Player Spotlight: Texas Outfielder Nevaeh Watkins… Making the Grade for All-Summer and 2024 Extra Elite 100 Teams

Nevaeh Watkins is a talented sophomore centerfielder for Ed Naudin’s strong Texas Glory 14U team and has the distinction of making two elite teams this summer… although she hasn’t been announced for either yet (spoiler alert!).

Nevaeh will make both the Top 50 of the 2024 Extra Elite 100 and our upcoming All-Summer Team.

From Rowlett, Texas, Nevaeh—who bats leadoff because of her talents at bunting, slapping and hitting for power—lit up the travel ball scene this summer as she led the powerhouse Glory – Naudin team with 52 hits, a .477 batting average, 45 runs scored, a .525 on-base percentage, an OPS of 1.259 and a .734 slugging percentage.

Her 32 RBIs tied for the team lead and she was second in steals with 10 and defensively she only made one error the entire season roaming the grass.

We asked Coach Naudin what made so special.

“Nevaeh has tremendous physical tools and toughness,” he stated. “She has a strong power and speed combination and will compete in all aspects of the game.”

And then he added:

“Nevaeh is a leader, a winner and a difference maker.”

The Texas player says she started playing softball at age 8, but it was others she thought she’d excel in first.

“At first I played soccer and did some gymnastics,” Nevaeh explains, “but softball is what stuck with me. I have progressed throughout the years trying to improve my game to become a true triple threat hitter and my parents and all coaches I’ve had during my time playing have helped me be a better person.”

The high schooler relates that she originally started behind the plate before moving positions.

“I was a lefty catcher then went to only the outfield in 14U,” she remembers. “I felt that it was a good decision, because I love the big plays  and the energy that you get from the crowd.”

What’s helped Nevaeh grow, she believes, is being with many of the core players on the Glory since 12U and putting together some successful memories.

“Getting 5th in PGF and continuing to play with these girls has been fun,” she says. “My team really plays for each other and one thing I would say about myself is that I really love the game.”

— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball

*****

We got with Nevaeh’s father, Trae Watkins, and he gave us more about this up-and-rising player whom we’ll be watching over the next few years…

11 Fun Facts About Nevaeh

1. Nevaeh has an uncle that ran track at Arkansas State.
2. She is a natural lefty.
3. She loves rare tennis shoes (Jordan 1s, Nike dunks, Air Force 1s).
4. She loves to bake.
5. She is really passionate about the sport and plays for her team. She watches the sport on her own when not playing.
6. Off the field, she loves spending time with her grandparents.
7. The athlete loves to work out.
8. She has a personality to where she gets along with almost everyone.
9. She has a younger sister who is 5 and has been teaching her to bat left-handed.
10. She has wants to major in the medical field.
11. As far as the community… Nevaeh would just like to convey she is the ultimate team player; many times, she is chosen as a captain because she’s a trusted player.