Share

Share

Jorf Porsson’s CCW Mock Draft
CCW’s first-ever league-wide draft night looms, and the only thing better than the event itself is the speculation about it. I, Jorf Porsson, Sultan of Sources, Ruler of Reports, and Swami of Speculation, am ready to unveil my official Mock Draft. 

Here’s where I put all my effort to bear. The months of reporting, working the phones, and analyzing players’ offseason habits finally come to fruition. I’ll be analyzing player fit, team needs, and everything else that’s relevant to come to my lock-solid conclusion, pick by pick, for the whole draft. 

Let’s get started. 

ROUND 1

Pick 1 - Scott selects Brendan Dudas (Ranked 1)
As mentioned on my last big board, Scott drafting the commissioner feels like a foregone conclusion at the first overall pick. Dudas brings the best and most reliable bat in the sport to the fold, paired with elite defense, and yet-unfulfilled upside on the mound. With this pairing to start the team, there’s a good chance that the two best defenders in the league - in Scott and Dudas - will be in the field for just about 100% of the team’s innings. 

Pick 2 - Buis selects Alex Gurtcheff (Ranked 4)
The first jumbling of the draft ranking order happens early, and I believe it will happen often. Buis is on record stating that he is prioritizing versatility here, which narrows this down to Gurtcheff and Lyon. Industry opinion is that Buis prefers Gurtcheff at this spot, however. While Rudy has more consistent production, Gurtch outperformed him in both hitting and pitching categories last season, and Buis may be buying that trend. Mitch gets an instant offense-providing bat and his number 2 arm in one fell swoop. 

Pick 3 - Alles selects Holden Palmer (Ranked 3)
I think that Alles’ pick at 3 is the most interesting choice in the draft. He could go a number of ways here - the best two-way guy in Lyon, a recent slugging teammate in Jones, or an upside arm in Holden. He could even take a big swing at Dowden if he feels confident about his availability. Ultimately, Alles has said he’s prioritizing pitching, and I think he’ll take the most sure bet in Holden Palmer. Alles has an elite bat himself, and with less proven success on the bump, he’s got a clear opportunity to sell out for pitching early in the draft. With this selection, the Alles - Palmer one-two punch at the top of the rotation looks imposing. 

Pick 4 - Palmer selects Cade Luker (Ranked 6)
If Holden isn’t picked by Alles, I’d be willing to bet my house on Aidan happily picking his brother with his first pick. But, in our mock, he’s off the board, and Aidan has to improvise. I think Aidan would be torn, in this scenario, between two captains he’s had success with recently in Luker and Lyon. Despite Aidan’s career years with Rudy’s Yakkers, I think his down 2025 hurts him here, and Palmer instead drafts Cade, who’s shown more recent offensive upside. Cade didn’t pitch last year in the loaded Stampede rotation, but he’ll likely slide in as this team’s third arm. 

ROUND 2

Pick 5 - Scott selects Rudy Lyon (Ranked 2)
Rudy finally has his name called in early round 2, with Scott adding to the well-rounded core he started with Dudas last round. Rudy is a perfect fit with this group, hitting behind Dudas in the order and slotting in as the team’s second pitcher. He’s a skilled fielder as well, adding further strength to their existing strength. If Lyon does slide to Scott in round 2, this version of the team already looks well-balanced and nearly complete, only lacking depth bats and maybe one more depth arm. 

Pick 6 - Buis selects Dylan Jones (Ranked 5)
Dylan Jones falling into Buis’ lap in the second round is, I think, a result he would be more than happy with. The two played together with the Hounds last season, and DJ would bring another impact bat and a depth arm to the fold. I think Buis might consider Connor Young in this scenario, but would be hesitant to pass up such proven impact with Jones. The top two in the lineup of DJ and Gurtch would be a formidable lineup anchor. 

Pick 7 - Alles selects Connor Young (Ranked 7)
With Jones off the board, who I think Alles would select if given the opportunity, he can instead pivot to Connor Young, who will plug a variety of holes in the roster. Young slides in behind Alles and Holden as the team’s third arm, and will likely be the best number 3 in the league. He will hit behind Alles at the top of the order. With more room to grow and established skills, Young is a great blend of upside and proven production. 

Pick 8 - Palmer selects Dustin Laugel (Ranked 9)
With Aidan and Cade forming the first two of this group, I think Aidan would survey the landscape and see a need for a proven number two pitcher, and also foresee those getting scooped up quickly. Laugel fits the bill perfectly and would vibe well with Aidan and Cade, from my perspective. Dowden remains on the board as a proven ace-caliber arm, and depending on Palmer’s perception of his availability, this may be the perfect place to take the swing - but ultimately, I think the sure thing of Laugel wins out. 

