Chicago Bandits Sign Morgan Foley

Fresh off a stellar four-year career with Division 2 powerhouse Indianapolis, ace pitcher Morgan Foley has signed with the Chicago Bandits.

(c) UIndy Sports Info

The dominant hurler is UIndy's all-time wins leader and will be the first Division 2 player to ever suit up for the Bandits, who are coming off a league championship in 2015 and looking to shore up their rotation and pitching staff following the departure of all-time great Monica Abbott this offseason.

During her career at UIndy, Foley set three school records including wins (140), strikeouts (1,659), and innings pitched (1027). She registered eight career no-hitters.

Foley is second all-time in Division II history in strikeouts, behind only fellow 2016 NPF rookie Hannah Perryman, who was drafted by the Akron Racers. Foley got the "W" in the duo's only true head-to-head matchup this season, registering eighteen strikeouts and allowing just one hit and two runs in the conference tournament against Perryman's UMSL squad.

For 2016, Foley finished the season with a 40-4 record and 0.85 ERA. She collected 487 strikeouts in 272 innings of work. She allowed just twenty-one extra base hits and opponents hit just .133 against her. Throughout her entire career, Foley never allowed opponents to hit higher than .166 against her.

Also on the strikeout front, Foley holds the NCAA record for most strikeouts in a single game with thirty, a record she set in a thirteen-inning affair.

Dallas Charge Signs Brittany Schutte

Talk about a surprising move. This might be the best under-the-radar signing with the biggest potential upside all offseason. Former Florida Gators all-American Brittany Schutte has signed with the Dallas Charge.

A former first-team all-American, Schutte's career path is an interesting one. In 2010 and 2011, she earned all-tournament honors at the Women's College World Series and was named an NFCA first-team all-American in 2011, as well. She was the undoubted centerpiece of the Gator lineup at one time, a powerful bat and capable of playing multiple defensive positions.

In 2012, a jaw injury halted her junior campaign and she missed several weeks of the regular season befor e returning for the Gators' abbreviated postseason run. Schutte elected to forgo her senior season of playing eligibility and took a high school coaching job in 2013.

Also a former member of the US National Team, Schutte will be the second ex-Gator to join first-year head coach Jen Rocha in Dallas.

Charge general manager Kevin Shelton called Schutte "just the kind of player we're looking for - she's a teacher, so she has summers free to play; she wants to play; and she's tall and has power."

Schutte attended the Charge's open tryout and has signed a three-year deal with the club.

Monica Abbot Signs Six-Year Deal w/ Scrap Yard Dawgs

Monica Abbott, widely considered the best active pitcher in the game, has signed a six-year free-agent contract, a "million-dollar deal", with the Scrap Yard Dawgs, the newest expansion team in the National Pro Fastpitch league.

Abbott, 30, has pitched for the Chicago Bandits for the last five seasons, and the Dawgs will be her fifth NPF team overall since entering the league in 2007. She took the 2008 season off to participate in the Olympics as a member of Team USA.

A Tennessee Lady Vol from 2004-2007, Abbott cemented her status as the program's living legend when she ended her career with 189 career wins, an ERA of 0.79, and 2,440 career strikeouts. She ended her collegiate career as the NCAA's all-time leader in six categories, including wins, strikeouts, shutouts, and innings pitched, among others. She was named the National Player of the Year in 2007.

Abbott led the NPF in 2015 with an 0.31 ERA and her thirteen wins were second in the league. She allowed only thirty-two hits in 90.1 innings of work, striking out 149 over the same period of time. Her dominance was integral in the Bandits' taking home the Cowles Cup as the league champions.

The six-year deal is structured interestingly to fit within the league's $150,000 salary cap. Abbott's base salary will annually be $20,000, with the rest of the $1,000,000 sum being filled through various bonuses based on attendance numbers. The league's attendance fluctuate based on many different factors, including at various venues, but various news outlets have reported a minimum of 100 fans in attendance triggers many of the bonuses, as do several other factors.

Abbott will turn thirty-seven in the midst of the final year of the contract, which stretches to 2021. As Graham Hays of ESPNW noted, the deal seems to be particularly structured toward allowing Abbott's return to international competition should softball be re-allowed into the Olympics for the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

The signing makes Abbott the fourth former Lady Vol to join the Dawgs for their first season of play, joining fellow former Tennessee stars Ivy & Ellen Renfroe and Madison Shipman.

The timing of the contract's announcement is interesting, as well, as the Bandits had placed the franchise tag on Abbott to allow for exclusive negotiation up to the tag's expiration on May 1. That the contract with such intricately-woven language would be finalized in such a short period of time is intriguing. The Dawgs will have to forfeit their 2017 first-round draft selection to the Bandits due to signing the tagged player.

Where Are They Now: Maggie Hull

Who is she? Maggie Hull, a former all-American outfielder and record holder for the Kansas Jayhawks.

