Top 2029 Prospects To Watch In Arkansas

The 2029 softball class from Arkansas is already showing impressive talent, featuring pitchers with command, powerful hitters, and versatile athletes who impact the game in multiple ways. These rising standouts are separating themselves with strong performances and steady development.   Below, Prep Softball highlights some of the top college softball prospects to watch from Arkansas in the high school graduating class of 2029.    Isabella Villarreal continues to establish herself as one of the top two-way prospects in Arkansas, showing impressive maturity and consistency for the 2029 class. At the Impact Gold Fall Exposure, she delivered a strong outing with 5.2 innings pitched, five strikeouts, four hits allowed, and just one earned run while holding opponents to a .182 average. She commands the zone with confidence, living in the low 60s and featuring an elite changeup that carries a true 10 mph speed difference, allowing her to keep hitters off balance throughout an entire lineup. Her work ethic separates her from many players her age. Villarreal is committed to strengthening her swing daily, with a focus on balance, fast hands, and driving through the ball with intent. She has been intentional about becoming more disciplined at the plate, learning to adjust to various speeds and locations while trusting her mechanics in any count. With her dedication to both sides of the game, she is steadily transforming into a complete pitcher and hitter who can impact every inning. Isabella's blend of competitiveness, skill development, and self-driven improvement places her firmly among the must-watch 2029 talents in Arkansas.     Right-handed pitcher Reagan Christopherson has quickly emerged as one of the most competitive and poised arms in Arkansas's 2029 class. She proved she could handle advanced competition during her first USA Softball HPP scrimmage, during which she held her own in the 15U and 18U divisions by allowing just one run in three innings and adding a 1-for-3 performance at the plate. Her presence and maturity continued to stand out during the Gold Cup 16U Championship run, when she posted a .85 ERA and .918 WHIP across 16.1 innings to help her team survive multiple international tiebreakers against high-powered offenses. Christopherson's consistency carried into the Bombers Exposure Weekend, where she delivered one of her strongest outings of the fall with a .72 ERA, .414 WHIP, and a .097 opponent batting average. She struck out 11 while giving up only three hits and one earned run, showcasing her ability to command the zone and attack hitters with confidence. Reagan's ability to rise to the moment against older age groups, paired with her calm and competitive nature, makes her one of Arkansas's most exciting 2029 pitching prospects to follow.     Catcher Kensey Allen brings a strong, confident presence behind the plate and continues to establish herself as one of the top defensive catchers in Arkansas's 2029 class. She shows advanced receiving skills with quiet framing, soft hands, and the ability to steal strikes throughout the zone. Her blocking is reliable and repeatable, allowing pitchers to throw freely knowing she can control the dirt. Allen's overhand velocity of 57 mph reflects the strength of her arm, and her overall fundamentals make her a steady, trustworthy leader behind the plate. Offensively, Allen brings a powerful bat that can change a game. With a 73 mph exit velocity and true home run potential, she consistently drives the ball gap to gap and continues to grow more explosive in her swing. She is actively attending college camps to elevate her skills and gain experience, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA that showcases her discipline and work ethic. Kensey's combination of defensive polish, strong offensive upside, and academic excellence makes her a standout prospect to watch in the 2029 class.     Right-handed pitcher Brooke Pulliam has emerged as a dependable and competitive arm in Arkansas's 2029 class, earning the Jr. Lady Bearcats MVP award last spring and building momentum throughout the fall. She showcased her composure and effectiveness on a big stage at the Show Me the Money event, delivering four scoreless relief innings against Impact Caymol, before throwing a complete game against ATL Vipers Fischer. Her combined line of nine innings, a 67.67 percent strikeout rate, and a .189 opponent average highlights her ability to challenge hitters with movement, command, and poise. Pulliam's pitch mix includes a two-seam fastball, drop ball, rise ball, and changeup, giving her multiple weapons to disrupt timing. Her fall travel season was equally impressive, finishing with 62.3 innings pitched, 69 strikeouts, a .211 opponent batting average, and a 1.52 WHIP, while also producing at the plate with a .400 batting average. That two-way contribution shows the well-rounded value she brings to her lineup. Brooke competes with a strong presence, leans on a diverse arsenal, and continues to refine her craft with each outing. Her combination of production, versatility, and steady growth places her firmly among Arkansas's top 2029 pitchers to follow.     Sloane Shelnutt has emerged as one of the most productive offensive players in Arkansas's 2029 class, pairing consistent middle-of-the-order power with strong plate discipline and situational awareness. She delivered one of her best performances of the fall at the HFL and Alliance Fall National Qualifier, earning All-Tournament Team honors after posting a .688 average, 1.729 OPS, and 11 hits that included six singles, four doubles, and a triple. Her nine RBIs were a major part of her team's offensive success that weekend and showcased her ability to come through in key moments. Defensively, Shelnutt anchors the corner infield with reliability and a strong understanding of the game. She continues to develop her skill set by attending college camps and seeking out higher level instruction, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA that reflects her discipline on and off the field. Her strong fall performance helped her team earn a berth to Alliance Nationals in Indiana for summer 2026, reaffirming her impact on both sides of the ball. With her combination of academic excellence, offensive production, and defensive value, Sloane is a standout 2029 prospect to follow closely.     Khyleaha Shepherd is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic outfielders in Arkansas's 2029 class, bringing elite speed, strong instincts, and reliable defensive play to every game she plays in. She played a key role in helping Aces 14U secure their berth to nationals at the HFL and Alliance Fall National Qualifier, where she was named to the All-Tournament Team for her impact on both sides of the ball. Shepherd continued her standout play at the Team 1 STL Fall Exposure tournament, posting a .500 average, .750 on-base percentage, 1.950 OPS, and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. Her ability to cover ground, track balls in the gaps, and make tough plays look routine sets her apart defensively. Offensively, Shepherd uses her speed to pressure defenses, extend plays, and create scoring opportunities. Her strong fall performances and consistent development have been fueled by attending college camps and seeking out high-level instruction to elevate her game. With her athleticism, work ethic, and playmaking ability in the outfield, Khyleaha is a rising 2029 prospect who continues to gain momentum and deserves close attention moving forward.

The 2029 softball class from Arkansas is already showing impressive talent, featuring pitchers with command, powerful hitters, and versatile athletes who impact the game in multiple ways. These rising standouts are separating themselves with strong performances and steady development.