Top 2029 Prospects To Watch In Arizona

The 2029 class from Arizona stands out as competitive, polished, and demonstrating a level of maturity in their play that is uncommon for their age. These athletes make a significant impact on both sides of the ball and are rapidly becoming key players that college coaches strive to recruit.   Below, Prep Softball highlights several of the top softball prospects to watch from Arizona in the high school graduating class of 2029.    Kenzie Ellis is one of those athletes you can plug in anywhere and trust she'll make something happen. She's fast, strong-armed, and plays with an IQ and consistency that set the tone for her team. Plus, she is not afraid to full-out dive for a ball at shortstop or use her speed to track fly balls in center field. At the plate, she's been just as steady. At the USA Preps West Coast World Series, she hit .800 with an .846 OBP, and she's leading the team this fall with a .533 average, 16 hits, and just two strikeouts. Kenzie Ellis shows up, competes, and produces, and that's the type of kid college coaches want on their teams.     Tinley Ziehmer is one of the most dependable two-way athletes on the Arizona Storm Skaggs team. She brings a big bat, a calm presence in the circle, and steady defense at both first base and in the outfield. Offensively, Ziehmer is leading the team with a .424 average and a .628 slugging percentage, stacking up 12 singles, 12 doubles, and a home run over 25 games, and she's struck out just once in 68 plate appearances, which says everything about her discipline and consistency at the plate. In the circle, she's just as competitive, punching out 12 hitters in 19 innings of work, showing why she's a genuine 2029 standout with the talent and work ethic to keep rising.     Kenley Payne is a dependable and consistent player for the Tennessee Mojo Ramsey/Kalani team out of Arizona. She is quick off the line with exceptional glove work, making double plays seem effortless, and demonstrating her versatility throughout the infield. At the plate, Payne is the type of hitter every lineup values. She exhibits a high softball IQ in high-pressure situations and is known for her ability to execute small-ball, while also driving the ball with power. Kenley Payne is well-known for her confidence and versatility in the game. She can make a significant impact whenever she steps onto the field.     Olivia DeCarlo is the kind of competitor you can trust in the most significant moments. A 2029 catcher and third baseman, DeCarlo brings power, poise, and grit to every game she plays. She had a standout November, hitting .425 with six doubles, four home runs, and 20 RBIs in 15 games, totaling 35 bases. During the Don Battles tournament, she excelled even further, going 5-for-7 with two doubles, two home runs, and five RBIs in her final three games. Behind the plate, she is steady and reliable, catching a total of 60 innings and successfully shutting down 33.3% of stolen-base attempts. Olivia DeCarlo is not just a standout player, but also an exceptional teammate, and she is definitely on the rise.     Dominique Gregory is one of the hardest-working athletes on the Arizona Storm Skaggs team, and her dedication is evident in every aspect of her game. This fall season, she has taken on most of her team's catching responsibilities, playing 72 innings across 25 games. Gregory has successfully thrown out five runners and provides a steady presence behind the plate. Offensively, she is excelling, with a .351 batting average and a .579 slugging percentage, leading the team with 19 RBIs and 10 singles, eight doubles, one triple, and one home run. Dominique Gregory is truly a standout player in the 2029 class, as she is always putting in the effort and delivering for her team.     Sarah Waychoff is a utility player who excels at every position on the field, except as a pitcher, and does so with confidence. Whether she's catching or fulfilling another role, she steps in and delivers. Fearless behind the plate, she makes athletic plays, successfully preventing runs from scoring and shifting the momentum of games. Offensively, she is a threat in every aspect: she can execute the short game, drive balls into the gaps, and create chaos on the bases. Despite her talent, Sarah Waychoff remains coachable and eager to improve. Known as the heartbeat of her Thunderbolts team, she appears ready to continue her elite play.     Nevaeh Monterroza is a 2029 prospect who has quickly established herself as one of Arizona's most versatile young athletes while playing for Team Hustle West. She boasts a batting average exceeding .500 and has hit multiple home runs in various tournaments. Additionally, she has elite confidence in the circle, demonstrating her ability to do her job well consistently. Monterroza leads her team with a quiet yet purposeful approach, allowing her playing ability to shine through. Her performances in the game reflect her strong work ethic both during practice and outside of it. Her ability to quickly adapt and use her high softball IQ to compete makes her a player who's exciting to watch.

The 2029 class from Arizona stands out as competitive, polished, and demonstrating a level of maturity in their play that is uncommon for their age. These athletes make a significant impact on both sides of the ball and are rapidly becoming key players that college coaches strive to recruit.