(c) Kansas Athletics

What is she known for? Hull was an outfield stalwart and a steady bat in the lineup for four years at KU.... in her senior season, she led three statistical categories and ranked in the top ten in six others. Upon her graduation, she held the Jayhawk program's career batting average record as well as the single-season mark of .456 among others. She was three times named to the all-conference team;  twice all-region; and finally was awarded all-American honors in her senior season of 2013. Following her senior season, she joined the Chicago Bandits of the NPF as their 11th-overall selection in the 2013 draft.

Here's something interesting... At KU, Maggie played all four years with her twin sister, Rosie. The identical twins were both outfielders and were named to the Academic all-Big 12 First Team each of the final three years of their careers... Maggie also is a writer and runs her own website, "Competing for His Glory". Her site contains first-hand takes on many aspects from Maggie's life, including as a student-athlete, pro athlete, coach, wife, and Christian.

Quotable quote: "In my post-playing life, I try to commit fully and whole-heartedly to any task at hand, not letting the fear of failure paralyze me, yet embracing the process and knowing that God uses the hard times and the failures to refine me, mature me, and transform me into the woman that He created me to be."

What's she up to now? After her playing career ended following her rookie season with the Bandits, Maggie is back in Lawrence, home of the Jayhawks. Now Maggie Hull-Tietz following her marriage, she and her husband Kevin are part of the Young Life College ministry at KU. Kevin is a full-time staff member while Maggie works in a variety of roles and right now is a volunteer.

In addition to her ministry opportunities, Maggie works part-time as a TV Analyst for ESPN3.com and other networks and recently accepted the position of Director of Softball Operations for the Jayhawks softball team, a job she’ll start on June 1^st of this year!

Keep up: You can find Maggie on Twitter @maggietietz or via her website, competingforhisglory.com

2016 NPF Draft Preview

The NPF Draft takes place tonight. As a preview of the action to come, let's take a look at each team's biggest needs and positions of depth, as well as some of the top players available.

AKRON RACERS
Joey Arrietta's squad has shown themselves competitive over the last couple of seasons, thanks in large part to minimal fluctuation of the roster and some low-profile draft picks and UFA signings that turned out well on the positive side. Following the trade of Jill Barrett, however, and the likely departure of Rachele Fico, the Racers will once again be in the market for some under-the-radar big-time playmakers.

PITCHING: Signed to the Racers' roster already are right-handed pitchers Aimee Creger; Alison Owen; Laura Winter; and Sarah Pauly. Fico received the franchise tag, but has not been officially signed. There are no left-handed pitchers on the roster at this point in time.

CATCHING: Second-year player Griffin Joiner is the only catcher actually on the roster at this point in time; Haley Outon also received a franchise tag, but likewise has yet to be resigned. Jessica Garcia, who split starting backstop duties last season with Outon, was traded to the USSSA Pride this offseason.

INFIELD: Following the afore-mentioned trade of Barrett, the hot-hitting super-utility player, the Racers only roster three true infielders at this point in time - Ashley Thomas, Kelley Montalvo, and Sam Fischer. Fischer has a Team USA commitment for part of the summer, so cannot be counted on for more than 1/2 of the season.

OUTFIELD: The one position the Racers are fully set in the depth department is the outfield. With five solid outfielders - namely A.J. Andrews, Jenny Gilbert, Shellie Robinson, Taylor Schlopy, and Cassie Tysarczyk - any future injury issues can be compensated for and covered sufficiently.

DRAFT PICKS: #3 (first round); #4 (first); #10 (second); #20 (fourth); #23 (fourth); #30 (fifth); #31 (fifth); #37 (sixth)

BIGGEST NEEDS: LHP; 1B; C; IF; IF; C; RHP

CHICAGO BANDITS
The reigning Cowles Cup champions will have to do some retooling this season following the offseason retirements of some key players, including star shortstop Tammy Williams, who made the move official just this week. It may be difficult to grab many of the A-list collegiate stars with their first pick coming at #11 overall, but Aaron Moore has a good eye for talent outside of the 'A-list'.

PITCHING: On the right-handed side of the circle, the Bandits have 2014 NCAA Player of the Year Lacey Waldrop; Sarah Moulton; and Tatum Edwards. Michelle Gascoigne is the lone southpaw that has resigned thus-far. Monica Abbott received the franchise tag, and is likely to re-sign for 2016, but that is not a 100% surety.

CATCHING: Slugger Taylor Edwards is the only catcher on the roster, so there is a serious need once-again for depth behind the plate. It seems like forever ago that Bandits fans had the luxury of a three-catcher system, any one of whom could be an all-pro star.

