2029 Catchers To Watch In The New Year

It's difficult to believe that a new year is quickly approaching, but for softball players around the country it is a welcome sight. The wait for spring softball is almost at an end, and it brings with it new beginnings, especially for freshmen. The chance to quickly make a name for yourself amongst a field of already experienced players may seem daunting, but for the athletes on this list, the time is right for them to shine.   Below, Prep Softball highlights catchers from the class of 2029 to keep an eye on in the new year.    If you're looking for a catcher with an impressive pop time, you might want to check out Kinley "KJ" Johnson. The Kentucky product has a pop time of 1.71 seconds, not to mention excellent mechanics, a strong arm, good throwing accuracy, and quiet composure behind the plate. She also has some pop in her bat and power to all fields, with significant firepower on her pull side. She recently recorded a 77 mph exit velocity in the batting cage, and continues to work on all aspects of her game. She is a solid student with a 3.85 GPA and is well-positioned for a hot start to her high school career.     Sam Prifogle balances consistent offense at the plate with consistent defense behind the dish. At the KGF Fall Showcase in August, Prifogle had a .900 fielding percentage for the weekend, along with a .385 batting average, five hits and five RBIs. The following month at the PGF Super Select, she kept up her hitting ways with a .353 batting average in the tournament, and an .826 fielding percentage over 23 total chances. She is an enthusiastic and supportive teammate, and is joining a highly competitive Floyd Central team that is used to making deep runs in the postseason, including just last year. With her rising potential, she is poised to be a perfect fit on that squad.     Kaitlyn Schakel recently completed her fall season with the Lady Dukes in spectacular fashion at the Select 64 Showcase. Defensively, she shined with a perfect fielding percentage, including 10 putouts, one caught stealing, and one pickoff over 14 innings behind the plate. With the bat, she had a solid .417 batting average, including five hits, three RBIs, one stolen base, and a .917 OPS. This is nothing new for Schakel, however. Last month, at the Great Lakes Premier Showcase, she also had a perfect fielding percentage, with 23 putouts over 16 innings, including another pickoff. Her determination and perseverance behind the scenes has paid dividends on the field, and she is only going to get better as her playing career continues.     After winning the South Carolina 5A D2 state championship with her teammates at Catawba Ridge High School this past May, Camryn Bird did not slow down. In June, she hit .545 during a six-game tournament, and then capped off a busy summer with seven hits, three RBIs, and a .467 batting average over seven games in a September tournament. Defensively, she is a threat to baserunners (as two found out at the PGF Summer Cashionals in July), and she puts in the work learning the different facets of catching from framing to arm strength to building strong relationships with her battery mates. She has already shown great resolve by making the varsity team as a freshman, and is a name to look out for next year.     Delaynie Roberts packs a punch both at the plate and behind it. If you leave a pitch up in the strike zone to the Michigan native, she is likely to hit a screaming line drive over your head. She produces significant power to all fields with a level swing and excellent bat control, while not trying to hit it to the parking lot. Behind the plate, she has a quick pop time, throws perfect strikes to her fielders, and has a cannon of an arm, which transfers over perfectly to third base as well. She faces consistently tough competition with the Shockwaves, which will provide her with good experience for her high school career.

It's difficult to believe that a new year is quickly approaching, but for softball players around the country it is a welcome sight. The wait for spring softball is almost at an end, and it brings with it new beginnings, especially for freshmen. The chance to quickly make a name for yourself amongst a field of already experienced players may seem daunting, but for the athletes on this list, the time is right for them to shine.