National Professional FastPitch Mock Draft Rounds Three and Four
As we continue to move closer to the National Pro Fast Pitch Draft, these are the mock projections for the next two rounds in the NPF Draft.
Round 3
#13 Scrap Yard Dawgs- Chelsea Wilkinson, P, Georgia
Having a great pitching staff is the most important part of being a successful team. Kevin Shelton knows that as he developed a solid staff last year with the Dallas Charge. Fortunately for the Dawgs one of the best pitchers in the SEC fell to them. The University of Georgia has a great track record of developing successful players and Wilkinson shouldn’t be any different. The highly accomplished pitcher from Georgia would immediately be able to come in and contribute right away.
#14 Pennsylvania Rebellion- Haylie McCleney, OF, Alabama
The only reason McCleney fell this far in the draft is because of her Team USA commitment. But her .465/.444/.436 hit line speaks for itself and it would be a welcome sight for the Rebellion. Although she will spend most of the year with Team USA we may see her for parts of the season. If she doesn’t show up to Pennsylvania the Rebellion have her rights and would be wise to try to sign her later. She also has the potential to be long term depth in helping the Rebellion rebuild.
#15 Dallas Charge- Bianka Bell, SS, LSU
Last season the Dallas Charge didn’t seem to have a lot of power. Drafting Bell would not only give them more power but it would give them the best shortstop in the draft. Bell does have a Team USA national team commitment but could still play part of the year. That is the only reason why a talented player like her would drop this far. If she doesn’t play this season the Charge would want to try to sign her next season. Her .347/.337/.415 hit line would be too good to pass up.
#16 Pennsylvania Rebellion (Acquired from the Racers) – Heather Stearns, P, Baylor
Allyson Fournier retired in the offseason. It would be smart of the Rebellion to get more pitching depth. Stearns should fit the bill, she would not only bring great depth to a solid Charge pitching staff but she would bring a great clubhouse presence. For the past two seasons she has been the leader of a young Baylor pitching staff. Her off-speed pitches would bring a new tempo to the Rebellion pitching staff as well.
#17 Chicago Bandits- Lilly Fecho, P, Purdue
The Bandits have had lots of success with local talent. Kirsten Verdun appears to not be returning since she wasn’t resigned and the Bandits need an arm to replace her. Fecho would give the Bandits a second left handed starter next to Monica Abbott (If and when they resign her). Fecho is the best strikeout pitcher in the draft and would fill the spot left by Verdun. Given the Bandits track record with local talent this has the potential to be a home run pick for them.
#18 USSSA Pride- Emily Carosone, 2B, Auburn
This pick is merely for depth purposes. This year’s second base class is way too deep for the Pride to skip the position. The Pride have Courtney Ceo and rookie of the year Shelby Pendley saw time over at second base as well. She may get a few looks at that position but she might be the designated player depending on how she does batting.
Round 4
#19 Scrap Yard Dawgs- Stephanie Canfield, OF, Arkansas
Judging by her .381/.348/.320 she is a terrific hitter for average. That is something the Dawgs are going to need in order to be competitive this season. Canfield has the potential to help make the Dawgs outfield depth very deep.
#20 Akron Racers (Acquired from the Scrap Yard Dawgs)- Lexie Elkins, C, Louisiana-Lafayette
With Haley Outon’s future up in the air catching has become a need. Even though they have second year player Griffin Joiner they still need the depth. Fortunately for the Racers the best catcher in the draft has fallen into the fourth round. Joiner is good defensively but she struggled mightily with the bat hitting only .129. The Racers struggled to get the big hit and it plagued them all season and in the NPF championships. Elkins hit line of .288 /.388/.426 is going to be way too good for the Racers to pass her up. She would complement the line up well. Even if she doesn’t start at catcher she would be a great bat coming off the bench.
#21 Pennsylvania Rebellion- Koral Costa, OF, Oregon
The Rebellion are looking to add more pop to their lineup. Costa would solidify the depth in the outfield. Her .207/.355/.356 shows you she could be a good bat coming off the bench.
#22 Chicago Bandits (Acquired from the Charge) - Tiffany Howard, OF, Auburn
The Bandits have a need for more outfield depth. Howard would fit in because she brings a speed element to the lineup. Also, her .310/.277/.415 hit line is too good to pass up. Great contact hitter and her RBI total has gone up each season from eight and six to twenty five. This season her RBI total will surpass last year’s career high. She also hasn’t committed an error since 2014. Howard would help make an already fast Bandit line up even faster.
#23 Akron Racers- Andrea Hawkins, OF, Alabama
The Racers need a fourth outfielder. Hawkins would not only be a good one to have but she provides more speed. The Racers didn’t have any speed last year and Hawkins would help solve that problem. Hawkins would be great to use as a pinch hitter and runner to manufacture more runs.
#24 Chicago Bandits- Sami Fagan, INF, Missouri
The Bandits are going to need some more infield depth. Fagan is very versatile and she brings a great bat to the lineup. I see the Bandits using her at third base since Amber Patton retired. Although veteran Natalie Hernandez has played over there a little bit it wouldn’t hurt to have a completion for the position. It also wouldn’t hurt for the Bandits to add another power bat coming off the bench.
#25 USSSA Pride- Alaynie Page, OF, South Carolina
To solidify the outfield depth the Pride are going to go with Alaynie Page. Page was a major factor in turning the Gamecocks softball program around. Page would help replace the speed that the Pride are losing since Natasha Wately retired. She would be someone good to have come off the bench.
#26 Scrap Yard Dawgs- Rainey Gaffin, P/UT, Tennessee
Gaffin is the most versatile player in the draft. Not only can she play in the field but she can pitch as well. The Dawgs would be getting a “Lauren Haeger” like player if they draft her. Although she does have a Team USA commitment it wouldn’t be for the national team. Gaffin would have the opportunity to play most of the year. The Weekly’s have always developed great professional softball players I wouldn’t expect Gaffin to be any different.
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