MLP 2024 Draft Selections Review: Which Players Made or Broke Teams This Season?

MLP 2024 Draft Selections Review: As the 2024 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season approaches its conclusion, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the draft held six months ago. The selections made during that event have had a significant impact on team performance, with some picks propelling franchises toward playoff competition, while others have left fans and analysts scratching their heads. This analysis will break down each notable selection, assessing how these players have fared throughout the season and their contributions to their respective teams.

High-Impact Selections

1. Ben Johns, Carolina Pickleball Club: From the outset, this choice was deemed solid, and it has proven to be just that. Johns has continued to show his elite skills, anchoring Carolina’s lineup as they compete for playoff positioning.
2. Anna Leigh Waters, New Jersey 5s: Initially, there were questions surrounding her availability for events, but she has exceeded expectations, participating in every match and dominating the competition. Her performance has made this pick a standout success.
3. Anna Bright, St. Louis Shock: Bright’s love for the MLP format has translated into impressive play, solidifying her as a key player for St. Louis. This pick has paid dividends.
4. Riley Newman, Columbus Sliders: While not dominant, Newman has shown flashes of brilliance. However, the struggles of his teammates have hindered his effectiveness, leading to disappointment given the high expectations surrounding his selection.
5. Andrei Daescu, Arizona: Daescu’s season has not gone as planned. He has struggled to mesh with his teammates, resulting in one of the bigger disappointments of the draft. Despite possessing talent, he has yet to demonstrate it on the court.
6. Jack Sock, New York Hustlers: While New York is assured to sneak into the playoffs, Sock’s performance has not matched the expectations of a third-round pick. His contributions have been underwhelming, making him one of the draft’s biggest letdowns.
7. Christian Alshon, Texas Ranchers: A dependable pick, Alshon has played solidly throughout the season, providing a reliable presence for Texas as they compete for a playoff berth.
8. James Ignatowich, DC Pickleball Team: DC is making strides toward playoff competition, but Ignatowich has struggled to find his rhythm. Despite this, he remains part of a team poised for a solid playoff run.
9. Catherine Parenteau, LA: The injury to Thomas Wilson has significantly impacted the team’s performance, leading to questions about Parenteau’s high selection. The team has faced struggles, and she has not lived up to expectations.
10. Thomas Wilson, LA: Unfortunately, Wilson has missed nearly the entire season, leaving a significant gap in LA’s roster and impacting their overall performance.
11. Federico Staksrud, Orlando: Staksrud has been part of a team ruined by inconsistency. While his talent is evident, the overall performance of the team has been disappointing.
12. JW Johnson, Dallas: Dallas has been solid overall, and while Johnson has played well, inconsistency has been a recurring theme for the team.
13. Dylan Frazier, Arizona: Like Daescu, Frazier has struggled to find his place within the team dynamics, failing to live up to his draft status.
14. Rachel Rohrabacher, DC: Although part of a competitive team, Rohrabacher has faced challenges adjusting to her role, impacting her overall effectiveness.
15. Etta Wright, Texas: Consistency has been Wright’s hallmark, contributing reliably to Texas’s playoff aspirations.
16. Jackie Kawamoto, New York: While Kawamoto was selected a bit too high, her ability to carry the team alongside Lea Jansen has been invaluable to New York’s success.
17. Jorja Johnson, Dallas: Selected lower than expected, Johnson has exceeded expectations with her strong play throughout the season.
18. Meghan Dizon, Columbus: Dizon has been a disappointment, failing to perform at a level expected from a higher draft pick.
19. Tyson McGuffin, Utah Black Diamonds: Initially picked by Utah and then traded to Orlando, McGuffin has yet to make a significant impact for either team, resulting in a lackluster performance.
20. Vivienne David, Orlando: Matched with another right-side player, David has struggled to find her footing, contributing to a talented team’s underperformance.
21. Hayden Patriquin, St. Louis: Patriquin has thrived in his role, showing excellent synergy with his teammates and solidifying St. Louis’s strong draft choices.
22. Zane Navratil, New Jersey: Despite a poor record, Navratil has positively influenced team chemistry, highlighting the importance of synergy in team dynamics.
23. Tyra Black, Dallas Flash Pickleball: As with many of her teammates, Black possesses talent but has been hindered by inconsistency, yet the team remains in playoff competition.
24. Gabe Tardio, St. Louis: Tardio has been a pleasant surprise, improving steadily and fitting well within the team framework.
25. Parris Todd, Orlando: Todd has struggled to find compatibility alongside David, contributing to Orlando’s overall inconsistency.
26. Jade Kawamoto, LA: In a dysfunctional team environment, Kawamoto has not been to blame for the team’s struggles.
27. Callie Smith, Utah: Smith has shown resilience as the team improves, bringing a competitive spirit, though the overall talent level remains a concern.
28. Lea Jansen, New York: One of the draft’s best picks, Jansen’s outstanding play has been instrumental in New York’s playoff ambitions.
29. Dekel Bar, DC: Bar has consistently outperformed expectations, showing why he is often undervalued in drafts.
30. Tina Pisnik, Texas: This pick has proven to be a solid addition to the roster, contributing positively to the team’s dynamics.
31. Connor Garnett, Columbus: After not fitting well in Columbus, Garnett was traded to Utah, where he has helped the team become more competitive.
32. Jay Devilliers, Orlando: Devilliers has had a rocky season, being traded twice and delivering lackluster performances overall.
33. Mari Humberg, New Jersey: A sleeper pick that has matched well with teammates, Humberg’s contribution has been vital to New Jersey’s success.
34. Lacy Schneemann, Arizona: Another talented player, Schneemann has yet to find her footing, mirroring the struggles of her teammates.
35. Kaitlyn Christian, Arizona: Like Schneemann, Christian has not played up to her potential this season.
36. Tyler Loong, Utah: Loong started slow but has become increasingly competitive as the season progressed.
37. Will Howells, New Jersey: The standout pick of the draft, Howells has consistently outplayed some of the first-round selections, playing a critical role in New Jersey’s success.
38. Augie Ge, Dallas: While solid, Ge has struggled with consistency, although he remains a valuable pick.
39. Hunter Johnson, LA: This pick has shown promise, but the injury to Wilson has hindered his overall impact.
40. Allyce Jones, DC: After being dropped for Vivian Glozman, Jones has struggled, becoming more of a liability during crucial moments.
41. Pablo Tellez, Texas: A good teammate and player, Tellez should still be competing at the Premier level, despite being dropped.
42. Kate Fahey, St. Louis: Continually improving, Fahey’s development has been a bright spot for St. Louis.
43. Andrea Koop, Carolina: Koop’s performance has been lackluster, with other women drafted from Challenger showing better fit and potential.
44. Jessie Irvine, Carolina: Similar to Koop, Irvine has struggled in Dreambreakers, making her a poor fit alongside a dominant player like Ben Johns.
45. Brooke Buckner, Columbus: Traded to Carolina, Buckner has not found success with either team, proving to be a disappointment.
46. CJ Klinger, New York: Outperforming his draft position, Klinger has surpassed even Sock in contributions.
47. Collin Johns, Carolina: A missed opportunity for Carolina, as Jaume Martinez Vich would have been a more fitting choice. Johns has lacked energy, making him a less impactful player.
48. Alix Truong, Utah: After a shaky start, Truong has found his place within the team, demonstrating significant improvement.

