Contributed by Suster Bork
For the third consecutive draft, we have had what is seemingly the most stacked first round in WPBL history. Starring fearsome high upside talents of the likes of Gerbil Jorgenson and Rick Budweiser as well as WPBL-ready college bats like Dale Honda and Honk Sanderson, if there's any draft class destined to change the league for good, it's this one.
Astoria Fighting Chinooks - 1: CF Honk Sanderson - B-
This pick reeks of Astoria. In terms of upside, this pick doesn't necessarily reach to the top of the class, but Sanderson still exhibits a level of talent that has wowed college scouts, showcasing a balanced profile that should play decently well in most of the league's parks. In terms of his upside, 65 grade contact and discipline should allow him to routinely maintain OBPs above .360, while his triple plus speed and gap hitting ability should create an extra base machine in Astoria's big park, and he should routinely be able to push for 2 or even 3 bases on batted balls into the gaps. His elite speed also translates into the field, as some scouts believe that he has the defensive capabilities to unseat Luis Herrera from CF in Astoria.
Sanderson has a relatively low-risk profile that should develop relatively well, but he will likely need to work on his plate discipline before being permitted to advance farther up the minors, as he both has and is projected to have issues with striking out. For Astoria, their park could prevent them from being able to harness Sanderson's full power potential. At his floor, Sanderson could likely still have a place as a replacement level player or a solid CF in the WPBL, thanks to his strong defensive skills.
Comparison: Joe Watts with a Gold-calibre Glove in CF
Crescent City Kodiaks - 2: SP Pringle D'Angelo - A+
Pringle D'Angelo is the standout pitching prospect of the class, and international scouts have been touting him to be the next pitching GOAT ever since he was discovered back in 2024, and it's immediately clear as to why he is so highly regarded. Despite not being the hardest throwing high schooler, only sporting a max velocity of 93 MPH on his fastball, scouts believe that he has immense potential with his Curveball and Slider, with some scouts believing that those two pitches and his overall repertoire have 80 grade upside. D'Angelo should have no trouble limiting home runs in the WPBL, with plus movement to go with the league's massive ballparks. He has shown a slight propensity to be wild at times, but at his upside, elite strikeout stuff and good instincts with runners on base should prevent that from becoming an issue.
Obviously, high schoolers come with a great degree of risk, but Pringle has a relatively easy pitch mix to develop, as well as a decent work ethic and a clubhouse presence that could aid his development.
Comparison: Gabe Castaneda with more stamina
Coeur d'Alene Striking Miners - 3: SP Sammy Galaxy - B
Sammy Galaxy is probably the riskiest pick of the first round but also has one of it's most enticing upsides. Hailing from the state of New Mexico, Galaxy is a lanky right hander who has a lot of room to grow into his frame. Only 18 years old, Galaxy's fastball currently tops out at 94 MPH, and is supported by a sinker, curveball, and changeup, and scouts believe that he has plus or even plus plus upside on all 4 of his pitches. His path to the majors is definitely going to be one of striking batters out left and right, as amateur scouts rate his pitch repertoire very highly. He likely won't ever be the greatest at limiting walks and the long ball, but Galaxy is skilled at one thing in particular - Ks.
However, Galaxy's profile is one of substantial risk. Galaxy has issues with the free pass, and will likely struggle to reach the majors if he continues to walk batters at a high rate in the minors. And though his 1,2, and 3 pitches are very well developed for his age, he will likely need to devote a lot of time towards developing his changeup, a challenge that has fazed many other high upside high school arms to precede him. There's a lot that needs to go right for him, but he likely has a spot reserved for him at the top of a future Striking Miners rotation if he is able to overcome it.
Comparison: Gabe Castaneda
Great Falls Black Eagles - 4: COF Gerbil Jorgensen - A+
In terms of pure hitting upside, the sheer amount of talent in Jorgensen's stick is unprecedented. Scouts have already begun comparing him to the best of the best in the WPBL, and I think it would be an understatement to say that he has anything short of magic stuffed in his bat. Some hitters use corked bats, but whatever substance Gerbil Jorgensen applies to his bat puts all other hitters to shame. Scouts have near-unanimously slapped the 80-grade badge on both his contact and power hitting upsides, and even at the college-level, whatever he hits, goes deep. If Jorgenson reaches his unprecedented upside, his ability to drive the ball should allow for him to set WPBL home run records, especially in a power friendly Great Falls ball park.
Even in terms of his floor, Jorgenson should probably be able to immediately insert himself in AA ball, and should benefit greatly from his advantage versus righty pitchers. The only visible weaknesses in his profile are his lack of discipline and high strikeout numbers, two things that contribute to an argument for starting him in A ball instead of AA ball, as well as his below-par CF defense which likely makes him better suited for the corners or even first base. If Jorgenson has trouble hitting lefties at his ceiling, he could be a platoon option for a very good team, but he should likely remain playable versus southpaws.
