Florida State softball has long been synonymous with elite-level talent, unwavering commitment, and national relevance. Today, that reputation has been bolstered once again as Isa Torres — the rising superstar and dynamic all-around prospect for the Seminoles — was officially named a Top 25 finalist for the prestigious USA Softball National Player of the Year award. The honor places her among the most dominant and game-changing athletes in collegiate softball and cements her growing legacy as one of the sport’s most electric figures.
For those who have followed Torres’ journey from high school standout to college powerhouse, this moment has been a long time coming. For everyone else — casual fans, national analysts, and opponents alike — it’s a sign of something more ominous: Isa Torres has arrived, and she’s not going anywhere.
The announcement came Thursday afternoon as USA Softball revealed its midseason list of 25 finalists, each representing the best of the best in NCAA Division I softball. These players are judged not only on statistical dominance but also on leadership, consistency, impact, and the intangible qualities that lift a team from competitive to championship-caliber. Torres has checked all those boxes and then some, leading the Seminoles in nearly every offensive category while also delivering highlight-reel defense and elite base-running instincts. Her presence has been transformative, and the numbers reflect that.
Through the first two-thirds of the 2025 season, Torres has posted a .426 batting average with 15 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a staggering 1.279 OPS. She leads the ACC in slugging and total bases, while ranking in the top five nationally in extra-base hits. Her defensive metrics are just as jaw-dropping: zero errors across 117 total chances, with a perfect fielding percentage and countless web gems that have saved critical runs in tight games. And perhaps most impressive, Torres has stolen 23 bases in 24 attempts, wreaking havoc on the basepaths and giving her team an extra dimension of pressure and unpredictability.
But Isa Torres is more than a box score. Her story is rooted in grit, perseverance, and undeniable passion. A native of Southern California, Torres was widely recruited out of high school but ultimately chose Florida State because of the program’s culture and the opportunity to grow under head coach Lonni Alameda’s leadership. In a sport where early commitment has become common, Torres bucked the trend, waiting until late in her junior year before making her decision. She wanted to find a place that felt like home, and Tallahassee became just that.
From her very first day in garnet and gold, Torres embraced the program’s ethos of “One Tribe, One Family.” She trained relentlessly in the offseason, often putting in extra reps at the batting cages and fielding grounders long after practice had ended. Her teammates quickly recognized her drive, and by the time her freshman season rolled around, Torres had earned a starting spot — something rarely seen under Coach Alameda unless the athlete is truly exceptional. Torres didn’t just meet expectations; she shattered them.
Now, as a junior, she’s taken on a leadership role that transcends statistics. She mentors the younger players, acts as a vocal presence in the dugout, and plays with the type of swagger that makes everyone around her better. In key moments, she steps up — and not just with her bat. Whether it’s calling out defensive adjustments, motivating a struggling pitcher, or keeping the mood light during tense innings, Torres has become the emotional center of a team with championship aspirations.
Coach Alameda, no stranger to greatness herself, didn’t mince words when asked about the impact Torres has had this season. “Isa is a game-changer. She brings intensity, focus, and an unrelenting will to win,” Alameda said. “She’s one of the most complete players I’ve ever coached — offensively, defensively, emotionally. Her instincts are elite. She knows how to read a pitcher, how to shift on defense, how to attack a situation. She’s the total package.”
The USA Softball Player of the Year award is the highest individual honor in the college game. Past winners include legends like Cat Osterman, Rachel Garcia, Jocelyn Alo, and Danielle Lawrie — players who not only dominated during their college years but also left a lasting legacy in the sport, going on to professional success and Olympic glory. Isa Torres is well on her way to joining that echelon.
While the competition for this year’s award is fierce, Torres’ candidacy is more than justified. She has helped lead Florida State to a 38–6 record, including key series wins over ranked opponents such as Clemson, Duke, and Oklahoma State. In those high-pressure matchups, she’s risen to the occasion, batting .500 with multiple game-winning RBIs and defensive stops that left fans in awe. Against No. 2 Clemson, Torres belted a walk-off three-run homer in extra innings — a moment that not only sealed a victory but sent a message to the rest of the nation: Florida State is back, and Isa Torres is the engine driving that return.
Beyond the field, Torres is also excelling in the classroom, carrying a 3.7 GPA as a communications major and frequently speaking to local youth about the importance of academics, sportsmanship, and resilience. She’s become a role model in the Tallahassee community, and her name has started to carry weight nationally. Endorsement opportunities have begun to trickle in thanks to NIL — name, image, and likeness — legislation, but those close to Torres say she remains focused on the team first and foremost.
“She’s not distracted by the outside noise,” said teammate and senior catcher Kaylee Harding. “She just wants to win. She wants to push everyone around her to be better. That’s the kind of teammate you dream of having. She’s like a coach on the field. The fact that she’s doing all this and still staying so humble — it’s amazing.”
The next step in the USA Softball Player of the Year process will be the narrowing of the Top 25 list to a Top 10 on May 15, followed by the selection of three finalists on May 29. The winner will be revealed ahead of the Women’s College World Series in early June, one of the sport’s most anticipated and widely viewed events. Should Torres continue her torrid pace, there’s every reason to believe she’ll make that final cut — and perhaps, even take home the hardware.
The announcement has ignited excitement not only among FSU fans but across the college softball landscape. Social media quickly lit up with tributes, highlight reels, and congratulatory messages from former players, alumni, and broadcasters. ESPN’s lead softball analyst called Torres “the most clutch player in the country right now,” while D1Softball ranked her as the No. 3 overall player in their updated national Top 100.
Even rival coaches have taken notice. “When Isa Torres is in the lineup, you can feel it,” said Louisville head coach Holly Aprile. “She’s a nightmare for opposing pitchers, and she changes the way you have to play defense. She forces you to think differently about every pitch and every play. That’s rare.”
But perhaps the most powerful endorsement came from a former USA Softball Player of the Year, Monica Abbott, who tweeted: “Isa Torres is the future of this sport. Watching her play reminds me why I fell in love with softball in the first place.”
For Torres, the honor is humbling — but she’s far from satisfied. In a postgame interview following the announcement, she remained focused on the bigger picture.
“This is awesome, and I’m incredibly grateful,” Torres said. “But this isn’t about me. It’s about our team, our goals, and the work we’ve put in all season. I’m proud to represent Florida State, and I hope I can keep getting better every day. We want to win it all. That’s the mission.”
That mission is very much alive. With Isa Torres leading the way, Florida State has the firepower, chemistry, and experience to make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament. And with her name now etched among the best in the country, Torres is no longer a secret weapon — she’s a full-blown star.
As the season heads into its final stretch and the spotlight gets even brighter, one thing is clear: Isa Torres isn’t just a finalist for Player of the Year. She’s the heartbeat of Florida State softball, a beacon for the sport’s future, and a player whose name fans will remember long after her cleats leave the diamond.
And if the past few months are any indication, she’s just getting started.