Pick 9 - Werner selects Dalton Lewis (Ranked 12)
Reigning MVP Reid Werner is the first of three superstars making their first picks this round after their competitors have already drafted twice. As such, I think the proper tactic for these three in this round is to pick proven, reliable value. Risks may still come down the board, but missing on this first selection could spell disaster for the team. Enter DLewy, who had a career-best offensive season last year, and can serve as Reid’s number two arm. This may look like a reach, but Lewis is a versatile and consistent performer - something Werner will likely prioritize here. 

Pick 10 - Smithey selects Ian Garavalia (Ranked 13)
Not unlike Werner, I think Smithey will survey the landscape available to him with his first pick with two things on his mind - who is going to show up every week, and who is going to eat innings. Garavalia checks both of those boxes. Despite higher upside arms in Dowden and Buchman being available, Smithey has made it known he’s looking for availability first and foremost, and Ian should fit that bill, all while serving as a quality number two hitter. He may not offer much with the bat, but Smithey can hit enough for 2 or 3 guys most years. 

Pick 11 - Witty selects Dustin Dowden (Ranked 8)
Witty might be in the most interesting position in this draft, sitting at the bottom of the order, and with what I suspect will be a very different draft strategy than Werner and Smithey. While they are looking for consistency and floor, I think Witty is drafting with 4-peat or bust on the mind. And so, I believe he’ll take big risky swings, knowing that for Myc, second place and last place aren’t much different. With Dowden available to him, he’ll take a risk with his first pick, bringing in the potential for the most devastating pitching one-two punch in the sport. 

ROUND 3

Pick 12 - Scott selects Thomas Hopkins (Ranked 10)
With his third pick, Brayden adds to his cohort of former team managers with Thomas Hopkins, assembling what will surely be the most fearsome lineup in the league. Scott doesn’t need to reach for another arm with a front three likely already established, and instead can get the best player available, bolstering the hitting group. There is speculation that Hopkins may not be as fully available as in years past, but with his already talented group, this squad can take that risk. 

Pick 13 - Buis selects Alec Buchman (Ranked 11)
With plenty of pitching depth, but not yet much impact on the team, Buis can take a big swing here on Alec Buchman. If Buchman isn’t able to put things together, Gurtcheff and Jones can form a formidable 2-3 in the rotation, but if Buchman looks like his former self, everyone slides back a line, and they gain a borderline ace. This team is still short one more bat, in my estimation, but there are lots of those left in the draft, and this may be their best upside chance to take. 

Pick 14 - Alles selects Coby Taylor (Ranked 15)
Alles’ pitching group is already 3 solid arms deep, and so he can focus this pick on hitting. I like Coby for this group, over similarly ranked bat-first guys. He played with Alles last season, and I like the power he provides to complement the more contact-first approach from Young. A defense consisting of Alles, Young, and Taylor will also beat out every team other than Scott’s, most likely. 

Pick 15 - Palmer selects Dalsen Murdock (Ranked 16)
Aidan’s team could also use a bat and someone to play an important role in the field, and Dalsen would be the best option to do so. He has tons of history with Luker, and recent history with Aidan on the Stampede. House offers more pure offensive upside here, but I think the defensive value from Murdock gives him the edge for this particular pick. 

Pick 16 - Werner selects Cody House (Ranked 14)
I imagine that Reid would be thrilled to see House’s name available on his draft board when he makes his second pick. House had a resurgent campaign with Werner’s 8 Balls last season, and could recapture that production again in 2026. With Lewis in tow already, Werner can afford to wait until his name comes back around to target another pitcher - and instead grab the best available bat off the board. 

Pick 17 - Smithey selects Connor Smith (Ranked 21)
Somebody is going to reach for Smith on draft night, and I think it’ll be Smithey, who managed him with the Moonshots last season. Connor has yet to post productive numbers with CCW, but everyone agrees it’s just a matter of time until he does. I think Smithey will survey the landscape here and realize that his path to success is through breakouts, and not through floor, from here on out, and he’ll be the one to take a risk on Smith. 

Pick 18 - Witty selects Jay Wilsey (Ranked 17)
With his upside-heavy top of the rotation set, Witty will be looking for consistent, versatile production with his next pick, and Jay fits the bill perfectly. He can do a little bit of everything on the field, and if Dowden is absent or Witty struggles to find a late-draft arm, Wilsey can step in and post innings on the mound, too. Jay would see a ton of innings in the field and a lot of at-bats near the top of the lineup with this group. 

ROUND 4

Pick 19 - Scott selects Justin Swingler (Ranked 25)
With an already stacked lineup and fielding core, Scott can take an upside swing on a wiffleball vet and carpool buddy in Swingler. This isn’t a pure reach - Swingler hasn’t posted much to be excited about in CCW yet, but he has loads of experience and pedigree, suggesting that he can be a breakout candidate. He can hit at the bottom of this loaded order, and if he shows he’s recaptured some pitching prowess, provide innings from the back of the rotation. 

