6. Gillette Bison
Quick Facts Record: 38-44 (5-5 Last 10 Games) Runs Scored: 277 (League Ranking: 11th) Runs Allowed: 310 (League Ranking: 7th) All Time Playoff Record: 0-0 (.000 Winning Percentage) (0 Championships) Betting Odds: 1200-1
The surprise team in this year’s playoffs, Gillette was able to win the 4 team race for the final playoff spot and now look to make a splash in their first season. While the Bison offense has been one of the worst in the league, they have pieces that can score runs. Marcos Ortiz is a budding superstar, while experienced role players such as Miguel Montoya, Jon Traber, and Ricardo Suarez know what it takes to win in the playoffs. On the mound, the Bison have a number of starters who have had great seasons. Fred Poapst and Leonardo Ruggeri both finished with ERAs under 3, and Manny Naranjo looks to potentially be the next great WPBL closer. While claiming a WPBL championship in their first season may be a long shot, the atmosphere in the clubhouse is great after winning the play-in game against Walla Walla, and the players hope to keep that momentum rolling into their first round series against Pocatello.
Player To Watch – LF Marcos Ortiz – For a new team that needed to quickly generate an identity, Ortiz has helped accelerate that process. A true star that Gillette scouts found in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, the left fielder has turned into a true star for the Bison this season as he slashed .301/.370/.479. Ortiz should be a lock for the Rookie of the Year Award and has a shot at potentially taking home the MVP as well. But Ortiz has stated many times that given the chance to play in the playoffs, he expects to put on a big show.
5. Pocatello Old Timers
Quick Facts Record: 43-38 (3-7) Runs Scored: 329 (4th) Runs Allowed: 306 (6th) All Time Playoff Record: 29-22 (0.569) (2) Betting Odds: 400-1
The only team to make the playoffs in all six WPBL seasons, the Old Timers are no newcomer to the pressure that August brings. But this season, something feels different in Idaho. While many of the great players who have made Pocatello the most winningest team in WPBL history, the team is not feared as it once was. The loss of perennial all-star Sandy Gonzalez over the offseason left a hole, and stars such as Chris Ponder and Jaden Richardson have had some of their worst seasons to date. There are still many bright spots on this Old Timer team, and they are capable of flipping the switch back to the elite teams of 2022-2025 at any time, but many fans around the league are beginning to wonder if this is the beginning of the end for the WPBLs first dynasty. Luckily, they begin the postseason with what is viewed as an easier matchup. Look for the Old Timers to try to have a big series to spark another Championship run.
Player to Watch – SS Fernando ‘King Kong’ Jimenez – It is difficult to recall a player who has ever had a more disappointing season than Jimenez just put together. A year after narrowly missing out on the MVP award, Jimenez has spent 2026 below the Mendoza Line and finished with a -0.8 WAR. Last season Jimenez played a big part in the Old Timers championship run, as he hit 4 home runs and had 15 RBI, as well as winning the Division Series MVP. While most fans have lost hope in ‘King Kong’ turning the corner, it’s now or never for the superstar shortstop.
4. Bandon Bung Hammers
Quick Facts Record: 46-35 (4-6) Runs Scored: 324 (5th) Runs Allowed: 271 (2nd) All Time Playoff Record: 2-4 (0.333) (0) Betting Odds: 500-1
Bandon will once again be participating in postseason baseball, having not made an appearance since the inaugural 2021 season. After taking over the team in 2025, GM Dave Rouleau has put together an outstanding well rounded roster that performed throughout the season. The biggest difference the season has been the Bung Hammer pitching. Despite having stars such as Jim ‘Psycho’ Thorp, Bandon never had a season with a team ERA below 3.87 (2023). Last season the Bung Hammers finished with a 3.96 ERA and a losing record. This season Bandon made big additions such as starter Ryan Kadar and closer Sean Rahm while also getting better performance from young players like Luis Diaz and Colby Stillman. This led to a decrease of over one run per game as the Bung Hammers finished with an ERA of 2.93, an incredible turn around. The pitching will be tested heavily in the first series against the best offense in the league, but there is no doubt this team is capable of winning it all.
Player to Watch – SP/DH Colby Stillman – A WPBL player unlike any other, Stillman finally put it all together and showed the league what he is capable of in 2026. With an .816 OPS and 1.4 WAR batting combined with a 2.89 ERA and 1.1 WAR pitching; Stillman became the true dual-threat player that scouts saw when he was in school at BYU. He is a weapon that no other team in the playoffs has and could be the secret to the Bung Hammers going on a deep run.
