Here’s a deep dive into the profiles and achievements of Jocelyn Erickson, Taylor Shumaker, and Amanda Lorenz—three of the standout softball athletes set to participate in the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby X. Their remarkable journeys from elite softball fields to the spotlight of a softball-centric showcase highlight not only their athletic prowess but also the evolving influence of women’s softball in broader sports culture.
Jocelyn Erickson began her rise as a top-tier catcher, showcasing exceptional offensive and defensive skills. A native of Phoenix, Arizona, she transferred to the University of Florida after starting her collegiate career at Oklahoma. In her sophomore season of 2024, she delivered a stellar performance that earned her multiple national accolades. Offensively, Erickson shattered the program record for single-season RBIs with 86, surpassing the mark set by Megan Bush in 2011. She maintained a formidable .382 batting average, complemented by 15 home runs, 15 doubles, 50 runs scored, and 44 walks during that season. Her plate discipline and power were matched by her agility on the basepaths—an impressive 10-for-10 in stolen bases.
Defensively, Erickson’s impact was equally profound. As a catcher, she threw out 13 of 19 attempted base stealers, achieving a program-best caught stealing rate of .316 for Florida ([Florida Gators][2]). Her leadership behind the dish was recognized with an array of accolades: NFCA Division I Player of the Year, SEC Player of the Year, Rawlings Gold Glove, Diamond Sports/NFCA Catcher of the Year, Softball America Defender of the Year, and unanimous First-Team NFCA All-American ([Florida Gators][1]). In June 2024, she claimed the prestigious Johnny Bench Award—one of the few Gators, alongside baseball standout Mike Zunino, to receive this honor ([SI][3]).
Beyond her on-field accolades, Erickson’s character and work ethic stand out. Raised in a devout Latter-day Saint family as the youngest of five children, her faith played a central role in her upbringing ([Church News][4]). Her siblings’ involvement in collegiate sports—her brother Brendon played baseball at BYU and sisters Emilee and Kaylee played softball there—highlight a family deeply rooted in athletic achievement and community values ([Church News][4]). As a senior at Sandra Day O’Connor High School, she even earned the Gatorade Arizona Player of the Year award, boasting a .624 batting average, 25 homers, 58 RBIs, and a 1.581 slugging percentage ([playeroftheyear.gatorade.com][5]). Balancing excellence in academics and athletics, she maintained a 4.12 weighted GPA and contributed to her community through volunteer efforts and leadership roles.
When the MLB Home Run Derby X launched, Erickson’s combination of power hitting, precision, and elite catching skill made her a natural selection. Her ability to drive the ball with authority, along with her high baseball IQ and versatile athleticism, positions her as a formidable contender.
Taylor Shumaker’s emergence onto the collegiate scene has been nothing short of meteoric. Born March 16, 2006, in Fullerton, California, she arrived at the University of Florida in 2025 as a highly touted freshman. In high school at Esperanza High, she posted a stunning .620 batting average with 18 home runs, 12 doubles, 49 hits, 37 RBIs, and 40 runs scored in just 25 games. Her play in travel ball helped her team win the Alliance Fastpitch National Championship in 2023, earning her All-Star honors in 2024.
Shumaker’s freshman year at Florida transformed her into one of the nation’s most dominant players. She started all 65 games, mainly in right field, and posted a .389 average with 79 hits in 203 at-bats. What truly stood out was her power and run production: 22 home runs, 17 doubles, 72 runs, 86 RBIs, an .808 slugging percentage, 41 walks, and 18 stolen bases ([Florida Gators][6]). These numbers weren’t just impressive—they etched her name into the Florida record books. She tied the school’s single-season homer (22) and RBI (86) records, recorded 23 multi-RBI and 24 multi-hit games, and had five multi-homer games.
Her freshman campaign earned nearly every major collegiate honor: NFCA First-Team All-American, unanimous NFCA Freshman of the Year (joining Amanda Lorenz as the only Gators to achieve this honor), Softball America Freshman of the Year, D1 Softball First-Team All-American, Freshman of the Year awards from Softball America and D1 Softball, All-SEC First Team, SEC Freshman of the Week four times, and multiple national player of the week recognitions ([Florida Gators][6]). Through the postseason, she maintained elite form, hitting .500 with four homers, 10 RBIs, and 8 runs over her first six NCAA games, boasting a fantastic 1.357 slugging percentage.
Beyond the numbers, Shumaker brings a unique blend of patience, speed, and power. Her high on-base percentage and stolen bases speak to her all-around game, making her a dynamic presence in any batting order. Her impact at Florida earned comparisons to her travel-ball and collegiate predecessor Amanda Lorenz, whom she admired and often mirrored . This connection helped her fit seamlessly into the Gators’ culture and contributed to their deep postseason runs.