Comparison: John Wolverton
Walla Walla Wallabies - 5: COF Dale Honda - A
Considered by many to be a lefty Sanderson, Dale Honda is yet another hitter with a very balanced profile. It can almost be said that Honda comes with the same benefits and risks associated with his righty counterpart, and much like Sanderson, has a very high floor. Plus contact and a triple plus ability to drive the ball into the gaps, decent plate discipline, and pop that should play perfectly in Eric O'Flaherty Field, as well as the speed to stretch singles into double and doubles into three-baggers.
Unlike the man who went first overall, Honda should be able to steal a handful of bags, though he still has to work on his jump if he wants to be anything more than an occasional base stealer. Defensively, Honda is probably better suited for the corners, where he has a plus glove, but he can play center field in a pinch and 1B if the corners are occupied by better gloves.
Honda struggles with strikeouts and could frequently be fooled by lefty power pitchers, and he likely develops into platoon bat in most outcomes, but one cannot understate the sheer amount of upside Honda has. His hitting profile likely leaves him a tier below Jorgensen and Sanderson, but he is an incredible grab at 5 and will likely begin his minor league career in AA.
Comparison: Prime Chris Mistretta
Gillette Bison - 6: COF Marcell Phone - B+
In a draft class filled with left-handed HS corner outfielders, Marcell Phone is probably the best high school hitter in the class. He's not a spectacular defender, nor a menace on the bases. He doesn't really have a ton of pop either, but Marcell Phone has one thing going for him, and he does it better than anyone else in the class. He puts the ball in play. It's a simple thing really, and though it doesn't have the allure of massive men who hit extra bases like it's their job (which it is) or the speedy defensive and base-stealing stalwarts, there is a place for a guy like Marcell Phone in every team in baseball. Is this guy years away from the bigs? Yeah, no doubt there. Is he flashy? No comment. All I can say is that good things happen when the ball is put in play, and more than anyone else that I've hyped up with the following phrase, he is meant for WPBL baseball.
If Marcell can quickly adapt to Single A baseball, fans can definitely start to look forward to the alluring Marcell Phone. There's definitely some inherent risk to picking a high schooler in the first round, but Phone really only needs one thing to work out for him in order to get a major league job down the line.
Comparison: Brian Sicard minus the baserunning prowess
Victoria Geese - 7: Tennessee Jangle - B-
Jangle really is just Phone without a glove, and the fact that this pick could be considered a reach is really a testament to the sheer strength of the class. If he reaches his upside, Jangle is another clear contender for batting titles, and the sheer simplicity of his trade is really something to marvel upon. This has been said a lot already, but Jangle is another member of the balls-in-play school of hitting, something that should play well at the major league level.
Of course, development is tricky for high schoolers and even more so for switch hitters with notable splits, but I really don't doubt that he has the upside to play near the top of most WPBL lineups if he fulfills his potential.
The ceiling is pretty high, but his evident lack of tools places the floor near the dirt.
Comparison: Gumball Washington minus the baserunning prowess
Astoria Fighting Chinooks - 8: COF Daniel Horse Johnson - A-
To echo the words of Brad Pitt in that weird sports movie that doesn't (maybe) exist in the WPBL universe, he gets on base. With a hit tool that some scouts have graded up at plus-plus, as well as plus discipline, Horse-Johnson likely has the tools required to put up the occasional .400 OBP season if he reaches toward his upside. DHJ also sports a plus plus ability to drive the ball into the gaps, and likely has the speed to frequently leg out extra base hits, a likely contributing factor towards him being picked this high. Horse-Johnson has decent power, though he likely will never hit more than 5 or 6 home runs in a season, he puts the ball in play enough to make that amount a possibility.
However, despite his speed, Horse-Johnson isn't a base-stealing threat, and the fact that he will likely have to start in A-ball will concern some members of the Fighting Chinooks organization. It's too early to say whether or not his profile will develop into that of a platoon bat, but it is always a possibility for some lefties and switch hitters.
Great ceiling but he will likely have more trouble getting there than most college bats.
Comparison: Lefty Tim Sistrunk
Astoria Fighting Chinooks - 9: 2B/DH Buff England - B+
In a lot of ways, Buff England feels like a righty version of Tennessee Jangle. There's just a lot of uncertainty with this pick, and it's hard to say how this pick could turn out for Astoria. Across the board, England has a very balanced batting profile, and offensively, nearly every tool of his has the potential to be plus, with word of potential triple plus contact being tossed around by scouts. He should be able to do everything decently well, as he possesses the upside to draw 50 walks a season, hit double digit home runs, and steal a couple of bases, making him a threat at the plate and someone to keep an eye on when on-base.