3. Elko Trucker
Quick Facts Record: 46-35 (5-5) Runs Scored: 342 (2nd) Runs Allowed: 283 (5th) All Time Playoff Record: 12-14 (0.462) (0) Betting Odds: 300-1
Elko shocked the world in 2025 as they quickly traded away prospects and completed a fast retool to get back to their winning ways, only to fall short in the championship to Pocatello. But the front office didn’t stop there and decided to go even further all in during 2026, acquiring more star players such as Gary Johnson and Tim Candelora. While the Truckers have yet to hoist the WPBL Championship Trophy, many fans in Nevada are beginning to think this is finally their year. With the first round bye secured and set to face the easiest opponent record wise in the Divisional Round, Elko has by far the easiest path to the WPBL Championship Series. Powered by strong bats with household names like Sicard, Watts, Barbeque, and Hamby, the Truckers bring the horsepower to pummel any team in their path.
Player to Watch – 2B Jake Dickinson – While the Elko lineup is stacked with elite talents, any of who could dominate the playoffs, there is one player in particular who has a history of doing so. Jake Dickinson has played in three postseasons previously, winning 2 championships, and each time he elevates his play to a new level. Over 31 career playoff games, Dickinson has put together 1.2 WAR, and 130 OPS+, and a slash line of .299/.355/.457. An under the radar player such as this could be key to the Truckers getting over the hump and bringing their first championship back to Elko.
2. Lake Tahoe Mustangs
Quick Facts Record: 50-31 (9-1) Runs Scored: 385 (1st) Runs Allowed: 278 (4th) All Time Playoff Record: 19-13 (0.593) (2) Betting Odds: 350-1
The rest of the league thought they had Lake Tahoe figured out after the 2025 season. It was clear that they were building a team based around an all star starting pitching staff that was capable of shutting down any lineup. But the Mustangs offense turned that presumption on its head this season after leading the WPBL in runs scored, batting average, on base percentage, OPS, WAR, wOBA, and home runs. While most teams are happy to have one player break the 10 home run mark on the season, the Mustangs have had 4 different guys hit 11 or more home runs this season. The acquisitions of Joey Hoffmann and Andy Wilkerson made a big impact on the team, and now all 9 spots in the lineup can hurt opposing pitchers. While the team does strike out at a higher rate and tend to rely on the long ball a little too much; all it takes is for a few guys to get hot in August to take Lake Tahoe to their 3rd championship.
Player to Watch – SS Mario Gamino – A 2024 deadline deal between Pocatello and Lake Tahoe brought Gamino to the Mustangs, where, after a strong start to his career he had been struggling at the plate. Upon reaching Lake Tahoe, Gamino regained his earlier form and in 2026 put together his best year yet. Known more for his fielding prowess, Gamino showed new life at the plate this season slashing .287/.330/.412. Performances like his has been an important part of has make the Mustangs offense number one in the league. Against strong pitching teams like Bandon and possibly Kennewick, the Mustangs will need contributions from all spots in the lineup to succeed.
1. Kennewick Tri-City Atoms
Quick Facts Record: 59-22 (7-3) Runs Scored: 337 (3rd) Runs Allowed: 214 (1st) All Time Playoff Record: 8-10 (0.444) (1) Betting Odds: 200-1
What else can be said about Kennewick that hasn’t already be written? Despite being picked across the media as finishing as a borderline playoff team, Kennewick started the season hot and never looked back. Strong pitching from typically injury prone players such as Jorge Ordonez, Matt Daley, and Mike Seibert led one of the best pitching staffs in the league. The team plays incredible defense that only makes their pitching look better, led by stalwarts Tetsuya Honda and Jim Boston. No one across the league has given the Atoms any credit this season, and they have be continuously doubted from April to the end of July. Now having wrapped up the most successful regular season in WPBL history, the Atoms state that they aren’t quite done yet. When asked what changed this season to turn an average group of ballplayers into some of the best to ever grace the pacific northwest, GM Konrad Moverlock had this to say, “The league realignment had a lot to do with it. Once we were able to escape from Pocatello’s shadow, it made the guys a lot less afraid. I know that Pocatello is only 43-38 and if they played in our division this season they wouldn’t have even made the playoffs, but those guys are amazing. We were very clearly intimidated by them. Only have to play them 6 times this year was really a blessing. I mean if we had played them 9 or 12 times we probably would’ve gotten 60 wins and had even more pressure on us to win the championship this season.” Wise words from one of the best GMs in the league. Now the league can only wait and see if they can seal the perfect season.
Player to Watch – DH Pete Freedom – No player has confused front offices more than Pete Freedom this season. Despite leading the league with 100 strikeouts, the 2023 first round draft pick out of Oral Roberts has put together an all-star level season batting .294 and leading the WPBL with 30 doubles. His .502 slugging percentage is also top five in the league. With nearly a 30% strikeout rate, Freedom was still able to almost bat .300, a statistical anomaly which many find difficult to believe will ever be replicated. While no doubt the Atoms are known as a pitching and defense first team, Freedom brings a big bat to the lineup that the Atoms have desperately needed.
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