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WPBL Completes Inaugural Draft, Whitmore Taken No. 1 and Mo'Ne Davis 10th to Los Angeles

Next comes contract talks, with trades permitted Jan. 1 before centralized play begins in Springfield in August 2026.

Overview

  • Four franchises selected 120 players across six rounds, with San Francisco choosing pitcher/outfielder Kelsie Whitmore first overall and Los Angeles drafting Mo'Ne Davis at No. 10.
  • Japan’s Ayami Sato went second to Los Angeles as the early picks showcased international reach with players from the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the Dominican Republic.
  • The league will open Aug. 1, 2026 at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, staging a compact season of regular games, all-star activities and playoffs in a single location.
  • Teams will carry 15-player rosters at season start under a reported $95,000 team salary pool, with in-season living costs covered and a share of sponsorship revenue for players.
  • Draft selections do not automatically secure contracts, and clubs can trade drafted players beginning Jan. 1, following a tryout process that drew more than 600 athletes in Washington, D.C.