However, the one true problem with Buff England is that he might, in reality, be positionless. Though listed at 2B, England would be a major defensive liability there, and likely doesn't have a home at 3B or in the outfield either. Though he could play first base, he likely doesn't have the height to and is probably better suited as a DH for a contending team, and if he does play the field, a very strong infield defense would likely be required to make up for his deficiencies.
Additionally, England is probably going to start off in A-ball, and despite his age and college pedigree, is relatively raw. If he develops, Buff England could be one of the most fearsome bats in the WPBL, but there are definitely going to be some obstacles in his path.
Comparison: Prime Mac Johannson without the glove
Coeur D'Alene Striking Miners - 10: SP Rick Budweiser - A++
Rick Budweiser falling to 10 is a travesty for seemingly everyone but the CDA Miners, because Budweiser very well may be the best pitcher in the class. First of all, Budweiser sports a monster repertoire of 6 pitches, containing a well-balanced pitch mix of fastballs, changeups, and breaking balls. Miners Field is one of the smallest in the league, and the DC-native possesses one of the most movement-heavy pitching profiles ever seen by WPBL scouts, and his near triple-plus ability to limit the long ball should really help him out if he reaches the major leagues. Though he has struggled with the free pass in college ball, scouts believe that he should be able to get it under control in professional baseball, and he definitely has the potential to improve in that regard.
The most impressive part of Budweiser's profile has to be his massive 6'6" frame, which, if harnessed correctly, could allow him to add a couple of ticks to his fastball with the help of pitching coaches in the minor leagues. Though his fastball currently sits around 94-96 MPH, adding a couple of ticks could advance his repertoire to an elite level.
Obviously, it isn't easy to develop pitching, but fans of the Striking Miners know the sheer quality of the arm awaiting them, and this could really end up being the pick of the draft if everything goes as planned.
Comparison: Victor "Push Pop" Patterson
Lake Tahoe Mustangs - 11: 1B Kevin Villareal - C-
It can't be denied that Kevin Villareal has incredible upside, it just has to be said that he will have a very hard time getting there. At first glance, Kevin Villareal's batting profile is relatively ordinary for a highly touted high school prospect. The hit tool isn't exactly plus but he shouldn't have trouble hitting .250, and he's got the power to drive the ball into the gaps and out of the park. Scouts believe that he could grow into the mold of an incredibly patient hitter at the plate, drawing plenty of walks and not striking out as much as many of the other hitters that went ahead of him in the first round, but I have an issue with this. At this point in time, Kevin Villareal is not the patient hitter that scouts believe he can be, and I don't think he ever will be that hitter. The issue is that Villareal isn't just raw, he's incredibly raw. Right now, it'll be years before he ever gets reps in A ball, and even if he does get reps immediately, he will struggle immensely. Yeah, high school players are usually very rare, but it's hard to think that someone will develop an 80 grade tool when it's barely developed right now. It also doesn't help that Rich Cumbee is the hitting coach for the Lake Tahoe Mustangs.
If he develops to his ceiling, he could be an impactful player, but his floor is right down there with the lowest in the class.
Comparison: Dana Krynski
Walla Walla Wallabies - 12: CF Billy Peanut - B
In a move that feels very similar to Astoria picking Patrick Dabbs with the 12th pick of the first round last season, Walla Walla has chosen to play it safe by picking Billy Peanut, a player with one of the highest floors in the class. In terms of sheer offensive ability, Peanut really embodies a contact philosophy. He likely won't ever hit a major league home run and doesn't walk at all. Billy Peanut pretty much drives everything thrown at him down the line, and he has one of the most distinct small ball profiles in the entire draft class. Peanut never strikes out, never walks, and never hits it out of the park, and his style of play could work out very well for him if utilized correctly. He is also one of the fastest runners in the draft class and is an exemplary bunter, skilled at turning bunts into hits.
Though Peanut doesn't have a place in the heart of a team's lineup, he has offensive capabilities that make him worth keeping around. On top of his offensive game, Peanut is an elite centerfielder with incredible range that should place him amongst the ranks of other plus defensive talents in the league.
Ultimately, though Peanut's ceiling doesn't even compare to the 11 prospects that went ahead of him, his floor is probably that of an excellent defensive CF and a prodigal slap hitter.
Comparison: Prime Josh Withers
We could try to compare this draft class to ones of past years, but it's just so hard to do. The sheer number of lefty bats, contact-hitting machines, and high-stuff power pitchers is simply unprecedented, and this one will be widely scrutinized for years to come. Do draft steals like Rick Budweiser reach the heights of stars like Push Pop? Sanderson or Jorgenson? The answers to all our questions await us in the future, and only time will tell.
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