MLB Home Run Derby X is a perfect stage for Shumaker’s thunderous swing. She has the timing, bat speed, and competitive fire that thrive in the Derby’s pressure-packed arenas. As a freshman phenom, her story—from prep star to national icon—presents a compelling narrative for softball lovers and sports fans alike.
Amanda Lorenz represents a foundational figure in modern softball, whose legacy helped pave the way for athletes like Shumaker and Erickson. A native of Moorpark, California, Lorenz was a prodigy from the earliest point in her career, as evidenced by her high school dominance. She consistently hit over .600, amassed hundreds of hits, dozens of home runs, and was repeatedly honored with all-state, all-American, and MVP awards. By the time she graduated in 2015, she had accumulated a .592 batting average, .657 OBP, and 1.111 slugging percentage—numbers that earned her the title of the top recruit in the nation ([Wikipedia][9]).
At the University of Florida, Lorenz’s career flourished even further. She earned First-Team All-American honors in both 2016 and 2017 and was recognized with numerous freshman-specific awards, including NFCA National Freshman of the Year in 2016 . Her collegiate performance—marked by her leadership, offensive production, and softball IQ—helped establish Florida as a powerhouse program and inspired future generations of players, including Shumaker .
Lorenz’s legacy extends beyond her collegiate years. She became a role model for power hitters, known for her ability to drive the ball consistently and hit in clutch situations. Her influence endures not just in record books but also in the relationships she formed with those who followed. That connection was central to Shumaker’s own narrative: “her favorite Florida player is Amanda Lorenz, whose style of play she has been compared to … Not only are they both outfielders from California, but both played for the same travel team and coach” ([Florida Gators][7]).
Today, Lorenz remains an influential figure—her presence in Home Run Derby X symbolizes the continuum of softball excellence, from high school cornerstones to collegiate icons to crossover stars in professional and exhibition arenas.
Examining their combined impact, one sees a narrative of evolution and continuity in softball’s growth. Erickson’s defensive mastery and clutch hitting prove that catchers can anchor not just defenses but potent offenses. Shumaker’s one-year surge reshapes expectations of freshmen athletes making immediate national impact. Lorenz’s career exemplifies the blueprint for success at the highest levels of collegiate softball, with a legacy that elevates those who come after.
Their participation in MLB Home Run Derby X highlights the league’s recognition of softball as a complementary force in mainstream baseball culture. The event celebrates home run hitting excellence regardless of gender, and these three athletes exemplify why. With their record-breaking outputs, national awards, and popularity among fans, they add dimension and dynamism to the Derby’s roster. Erickson brings precision and grit; Shumaker brings explosive power and a burgeoning star narrative; Lorenz brings legacy and consistency.
The Derby itself is a reclaimed platform, reimagined from MLB’s Home Run Derby, giving fans softball-centric spectacles in global major-league venues. Imagine Erickson’s compact catcher’s swing sending balls soaring, Shumaker turning in blasts fueled by raw freshman energy, and Lorenz showing finesse and power born of years at the plate.
Beyond the ballpark, their off-field stories add depth. Erickson’s deep faith, family connections to collegiate sports, and polished academic-athletic balance make her influence reach into character development and community representation . Shumaker’s journey from California standout to national freshman phenom is a testament to hard work, adaptability, and mentorship—mirroring her batting sister Amanda. Lorenz’s legacy continues to be felt in how she shaped Florida, influenced teammates, and now inspires a new wave of athletes stepping into national prominence.
As MLB Home Run Derby X enters its 2025 stage, these three women bring a compelling fusion of history (Lorenz), ascent (Shumaker), and resilience (Erickson). They elevate the event beyond spectacle, into a showcase of softball’s power, precision, and storytelling. Fans of all ages, genders, and sports backgrounds will be drawn not just to the flight of the ball but to the narratives behind every swing.
In summary, Jocelyn Erickson, Taylor Shumaker, and Amanda Lorenz are more than participants—they’re trailblazers. Erickson redefines the catcher’s contribution with both bat and glove. Shumaker rewrites expectations for freshmen and reaffirms the influence of mentorship. Lorenz embodies the benchmark of collegiate excellence that stands as the foundation for what comes next.
Their convergence in MLB Home Run Derby X signals a broader shift: the integration of softball athletes into baseball’s most celebrated arenas. It’s a symbolic and practical step toward sports unity, amplifying softball’s velocity and impact. And with these women leading the charge, fans can look forward to an event that’s as emotionally inspiring as it is athletically powerful—one where each swing tells a story of ambition, legacy, and the changing face of America’s pastimes.
