hit. To complement her talent at the plate, she brings strong instincts to the field. Nichols is a well-rounded athlete who is an extra-base machine because of her great speed and power. Last year she batted over .400 and swiped close to 50 bases while being thrown out only once. She’s been clocked at under 2.7 seconds from home to first, and her quickness helps her have great range at short and cover a lot of ground in the outfield. Nichols is being followed by ACC and SEC schools and has at least one offer under her belt already. The North Carolina athlete is also a standout volleyball and basketball player and was first on the team in assists and second in scoring as a point guard.

94 | Giana Raitano, 3B/C | Beverly Bandits Premier - Allen

Big Ten schools have been keeping tabs on third baseman/catcher Giana Raitano, and who wouldn't be interested in a player whose style of play is reminiscent of Michigan alum shortstop Abby Ramirez? A solid switch-hitter, Raitano can put the ball out of the park from either side. Equally impressive on defense, she can maneuver on the field from third base to behind the plate.

93 | Kailyn Jean-Baptist, 1B/OF | Intensity KOD

Good power with deceptive speed has proven to be a killer combo for standout Kailyn Jean-Baptist. Longtime Intensity coach Kevin O'Donnell raved about Jean-Baptist's range and ability to change the game by grabbing extra bases or putting the ball over the fence. 

92 | Avery Strickland, SS/CF | Atlanta Premier 04

What's not to like about Tennessee native Avery Strickland? She brings power, speed, and an incredible eye at the plate. It's hard to fool a batter who hit .524 and who gets on almost 60 percent of the time. A three-sport athlete, Strickland will be one of the top players to watch on Atlanta Premier because of her rising power numbers and her ability to swipe bases. Expect Strickland to jump up in the next ranking.

91 | Bella Mejia, OF | Athletics - Mercado/Greg

Bella Mejia is a coach's dream when it comes to being a great teammate and going all out every time she takes the field. Batting in the two-hole for a very talented Athletics-Mercado/Greg team, she embraces the pressure and invites the competition. Running a 2.6 from home to first, Mejia can fly on the bases and in the outfield.