Pick 20 - Buis selects Tristan Dudas (Ranked 23)
Buis has plenty of arms in the house, but lacks bats to round out the order and athleticism on the field and on the basepaths. I think Tristan is a perfect fit for this team as composed - offering a bat with upside potential to hit 3rd or 4th, and the speed to play in the grass defensively. 

Pick 21 - Alles selects Nolan Karwoski (Ranked 19)
Once again, Alles will be thinking best available bat with a pitching rotation and defensive group pretty well established, and I believe that will lead him to Karwoski. In his rookie year, he flashed huge power and solid plate discipline. This will further add to the huge power potential in this lineup - he, Alles, and Taylor especially may combine to lead the league in home runs as a unit. 

Pick 22 - Palmer selects Jared Gray (Ranked 22)
Jared Gray is the first rookie off the board in this mock, going to Aidan to round out his core five. While very few in the CCW circuit have seen Gray in action, Laugel is one of those few and may put a bug in Palmer’s ear about the rookie. He’s allegedly a versatile player who can hit and pitch, and if all goes according to plan, provide the back-end arm and bat that Palmer needs. 

Pick 23 - Werner selects Eric Starke (Ranked 20)
Reid once again snags the player that has slipped past the other drafters this round in CCW-returnee Eric Starke. Werner needs another arm, and Starke will provide that, with both he and Lewis splitting the innings that aren’t covered by Reid on this team. With Lewis’ versatility already on the squad, Reid can afford to take a player in Starke who may be viewed as more of a pitcher-only. 

Pick 24 - Smithey selects Byron Young (Ranked 24)
Smithey goes slot here with Byron, banking on another versatile, upside play to pair with Connor Smith, fitting a similar bill. Byron is one of the big risers in the offseason, and he’ll provide a nice insurance policy if Smith isn’t as ascendant as hoped. The two of them will likely split third-pitcher innings, and Byron will likely hit toward the bottom of the lineup. 

Pick 25 - Witty selects Mitch Unversaw (Ranked 26)
Unversaw offers something in shorter supply year by year - athleticism. And it’s what Witty’s team is looking to revolve around, with multiple guys possessing speed and versatility. If Unversaw is a mainstay at The Dirtyard this summer, he’ll likely produce more value than this spot would usually present with his contact and speed approach. 

ROUND 5

Pick 26 - Witty selects Kent Nims (Ranked 28) 
Things snake back to Witty for the first time here in the late rounds, giving him the chance to take back-to-back picks. I think he’ll take a look at his roster, especially if Dowden isn’t around consistently, and see that he needs to have more innings covered. Enter Kent Nims, who should have plenty of innings available to him after struggling to find them on a deep Yakkers rotation last season. 

Pick 27 - Smithey selects Keegan Caughey (Ranked 27) 
Smithey’s team’s biggest need at this point is a bat for the back of their lineup, and Keegan is the best available hitter remaining. His contact-first approach should be a nice foil to Smithey and Smith’s power output, and makes a pretty neat fit with this group as-is.

Pick 28 - Werner selects Max Lowry (Ranked 31)
Lowry is the second rookie off the board in my mock, going to Werner in the later stages of the draft. Not unlike Smithey, his biggest need is a bat as well. Hart is available on the board, but his brief appearance with Werner’s 8 Balls in 2024 went pretty poorly, and Reid may be more likely to take a risk on a rookie instead. 

Pick 29 - Palmer selects Josh Hart (Ranked 30)
As the draft winds down, Aidan could use some insurance against rookie reliance and depth for a thin back of the lineup. Josh Hart fits the bill as someone who will show up and who most teams would be happy with hitting in the four hole.   

Pick 30 - Alles selects Adam Watson (Ranked 32)
Alles takes a swing at a young rookie with what is likely to be his final pick, with his team looking pretty complete on paper. Berninger is still available, but his perceived lack of availability and most teams’ full pitching group may cause him to slide late in the draft. Instead, Watson should provide lineup depth and Alles and co. will hope for a surprise from the rookie. 

Pick 31 - Buis selects Myles Caudill (Ranked 33)
The biggest thing that Buis’ squad could use at this point is another guy to give good innings in the field. There aren’t any proven options out there in that regard anymore, but they’ll take a swing on a young rookie who has youth and potential athleticism on his side over more established options. 

Pick 32 - Scott selects Alec Berninger (Ranked 29)
Berny has his name called by Scott at pick 32, as one of the few teams left with a need for rotation depth. Behind Scott and Lyon, their group consists of high-upside but unproven arms in Dudas and Swingler. Bringing Berninger into the fold provides a sure thing back of the rotation option, in the case that neither of those other two work out consistently. 

