Extra Star Power: Super 6th Grader Alexia Carrasquillo

Meet “The Prodigy:” 6th Grader Alexia Carrasquillo

Early recruiting is definitely a hot topic these days and it is amazing how college coaches are going after younger and younger players, but in every class—even in the 6th grade—there are “can’t miss” prospects who are already being looked at as future super stars.

Last fall we had our first 7^th grader commit when Mia Williams—daughter of former NBA great Jason “White Chocolate” Williams—committed to his alma mater, the Univ. of Florida, and we soon could have an even younger player finalize her college choice.

Many believe that an aspiring catcher who is only 11 years old from the Peach State could be the first from the Class of 2024 to commit. She’s already drawing a lot of praise from all corners of the nation and even has earned the nickname “The Prodigy.”

By definition, a “prodigy” is “a person, especially a young one, endowed with exceptional qualities or abilities” and that is a perfect description for fast-rising catcher Alexia Carrasquillo from Woodstock, Georgia, a middle school sixth grader.

Georgia has produced more than its share of amazing talents—from Herschel Walker in football to Jackie Robinson and Ty Cobb in baseball to Sugar Ray Robinson in the boxing ring to Bobby Jones on the golf course.

Most recently, the sports world has been buzzing about true freshman quarterback Jake Fromm from Houston County who came within an eyelash of leading the Georgia Bulldogs to a National Championship, before his Dawg squad fell in overtime in the title game against Alabama.

As writer Jeff Sentell said of Fromm, “He is a genuine guy in a locker room of blue-chip recruits. People want to play for him and to play with him. He’s the guy every cliché points to in the huddle, the one for whom his teammates will bleed for and lay it on the line. He makes the others in the huddle around him better. Fromm knows the plays. He’s tough and composed.”

Will Tomasello, who founded and runs The Georgia Impact faspitch organization in which Carrasquillo plays, already sees strong similarities to his young catcher and the accomplished college quarterback.

“To those of us in Georgia that have seen him (Fromm) play,” begins Tomasello, “comparisons to Alexia are unmistakably similar: leadership, athleticism, poise, maturity and the uncanny ability to win.”

“Alexia is very similar to two other Houston County softball standouts— Jessica Burroughs (Florida State University) and Kylie Bass (University of Georgia)— in that they all share a strong sense of purpose, commitment and a drive to compete.”

“Alexia goes beyond a player who has ‘it.’ She is the kind of player that make coaches better, elevates players around her and leaves an indelible mark on the game.”

Her father, Raul Carrasquillo, explains that he knew early on he had a special competitor on his hands.

“I remember when, at the age of 7, she slid into first base to beat a throw,” he laughs, but says it goes way back beyond that.

“I noticed Alexia was always laser focused even at T Ball at age four,” he continues. “She would never play with the dirt nor drift off, Alexia was always laser-focused . Also, when she made an ‘03 team at eight years old and at 10 went to a Florida Gator camp and soaked in every word (Head Coach) Tim Walton said.”

While long recognized as a phenom for her age in her home state, the young athlete made a national splash last summer at PGF Nationals when she helped lead her program at the time, the Tennessee Fury 10U team, to a championship.

It was the way she did it, however, that caught the softball world’s attention; in a game that finished 12-5, but was deceptively close as it went into ITB tied 5-5 in the fifth, Carrasquillo was a deciding force going 4-for-4 with a triple, two RBI and a pair of runs scored.

Since moving to the Impact this fall, she’s not looked back and has drawn the attention of major programs from the SEC, Big 12, Big Ten and pretty much every major conference in the country.

A 220-foot blast during competition at the Faster2First in Vero Beach, Florida in the first week of January only cemented her status as one of the top players to watch at any age and the Puerto Rico National Team program reportedly already has her on their radar as a prospect for the future.

Again, Carrasquillo is all of 11-years-old—although she’ll turn the ripe old age of 12 on February 2—but it’s never too young to identify a prodigy and the softball world may just have found its next one…

… and here’s an Extra Inning Exclusive look at a name you’ll be hearing for years to come in the club world:

NAME: Alexia Carrasquillo
Grade: 6th
Projected High School: River Ridge High, Woodstock, Georgia
Club Team: Georgia Impact 05 Premier Lewis
Position(s): Catcher / Utility
Favorite color: Light Blue
Favorite musician/group: Migos
Least favorite school subject: Social Studies
Nickname: “Lex”
Thing you couldn't be caught dead doing: Going outside without ear rings
Favorite item in your closet/wardrobe: Birkenstock sandals

You’ve received a lot of attention lately and you’re still just in the 6th grade… is that weird to be so young and getting all this attention on the field?
I really don’t pay much attention to that. I look at it as meeting new people and making new friends.

When did you first realize you had a special talent to play softball?
When I made a 03 team at the age of 8.

What is it about the game you love so much?
I love getting dirty, I love the intensity of the game and I love the excitement of the game!

You’re a standout catcher… what do you think it takes to be special at this position?
Consistent practicing of the position. It’s a position that rarely gets practiced at team practice and one you have to practice on your own to be great at it.

If you’re evaluating yourself, what would you say is the #1 thing you do well and the #1 thing you want to work on?
The thing I do well is bring energy to the team. The thing I need work on is everything! I am still learning and growing as a softball player.

Talk about the recruiting process… how did first schools first find out about you and who first contacted you?
The process has been amazing! It actually started at the age of nine when Coach Lonnie Alameda from FSU saw something special in me. She invited me to shadow her winter camp when I was 9 and also when I was 10. Then when I went to PGF July 2017, I was playing against the OC Bat Busters when Coach Lisa Fernandez from UCLA noticed me. She called Jen Schroeder (of The Package Deal) about me and said to Coach Jen, “I just saw this catcher with curly hair,” and Coach Jen told her, “Oh yeah that’s Alexia!” After PGF I was invited on a unofficial to UCLA and it just took off from that point.

Have you always had a dream school growing up or have you been open to many?
I want to play somewhere where I can win a National Championships like a Florida, Oklahoma, UCLA, etc.

What’s been your best softball experience so far?
Winning PGF Nationals and hitting 21 over-the-fence home runs so far.

What’s been the funniest thing happen that you’ve seen on the field?
On two separate occasions a mom and then a softball player my age asked me if I could autograph a softball for them. Another one was when a umpire was running to third base to cover a play he tripped and fell!

What do you want to do for a career after softball?
Either Sports Medicine or in the Media.

If you could meet and have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
Yadier Molina.

What’s the one thing you’d want to take with you on a deserted island (can’t be a cell phone!)?
Water!

Do you have any superstitions?
I have to put on my left shin guard first.

Other than family who’s your hero?
Jen Schroeder

Tell us about your family history and background….
We are of Puerto Rican descent. I was born in New York City and my parents moved to Florida when I was one. We then moved to Georgia when I was nine. I have two older sisters: Amanda 26 and Ashley 21. We love Salsa and Merengue music and love rice and beans.

If you could describe yourself on the field and off the field in one word, what would it be?
“Energetic!”