Gatorade Names Top High School Baseball and Soccer Players of the Year
Gatorade has named Grady Emerson and Maddie DiMaria as its 2025-26 Best Male and Female Players of the Year, recognizing them as the nation's top high school athletes. The awards were presented at the ESPY Awards in New York.
Beverage brand Gatorade announced on July 15, 2026, that Grady Emerson and Maddie DiMaria have been named its 2025-26 Male and Female Players of the Year, distinguishing them as the nation's premier high school athletes. The awards were presented live at the 2026 ESPY Awards in New York City.
Emerson, a standout baseball player from Texas who was the #2 overall pick in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, and DiMaria, a soccer player from Missouri and a two-time national award recipient, received their honors during the ceremony. The awards were presented by former Gatorade "Player of the Year" winners Jayson Tatum and Allyson Felix.
Emerson, a gifted shortstop, led Fort Worth Christian High School in Texas to a state championship. DiMaria, who will play soccer at the University of North Carolina, has also been recognized for academic achievement and community involvement.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program has, for over two decades, honored young athletes for their athletic prowess, academic excellence, and community impact. This recognition is part of Gatorade's broader efforts to foster sports culture and support emerging talent.