ROUND 6 

Pick 33 - Witty selects Colt Cantrell (Ranked 34)
Despite us being down to the final two selections, Cantrell is actually a great fit for Witty’s roster. The team needs another bat to round out the lineup for weeks where others may be absent, and Cantrell can do just that. 

Pick 34 - Smithey selects Ethan New (Ranked 35)  
Ethan New claims the title of Mr. Irrelevant in the CCW draft, fitting into Smithey’s squad at the end of the draft. Similarly to Cantrell, he lands on a team with a likely pitcher-only and a guy with availability questions, and so he may find himself getting more at-bats than one would expect of a guy drafted here. 

THE FINAL SQUADS

Scott’s Team (Short Shorts?)
Brayden Scott
Brendan Dudas
Rudy Lyon
Thomas Hopkins
Justin Swingler
Alec Berninger

Buis’ Team (Outlaws?)
Mitch Buis
Alex Gurtcheff
Dylan Jones
Alec Buchman
Tristan Dudas
Myles Caudill 

Alles’ Team (?)
Austin Alles
Holden Palmer
Connor Young
Coby Taylor
Nolan Karwoski
Adam Watson
​
Palmer’s Team (Stampede?)
Aidan Palmer
Cade Luker
Dustin Laugel
Dalsen Murdock
Jared Gray
Josh Hart

Werner’s Team (8 Balls)
Reid Werner
Dalton Lewis
Cody House
Eric Starke
Max Lowry

Smithey’s Team (Moonshots)
Will Smithey
Ian Garavalia
Connor Smith
Byron Young
Keegan Caughey
Ethan New

Witty’s Team (?)
Myc Witty
Dustin Dowden
Jay Wilsey
Mitch Unversaw
Kent Nims
​Colt Cantrell

Share

Jorf Porsson’s Big Board 2.0
T minus 3 days until draft night, and I, CCW Jorf Porsson, have my crystal ball working overtime. As the pivotal night nears, my sources are getting chattier, and my vision for draft night gets clearer.

Today’s Big Board represents my ranking of each available player as a pure prospect for this season - without taking into account fit, preference, or other similar variables. I’ll take into account the players’ expected values, past performance, and my own professional analysis to line them up top to bottom. Stay tuned for the official Jorf Porsson Mock Draft coming later this week.

New for V2.0, we’ve added some returning players after years’-long hiatus, a new crop of registered rookies, and taken a few names off the list who are expected to be unavailable for draft this season. This isn’t an official draft list, as the Commissioner hasn’t provided that official information yet, but rather my informed speculation on who is available. 

Let’s go to the board.

The Drafting Aces
​
Myc Witty, Reid Werner, Will Smithey, Aidan Palmer, Austin Alles, Mitch Buis, Brayden Scott

1.0: These magnificent seven aren’t draft eligible because they will be the ones drafting the teams this season. This is the top 7 pitchers in the league, as weighed by CCW’s proprietary player evaluation system, the same which was used in setting player values for free agency in years prior. These are the building blocks of the teams this year, each player expected to pitch a lion’s share of their team’s innings, and in many cases, carrying the bulk of the offensive freight, as well. 

The New Omissions

Since the last iteration of the Board, these players have been removed, due to perceived lack of ability or availability to play this season. 

Nick Bundy (previous 11)
Devon Hensley (previous 25)
Luke Thompson (previous 30)

The Big Board

1. Brendan Dudas ↔️ Even
2.0 Update: No movement at the top here for Dudas, who is becoming widely expected to go number 1.1 in the draft. 

1.0: Commissioner Dudas is coming off one of the strongest years of his storied career, and for the first time, will not be the one building a team. He brought home the Yellow Slugger Award and was a colossal piece of the Championship Winning Short Shorts roster. His offensive floor is extremely high, and his ceiling is repeating as the best hitter in the league. Dudas even flashed improvement on the mound, with electric stuff that can be seriously effective if he can keep the arm healthy. I think Dudas couples his elite bat with a pitching performance of a legitimate number 2 in a rotation this summer.

2. Rudy Lyon ↔️ Even
2.0: Rudy holds at number 2 on my board on the strength of his long history of production and versatility. The rest of the first round after Dudas may be an up-in-the-air situation, though - stay tuned for my Mock Draft to see how I think it will shake out. 

1.0: Not unlike Dudas, Lyon enters 2026 free from team-building responsibilities for the first time in recent history. That may be a breath of fresh air for Rudy, who experienced a down year by his standards in 2025, perhaps burdened by managing a complicated Yakkers roster. Lyon offers top-of-the-league offensive potential and a pedigree that outpaces just about anyone else in the circuit. While his days as a team ace are likely behind him, Rudy will serve admirably as a second arm on a team, something that will be in high demand in this draft. 

3. Holden Palmer ↔️ Even
2.0: Palmer is still poised to jump back into the upper echelon of pitching in the ‘26 season. I believe his offseason work will pay dividends, and he’ll end the year as a top 6 arm in the game. 

