Contributed by Suster Bork
After a long week, the 2026 WPBL Amateur Draft is finally done with, and it is immediately clear that its quality rivals that of the 2023 Amateur Draft, which contained notable names such as the fearsome Randy Barbeque, Two-Way star Colby Stillman, defensive stalwart Ricardo Suarez, Gregg Herfurth, and Pete Freedom, amongst many others. This draft has been long awaited and contains both the top-end quality and the depth of talent that we saw in 2023.
Great Falls Black Eagles - 1: RF Aaron Jury - A+
Young. Talented. Elite. Aaron Jury possesses a level of upside and pre-existing talent that only Randy Barbeque has possessed before him, and it's this combination that has lead to Aaron Jury being one of most hotly anticipated prospects in WPBL history. To start, Aaron Jury is made for the WPBL and it's enormous parks, possessing an 80 grade hit tool and plus plus ability to hit the ball into the gaps, which should allow him to challenge for XBH records if he comes anywhere near his seemingly limitless upside. Unlike many other contact and line drive centric hitters in WPBL, Jury's well balanced batting profile should also allow him to hit for considerable power, and his plus discipline should allow him to be a routine .400 OBP hitter in his peak. His incredible skill on the basepaths could potentially yield double digit figures for triples, and he could even contend for the steals record with his incredible on-base potential. Lastly, much like Randy Barbeque, Aaron Jury might already be ready for the highest level of minors. His only weakness might be his glove, but he should still be serviceable in RF and above average in left.
Comparison: Brian Sicard with power and a glove
Astoria Fighting Chinooks - 2: Hercules Muldoon - A-
Astoria fans were all hoping for the impossible - that Aaron Jury would fall to them - but it was clear from the start that it would Hercules Muldoon coming to Astoria. However, the only hitter in the draft to challenge Aaron Jury in terms of upside was indeed Hercules Muldoon, and Chinooks fans cannot be upset with their consolation prize at #2. Muldoon is similar to Aaron Jury in a lot of ways, as he also possesses a generational hit tool and plus power, but where he deviates from Aaron Jury is in his incredible ability to walk, possessing plus-plus discipline that could see him get on-base at a level that will surely find its way into the record books. However, despite the generational bat, Muldoon does come with some risks, unlike Jury. Muldoon's biggest weakness is his baserunning, as most scouts view it as being well below average. And while Hercules Muldoon is very well developed for his age, he'll likely have to prove his worth in A-ball before progressing up the minors. Limitless ceiling but a visible floor.
Comparison: Dana Krynski with a better hit tool and glove
Victoria Geese - 3: Cooter Cavanaugh - C+
With their first pick of the first round, Victoria went for Cooter Cavanaugh, a high school senior with immense potential. Scouts project that Cavanaugh will be able to strike hitters out at an elite level, sporting a 5 pitch mix containing a cutter, slider, huge changeup, splitter, and rarely used curveball. In a big park like Victoria's, Cooter Cavanaugh should be able to strike out hitters at an elite rate while limiting the number of home runs issued, and he definitely has the upside to be a decent starter. However, scouts have also identified some major risk factors for the long awaited Cavanaugh, who has been on the radars of many scouts since 2024 when he was a 15 year old. To start, scouts believe that his high stuff, lower movement/control makeup could lead to him having a future in the pen as opposed to the rotation if he's unable to reach his full stuff potential, as he might not necessarily be able to strike out enough hitters to make up for it. Additionally, his pitch makeup may be a cause for concern, as his mix might not induce as many strikeouts as one would expect with plus-plus stuff, and for similar reasons, he may have issues against LHB, as his pitch mix could create a notable R/L split. In all, if Cooter Cavanaugh is able to reach his upside, he has a future as an elite reliever or a #2 in the rotation, but his floor might be the lowest in the draft class.
