Let’s talk about OKC Spark Shortstop Maya Brady, and why she is my selection for offensive player of the year and comeback player of the year.
For me, her story starts at UCLA, where Maya Brady was a star player for the Bruins. Over 5 years she averaged a .384 batting average, 14 HR, 49 RBI, and played an average of 49 games per season.
She was selected in the 5th round of the AUSL inaugural draft in 2025 by the Utah Talons. The Talons later went on to win the inaugural AUSL championship, but Maya Brady was not a big part of their success, because in 2025, for the first time in her career, Maya Brady battled a persistent hamstring injury. Brady only played in 6 games in 2025—though in those 6 games she somehow managed 11 hits, 5 RBI, and 5 runs in that span. But still a disappointing season overall given that she could not get on the field.
Then came the 2026 AUSL expansion draft, where the newly minted Oklahoma City Spark and Portland Cascade were allowed to pick players from the original 4 teams to fill out their rosters. Each original team was allowed to protect 5 players from its roster, and the Utah Talons, obviously concerned with the injuries, did not protect Maya Brady.
The OKC Spark pounced on that , and selected her #1 overall in the expansion draft. And oh boy did Brady repay the Spark for their confidence in her.
In 2026, Maya Brady led the AUSL in home runs and slugging percentage, and was 2nd in the league in batting average and OPS. She also started 21 of 25 games.
From a injury plagued but disappointing first pro season and being abandoned by the team that drafted her to an epic bounce back season and my choice for offensive player of the year– that is one magic turnaround. And that is why she is my choice not only for offensive player of the year, but also my choice for comeback player of the year. Well done!
