Recap of the middle rounds from the Banana Ball Draft

Coconuts Lead Selections in Round 2 of Draft

Following an impactful Round 1, the Coconuts held the first pick in Round 2, setting the stage for continued strategic selections.

Round 2

1. Coconuts – Tanner Allen, OF: Allen's collegiate career at Mississippi State University from 2018-2021 is notably impressive. He earned accolades including SEC Player of the Year, Consensus All-American, ABCA National Player of the Year, and All-Tournament Team honors, culminating in 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 top hitters entering the draft, Lada recorded multiple seasons with 17 or more home runs in independent league baseball. He is positioned to become a foundational shortstop for the newest Banana Ball team.
3. Tailgaters – Jordan Barth, IF: Barth boasts a career .379 batting average at Augustana University and a career OPS exceeding 1.000. He is anticipated to be a star in the Tailgaters' lineup. He demonstrated 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 outstanding 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 premier hitters.
5. Firefighters – Jared Donaldson, RHP: The Firefighters continued their strategy of acquiring players from other teams by selecting another former Banana. Donaldson began the year as a starter but transitioned to the bullpen after a challenging start, subsequently regaining confidence to become one of the league's top relief pitchers. He accumulated 63 strikeouts, ranking second on the tour.
6. Party Animals – Peter Holden, LHP: The Party Animals maintained their approach keeping the team chemistry by bringing back left-handed pitcher Holden, who posted a 120 ERA+ in 44 appearances last season.
7. Clowns – David Griffin, RHP: Griffin, a former New York Mets minor leaguer, advanced from independent league baseball to sign with the Mets organization, making his journey one of the more compelling stories in this draft. His diverse pitch repertoire, particularly an effective sinker with pronounced movement, makes him a valuable addition.
8. Coconuts – Ashby Vining, C: This selection is considered ideal, combining Vining's experience in Banana Ball, where he distinguished himself by hitting three home runs in five Visitors games, with his known production. The Coconuts secured a player with proven experience, results, and the surfer boy vibes are a match mad in paradise.

Round 3

1. Clowns – Jalen Vasquez, IF: 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, choosing their starting shortstop. Chatagnier hit two home runs in five games while batting leadoff. He spent four years at the University of Mississippi, becoming a National Champion in 2022, and concluded his collegiate career at TCU.
3. Tailgaters – Reese Miller, RHP: The 2025 Pioneer League Reliever of the Year, Miller recorded 113 strikeouts and just 20 walks. He is anticipated to be one of the premier closers in the Banana Ball league as the Tailgaters aim to replicate the Firefighters' pitching-led success from last season.
4. Bananas – "Cowboy" Kyle Luigs, RHP: An eight-year veteran of Banana Ball and the all-time leader in Banana Ball innings pitched, Luigs' selection is a strategic choice by the Bananas, sure to be popular with fans eager to see him continue in bright yellow.
5. Firefighters – Armando Becerra, OF: The Firefighters continued their strategy of acquiring talent, securing a player from the reigning champion Party Animals. Becerra, a 2025 Banana Ball All-Star and elite defensive player, is a significant addition. He is expected to enhance their championship experience and outfield versatility, especially given his high-level defense that led him to split time with MVP Jake Skole last season. Becerra is anticipated to be a regular starter for the Firefighters in the upcoming season.
6. Party Animals – Dustin Baber, IF: Baber, a popular veteran player, represents another instance of the Party Animals retaining their core players. The charismatic second baseman recorded a career-high six home runs this season and ranks second all-time in trick plays. Baber will aim for a repeat championship in 2026 with the Party Animals. Party Animals can rejoice that the Beer Chugging Irishmen is here to stay.
7. Coconuts – Austin Krzeminski, RHP: The former Angels minor leaguer spent the last two years with the Bananas as a formidable closer, converting nine of 11 save opportunities last season. He has indicated he might adjust his offseason routine to transition to a starting role if needed by the Coconuts.
8. Clowns – Nic Wilson, RHP: Wilson, a former Friday night starter for Angelo State University and part of the 2023 Team USA collegiate national team, is expected to be a formidable presence on the mound and a strong addition to the Clowns.

Analysis of Middle Rounds

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 appear to have prioritized this understanding.

The Clowns have selected only one player with prior Banana Ball experience thus far but do not lack in talent. They are expected to compensate for this with the athleticism of their selections and will surely be formidable when the season is here.

The Tailgaters focused on strengthening their infield with power hitters and addressing pitching needs with the selection of Miller. They have significantly upgraded their pitching staff through the draft and aim to replicate the Firefighters' pitching-led success from last season.

The Bananas introduced a fresh face to bolster an offense that fell short against the Firefighters, 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 banana ball talent, securing a back-end reliever from the Bananas who became one of the league's top pitchers after transitioning from a starter role. They also added a premier defender in Becerra from the Party Animals, who is expected to be a regular starter.

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