1.0: Holden offers what may be the most coveted attribute in this draft - pitching upside. While his numbers in 2025 were those of a mid-tier number two pitcher, Holden has flashed ace-quality stuff and results in his expansive CCW career. It’s no secret that he’s been working hard on different wiffle ball styles over the winter, and Palmer may be poised for a huge bounce-back campaign in 2026. While he doesn’t offer much value with the bat, he has the potential to be a top 5 pitcher in the league, which is something that no one else in this draft (with maybe one exception, to come later) can boast. 

4. Alex Gurtcheff ↔️ Even
2.0: More holding firm here at the top of the draft rankings. Gurtch will likely be counted on as a number 2 pitcher for a team this year, compared to a more number 3 value for Jones and Luker below him.

1.0: Gurtch made the leap from a valuable role player to a star in 2025, leading the league in dingers and taking home the Most Improved Player Award. He gets top billing in a closely packed group of sluggers at this stage in the draft, though, due to his versatility and potential value on the mound. Any one of Gurtcheff or the following two players is equally likely to have the strongest offensive season in 2026, but Gurtcheff can more reliably produce number two pitcher value for a team. His history on the mound is up and down, but if he can avoid the one or two blow-up outings that have haunted him in recent years, he could turn in a solid two-way campaign. 

5. Dylan Jones ↔️ Even
2.0: Jones will post offensive value as reliably as anyone in the league, and a team seeking that stability may value that very highly. We’re splitting hairs between him, Luker, and Gurtcheff, though. 

1.0: DJ is a perennially elite bat stretching back nearly a decade now. Jones will anchor any lineup he ends up in, and as another player who may be free of managing a team for the first time in years, might feel a little freer to focus on the game between the lines. He put up impressive rate-based numbers on an underachieving Hounds team last season, and, perhaps surprisingly to some, logged an ERA under 7.00 for the first time in his career. DJ is a soft-tosser on the mound, but one who is sneakily effective, and will likely eat some third-pitcher innings on his team. 

6. Cade Luker ↔️ Even
2.0: I think Luker’s explosive ceiling and reputation as a great teammate may get him drafted higher than this spot - but that same volatility brings him in just below the other two sluggers in my estimation. 

1.0: The third of the three stacked sluggers, as mentioned above, Luker may be the most volatile of the group, but may also have the highest season. He won the Yellow Slugger in 2023, finished 14th in offensive value in 2024, and then was back to being a second-team All-CCW hitter in 2025. The smart man would bet on something like his 2025 output for what to expect in the next season, but the proven ceiling and floor give space for give in either direction. Cade didn’t have to pitch except in emergencies on last year’s Stampede squad, but will likely see an uptick in innings on whichever team drafts him this year, and can serve as a third arm for that team. 

7. Connor Young ⬆️ (previous 8)
2.0: Connor rises a spot in my second board here by way of Dowden falling one. After the top 6, which form a clear tier, I think Young is the best available value proposition, able to provide value in numerous ways for a team. 

1.0: There may be no better two-way upside play in the draft than Connor Young. After taking home the Rookie of the Year honors in 2024, he followed up the season with another solid two-way campaign in 2025, capped off with a go-ahead dinger in the Dirtyard Classic. He’s one of the few guys who offers actualized top-15 value at the plate and on the mound, with strong defense and baserunning packed in. He’s got room to grow as well, entering just his third year in the league. 

8. Dustin Dowden ⬇️ (previous 7)
2.0: As we near the draft, there is unfortunately no more clarity on Dowden’s availability than there was a week ago. If a team can snag him and get him playoff eligible, and ensure he’ll be available for playoff starts, Dowden could be the steal of the draft - but the risk of not getting him eligible for playoff starts will cause trepidation early in the draft, where teams have to nail their early round picks. 

1.0: If Dowden were fully available in 2026, he wouldn’t be on this draft board - he would be one of the aces doing the drafting. But questions regarding his availability abound, and so his selection would be a risky one for any team. When Dustin is around, he’s a legitimate ace, a first or second team All-CCW arm for each of the last 4 seasons. A team with some pitching depth already established, or looking to take a huge gamble, could swing on Dowden, and look like either the smartest or most bone-headed manager in the game.

9. Dustin Laugel ↔️ Even
2.0: The closer to the draft we get, the more confident I am that pitching will be prioritized quickly by drafters. Laugel could get snatched up higher than this by a team needing that proven arm desperately. 

1.0: Laugel is the best remaining arm in the draft, and I suspect that drafters will gobble up proven pitchers like mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving. The Lush finished as the 10th most valuable pitcher in 2025, and will slide in as some team’s proven number two in the rotation. The contribution to general vibes and the number of beers brought for the team isn’t a measured metric on this board, but if it was, his stock would rise even higher. 