INFIELD: The recipients of Jill Barrett in the trade with Akron, the Bandits do have several more infielders to work with, including Brittany Cervantes; Danielle Zymkowitz; Natalie Hernandez; Sammy Marshall; Megan Blank; and Barrett. The retirement of Williams, as well as starting third baseman Amber Patton, leaves two gaping holes in the starting lineup. With such late-round and a minimal number of picks, I expect the future starters at those positions to come from those already signed or from the Bandits' always-well-attended open tryouts.

OUTFIELD: Speedsters Emily Allard and Brenna Moss are the only outfielders signed to this point; both are capable and worthy of starting, but there's obviously a need for a third starter (they're fast, but not THAT fast) and depth.

DRAFT PICKS: #11 (second); #17 (third); #22 (fourth); #24 (fourth)

BIGGEST NEEDS: OF; C; OF; P

DALLAS CHARGE
No longer the league's newest franchise, the Charge are coming off a playoff appearance in their first season of existence and look to build on that, especially with new homegrown competition in the Scrap Yard Dawgs. GM Kevin Shelton is famous for building his roster in true building-block fashion, with several unheralded-but-capable players and giving them the chance to prove themselves, often to solid success.

PITCHING: Collegiate standout Lauren Haeger, as well as Aussie Vanessa Stokes and former Georgia Southern star Sarah Purvis suit up from the right side, while NPF veteran Morgan Melloh is the token southpaw on the staff. Jolene Henderson received the franchise tag, though her return remains up in the air.

CATCHING: The Charge are (alphabetically) the first team to have their catching situation under complete control. NPF veteran and Clint Myers product Kaylyn Castillo is joined by second-year player Vicky Galasso and Aussie signee Chelsea Forkin behind the dish.  The trio should all vie for starting time as the season wears on.

INFIELD: Shelton's team is covered at every position around the horn, thanks to the staying power of his draft selections in 2015. Kaitlyn Richardson; Ashley Burkhardt; Kahley Novak; Nadia Taylor; Danielle Henderson; Kylee Lahners; and Renada Davis all return this season, Taylor the only one of the group with more than a year's professional experience under her belt.

OUTFIELD: Similar to their counterparts in Chicago, the Charge return just two outfielders - Mikey Kenney and Brianna Cherry - and, while both are solid contributors, the need for depth and a third starter is obvious.

DRAFT PICKS: #9 (second); #15 (third); #29 (fifth); #38 (sixth)

BIGGEST NEEDS: OF; OF; P

PENNSYLVANIA REBELLION
Despite the change in ownership to solidify what was formerly the league's always-in-limbo franchise, the Rebellion haven't been able to get much out of the league cellar, even missing the playoffs last season in favor of first-year club Dallas. Issues with the coaching staff created rifts among some members of the roster and saw some players released despite talent and a history of production, but the Rebellion really need a steroid shot in the arm (proverbially speaking) to get some new life in them and make them competitive in 2016.

PITCHING: Former #1 overall pick Dallas Escobedo is joined on the right side by Emily Weiman and Emma Johnson; lefty second-year players Miranda Kramer and Haylie Wagner finish out the staff.

CATCHING: The Rebellion are set behind the plate with Kristyn Sandberg, Mandy Ogle, and Taylor Tsistsikronis, the Australian import. All three are signed just through this season, but the trio of them leave no real hole for a backstop that wants to do more than ride the pine.

INFIELD: Australian legend Stacey Porter should be handed a starting job on a silver platter; the Rebellion are well-covered across the infield, with Alisa Goler; Olivia Watkins; Sarah Prezioso; Cheyenne Cordes; Whitney Arion; and Team USA commit Raven Chavanne.

OUTFIELD: Victoria Hayward and Courtney Senas, both second-year players, are the only rostered outfielders as it stands now; the Rebellion will need to pick up at least two before the season begins, unless they intend to again use Ogle as an outfielder on a regular basis.

DRAFT PICKS: #1 (first); #8 (second); #14 (third); #16 (third); #21 (fourth); #28 (fifth); #35 (sixth); #36 (sixth)

BIGGEST NEEDS: OF; OF; corner IF; P

SCRAP YARD DAWGS
Don't tell new general manager Connie May that there are only moderate expectations for her club to win much in their inaugural season in the league; she is ready to build her team and challenge immediately. However likely or unlikely that prospect may be, the Dawgs' strategy thus far has been an interesting one, which makes their draft prospects even more so.

PITCHING: In the continuation of stocking their roster, the Dawgs have many holes. They've added four to their staff so far, though that number includes two Team USA products in Jackie Traina and Sara Nevins. Both are only likely available for 1/2 of a season, maximum. Rachel Fox and Katie Cotta currently make up the rest of the staff in the circle.

CATCHING: Former USSSA Pride catcher Amber Freeman was acquired in the so-called 'expansion draft', while former Texas A&M backstop Meagan May-Whitley and Team USA catcher Amanda Chidester finish out the round behind the plate. Despite Chidester's national team commitments, the Dawgs should be able to make it work without any added depth behind the plate.