Lessons Learned from the Draft

1. Chemistry is Key: As seen in previous MLP seasons, team chemistry plays a crucial role in success. The seamless collaboration in teams like New Jersey and St. Louis starkly contrasts with the struggles of Arizona and Orlando.
2. Youth Brings Energy: Younger players or those new to MLP tend to thrive, bringing enthusiasm that contributes to team success. Their fresh outlook can often revive established lineups.
3. The Importance of Energy: The right mix of youth, chemistry, and talent generates the energy necessary for success. Teams that embody this formula, like New Jersey and St. Louis, have reaped the rewards.
4. Value in Late Rounds: Teams that find gems in the later rounds of the draft can distinguish themselves from non-playoff teams. New Jersey’s combo of Humberg and Howells shows this strategy, while Columbus’s struggles with late picks like Garnett and Buckner highlight the opposite.
5. Singles Talent Matters: Teams that possess high-level singles talent often find themselves competing for playoff spots. Carolina and Texas show how individual brilliance can elevate team performance.

The Road Ahead

As teams gear up for the playoffs, the outcomes of these selections will ultimately define their seasons. The ability to evaluate talent correctly and build cohesive teams remains crucial for MLP franchises. Looking ahead, the teams that can harness their strengths, learn from their missteps, and foster player development will likely find success as they pursue championship aspirations in the coming years.

News in Brief: MLP 2024 Draft Selections Review

The 2024 Major League Pickleball (MLP) draft has yielded mixed results, with standout selections like Ben Johns for Carolina and Anna Leigh Waters for New Jersey making significant impacts. Conversely, players like Andrei Daescu and Thomas Wilson have struggled to meet expectations, hindering their teams.

The analysis highlights that team chemistry and youthful energy are vital for success, as seen in New Jersey and St. Louis. Late-round picks have also proven crucial, with teams like New Jersey benefiting from gems like Will Howells. As the playoffs approach, teams will need to use their strengths for a shot at the championship.

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