Five 2029s Who Can Change A Game With Their Speed

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speed is one of the most impactful skills a softball player can bring to the field. The 2029 class includes athletes who consistently put pressure on defenses with their quickness, whether they are turning singles into extra bases, creating chaos on the basepaths, or covering ground in the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, Prep Softball highlights five players who leverage their speed to change the momentum of games and keep their opponents on edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":157843,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kadence Pettis","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"20","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Elk Grove ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"LTG 16U Carda","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ade02ec3b80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kadence Pettis is a top 2029 prospect with speed from Elk Grove High School and LTG 16U Carda. A dynamic left-handed slapper, she is known for her elite bat control and speed, which consistently pressures opposing defenses. Pettis is versatile at the plate—she can bunt, slap for contact, and hit for extra bases, making her tough to defend. Once she reaches the bases, her speed is quick and explosive. Behind the plate, she combines athleticism with a strong arm and overall leadership skills. Kadence Pettis will continue to showcase her speed and athleticism as the high school season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["144121"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":157846,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ade02ec3d17"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">According to her coaches, Jaida Wheatley is one of the fastest athletes in her class and consistently uses her speed to change the momentum of games. An outfielder for Beverly Bandits 14U Show/Hardin and a freshman at Griffith High School, Wheatley creates constant pressure on defenses, both on the bases and at the plate. Her ability to get on base and immediately turn singles into scoring opportunities for her teams makes her a dangerous presence every time she steps into the box. This fall, she had a .553 batting average and was 30-for-33 in stolen bases, highlighting her impressive speed. Her range and athleticism in the outfield allow her to cover a lot of ground. Jaida Wheatley will keep using her speed as she continues to develop into a top prospect in her class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["151348"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":157848,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ade02ec3c1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maliyah Strong is an explosive athlete whose speed significantly impacts the game on both sides. She combines quickness with gap-to-gap power, allowing her to hit, slap, and execute small-ball plays while consistently applying pressure to defenses. As a freshman, she made an immediate impact on the varsity team, earning several honors. This fall, she hit .433, leading her team in OPS, extra-base hits, triples, and stolen bases. Her speed has been outstanding throughout her playing days to date and will continue to be a huge asset to her and her teams. In the outfield, she continues to showcase her speed to track down fly balls and uses her strong arm to stop opposing offenses on the bases. Maliyah Strong's confidence, speed, and athleticism make her a standout player to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["148248"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":157850,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ade02ec3c91"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">LG Goldin is an outstanding shortstop from Buford High School and Birmingham Bolts Premier 2027 Alford/Rocky. She changes the game with her bat, glove, and speed. Her strong softball IQ, power, and quickness make her a constant threat to do some damage on the field. At the plate, Goldin brings a great deal of power. She has the ability to drive the ball in the gaps and over the fence as well. Once Goldin gets on base, she showcases her speed and puts herself in scoring position. LG Goldin continues to establish herself as a dynamic playmaker and a top name to watch in the 2029 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":157845,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Lily Estrada","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"30","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Olentangy Berlin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Beverly Bandits 2011 Perry","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69adea4ff18de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lily Estrada is an explosive athlete whose speed immediately changes the pace of a game. A middle infielder for the Beverly Bandits, Estrada runs down the line in an impressive 2.7 seconds, using her track speed to continually pressure opposing defenses. She is a consistent .400 hitter and a slapper who pairs her elite quickness with strong bat control. This combination allows her to turn routine plays into infield hits and create scoring opportunities with her ability to take extra bases. She is a true spark on the bases. Defensively, Estrada is a gold glove–caliber middle infielder with excellent range and a strong arm. Lily Estrada showcases a combination of speed, control, and defensive presence, making her a player who can impact the game in multiple ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->