Mikayla Santa Cruz has been around the game of softball for almost twenty years. From growing up in Tucson, Arizona and traveling across the country for tournaments to competing at the Division I level and now working in Major League Baseball, her entire life has revolved around the sport. That journey, from long car rides with her parents to working directly with MLB players, has given her a unique perspective on what it really takes to reach the next level.

A standout at Canyon del Oro High School, one of Arizona’s powerhouse high school softball programs, Mikayla helped lead the Dorados to the No. 1 seed in the 2018 State Tournament and earned All-Region Second Team honors after leading her team in wins and ERA. On the club side, she played for the nationally respected Arizona Cats and Arizona Suncats, helping capture the 2016 Triple Crown Fireworks Colorado Championship and earning recognition as a FloSports and On Deck West Coast Elite Top Performer.

Mikayla began her college career at Arizona State University, where she earned her first collegiate win at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs. After her freshman season, she transferred to Creighton University, where she became one of the Bluejays’ most reliable arms and respected leaders.

Her senior year was a defining chapter in her career. She opened the 2022 season at the UTEP Invitational with back-to-back complete-game wins, tossing seven strong innings against Idaho State before following it up with an eight-inning, nine-strikeout performance against Abilene Christian. Those efforts earned her BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week honors and a spot on the UTEP Invitational All-Tournament Team. The following weekend, a knee injury forced her to miss nearly a month of play, but her determination to finish what she started never faded. Pushing through rehab, she returned to the circle to close out her senior season, showing the same grit and composure that defined her career. She had previously been named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll during her junior year, marking multiple conference recognitions throughout her time at Creighton.

After wrapping up her playing days, Mikayla transitioned into professional baseball, joining Major League Baseball’s Data Operations Department in 2024. Now finishing her second season with MLB, she’s cross-trained across multiple roles, including BOSS, Stringer, FTC, and the Automatic Balls and Strikes (ABS) system, and works directly with players, coaches and umpires as a Gameday Compliance Monitor to ensure accuracy and integrity in real-time game data.

Off the field, Mikayla’s passion lies in helping young athletes and their families navigate the recruiting process. Having gone through it three different times, as a high school recruit, a transfer, and a grad-year player, she understands how overwhelming and confusing it can be.

She and her parents spent years traveling to camps, meeting with coaches, and piecing together information from every corner of the sport. They eventually figured it out, but it took a lot of work and persistence.

That experience inspired her to create what she wished existed back then, a resource for families who want clarity and direction in the recruiting journey. Her approach is family-first. She’s quick to credit her parents for everything she’s achieved, recognizing the countless hours they spent behind the scenes, filming, driving, planning, and supporting her dream.

“Everything I’m building is a thank-you to my parents. They poured everything into helping me chase my dream, and I want to honor that same kind of dedication for every family I work with.”

Alongside her recruiting work, Mikayla has volunteered at St. Augustine Catholic High School, where she helped shape the team’s player development and mental performance programs. She also volunteered with an Arizona cub team, offering pitching instruction that blends mechanics, mindset, and recovery to help athletes grow both on and off the field.

Mikayla brings a well-rounded approach to developing young athletes. She knows what it takes to stand out, stay resilient, and keep moving forward, and she’s dedicated to helping the next generation of players and parents do the same.