Jorf Porsson's mock draft

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