National Professional FastPitch Mock Draft Rounds One and Two
The National Professional FastPitch Softball League will be having its senior draft on April 14th, at 7:00 PM at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. The 90 minute televised event will be broadcasted on the CBS Sports Network. This means the National Professional Fastpitch season is right around the corner. The draft itself is the first big event of the year for the NPF. The league uses it as an opportunity to show case current and future stars of a sport that is gaining popularity. The six team league will select 40 seniors from the collegiate level to possibly join the ranks of USSSA Pride, Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Dallas Charge, Pennsylvania Rebellion, or the Scrap Yard Dawgs. Unlike most professional sports league the NPF only lets college seniors be drafted.
Round 1
#1 Pennsylvania Rebellion – Sierra Romero, 2B, Michigan
As a team last year the Rebellion managed to hit just .214, the only player who had a decent year hitting was Alisa Goler who hit .270. The second base position was also a platoon between Haruna Sakamoto and Sarah Prezioso. With the first pick the Rebellion will go for the best player available and that is Romero. Romero holds most of the major offensive records in Michigan’s softball program history and would add way more pop to a weak Pennsylvania offense. There also isn’t a Team USA commitment making Romero and “must get” player for the Rebellion.
#2 USSSA Pride (Acquired from the Charge) – Allexis Bennett, OF, UCLA
Bennett is a very great hitter and solid outfielder from Los Angeles. The only outfielders on the Pride roster are Megan Wiggins and Kelly Kretschman. Those are also the only two players whose starting positions are a lock. Bennett is sharp defensively, has speed on the base paths, and a terrific bat. The other Pride outfielders Emilee Koerner and Bre’jae Washington are now on the expansion Scrap Yard Dawgs making outfield a huge need. Drafting Bennett would add to the Pride’s star studded line up, giving them another young future cornerstone player, and she would give them much needed outfield depth. She also has the potential to be long term depth in case Kretschman decides to retire in a season or two.
#3 Akron Racers – Alex Hugo, 2B, Georgia
With the loss of Jill Barrett the Racers will probably move Ashley Thomas over to shortstop. With Thomas being possibly moved over drafting an everyday second baseman is most likely in Joey Arrietta’s plans. Hugo is a strong power hitter and is alright defensively. She would fit right into the Racers power hitting philosophy.
#4 Akron Racers (Acquired from the Bandits) – Jailyn Ford, P, James Madison
Pitching was the Racers Achilles heel last season. Last season they had a league worst 3.75 earned run average as a staff. Their problems with pitching won’t get any easier since Lisa Norris retired and Rachele Fico’s future is uncertain. This makes pitching more of a bigger need then it was before. Drafting Ford would give them the best left handed pitcher in the draft. The Racers need a southpaw in that rotation which is filled with all right handers.
#5 USSSA Pride – Lindsey Stephens, OF, Texas
Don Dedonatis is going to use this pick on another outfielder to bolster the depth. Stephens has proven to be a great power hitter. Stephens would give the Pride not only even greater outfield depth but another dangerous hitter to their lineup. She’ll have the opportunity to compete for a starting outfield spot.
#6 Scrap Yard Dawgs – Missy Taukeiaho, 3B, Cal State-Fullerton
The Dawgs have a need for a true third baseman. Since transferring from the University of Washington Taukeiaho has become a two time all American. She brings some power and is prolific RBI hitter. She would fill the hot corner need for the Scrap Yard Dawgs.
Round 2
#7 Scrap Yard Dawgs – Shelby Turnier, P, UCF
Both Jaclyn Traina and Sara Nevins will be spending most of the year with Team USA. This leaves them with only Katie Cotta and Rachel Fox. Turnier would be a great addition because she could immediately fit into the system, and be a major part of getting this team off the ground.
#8 Pennsylvania Rebellion – Kelsey Stewart, SS, Florida
Kelsey Stewart does have a Team USA commitment. But with Team USA and the NPF working together we could possibly see the record breaking hitter later in the season. In case we don’t see her it would be worth it for the Rebellion to keep the rights for next year.
#9 Dallas Charge – Shellie Landry, OF, Louisiana-Lafayette
The Charge are in need of some outfield depth. Landry would not only add depth but she would add power to the lineup.
#10 Akron Racers – Kayla Bonstrom, UT, Stanford
The Racers have a huge hole to fill at first base. The great part about drafting Bonstrom is she is very versatile as a player. First base also happens to be her best position as she has been named All-American at that position. Not only can she play first base but she can play anywhere. She also brings a great bat to the lineup. She is stellar defensively and would be a day one starter.
#11 Chicago Bandits – Emily Crane, OF, Missouri
The only outfielders currently on the Bandits roster are Emily Allard and Brenna Moss. This makes drafting an outfielder the defending Cowles Cup champions’ biggest need. Crane is great defensively and would make them even faster on the base paths. With her .376/.389/.363 hit line she would fit in very well to the Bandits lineup.
#12 USSSA Pride – Cheridan Hawkins, P, Oregon
The Pride love big name players and Cat Osterman retired. Hawkins Team USA commitment caused her drop this far which is great for the Pride. The difference though between her commitment and the national team is it wouldn’t be for as long. She would possibly still get to play for June and a fair amount of July and August. Drafting Hawkins would make an already good Pride pitching staff even better. With the Pride also hiring Lonnie Almeda who is terrific at developing pitchers Hawkins should thrive.
Stay tuned for more from Eric Katz on National Pro Fastpitch @Sportsteamnews