10. Thomas Hopkins ↔️ Even
2.0: After the early top tier of hitters, Hopkins is the clear next best available bat, especially with Bundy unavailable. A team with a pick higher than this that feels set in the rotation could pick him above slot. 

1.0: Hopkins is another proven, reliable slugger who cracked the All-CCW Hitting First Team as recently as 2024. He’s a disciplined, patient hitter who absolutely feasts on slow pitch and is a tough out against even the most elite pitching, as well. While he won’t offer any value on the mound, he’s very likely to be the best batter on the team that ends up with him. 

11. Alec Buchman ⬆️ (previous 12)
2.0: Sources indicate that Buchman is in and committed to a full season at The Dirtyard this season, after a false start return last summer. His upside on the mound is an extremely juicy target for drafters. 

1.0: Buchman is this draft’s ultimate boom-or-bust upside play. After a career that started with a Rookie of the Year award in 2020 and a First-Team All-CCW performance in 2021, his career was put on hiatus due to injury and unavailability in subsequent summers. Buchman attempted a return last season, making two disappointing starts before suffering another season-ending injury. If Buch returns to his previous form, a team is going to get a potential ace from a slot that has no business producing one, but there is the unfortunate possibility that he offers very little, as well.  

12. Dalton Lewis ⬆️ (previous 14)
2.0: With pitching and versatility looking to be the priorities for drafters, DLewy could be just what a team picking in this range is looking for. 

1.0: DLewy put together a strong two-way 2025 campaign - finishing just around the top-15 in the league in both hitting and pitching. Lewis is one of the league’s premier slow-pitch mashers, and his patient approach at the plate leads to him getting plenty of those opportunities. He’s a prototypical back-of-the-rotation arm who throws strikes and provides valuable innings for a club. DLewy is a safe, versatile pick who is guaranteed to provide value in a multitude of ways and plug plenty of a team’s holes. 

13. Ian Garavalia ⬆️ (previous 15)
2.0: Similarly to Lewis, one line higher, Garavalia will benefit from the league’s focus on pitching in the draft. Ian is also on “best shape of his life” alert, after an offseason well-spent, which may prove impactful to his play this season. 

1.0: Ian would likely call his first full CCW season a disappointing one. He got the bulk of the number two innings for the Moonshots and turned in four strong outings to begin the season, before getting knocked around in the last two. His stats, in turn, look worse than his performance likely earned, with those late-season blow-ups tanking his numbers. Yet, he boasts the ability to be a top-half number two pitcher in the league, something that may be heavily sought after in this draft. 

14. Cody House ⬇️ (previous 13)
2.0: Housey drops a spot in version 2 of the board, not due to anything he has done, but instead due to what I perceive as a focus on pitching in the draft. As someone without any real value to offer on the mound, House may slip in the projections. 

1.0: House is another bat-only slugger with a resurgent 2025 season - blasting 10 homers and finishing 7th in the league in total value. His preceding history is more of a top 15-ish hitter than a top 10 one, however, and he doesn’t bring much to the table in the field or on the mound. A team drafting The Mobile Home will be betting on his 2025 surge being sustainable, and could get a valuable contribution to the lineup. 

15. Coby Taylor ⬆️ (previous 16)
2.0: If Coby’s busy summer schedule allows him to be at The Dirtyard for close to a full season, I think he’ll put up career-high numbers. He’s shown he gets better as the year progresses, and if he can hit that stride sooner, he’ll be a steal at this spot. 

1.0: Coby sports potentially the most raw power in the league. I’ve seen Coby hit wiffle balls further than just about anyone else. The sticking point for him is how consistently he can tap into it in-game. Taylor usually clocks in just above the threshold of receiving playoff eligibility, and I wonder if he were able to be more consistently in attendance, he could find that rhythm. In any case, a team looking for slug in the lineup and a solid defender could do much worse than Taylor. 

16. Dalsen Murdock ⬆️ (previous 17)
2.0: Which version of Todd Mudrock does the league remember - his first-quarter performance from last season, or his back chunk? That will determine if he rises or falls from this spot. 

1.0: Dalsen started off 2025 red-hot, collecting 9 of his total 17 hits in just a four-game early-season stretch, before plummeting back to earth. After that stretch, he was held hitless in nearly half of his remaining games. Murdock has shown that when he’s on, he’s really on, but he will need to tap into some more consistency to take the next step. Defense doesn’t slump, however, and he does possess one of the better sets of hands in the league. 

17. Jay Wilsey ⬆️ (previous 18)
2.0: The players ranked 14-17 on this list are pretty even and will likely come down to preference by the drafters. One thing you can count on from Jay is a full season of games and a good hang, which might be the difference maker in this narrowly separated group. 