INFIELD: The Dawgs now have even more holes in their infield, their most drastically-bare set of positions, thanks to the retirement of Megan Low after one season. Lexy Bennett, Britt Vonk, and Nerissa Myers make up the entire infield roster pre-draft. Of that group, only Myers has any professional experience and proven NPF staying power.

OUTFIELD: The Dawgs are close to setting pretty in the outfield, with 'expansion draft' additions Emilee Koerner and Brejae Washington, both moving over from USSSA. Renee Erwin, the former Dallas Charge player, and Christi Orgeron, she of Louisiana-Lafayette fame, round out the outfield. The Dawgs could use another outfielder, but it is not a majorly-pressing need.

DRAFT PICKS: #6 (first); #7 (second); #19 (third); #26 (fourth); #27 (fifth); #33 (fifth); #34 (sixth); #40 (sixth)

BIGGEST NEEDS: LHP; RHP; 1B; 3B; P; IF depth

USSSA PRIDE
The premier franchise in the league is having to retool a bit for the first time in a long time, following the retirement of staff ace Cat Osterman, as well as the surprising trade of two of their best infielders earlier this week. With a few holes to fill, the Pride won't be in a "just the best available" selection mode all draft, but after filling their most pressing needs, do not be surprised if that thought process abounds.

PITCHING: Following the loss of Osterman, the Pride are likely to dub Keilani Ricketts the new staff ace. Behind her are closer Jordan Taylor, who has proved solid, and less-proven long-time pros Chelsea Thomas, Andi Williamson, and Hannah Rogers. Ricketts is the only lefty on the staff.

CATCHING: Megan Willis has also retired, leaving Chelsea Goodacre and newly-acquired former Racer Jessica Garcia as the 1-2 punch behind the plate. Both have the look of starter material, though I would not be surprised to see the Pride pick up another catcher if a good one is available.

INFIELD: Even after the trade of Madison Shipman and Brigette Del Ponte, the Pride are still solid 'round the horn. Gionna DiSalvatore, Shelby Pendley, Andrea Duran, and Courtney Ceo are the likely starters as it stands now, with Amanda Kamekona and NCAA home run queen Lauren Chamberlain also in the fold. Despite all of that, I firmly believe we'll see an infielder taken with the Pride's #2-overall selection, likely plugged in to a starting role, however unearned the spot may be.

OUTFIELD: Longtime pro and former Alabama great Kelly Kretschmann and the speedy Megan Wiggins anchor the outfield, where they're also joined by second-year former AZ Wildcat Hallie Wilson. There is a need for depth behind the trio, possibly to compete for playing time and to back up in case of injury.

DRAFT PICKS: #2 (first); #5 (first); #12 (second); #13 (third); #18 (third); #25( fourth); #32 (fifth); #39 (sixth)

BIGGEST NEEDS: OF; C; P; IF

Shipman, Del Ponte Traded to SYD

In a bit of somewhat-baffling news, the USSSA Pride traded all-pro shortstop Madison Shipman and fellow infielder Brigette Del Ponte to the Scrap Yard Dawgs in exchange for the 13th overall pick in this year's draft, as well as a 2nd and 3rd round pick in the 2017 draft.

Shipman, the 2nd overall pick in the 2014 draft and the league's Rookie of the Year that season, hitting .344 with twenty-eight RBI; last year, she hit .198 and her RBI numbers were cut in half.

Del Ponte, the former Akron Racer, hit .244 during the 2015 season, with four home runs and fifteen RBI. She began her career with the Racers and spent one year in Akron before being traded to the Pride.

The trio of draft picks received by the Pride in the trade give them eight total in this year's draft, including five in the first three rounds (#s 2, 5, 12, 13, and 18 overall).

The 2017 picks were specifically noted as Scrap Yard's first picks in the second and third round, 
leaving open the possibility the team may yet end 
up still selecting in those rounds in a year's time.

Historically, the Pride tend to hold onto players of Shipman's skill set and high marketability, so the trade surprised many, especially considering what was acquired in return. In a press release, Pride GM Don DeDonatis noted an offseason coaching change and that the move 'was the best thing for these players and their careers as every day players'.

It's rather obviously a table-setting maneuver, looking forward to certain acquisitions in the draft, but it's still quite a coup on the Scrap Yard Dawgs' part and a somewhat-puzzling transaction for the league's premier franchise. 

