The 2016 NPF Draft took place last night in Nashville and, as always, interesting tidbits abound.
For those of you who may have missed the festivities, here’s the full draft order:
- Rebellion – Lexie Elkins, C, Louisiana-Lafayette
- Pride – Sierra Romero, IF, Michigan
- Racers – Jailyn Ford, P, James Madison
- Racers – Sami Fagan, IF, Missouri
- Pride – Kelsey Nunley, P, Kentucky
- Dawgs – Kiki Stokes, OF, Nebraska
- Dawgs – Emily Crane, OF, Missouri
- Rebellion – Allexis Bennett, OF, UCLA
- Charge – Caitlin Attfield, IF, UAB
- Racers – Alex Hugo, 2B, Georgia
- Bandits – Shelby Turnier, P, UCF
- Pride – Kelsey Stewart, 2B, Florida
- Pride – Haylie McCleney, OF, Alabama
- Rebellion – Chelsea Wilkinson, P, Georgia
- Charge – Taylor Gadbois, OF, Missouri
- Rebellion – Chaley Brickey, IF, Kansas
- Bandits – Kellsi Kloss, C, LSU
- Pride – Erica Field, C, James Madison
- Dawgs – Lexi Overstreet, C/UT, Tennessee
- Racers – Geri Ann Glasco, P/OF, Oregon
- Rebellion – Lindsey Stephens, OF, Texas
- Bandits – Emily Carosone, 2B, Auburn
- Racers – Sandra Simmons, 1B, LSU
- Bandits – Kristen Brown, SS, North Carolina
- Pride – Kirsti Merritt, OF, Florida
- Dawgs – Christian Stokes, IF, Kentucky
- Dawgs – Sara Driesenga, P, Michigan
- Rebellion – Brittany Gomez, OF, Iowa State
- Charge – Cheridan Hawkins, P, Oregon
- Racers – Hannah Day, UT, Troy
- Racers – Emily Messer, 3B, South Alabama
- Pride – Heather Stearns, P, Baylor
- Dawgs – Lee Ann Spivey, C, South Florida
- Dawgs – Taylore Fuller, 1B, Florida
- Rebellion – Kayla Winkfield, IF, Mississippi State
- Rebellion – Bianka Bell, SS, LSU
- Racers – Hannah Perryman, P, Missouri-St. Louis
- Charge – Alyssa Gillespie, OF, Oregon
- Pride – Aubree Munro, C, Florida
- Dawgs – Mikela Manewa, IF, Oregon State
BREAKING IT DOWN
The SEC led the way with eighteen players selected, 45% of the evening's picks. The PAC-12 ran a distant second with five players selected, while the Big 12 had four. The Sun Belt and Big 10 had three each. The Colonial Athletic Association and American Athletic had two a piece, while Conference USA, ACC, and Division II's Great Lakes Valley Conference were represented by a single player's selection.
The state of Florida, buoyed by a quartet of Gators being selected, led the way with six players from in-state schools being drafted. The state of Alabama close behind with five, all five of whom each came from a different school - Alabama; Auburn; South Alabama; UAB; and Troy all saw players chosen throughout the night.
Five teams saw their first-ever player drafted to the NPF last night, including Mickey Dean's James Madison squad that saw both members of their starting battery head to the pros in Jailyn Ford and Erica Field.
Six players with Team USA ties were chosen, including three by the Pride and one each by Dallas, Chicago, and Pennsylvania.
With the selection of Hannah Perryman at #37 overall, the Akron Racers quietly made history. Perryman is the first-ever Division II player to be drafted to the NPF.
ANALYSIS:
Many of the teams stuck to their traditional draft strategies; the Pride filled a few holes, then whoever was best available on the board. The Racers elected to pass on some players from big-name schools in favor of players from smaller schools who have their own stellar statistics. Chicago made the most of their draft picks and figure to again take advantage of the freedom of open tryouts. The Charge did well in grabbing speed and talent early, picking up a couple of West Coast players late who will likely have a marginal impact, due in part to the PAC schedule.
TEAM GRADES:
Akron: A
Chicago: B+
Dallas: B-
Houston/SYD: D-
Pennsylvania: C-
USSSA: B-
POST-DRAFT “AWARDS”
Team That Best Filled Their Needs: Racers
Best Sleeper Pick: Hannah Day, Racers
Biggest Steal: Kirsti Merritt, Pride
Biggest Freefall: Aubree Munro, Pride
Biggest Surprise: Kiki Stokes, SYD/Erica Field, USSSA
Player Drafted Way Too High: Kiki Stokes, Houston/Scrap Yard
Player Drafted Way Too Low: Kirsti Merritt, Pride
Best Player(s) Not Drafted: Missy Taukeiaho, Cal State Fullerton; Shellie Landry, Louisiana-Lafayette; Kate Poppe, Villanova; Erin Miller, Oklahoma
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