1.0: Jay is a true jack of all trades on the Wiffle diamond. He’ll make plenty of contact, he’ll hit for some power, he’ll turn singles into extra base hits with his legs, he’ll make spectacular plays in the field, and he’ll fill in on the mound and provide innings with the potential for upside. So, why is he all the way down at 18 on the board? While he is a jack of all trades, he is yet the master of none, with no one elite skill. He may be a perfect fit for a team with established, but limited players, for whom he can fill a multitude of slots.

18. Austin Church ⭐ (previous unranked)
To not bury the lede - I’d call it a coinflip right now that Church is truly available this season. A cryptic text reported by a source, and general radio silence following, is all we have to go off of. But if Church is on board for this season, the CCW returning legend has the potential to add a valuable role-playing piece to a team. Once an elite defender and potent power-first bat, a team betting on his returning to form would value him maybe even higher than this spot. But as we’ve seen before, a return from years-long absence is anything but a sure thing. 

19. Nolan Karwoski ↔️ Even
2.0: Karwoski’s rookie season provides a model for what the top-notch version of him can look like in form. Big power and a serviceable arm are on the table with another strong year. 

1.0:Mr. Karwoski was the runner-up in 2025’s Rookie of the Year voting, after a solid two-way rookie campaign. Nolan is another guy with huge pull-side power, but a lot of swing and miss in the profile. He struggled to hit the board with consistency in his rookie campaign, but he would be far from the first player to come back with improved command in year two. It wouldn’t be surprising for Nolan to end the year as a team’s solid number 3 arm. 

20. Eric Starke ⭐ (previous unranked)
Starke, another CCW boomerang, is reportedly back in town and ready to play a full season of games at The Dirtyard. The once manager of the woebegotten Hackers franchise, Starke rejoins the league free of managerial duties, and, provided he hasn’t lost much in his years away, can serve as a multi-faceted role player. I’d expect Starke to slot in as a number 3 arm on a team, at least to start, with the upside to ascend into more of a number 2. He doesn’t have much pop at the plate, but can slide in the back of a team’s lineup and put together professional at-bats. 

21. Connor Smith ⬆️ (previous 24)
2.0: I said in my last write-up that Connor will be drafted higher than his spot, and I’ve adjusted my prognostication here accordingly. Yes, his numbers in the last two seasons have not been enough to justify this draft placement. But I believe in the breakout that others are banking on, too. 

1.0: Connor Smith will go higher than 24th in the draft, almost certainly, because of his immense untapped potential in CCW league play. He’s young, and accomplished in other leagues and formats of wiffle ball, but Connor has yet to put it all together in CCW, batting just .180 and carrying an ERA north of 10 in 2025. But again, the world knows that Smith is going to breakout and become a much more valuable player than his past numbers represent - the question for drafters is if that breakout will come this season. 

22. Jared Gray ⭐ (previous unranked)
The first of a couple registered and available rookies, Jared Gray, enters the draft board in the 22nd spot. Sources say that Gray is another Illinois commuter, and the last time a player from that neck of the woods entered as a rookie, he won Rookie of the Year and a Golden Hands award (and he’s got the first pick of the draft this season). Gray is relatively unscouted, but has lots of wiffle experience as a two-way lefty. I’m not betting against the Southern Illinois pipeline at this point. 

23. Tristan Dudas ⬇️ (previous 21)
2.0: Tristan tumbles slightly as a result of the new entries into the draft pool. But, he remains one of the hottest breakout picks of the draft, and a team may value his upside over another’s proven results. 

1.0: Tristan teetered on the edge of an offensive breakout last season, but it never fully came - perhaps this year will be the year it fully does. The young lefty carried a respectable batting average through the 2025 campaign, but only two extra-base hits to his name. As Dudas continues to mature, it’s not a reach to expect him to tap into more power and become more of an offensive force. 

24. Byron Young ⬆️ (previous 29)
2.0: Byron shoots up the draft rankings, despite the entry of new players above him, in the Board’s 2.0 edition. The younger of the Youngs made an appearance at a CCW-sponsored charity tournament a few weekends ago, and players in attendance couldn’t stop talking about his maturation. An anonymous source told me that he “wouldn’t be surprised if he outperforms his brother this season”. His brother, Connor, is the 7th-ranked player on the board. I’m not buying that hot of a take, but Byron is a helium name on the Board.
 
1.0: Byron didn’t do much in his 2025 rookie season, but he is another projectable young player with upside. He’s already throwing the ball with the ability to hit the board with some consistency, which is a huge hurdle for any young player. Similar to Nims, the expanded format will likely force Young to take the ball for more innings and give him the chance to develop. 

25. Justin Swingler ⬇️ (previous 22)
2.0: Swingler’s placement at 25 on this board speaks to the depth of the league. He didn’t show much as a rookie, but could quickly and easily outperform players around him on this board if he’s healthy and effective. 