Comparison: Jesus Farelo in terms of profile, less stamina
Astoria Fighting Chinooks - 4: Shawn Simpson - B-
Shawn Simpson has quickly become one of the better prospects in this class, rising out of obscurity in 4th year of high school. Scouts around the league project that the righty has one of the most balanced pitching profiles in the entire class, as he is projected to have plus stuff, movement, and plus-plus control. If Simpson manages to reach his potential, he could become an ace and one of the best pitchers in the league, as he possesses a strong 4 pitch mix and should be able to greatly limit the long-ball, regardless of where he pitches. However, much like Cavanaugh, Simpson has some major developmental concerns, as he is still 18 and is barely ready to face hitters in A-ball, and he's the type of player that Astoria hopes they can nurture in their farm system. Despite that, unlike Cavanaugh and some other pitchers in this class, Simpson does have some development on his pitches, and he doesn't rely on the changeup as much as other high school arms in this class. Regardless, Shawn Simpson is very much a boom or bust pick, as his lack of main pitch means that he may have issues striking batters out if he doesn't develop his entire arsenal.
Comparison: Manny Gaona
Crescent City Kodiaks - 5: Joshua James Judy - A+
If not for the incredible 1-2 in this draft, Joshua James Judy may very well have been the best pure hitter in this draft class, and it's immediately clear as to why the Kodiaks took him at #5. Joshua, like many other hitters in this loaded draft class, has scouts raving about him. Possessing a projected plus-plus hit tool and plus power from the right side of the plate, Joshua James Judy is the headlining right-handed position player of this draft, as he has immense upside that could very well see him become the most best player in this draft class. With the bat, there's plenty of similarities between him and the hitters that preceded him, but his ability to play quality defense at third base could actually make him more impactful than Muldoon, Jury, or any of the other bat-first players that were picked in the first round. Judy should also be ready to jump right in and face A-ball pitchers, and that could aid his development greatly, despite being only 18 years of age. In all, Judy's high upside and relatively high floor makes him a very strong contender to be one of this draft's stars.
Comparison: Joe Watts
Walla Walla Wallabies - 6: Luca Smitherines - C+
In a draft class that is loaded with talented hitters, Smitherines stands out in a way that other bats in this class don't. Power. Not only does Luca Smitherines have power, but he has a whole lot of it, making him one of the more unique players in this class. Smitherines can rake, plain and simple, possessing a bat that could potentially output a batting average in excess of .300 and more than 20 home runs a season, making him a bat that could routinely compete for silver sluggers at 1B or DH. However, despite his enticing upside, Smitherines is already 21 years of age, and his bat isn't as developed as fans of the Wallabies would like, and there likely is a long developmental journey ahead for Luca Smitherines, as he will likely have to prove his worth in A-ball before advancing to higher levels of the minors. Another example of the classic high upside, low floor prospect.
Comparison: The bat of Alejandro Castillo
Gillette Bison - 7: Kip Stinger - A
WPBL is famously devoid of shortstops, making Kip Stinger a player that was on the radars of most fans and GMs in the WPBL. How Kip Stinger fell to 7th overall is something we'll never know, but he's one of the many players in this draft class that could change the notion that WPBL is not a defensive league. Stinger showcases a strong ability ability to get on base, as scouts project that he should be able to hit and walk at a plus level, while also sporting enough power to be a threat in the heart of the order. Stinger is also one of the best baserunners in the class, as his plus-plus skills on the bases make him a very proficient base stealer. Even then, his main attribute is his glove, which is easily good enough to be one of the best in the WPBL, regardless of position. Additionally, Stinger has a relatively high floor, as scouts project that he might even be ready for AA ball, and his glove makes him a valuable commodity, regardless of whether his bat develops to its potential or not. In all, the combination of upside, floor, and positional scarcity makes Stinger one of the steals of this draft class.
Comparison: Mitch Jones
Coeur d'Alene Striking Miners - 8: Todd Boudreaux - B
Todd Boudreaux terrifies hitters, plain and simple. He attacks them with plus-plus fastball and cutters and then makes them look silly swinging at curveballs, sliders, and changeups. When we talk about the scariest players in this class, we can't proceed without discussing Boudreaux. Boudreaux possesses the most balanced profile in the whole class, as scouts believe that he is an all around plus pitcher, and this upside in addition to his incredible pitch mix gives him the upside of an ace. Despite that, Boudreaux is the riskiest arm in the class, plain and simple. It's not that he's young and raw, nor is it that he's injury prone. Though Boudreaux is one of the most talented players in the entire class, scouts believe that he may have trouble going deep into starts, as he only possesses 35 grade stamina, an amount that could restrict him to the bullpen if his potential regresses at all. Additionally, though the majority of his pitches are well developed, Boudreaux is nearing 23 and still has an undeveloped changeup, and that could end up hindering his potential as a starter if it doesn't develop as much as expected. In all, Boudreaux is a beast, and he should find himself in the major leagues very soon. However, whether he does that as a starter or a reliever is yet to be determined, and it's likely why he fell this far.