2016 Mock Draft

1. Pennsylvania Rebellion      Alex Hugo, 2B University of Georgia	(#2) Overall (#2) Second Base	Hugo provides a powerful bat, which the Rebellion are desperately in need of. She has never posted a batting average below .340. Her current statistics are a bit down from her career marks, but the power and ability to get on base make her nonetheless worthy of the first overall selection. Her energy will be also be a welcome addition to a Rebellion team that often seemed in need of it.
2. USSSA Pride      Sierra Romero, 2B University of Michigan	(#1) Overall (#1) Second Base	Romero and the Pride seem to fit like a glove. Thanks to her move to second base last season, she now has experience at one of the few positions that the Pride did not have consistency at in 2015. Romero’s star power and name recognition are not enough to automatically send Ceo and Kamekona to the bench, but she'll certainly add an interesting aspect to the competition at the second sack.
3. Akron Racers      Jailyn Ford, P/1B James Madison University	(#3) Overall (#1) Pitcher (#1) Left-Handed Pitcher	Ford may be the most well-round athlete at the top, and she perfectly fits one of the Racers’ biggest needs; in need of a left-handed pitcher and a bat with some pop, to boot, the Racers would be well-served with the selection of Ford and she is one of the best-positioned to transition her skill set to the professional level.
4. Akron Racers      Kristen Brown, SS University of North Carolina	(#13) Overall (#1) Shortstop	Brown's stock has risen significantly in the last year, and a .360+ batting average and twenty-four home runs of 2015 had a good bit to do with that (an all-American honor didn't hurt, either). Akron has several holes in the department of infield depth and, while Brown and Sam Fischer are on the sane US "Women's Elite Team" and thus are otherwise committed for a handful of games in the mid-season, her power bat and ability to get on base are well-worth the high pick.
5. USSSA Pride      Haylie McCleney, OF University of Alabama	(#4) Overall (#1) Outfield	From day one in Tuscaloosa, McCleney made it clear she would be a high draft pick when her senior year came around, and the subsequent seasons have only made that more clear. She is tied to the US National Team, which will take her out of commission for several weeks of the season, but the financial and long-term opportunities the Pride offer may be too much for her to pass up and make it a highly-beneficial matchup on both sides.
6. Scrap Yard Dawgs      Shelby Turnier, P University of Central Florida	(#10) Overall (#2) Pitcher (#1) Right-Handed Pitcher	Turnier's sub-1.00 ERA of a year ago wowed a lot of people outside the Sunshine State, but it was nothing outside of her norm during her time in Orlando. Those jaw-dropping stats have cooled off a bit thanks to her team's inconsistency in 2016, but her level of talent is nonetheless particularly high. She is the best right-handed pitcher available and fits the bill of what the league's newest team will need to lead their staff.
7. Scrap Yard Dawgs      Cheridan Hawkins, P University of Oregon	(#23) Overall (#5) Pitcher (#2) Left-Handed Pitcher	Hawkins is one of the most high-profile players available, but four years of Pac-12 bats and summers on Team USA have shown her vulnerable. The Pac-12 quarter system and geographical difficulties always make a great West coast carry a caveat when selected. All of that said, she remains one of the best in the business when it comes to sheer talent and could easily serve in a 1-2 rotation-leading rookie punch with Turnier for the Dawgs.
8. Pennsylvania Rebellion      Allexis Bennett, OF University of California-Los Angeles	(#7) Overall (#2) Outfield	Overlooked by many NPF fans due to playing on the West coast, Bennett won't be overlooked by many NPF teams and even the afore-mentioned unfavorable PAC system won't keep her available for very long. The Rebellion are the most likely destination thanks to a need for a spark to leadoff the lineup and a historical willingness to pick up a player, knowing they won't play until the following season, and enjoy their talents thereafter once schooling is out of the picture. Key stats you need to know about Bennett to tell you what kind of a player she is (and recall this is coming against PAC-12 pitching, predominantly) are her .425 batting average; .467 OBP; forty-nine stolen bases; and 216 total bases in the first three years as a Bruin.
9. Dallas Charge      Shellie Landry, OF University of Louisiana at Lafayette	(#15) Overall (#3) Outfield	Michael Lotief's prowess as an offensive mind is showing through very  clearly in his players, and Landry is one of many shining examples of that. She's taken on a diminished role in the fireworks show this season, and still has seven home runs and a .622 slugging percentage to her name in her senior year alone. She would be a good fit for the Charge, which already have former Cajun Brianna Cherry on the roster and allowed her the ability to blossom.
10. Akron Racers      Erin Gabriel, P University of Tennessee	(#11) Overall (#3) Pitcher (#2) Right-Handed Pitcher	Since the end of the Renfroe era, Gabriel has taken over the lead of the Lady Vols' pitching staff. With an ERA hovering around 3.00 annually, opponents batting sub-.230, and a flair for dominant performances that pile on the strikeouts, she also fits the Akron mold perfectly thanks to geographical nearness (she grew up less than an hour from the city). She has grown more consistent of late and is on track for the best season of her career.
