The first round of Banana Ball featured some unexpected surprises and old faces in new places

The Banana Ball concept has a distinctive format, which sets it apart from traditional concepts. With the announcement of two new teams, the Clowns and Coconuts, each of the original four teams retained 11 players. Both expansion teams were given two picks per round: one at the beginning and one at the end of each round. Additionally, the teams alternated their choices each round, with the Clowns choosing the first and eighth in the odd rounds, and the Coconuts the second and seventh; the order reversed in even rounds.

Below are the round one selections and notable tidbits from each pick during night one of the draft.

Round 1

The biggest surprise of the night came when the Indianapolis Clowns selected an unheralded player with the first overall pick.

1. Clowns — Jackie Bradley Jr., OF
   The first pick of the draft stunned onlookers, as Bradley Jr. – two-time College World Series champion, All-Star, Gold Glove winner, League Series MVP and World Series champion – was announced as a Banana Ball player. His arrival means a big boost for the Clowns.
2. Coconuts — Drake Fontenot, RHP
   Fontenot, the 2025 Gulf South Conference Pitcher of the Year at Delta State, was the consensus top pitcher available. The right-hander provides stability on top of the Coconuts’ rotation.
3. Tailgaters – Chris Clarke, RHP
   Clarke, a former Cubs prospect and 2019 All-Pac-12 team member for USC, is a lively right-hander. His major league career ended in August when he was released from the Cubs organization, but he brings valuable experience as he looks to make the transition from traditional ball to banana ball.
4. Bananas — Austin Drury, LHP
   A left-handed pitcher, Drury spent four seasons in the Dodgers system with a career ERA of 3.35. After making the transition to independent ball for a few years, he now joins Banana Ball in hopes of becoming a regular in the flagship rotation.
5. Firefighters – Eric Jones Jr., 1B/C
   Jones Jr., a four-year Banana Ball veteran, is known for his prolific hitting. He has amassed 29 career home runs (second only to Jake Skole) and will anchor the Firemen’s lineup.
6. Party Animals – Bryson Bloomer, 3B
   The defending champions opted for stability and selected Bloomer, known as ‘Coach Bloomer’ for his coaching videos on social media. He was a Banana Ball All-Star in 2025.
7. Coconuts – Ben Parker, OR
   Parker was a standout in college with a career batting average of .371 and had a career-best 10 home runs and an OPS of 1.182 in his senior season. Known for his backflips and unicycle rides during the Los Angeles tryouts, he is poised to become a fan favorite.
8. Clowns — Correlle Prime, RHP/1B
   Prime was drafted in the 12th round out of high school in 2012 and played 6 1/2 years in the Rockies organization, advancing to Double-A Hartford. He has spent the last year and a half with the Bananas, where he has built a reputation as a versatile two-way player.

Round one analysis and general impressions

The biggest winners in the first round may be the Coconuts, who used their two picks to secure Fontenot and Parker. Fontenot is expected to be a lockdown thrower, while Parker’s personality and talent – ​​showcased during a tryout in Los Angeles with his unicycle and backflip catches – make him a potential breakout star.

The Party Animals made the safe choice and brought back a core player and crowd favorite, furthering the team chemistry of last season’s championship squad.

The firefighters made a bold move by hiring Jones Jr. to select, one of Banana Ball’s most productive hitters, significantly boosting their offense. Some may question the Bananas’ decision to let go of their veteran star for a pitcher on their roster, despite that being a core need coming into the draft.

Jackie Bradley Jr. is already considered one of the top MVP candidates, and the Clowns complemented this pick with an experienced bananaball player in Correlle Prime, who can contribute both offensively and defensively.

Finally, both the Tailgaters and Bananas focused on meeting team needs by selecting pitchers – Clarke and Drury – who bring significant minor league experience despite limited familiarity with Banana Ball.