1.0: Swing’s first foray into CCW, unfortunately, was underwhelming statistically - but he carries a wealth of national Wiffle experience, and is a good bet to outperform his rookie campaign’s output. Swingler will hope to get plenty of opportunity at the back of a lineup to prove his ability at the plate, and may worm his way into some pitching opportunities, if his arm is healthy enough. 

26. Mitch Unversaw ⬇️ (previous 23)
2.0: No new news on Mitch - his biggest thing against him is his recent history of attendance. A full season of Unversaw would be an extremely valuable player at this slot. 

1.0: Big Mitch is another high-average, low-power guy that will likely be available later in the draft. He has youth and athleticism on his side, as one of the speedier players in the league. Unversaw was absent for the entirety of July last year, though - if a drafter can get assurance of his availability, he’ll be a useful player to slot into the back half of a lineup and to play important innings defensively. 

27. Keegan Caughey ⬇️ (previous 26)
2.0: Keegan is going to be a dad. Does the kid’s pending arrival give him newfound dad strength? Or does the lack of sleep sap what strength remains? Your guess is as good as mine. 

1.0: Keegan has become CCW’s Robert Horry - winning back-to-back titles with different teams now, playing a limited but meaningful role. Caughey doesn’t have much pure power or wheels left in his profile, but he does have great bat-to-ball skills and is a consummate teammate. A lineup full of on-base or speed-first guys would benefit from Keegan’s ability to stack up base knocks and make productive outs. 

28. Kent Nims ⬇️ (previous 27)
2.0: Nims showed up to a league workout last weekend and showed that he can hold his own, after getting very few looks at him in uniform last season. He pumped strikes, without much electricity on the stuff, and was able to put the bat on the ball with some consistency. I think Kent will prove to be a useful player this season, even from this draft position. 

1.0: Nims’ rookie campaign saw him mostly buried in a deep Yakkers depth chart, but with the league’s expansion, he’ll look to make a greater impact in 2026. A team in need of pitching depth late in the draft could look at Nims, and hope for him to slot in as a serviceable third arm. 

29. Alec Berninger ⬇️ (previous 20)
2.0: Unfortunately, Berny plummets down this list due to newly reported concerns about his availability this summer. He has utility as a third arm, but the team that drafts him may need to fit his pitching schedule around his availability.
 
1.0: Last season’s self-appointed Mr. Irrelevant was the last man off the board in free agency, but I don’t see history repeating in this year’s draft. With the expansion to 7 teams, teams will be looking for guys to eat innings, and Berny will be up to the task. His funky, deceptive repertoire is difficult to command, but effective when on the board. He won’t add much at the plate, but he can handle himself in the field, as well. 

30. Josh Hart ⬇️ (previous 28)
2.0: Hart is another victim of the players added to the Board above him. All previously stated holds true - he’ll hit some timely bombs for a team - but the profiles above offer more potential impact.

1.0: Josh is effectively the yin to Keegan Caughey’s yang. In a comparable number of ABs, their hit totals were separated by just one. But, Hart had 3 longballs to Keegan’s one, but 30 strikeouts to Keegan’s 13. Hart is boom or bust at the plate, but he will run into balls and do damage on them when he connects. 

31. Max Lowry ⭐ (previous unranked)
The second of the rookies comes in near the bottom of the list as a relative unknown to the league. He’s been described as a lefty with a frame suggesting some speed. With so many proven names above him, the risk on an unknown likely won’t be appealing compared to known, proven quantities. 

32. Adam Watson ⭐ (previous unranked)
Another effectively unknown rookie, Adam is an 18-year-old ball player without much competitive wiffle experience. As with any prospect of his age, he's as likely to be a breakout impact player as he is to provide very little.

33. Myles caudill ⭐ (previous unranked)
Myles is a teammate of Adam's above him and offers a similar profile. Not much is known about either of the youngsters, and either could surprise with value as the season gets underway. 

34. Colt Cantrell ⬇️ (previous 31)
2.0: Colt still finds himself near the bottom of the board, likely to be taken deep in the draft, but still with the potential for occasional offensive impact.

1.0: Colt’s an All-CCW vibes guy - highlighted by his drunken one-handed dinger mid-way through last season. He sneakily put together a solid final stretch of the season last year, and if he’s able to carry that momentum into 2026, Colt could serve as a valuable back-of-the-lineup contributor. 

35. Ethan New ⬇️ (previous 32)
2.0: Rounding out the Board, New will go into draft night hoping not to wind up Mr. Irrelevant - but my money is on him leaving with the new honorific attributed to his name. 

1.0: New didn’t get into a lot of games for the Hounds last season, and frankly, didn’t do much with the times he did. An offseason can change a lot, however, and a reset into year two could unlock a step forward for Ethan in 2026. 
​

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share