11. Chicago Bandits      Lexie Elkins, C University of Louisiana at Lafayette	(#5) Overall (#2) Catcher	As she begins to hear her name tossed around with the possibility of breaking the all-time home run record, Elkins doesn't seem to let the pressure bother her... she just keeps hitting home runs. The freshman who didn't hit a single home run at Texas Tech has turned into the everyday catcher in Lafayette who now has seventy-three long balls to her name. Lest you think she's a one-dimensional player, she's very, very good defensively and behind the plate and gets on base well even when she doesn't hit the ball over the fence; her 2016 batting average currently sits at .538.
12. USSSA Pride      Aubree Munro, C University of Florida	(#8) Overall (#1) Catcher	Munro just beat out Elkins for the top spot behind the dish on my Big Board, but falls a spot behind her in the draft, in my projections. Munro's commitment to Team USA for a majority of the summer and favorable viewing by the Pride can be primarily assigned as the reasons for this. Even despite the seemingly-amicable agreement between Team USA and the NPF of recent times, there's still a weeks-long absence for any Team USA player that has to be considered and taken into account. During the time that she's in the league, though, it's far from inconceivable for Munro to work her way into the starting lineup fairly swiftly.
13. Scrap Yard Dawgs      Kelsey Stewart, 2B University of Florida	(#9) Overall (#4) Second Base	Like her fellow Gator Munro, Stewart only falls this far because of her Team USA commitments. It's a deep class at second base, and her low ranking at the position can be blamed on the same. Stewart remains a superior talent, however, and I would not be surprised to see the league's newest franchise take a flier on her with such a high selection, even for just a 1/2 a season of her.
14. Pennsylvania Rebellion      Sierra Lawrence, OF University of Michigan	(#22) Overall (#5) Outfield	Though often overshadowed by the *other* Sierra on the Wolverine roster, Lawrence is worthy of note in her own right. An all-American a year ago and twice an all-conference team member, she combines speed and power particularly well for a very dangerous matchup for opposing pitchers. She can play multiple outfield positions well and is sure-handed.
15. Dallas Charge      Lindsey Stephens, OF University of Texas	(#81) Overall (#14) Outfield	Stephens is one of the Longhorns' few bright spots over the past few 'years of lean' and has been one of the stalwarts of the team's offense. An all-American in 2014, her first season as a full-time starter, she is a .378 career hitter and sports a .419 batting average and .753 slugging percentage this year. The Charge seem to prioritize bringing in players with regional ties, and Stephens, a Beaumont native, fits that bill to a T.
16. Pennsylvania Rebellion      Missy Taukeiaho, 3B California State University, Fullerton	(#16) Overall (#1) Third Base	It's tau-key-ah-ho, and NPF fans need to learn how to pronounce that. Taukeiaho is the best third baseman in the class, as well as a dangerous hitter. Though Aussie Stacey Porter should hold the starting spot, the Rebellion could use a bat like Taukeiaho's and would fit her into the lineup and batting order somehow, some way, undoubtedly.
17. Chicago Bandits      Kirsti Merritt, OF University of Florida	(#27) Overall (#6) Outfield	Outside of some highlight-reel-worthy catches, Merritt hasn't gotten much love down in the Swamp. Twice an all-region team member, and fairly unheralded nonetheless, her offensive numbers have steadily ticked up as the years have gone on and she currently sports a .397 average and .559 slugging percentage this season. She's only made four field errors during her 3.5 year career thus-far. She would be a swift, power-capable addition to the Bandits lineup, and a fine mix of the speedy slappers and true sluggers that the lineup already features.
18. USSSA Pride      Kelsey Nunley, P University of Kentucky	(#46) Overall (#13) Pitcher (#10) Right-Handed Pitcher	For the first half of her career, Nunley was the workhorse of the UK staff, dominating the innings load and taking the brunt of the work. Even then, though, she dominated SEC competition. In more recent times, she has shared the load a bit more and saved her arm in the process. That's going to pay dividends for any team that picks her up in the league.
19. Scrap Yard Dawgs      Chelsea Wilkinson, P University of Georgia	(#21) Overall (#6) Pitcher (#4) Right-Handed Pitcher	Thought not the most consistent, Wilkinson has proven very effective and particularly dominant over the last three years. She always has been on the cusp of the nation's top-tier, a level she reached briefly with her all-American selection in 2014. She earned all-conference and all-region honors a year ago and ranked in the top 25 in the nation in four statistical categories. The owner of eighty-six career victories and 793 strikeouts, she's a big name that would be a steal if she falls this far.
20. Akron Racers      Kayla Bonstrom, 1B Stanford University	(#17) Overall (#1) First Base	It's a shallow first base class, granted, but Bonstrom is undoubtedly the cream of the crop. One of the few reliable constants of the troubled Stanford program the last few years, she earned all-American honors in 2015, as well as her third straight all-conference honor. The Racers have a need for a first baseman, and of the available candidates, Bonstrom leads the pack.
