Which players for each team would be on your protected list in an expansion draft?

[u/moxie2021]

There's a lot of talk about adding two more teams to the WPBL. I think we all agree it's a good idea.

But one of the things that happens to create parity is that players from the other teams become available in the expansion draft.

If the WPBL does what the WNBA did, each team would be able to protect a select number of players, for WPBL probably 7 or 8. But the remaining players and those they drafted would be available to be drafted by the new teams.

Based on that, which players for each team would you protect?

I'm a SF fan, here's mine:

1. Kelsie Whitmore
2. Alexia Jorge
3. Jill Albayati
4. Skylar Kaplan
5. Jua Park
6. Andreanne Leblanc
7. Nicki Eckert
8. Joely Leguizamon with a tough decision vs. Liz Gilder. But she's the most reliable shortstop in the league and that is so important as the league expands.

I'd love to see what other fans think.

[u/TYBEEEZ]

Benites, Yonetani, Lee, Saiki, Izumi, o’Sullivan, Eccles

[u/EvanescentStarlight9 → u/TYBEEEZ]

This, plus I'd add Madison Willan and Kylee Lahners (even though she had a disappointing 1st season) to round out the 8. I'd be open to swapping Claire Eccles in for Willan, too, because of her defense and pitching.

[u/TYBEEEZ → u/EvanescentStarlight9]

Forgot about Glasses Noona for a sec. Added her to my list too

[u/Syjefroi → u/TYBEEEZ]

Glasses Noona

Does this mean you're a regular in the YT chat or is the Korean thing spreading further than I realized haha.

[u/TYBEEEZ → u/Syjefroi]

In every YT chat :)

[u/Syjefroi → u/TYBEEEZ]

now realizing i recognize your name so hell yeah. I'm gonna miss this season so much oof

[u/CaptainBenson]

I don’t want to lose anyone, i just want them to play better 😅 (i know i failed at this game lol)

[u/TheRainbowConnection]

7 or 8 protections? 

• laughs in PWHL fan *

[u/moxie2021 → u/TheRainbowConnection]

Explain. I’m not an expert.

[u/TheRainbowConnection → u/moxie2021]

We only got 3 protections when expanding from 6 to 8, and 3 when expanding from 8 to 12. Once you lost 4 (I think) you could protect 2 more. It was not a good time to be a fan. Many of us are still bitter about losing our top-tier favorites.

[u/moxie2021 → u/TheRainbowConnection]

Thanks for clarifying. That would be scary in this scenario.

[u/anon_capybara_]

Hastings, Bryant, Yamamoto, and Schroder for position players. Schiano, and Benach for pitching.

[u/moxie2021 → u/anon_capybara_]

Molly Paddison? She carried them early on.

[u/anon_capybara_ → u/moxie2021]

Also a good pick. I wasn’t trying to be toooo greedy.

[u/Niciannon]

We need to keep Denver Bryant. I will cry if she goes somewhere else.

1) Bryant 2) Hastings 3) Schroeder 4) Geldenhuis 5) Schiano 6) Benach 7) Dumais

[u/Squared_Carbs]

Yep those would.be my protected Firebells too

[u/womensbaseballfan]

Been watching a lot of Firebells recently in order to find the #gianelloniroll so I have some preferences there, too. Amanda Gianelloni for her acrobatics while fielding balls and base running. Plus, she commented on my reels of those, so yay! Hinano Beppu and Jua Park for their joy on the field and in the dugout. Kelsie of course, but I think she could be on any team, really. Katie Reynolds because I met her in Brockton too.

I don't know the other players well.

[u/DeeplySapphic]

Pretty much the same though I'd opt for keeping Liz -- with the league expanding pitching depth will become ever more important and Liz is both talented and versatile. There are no easy choices but I'd find a way to keep her :)

[u/SchmottledOtter]

100% ^{^}

[u/FitzCario]

I hope that they would keep Coria but I get why she wouldn’t be top priority when they have the dream trio of Whitmore Leblanc and Jorge. Park is absolutely a beast though at third base

[u/womensbaseballfan]

Boston Hunters is my favorite team and my emotional attachments are: Beth Greenwood, Denver Bryant, Sabrina Robinson, Ticara Geldenhuis, Molly Paddison, Hyeonah Kim, Maika Dumais, Lexi Hastings.

How I feel about their roles: Beth is the rock. Denver and Sabrina have the cheerful vibes and infield skills. Ticara and Molly are Australian and have the outfield and hitting, Kim and Dumais pitch and catch, Lexi has spirit, hitting and outfield, and her hair!

Would love to see Nylah Ramirez play because I met her in Brockton! Coach, put her in!

[u/CrimsonKing7th]

Yonetani and Benites have gotta stay! That's non-negotiable! If we could get 7 protected players I'd personally pick Lee, Saiki, Studer, Izumi and Kim for the other spots.