Summary of the middle rounds of the Banana Ball Draft

After an impactful Round 1, the Coconuts held the top pick in Round 2, paving the way for further strategic selections.

Round 2

1. Coconuts – Tanner Allen, OF: Allen’s collegiate career at Mississippi State University from 2018-2021 has been particularly impressive. He earned accolades including SEC Player of the Year, Consensus All-American, ABCA National Player of the Year and All-Tournament Team honors, highlighted by a College World Series championship with the Bulldogs. While the Coconuts may be a new team, their roster is already rich with talent after just three selections.
2. Clowns – Bobby Lada, SS: Considered one of the best hitters entering the draft, Lada recorded multiple seasons with 17 or more home runs in independent baseball. He is positioned to become a foundational shortstop for the newest Banana Ball team.
3. Tailgaters – Jordan Barth, IF: Barth has a career batting average of .379 at Augustana University and a career OPS of over 1.000. He is expected to be a star in the Tailgaters’ lineup. He showed significant power in his recent independent league seasons, hitting double-digit home runs in his last three years and setting a career high with 19 last season.
4. Bananas – Max Jung-Goldberg, UTL/1B: This prominent Pioneer League player had an excellent year with the Boise Hawks, posting a .361/.476/.678 slash line with 26 home runs and 130 runs batted in. He also recorded more walks than strikeouts. His performance suggests he could become one of the league’s best hitters.
5. Firefighters – Jared Donaldson, RHP: The Firefighters continued their strategy of recruiting players from other teams by selecting another former Banana. Donaldson began the year as a starter, but moved to the bullpen after a challenging start, regaining the confidence to become one of the league’s top relief pitchers. He recorded 63 strikeouts, ranking second on tour.
6. Party Animals – Peter Holden, LHP: The Party Animals maintained their approach to maintaining team chemistry by bringing back left-handed pitcher Holden, who posted a 120 ERA+ in 44 appearances last season.
7. Clowns – David Griffin, RHP: A former New York Mets minor leaguer, Griffin went from independent baseball to signing with the Mets organization, making his journey one of the most compelling stories in this draft. His varied pitch repertoire, especially an effective sinker with pronounced movement, makes him a valuable addition.
8. Coconuts – Ashby Vining, C: This selection is considered ideal because it combines Vining’s experience in Banana Ball, where he distinguished himself by hitting three home runs in five visitors games, with his well-known production. The Coconuts have brought in a player with proven experience and results, and the surfer boy vibes are a match made in heaven.

Round 3

1. Clowns – Jalen Vasquez, ALS: A former prospect in the Baltimore Orioles farm system, Vasquez spent three years with the organization after being selected in the 20th round of the 2023 draft. Despite being released in August, his impressive performance at the Banana Ball tryouts earned him a selection in the top three rounds, and he is expected to be a key contributor for the Clowns.
2. Coconuts – Peyton Chatagnier, SS: The Coconuts made consecutive selections from the visitors team and selected their starting shortstop. Chatagnier hit two home runs in five games while batting leadoff. He spent four years at the University of Mississippi, became a national champion in 2022 and finished his collegiate career at TCU.
3. Tailgaters – Reese Miller, RHP: Miller, the 2025 Pioneer League Reliever of the Year, recorded 113 strikeouts and just 20 walks. He is expected to be one of the premier closers in the Banana Ball League as the Tailgaters look to match the Firefighters’ pitching success from last season.
4. Bananas – “Cowboy” Kyle Luigs, RHP: The selection of Luigs, an eight-year veteran of Banana Ball and the all-time leader in Banana Ball innings, is a strategic choice by the Bananas that is sure to be popular with fans keen to see him continue in bright yellow.
5. Firefighters – Armando Becerra, OR: The Firefighters continue their strategy to acquire talent and secure a player from reigning champions Party Animals. Becerra, a 2025 Banana Ball All-Star and elite defensive player, is a key addition. He is expected to enhance their championship experience and outfield versatility, especially considering his high-level defense that led him to split time with MVP Jake Skole last season. It is expected that Becerra will be a regular starter for the Firefighters next season.
6. Party Animals – Dustin Baber, ALS: Baber, a popular veteran player, represents another example of the Party Animals retaining their core players. The charismatic second baseman has recorded a career-high six home runs this season and ranks second all-time in trick plays. Baber is aiming for a repeat championship in 2026 with the Party Animals. Party Animals can rejoice that the Beer Chugging Irishmen are here to stay.
7. Coconuts – Austin Krzeminski, RHP: The former Angels minor leaguer spent the last two years with the Bananas as a fearsome closer, converting nine of 11 save opportunities last season. He has indicated he could adjust his offseason routine to transition into a starting role if the Coconuts need it.
8. Clowns – Nic Wilson, RHP: Wilson, a former Friday night starter for Angelo State University and part of the Team USA 2023 collegiate national team, is expected to be a formidable presence on the mound and a strong addition to the Clowns.

Mid-round analysis

The Coconuts executed a strong strategy in these two rounds, selecting a former collegiate star from Mississippi State, followed by three players with Banana Ball experience. This approach is crucial for a new team adapting to Banana Ball requires more than raw talent. The Coconuts seem to have prioritized this understanding.

The Clowns have only selected one player with previous Banana Ball experience so far, but he is not lacking in talent. They will be expected to compensate with the athleticism of their squads and they will certainly be formidable when the season rolls around.

The Tailgaters focused on bolstering their infield with power hitters and addressing pitching needs with the selection of Miller. They significantly upgraded their pitching staff through the draft and look to repeat last season’s Fire-led success.

The Bananas introduced a new face to bolster an offense that fell short against the Firemen, while also retaining “Cowboy” Kyle Luigs. This reflects a balance between new talent and valuing experience and familiarity.

The Firefighters continued their strategy of acquiring bananaball talent and securing a back-end reliever from the Bananas, who became one of the league’s top pitchers after moving from a starter role. They also added a top defenseman in Becerra from the Party Animals, who is expected to be a regular starter.

Finally, the Party Animals maintained their approach of re-signing veteran players. All three of their picks are returning players, underscoring their focus on maintaining team chemistry and pursuing a repeat championship.