Top 2029 Prospects To Watch In New York

As the softball class of 2029 continues to emerge, New York is proving to be a hotbed for the next wave of elite fastpitch talent. From dominant arms in the circle to dynamic hitters and high-IQ defenders, these prospects are already separating themselves on the regional and national stages.   With advanced skill sets, competitive mindsets, and a relentless work ethic, the 2029 prospects across New York are laying the foundation for what promises to be an exciting future for the game.    A young and rising flamethrower, Kendall LaManche brings both dominance and maturity to the circle. Coming off an impressive eighth-grade season, her performance points to a high ceiling as she prepares for the next level. LaManche finished the year with a 1.47 ERA over 114 innings, posting a 17-3 record while striking out 157 batters across 20 games. She demonstrated advanced command and composure, allowing only three home runs all season and consistently keeping hitters off balance, which gave her defense confidence behind her. Her success carried into the travel ball season, when her team finished 24-7-3. Beyond the numbers, LaManche has established herself as a dependable teammate and emerging leader—one who brings energy, focus, and accountability every time she steps on the field. She leads by example, whether it's setting the tone in warmups, encouraging her teammates after tough innings, or staying locked in during high-pressure moments. During the fall season, LaManche logged 77 innings with 81 strikeouts and a 1.64 ERA. As she heads into the spring, she continues to grow as both a competitor and a leader, showing she's ready for whatever comes next.     With a strong mentality and relentless work ethic, [player_tooltip player_id='127054' first='Krystina' last='Mathis'] is emerging as one of New York's top 2029 prospects to watch. Competing in 13 tournaments and seven league games, Mathis posted a 9-11 record in the circle, throwing 81 innings while collecting 142 strikeouts. She allowed 122 hits and 88 walks, recorded 30 putouts, and earned two MVP awards. Mathis consistently works in the 50-53 mph range, pairing her velocity with solid movement and plenty of upside. At the plate, she contributed in big ways, collecting 28 hits, driving in 18 runs, and hitting one home run while finishing with a .500 batting average. Known for her dedication and team-first mentality, Mathis's work ethic is always on display, as she often puts in extra reps in the cages outside of team practices. A true all-around player with significant potential, she continues to separate herself as an exciting name in New York's 2029 class.     [player_tooltip player_id='146447' first='Claire' last='Giardina'] is preparing to take her game to the next level as she enters high school, showing maturity and composure well beyond her years. No matter the situation, Giardina remains calm and confident on the field, which consistently allows her to perform at a high level. She finished her middle school career on a strong note, producing standout numbers that speak to her impact on both sides of the ball. Across 19 total games and 49 plate appearances, Giardina posted an impressive .850 batting average. She recorded 34 hits, scored 28 runs, and collected 31 RBIs, while hitting seven doubles, three triples, and six home runs over her two middle school seasons. Her advanced approach at the plate resulted in an .878 on-base percentage, a 1.625 slugging percentage, and a 2.503 OPS. Adding to her offensive value, her speed was on full display, as she swiped 26 bases in just 19 games. In the circle, Giardina proved just as dominant, finishing 8-0 with a 0.44 ERA across 11 appearances. With strong command and control, she keeps hitters guessing and limits hard contact. A true two-way threat, Giardina is undoubtedly one of the top prospects to watch in the state.     Making her mark, Gianna Shaw plays with toughness and determination, pushing through minor aches and pains, while never letting her effort or focus waver. A natural leader behind the plate, Shaw sets the tone both on and off the field, holding herself and her teammates to a high standard. What separates Shaw is her commitment to growth. When results don't go her way, she doesn't shy away—she responds by getting back into the cages, working on fundamentals, and sharpening the details of her game. During the 2024–25 school season, Shaw finished with a .545 batting average across 33 plate appearances. She scored 18 runs, collected 12 hits, drove in 12 RBIs, and added one double and one home run. She posted a .696 on-base percentage, a .727 slugging percentage, and a 1.424 OPS, while swiping 12 bases. Defensively, Shaw was flawless, as she maintained a perfect fielding percentage. Constantly driven to improve, she is undoubtedly a top prospect to watch in the months and years ahead.     A true go-getter and brick wall behind the plate, Lauren Kmiotek continues to let her play do the talking. Rain or shine, she brings energy and consistency to the field, recently putting together a strong tournament performance highlighted by steady defense at third base and clutch hitting. Kmiotek embraces versatility, taking pride in helping her team wherever she's needed and showing a high level of coachability. Offensively, she finished her second-to-last tournament before the offseason batting .444 with a .545 on-base percentage, while driving in four runs and scoring three times. On defense, Kmiotek pairs a solid arm with quick footwork, making confident throws across the diamond. Behind the plate, she controls the game well, posting a strong pop time and consistently challenging runners attempting to steal. What truly sets Kmiotek apart is her mindset. She is always looking to improve, understands team expectations, and leads by example regardless of the circumstances. A dependable, all-around player, Lauren Kmiotek is certainly one to watch among New York's rising prospects.

As the softball class of 2029 continues to emerge, New York is proving to be a hotbed for the next wave of elite fastpitch talent. From dominant arms in the circle to dynamic hitters and high-IQ defenders, these prospects are already separating themselves on the regional and national stages.