21. Pennsylvania Rebellion      Shelby Pickett, UT University of Pittsburgh	(#24) Overall (#1) Utility	In my preseason forecast, I said of Pickett, '... she's got some pop in her bat and I think she could have a career year this season..." While the loftiness of those expectations may have not been met, Pickett is currently engrossed in another productive campaign and has talent that should translate well to the professional level. She would be competition to be reckoned with in an outfield battle and could be a bat with some pop, as well as a versatile player at multiple positions around the diamond.
22. Chicago Bandits      Emily Carosone, 2B Auburn University	(#6) Overall (#3) Second Base	If Carosone falls this far, she'll be a steal. She very well may not, btu the crowded second base class and a lot of parity at the talent level leaves somebody as the odd man out. That's not meant as disparaging to Carosone, though; one the offensive leaders during Auburn's success and even their slumps, she's been remarkably consistent. Running off two all-American seasons in a row, she's setting herself up for a third consecutive trophy with her .382/.674/.551 slash line this season. She's very good defensively at second and would likely be very similar if transitioned to another infield spot.
23. Akron Racers      Allie Rhodes, P University of Notre Dame	(#29) Overall (#7) Pitcher (#3) Left-Handed Pitcher	Before the season began, I put Rhodes and Nasland on my 'Best is Yet to Come" list - it boggles the mind that Rhodes has nothing more than academic honors to her name. After a 20-5 showing a year ago, with a 2.81 ERA and 118 strikeouts, she she is already well on her way to a career-best in both strikeouts and wins in '16. She would add another lefty to the Racers' mix, giving them even more crucial depth in the circle for the stretch run.
24. Chicago Bandits      Andrea Filler, SS Northwestern University	(#19) Overall (#2) Shortstop	Since coming over from Boston College via transfer, Filler has quietly starred for the Northwestern Wildcats, who, notably, have produced several NPF greats over time (including Tammy Williams and budding star Emily Allard). Filler's offensive production (.375/.813/.448 in 2016 alone) plays a huge role in her viability, as does Kate Drohan's penchant for sending players up the ladder to the next level. The Bandits, likewise, have a history of picking up first-year players from regional schools and Filler fits that bill, as well.
25. USSSA Pride      Bianka Bell, SS Louisiana State University	(#32) Overall (#3) Shortstop	A popular and high-round pick among some, I see Bell's potential a bit more realistically as a mid-round pick who should not be automatically guaranteed a spot in the daily lineup. She has shown streaks of greatness at times, but just too many questions about her consistency and ability to transfer her power numbers to the pro level leave her on the board this far.
26. Scrap Yard Dawgs      Emily Messer, 3B University of South Alabama	(#57) Overall (#4) Third Base	Thanks to Kevin Shelton's dual-GM'ing of the Dawgs and the Dallas Charge, we are offered a rare sneak peek into a new team's philosophy even prior to their first draft (discounting the expansion draft about which many questions remain). That strategy got the Charge to the playoffs a year ago and a big aspect of it is pulling relatively-unknown players, "sleeper picks" and giving them the chance to shine. Messer, if given that same opportunity, easily could.
27. Scrap Yard Dawgs      Linsey Hays, OF Baylor University	(#41) Overall (#9) Outfield	Hays is one of those rare players that performs especially well when she needs to... she can easily deliver a big game-winning blow as well as she can get on base and set the table. Another geographically-favorable pick, again just icing on the cake, she'd be a low-risk, very-high-reward selection.
28. Pennsylvania Rebellion      Courtney Gano, 1B University of Washington	(#26) Overall (#4) First Base	Gano's story is an inspirational one, but happy endings don't always make great ballplayers. In Gano's case, the happy ending is just the icing on the cake - she's a great ballplayer in her own right. A year ago, her junior season and the first full year she had played since her freshman campaign in 2012, Gano knocked eighteen home runs over the fence. There's a pileup of Huskies in Washington, PA, and Gano would be another stellar talent to add to the bunch.
29. Dallas Charge      Chaley Brickey, 3B University of Kansas	(#65) Overall (#5) Shortstop	Even with just a single season under his belt, Charge general manager Kevin Shelton has shown a penchant for snatching up former players for the  Texas Glory, his travel ball franchise. Brickey fits that bill, and her high-number upperclassman statistics help justify her selection. Though her overall ranking on my Big Board leaves the mid-fifth round pick still a bit high, she could give some good competition at the hot corner in Dallas.
30. Akron Racers      Hannah Perryman, P University of Missouri-St. Louis	(#42) Overall (#12) Pitcher (#4) Left-Handed Pitcher	Perryman would be the first-ever Division II player to be drafted, and her eye-popping statistics make that a likelihood. Akron is the obvious landing spot, thanks to her collegiate head coach Brian Levin's second job as Racers' manager. Her smaller range of pitches and a lack of comparable competition level help even her statistics down a bit, but her numbers alone warrant hearing her name called on draft night.
