Every player on all 20 teams competing at the Little League World Series has made a big impact this summer. All have written their own memorable individual stories to help their teams write some of their leagues’ best collective stories ever.

So, the following is not a list of the Top 10 players. It simply is a glimpse into some of the players who shined particularly bright at their respective U.S. American regional tournaments. Watch all the players at the Series and admire all they have sacrificed to reach here.

But for now, the following is a snapshot of 10 American players who carry a lot of momentum into South Williamsport.

10 U.S. Players to Watch

(arranged in alphabetical order)

Sean Bolger, Illinois: A worldwide audience watched Bolger break open the Great Lakes final against previously undefeated Ohio when he belted a three-run, double. That was just one of many strong contributions Bolger made following a triumphant return from injury, hitting .500 while compiling a .625 on-base percentage. The slick-fielding infielder made no errors and drove in a team-high six runs. Bolger also scored twice, hit safely in all but one game and belted two doubles. Bolger provides pitching depth as well and helped Illinois exact revenge after losing to Ohio two nights before the championship. Bolger drove in at least one run in all three Illinois wins.

Nick Bongiorni, Pennsylvania: Locked in the entire Mid-Atlantic Regional, Bongiorni reached base in seven of his nine plate appearances, compiling a .778 on-base percentage. He hit safely in all three games, going 5 for 7 with four doubles, six RBIs and three runs. Bongiorni helped Pennsylvania reach the Mid-Atlantic final when he wore out Delaware pitching, roping three doubles and adding four RBIs. He did not strike out in Bristol and Bongiorni also played quality defense for a team which pounded all three regional opponents en route to reaching South Williamsport. His RBI double helped Pennsylvania start the tournament strong as it broke things open late and beat finalist Maryland, 7-2.

Frankie Fasoli, Massachusetts: Those who watched the New England final understand why Fasoli is on this list. Whether hitting, pitching, fielding or running, Fasoli repeatedly came up huge. He made a fabulous potentially game-saving play at shortstop in the seventh inning against New Hampshire before displaying his high baseball IQ to draw an errant throw as he scored the winning run in a thrilling 3-2 championship victory. Fasoli did a bit of everything in Bristol, hitting .750 and hitting safely in all three games. He scored four runs, stole two bases and made no errors. Fasoli also flourished on the mound, going 1-0 with a 1.06 ERA, allowing just two hits and striking out seven in 5 2/3 innings.

Bronson Fermahin, Hawaii: Honolulu Little League has built a Little League dynasty around dominant pitching and Fermahin is the latest staff ace who has overwhelmed hitters all summer. The hard-throwing right-hander went 2-0 against West Region runner-up Fullerton, California, twice stifling a powerful offense. Fermahin did not allow a run in 9 1/3 innings, while striking out 17. He was at his best in the championship, throwing 5 2/3 innings of four-hit baseball and striking out 11. Fermahin also excels as the team’s clean-up batter and hit .400 in San Bernardino. Fermahin reached base three times in his first two games and doubled in a 1-0 opening-round win against California. He added an RBI and run as Honolulu captured its fourth regional championship since 2018.

Joe Giulietti, South Carolina: So feared was Giulietti at the Southeast Region that defending world champion Florida walked him in the bottom of sixth of the championship, putting the winning run on base with two outs. Brady Westbrooks made the strategy backfire, hitting a walk-off, three-run double but the trepidation was warranted. Giulietti hit .636 in Warner Robins, crushing a home run, doubling twice, scoring seven times and driving in three runs. A 5-foot-10, five-tool threat who can play just about any position, Giulietti produced three multi-hit games and is a dynamic pitcher as well. The right-hander went 1-0 at regionals with a 1.24 ERA, allowing just four hits in 9 2/3 innings, while striking out a region-best 18.

Andrew Madsen, Washington: Sparking an offense which put on quite a show at the Northwest Regional, Madsen finished tied with Landon Teafoe with a team-high .700 average and seven hits in three games. Madsen delivered hits in all three games, collecting two multi-hit performances as well. He added two doubles, five RBIs and five runs while never striking out. Madsen had settled well into the team’s No. 3 hole and was part of a lethal offense which scored 43 runs in San Bernardino. He was just as strong in the field, making no errors in 15 chances. Madsen provides pitching depth as well and came up clutch in a 6-1 championship win against Oregon. There, he closed out the victory, throwing 2 2/3 scoreless innings and striking out five.

Ethan Robertson, Nevada: Robertson put on a hitting clinic at the Mountain Regional, hitting 1.000 and going 5 for 5. He also drew two walks, making it seven perfect plate appearances. Robertson scored five times, drove in a run and drilled two doubles in the championship win against Utah. Robertson was 3 for 3 that game and helped Nevada score a whopping 45 runs in three victories. An excellent defender as well, Robertson made no errors and helped anchor a defense which shined throughout the tournament. Robertson provides quality pitching depth as well, going 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA. He closed out the championship with a perfect inning and struck out four in 3 2/3 innings at San Bernardino.

Murphy Seefeldt, South Dakota: It’s hard pitching much better than Seefeldt did at the Midwest Regional. The crafty right-hander went 2-0, throwing consecutive two-hit shutouts against previously undefeated teams. That included going the distance in the championship against North Dakota, striking out six. Seefeldt opened his tournament throwing a two-hit shutout against Missouri, fanning 10. A well-rounded player, Seefeldt also was a defensive anchor who made no errors. He is a tough out as well, hitting .333 at regionals and compiling a .455 on-base percentage. Seefeldt played a large role in a game-changing five-run second-inning rally, hitting a single. He also reached base in all five games, scoring twice, stealing two bases and never striking out.

Lucas Sontag, Texas: He carries a big bat, but Sontag’s glove played a pivotal role in helping Texas reach Little League’s Promised Land. Louisiana had the tying runs on base in the fifth inning of the Southwest Final when the third baseman went Brooks Robinson, diving into the hole between third and shortstop, saving a run and throwing to second for the third out in a game his team won, 5-2. Sontag made no errors in Waco and hit .667, going 6-9. Compiling a .750 on-base percentage as well, Sontag hit safely in all four games, belted four doubles, scored six times and drew three walks. He also scored in every game, setting the tone at the top of the lineup.

SJ Taxilitardis, Connecticut: Whether using his arm or bat, Taxilitardis was a force at the New England Regional. On the mound, he went 2-0 and threw nine scoreless innings. That included two no-hit innings in a 2-1 opening-round win against New Jersey and a super clutch complete-game performance in the rematch. There, Taxilitardis was in the zone, throwing a seven-inning shutout as Connecticut outlasted New Jersey, 3-0. Taxilitardis was equally impressive at the plate, hitting .556 and accumulating a .636 on-base percentage. He hit safely in all four games, drew two walks, tripled, doubled, drove in a run and scored three times. Another five-tool player on this list, Taxilitardis also stole a base and played flawless defense.