Comparison: Post-injury Moises Batista
Kennewick Tri-City Atoms - 9: John Birdsall - A
The case of John Birdsall is pretty similar to that of Kip Stinger, because he also plays plus defense at a position that is currently going through a shortage in the WPBL. However, unlike Stinger, Birdsall appears to be a bat-first player at his position, as scouts believe that Birdsall has plus contact and power, a combination that could make him a contributor in the middle of the lineup for most teams, despite being a center fielder. Additionally, Birdsall's plus speed makes him someone that could contribute to the Tri-City Atoms on the basepaths as well. Lastly, his plus glove in CF makes him the well rounded player in this class, and this class's only legitimate 5-tool player. Additionally, scouts believe that Birdsall can jump into AAA right away, and he could find himself in the majors as early as next season. Highest floor in the class, has legitimate value regardless of whether the bat develops or not. Very safe pick at 9.
Comparison: Prime David Love
Victoria Geese - 10: January Jones - B-
There really isn't much to dislike about January Jones. Plus on-base skills and a remarkable ability to drive the ball into the gaps makes January Jones a potential threat in Victoria's ball park and a future leadoff bat for Victoria if he reaches his potential. However, scouts worry that Jones might not have a defensive home in the outfield, and he could end up being pushed to 1B or DH if Victoria doesn't want to run him in left field. Additionally, his lack of competence on the base paths could prevent him from being a lead off bat, but he's still a plus bat regardless of the position he plays. Jones' development appears to be moving steadily, and he should be ready to play AA ball but the end of the season. This pick does signal a fall off in the quality of the players available, but Jones still has the upside to be a plus major league contributor.
Comparison: Bryan Elbert
Astoria Fighting Chinooks - 11: Bobby England - C+
Defensively, Bobby England is unmatched, and is far superior to Kip Stinger in that regard, as he sports a plus plus glove at shortstop. However, offensively, scouts believe that his contributions will be lackluster, as he projects to have below average hit and power tools, with his strong discipline being the only plus offering offensively. England has good speed that could see him beat out some throws on the bases, but his instincts still need to be honed, as he projects to be a below average base stealer. England can't hit, and he will likely be the 9-hole hitter of the future for the Chinooks. Despite that, England's floor seems to be very high, as his defensive abilities should make him a future major leaguer regardless of whether the bat pans out or not. The only question that remains to be answered is whether or not Astoria can stomach his presence in the lineup, because calling him a black hole in a lineup is not an exaggeration.
Comparison: Mario Gamino
Astoria Fighting Chinooks - 12: Patrick Dabbs - C+
To round off the first round of the class, Astoria picked another high floor, low upside player in Patrick Dabbs, a contact first third baseman out of College. Dabbs is a decent player in all regards, as he has the contact skills to be a decent hitter at 3B, and the rest of the profile is well-rounded enough to place him in the top half of a team's lineup. Dabbs also plays plus defense at third base, another position that is naturally thin in the WPBL. Despite all of that, the upside of Dabbs was considerably lower than any of the other players on the board, and fans of the Astoria Fighting Chinooks might be disappointed by the fact that they traded Brian Sicard for this pick. Astoria clearly chose to play it safe with Dabbs, and while it isn't a terrible pick, Dabbs definitely would've fallen to them in the 2nd round, and considering the depth of the draft, possibly even the 3rd. However, despite the negatives of this pick, Dabbs can jump straight into AAA ball, and will surely be part of Astoria's spring training roster next season. Lowest upside of the first round but a very high floor.
Comparison: Sandy Gonzalez at 3B
Whatever happens, this draft is a hard one to grade, and it'll be even harder to project the future of this long awaited first round. Whether it begins a contact revolution in WPBL or not, this draft will be remembered for the sheer anticipation of these prospects, and everyone will be watching hard to see where these 12 blue-chip prospects end up. Who booms and who busts? Only time will tell.
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