31. Akron Racers      Erika Leonard, 1B Ohio State University	(#64) Overall (#9) First Base	The Buckeyes' redshirt star and the former FSU Seminole earned all-conference and all-region honors a season ago, which can easily and fittingly be dubbed her breakout campaign. She went on a torrid pace, ending the year hitting .414 with 15 home runs, 60 RBI, and a .782 slugging percentage. A Cincinnati native, she would help the Racers fill a hole for first base, either competing for the starting job or taking the opportunity to play and earning her right to stay.
32. USSSA Pride      Geri Ann Glasco, P/OF University of Oregon	(#38) Overall (#11) Pitcher (#8) Right-Handed Pitcher	The daughter of the former Pride head coach, Glasco is equally marketable at the plate and in the circle. The Pac-12 quarter system and some inconsistencies in performance may serve as drawbacks, to a point, but the Pride are in the position to take a fly on some players and Glasco is well-worth it; if she is able to fit a niche on the team, it's a low-risk, high-reward selection.
33. Scrap Yard Dawgs      Emily Crane, OF University of Missouri	(#31) Overall (#7) Outfield	The Tigers' starting second baseman in her freshman season, Crane moved to the outfield thanks to a traffic jam around the horn and promptly solidifed herself as one of the top dogs in the SEC, no easy task. She has never posted a season's average below .360 and was 58-62 on the basepaths coming into this season.
34. Scrap Yard Dawgs      Kelsey Stevens, P University of Oklahoma	(#36) Overall (#9) Pitcher (#6) Right-Handed Pitcher	After giving way to Paige Parker as the staff ace in Norman in 2015, Stevens has never regained her form of 2014, a year that saw her lead the Big 12 in five statistical categories, including wins and innings pitched. Her current status as #2 starter doesn't change her ace-material talent. A veteran pitcher coming out of an NPF-friendly program like Oklahoma's, she would be a solid member of the Dawgs' rotation as they seek to find stability in their first season.
35. Pennsylvania Rebellion      Kate Poppe, P Villanova University	(#37) Overall (#10) Pitcher (#7) Right-Handed Pitcher	Poppe is a player that I've had my eye on since her sophomore campaign. It can be easy to miss a player, however talented, in the fray of a small school with a mediocre program, but Poppe has made herself known through her dominant performances in the circle. An all-conference player the last two seasons, she has never posted an ERA above 2.65 and holds the program's career strikeouts mark. She could do well in a mid-rotation/relief role.
36. Pennsylvania Rebellion      Sandra Simmons, 1B Louisiana State University	(#20) Overall (#2) First Base	Simmons is one of the biggest sleepers in this year's draft, I feel. Her statistics may not be stellar, but they are solid and effective. The Rebellion, historically, have afforded many of the players that end up on their roster the opportunity to play and, given that opportunity, Simmons should have a very even-keeled transition to the pros and quickly provide a trouble for Craig Montvidas when he goes to fill out his lineup card.
37. Akron Racers      Hannah Day, C/OF Troy University	(#33) Overall (#12) Outfield	Day's career year of 2016 should continue by hearing her name called on draft night. Though she's only been in Troy for two seasons, Day has left her mark on the Trojans. She's saved the best for last, now hitting .383 in 2016 with fourteen home runs and an .869 slugging percentage. She is capable of playing - and doing so well - behind the plate or in the outfield, which makes her even more attractive to teams that are always looking for players that can provide depth at multiple positions. She'd join a crowded outfield mix in Akron, but her versatility and her bat would make it a good problem to have.
38. Chicago Bandits      Sami Fagan, IF University of Missouri	(#30) Overall (#5) Second Base		Since coming over from Florida after her freshman season, Fagan has done a superb job of reinventing herself and proving herself the super-talented player it's always been obvious she is. Character issues that have, however fairly or unfairly assigned, followed her, as well as a deep class at second base are the only reasons I see her falling this far. Wherever she winds up, however, she's likely the best-suited of the three Fagan sisters to achieve success at the pro level.
39. USSSA Pride      Erin Miller, OF University of Oklahoma	(#39) Overall (#8) Outfield		By this point in the draft, the Pride should  be back to their stand-by philosophy of picking up the best player available. Miller's talent, superbly-impressive statistics of the last year-and-a-half, and the bevy of ex-Sooners on the Pride roster (including Lauren Chamberlain, a good friend of Miller), it's a perfect marriage of player and team.
40. Scrap Yard Dawgs      Cali Lanphear, OF Texas A&M University	(#45) Overall (#10) Outfield		Lanphear's stellar freshman season led to high expectations for her, expectations that came crashing down after a true sophomore slump that saw her only put the bat on the ball and reach base sixteen times. Her upperclassman years have been much better, however, though she has since flown under the radar most of the time. She currently sports a .341 batting average with eight home runs, proving consistent enough for the Dawgs to call her name on April 14th and make her the 2016 "Ms. Irrelevant".