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Inside the BWAL Draft: Titans Load Up, Dragons Bet on Star Power and Cherrypickers Make the Night's Biggest Gamble

The Titans assembled a terrifying core, the 8 Balls reunited a championship-caliber roster, and the Dragons landed perhaps the best hitter in the draft. But major availability questions could completely reshape the BWAL season.

September 9, 2026

The most important moment of the BWAL draft may have happened before the first selection was officially announced. Multiple league sources said at least two teams contacted the Titans about acquiring the pick eventually used on Willie Burger. The offers reportedly included future draft considerations, lineup guarantees and one unnamed captain promising to personally provide Burger with food before every game. The Titans refused to move. "We weren’t trading that pick," Bubba Brezina said after the draft. "Once Willie was sitting there, it was over. You put him with me, Grant and Liam, and I don’t know how teams are supposed to get through that lineup." On paper, Burger was one of the easiest selections of the night. He finished Season 3 with a **1.421 OPS, five home runs, 25 RBI and a 0.29 ERA**. But the decision came with a significant question: Will Burger actually be there? Rumors circulated throughout draft day that Burger could miss part—or possibly all—of the upcoming season. No official announcement has been made, leaving his availability as one of the league’s biggest mysteries. That created the defining debate of the night. The Titans may have landed one of BWAL’s best players, but did they use a premium selection on someone who might never step onto the field? The Dragons accepted a similar risk with Jack Brennan and Will Byler, neither of whom has publicly confirmed that he will play. Three of the biggest names in the entire draft could potentially be unavailable. That leaves the league asking two different questions: Which team built the strongest roster, and which team built the strongest roster that will actually show up? ## Titans Build the Draft’s Most Frightening—and Possibly Fragile—Core There may not be another team in BWAL capable of matching the Titans’ combination of elite hitting, pitching and depth at the top of the roster. Brezina enters the season after producing a **1.462 OPS and 0.43 ERA in Season 3**, giving the Titans an A+ player capable of controlling games on both sides of the ball. Burger would make that foundation almost unfair. Together, Brezina and Burger would give the Titans two elite hitters and two of the most dominant pitchers available. Their combined Season 3 OPS was **1.442**, while both posted an ERA below **0.45**. One rival captain offered a simple assessment: "That’s ridiculous. You’re telling me we have to pitch to Bubba, Grant, Liam and Willie, then try to score against Bubba and Willie? Somebody should have stopped that." Another league source questioned the Titans’ willingness to assume the risk. "Everybody knows how good Willie is," the source said. "That isn’t the argument. The argument is whether you spend that kind of pick without knowing if he’s playing. You can’t hit five home runs from home." Grant Conway gives the Titans another proven bat after recording a **1.058 OPS and nine RBI** in Season 3. Liam Besecker’s **0.779 OPS** was less imposing, but his **1.57 ERA** provides additional pitching flexibility. Kevin Roldan may be one of the draft’s most overlooked additions. He recorded a **1.126 OPS in 15 at-bats** last season. The sample is limited, but the production is real. Nate Adams provides consistency after finishing Season 3 with a **0.874 OPS and 10 RBI over nine games**, while Hoodie Cuban—Bryam Mendez Goire—brings legitimate power after posting a **1.025 OPS and two home runs in 16 at-bats**. The bottom of the roster carries more uncertainty. David Kamwanga posted a **0.586 OPS**, while Nassir Weaver went hitless in four at-bats. Michael McBrearty and Chris Walker enter without established BWAL statistics. If Burger plays, the Titans may possess the best roster in the league. If he does not, they still have an excellent core, but the gap between them and the rest of the league becomes much smaller. "We have power, pitching and guys who have been in big moments," Burger said after the draft. "On paper, it looks great. Now we have to prove it." The final four words may carry more weight than anyone realized. **Draft grade if Burger plays: A+** **Draft grade if Burger does not play: B+** **Best pick:** Willie Burger **Biggest question:** Was Burger a league-winning selection or an unnecessary availability gamble? --- ## The 8 Balls Trust the Formula That Keeps Working Every BWAL season seems to begin with teams discussing how to knock off the 8 Balls. Every season, the 8 Balls seem to find their way back into the championship picture. Their draft strategy reflected the confidence of a franchise that does not believe it needs to reinvent itself. Matt McCleary remains the center of everything after producing a **1.256 OPS, 150 strikeouts and a 0.63 ERA** in Season 3. McCleary is not merely an ace. He is an entire game plan. "When Matt is pitching, we feel like we only need a few runs," Ronnie Swantner said. "When he’s hitting, he might create those runs himself. That changes the way everybody else can play." Swantner may be the perfect hitter to place beside him. He recorded a **1.314 OPS and .432 batting average** in Season 3, giving the 8 Balls another dangerous presence at the top of the lineup. Alex Cruz struggled statistically, posting a **0.634 OPS and .147 average**, but his importance has never been limited to the scorebook. Cruz remains the emotional voice of the team and the player most likely to keep the dugout energized during a difficult inning. "We’re still powered by Stubbys," Cruz said with a smile. "That wasn’t changing no matter who we picked." The most intriguing addition is Devin Aponte. In Season 2, Aponte posted a **0.957 OPS, 14 RBI and a 0.39 ERA**. The concern is that his best available data is now a year old. If he returns at that level, the 8 Balls may have found another legitimate two-way weapon. Zach Zuber presents a similar gamble. His **1.295 OPS, five home runs and 19 RBI** in Season 2 were outstanding, but teams must determine how much weight to place on production from two seasons ago. Pre-draft reports indicated the 8 Balls were among several teams attempting to determine whether Zuber had been privately training. One league source claimed Zuber looked "noticeably stronger" during an offseason batting session. Matt Dietrich adds a respectable **0.800 OPS**, while Chris Richards, Tony Cruz and EJay will need to improve offensively. Jared Kramp and Carlos Valentin are complete unknowns statistically. The 8 Balls may not be as deep as the Titans on paper, but their most important players do not carry the same level of availability concern. There is value in knowing that the foundation of the roster is expected to be present. If Aponte and Zuber resemble their Season 2 versions, the 8 Balls could have four high-impact players surrounding the league’s most dominant strikeout pitcher. "Nobody has to remind us what the expectations are," McCleary said. "For this team, the goal is always the last game." While the Titans and Dragons bet on uncertain superstars, the 8 Balls may have quietly built the safest contender in the draft. **Draft grade: A−** **Best pick:** Devin Aponte **Biggest question:** Are Aponte and Zuber still the players their Season 2 numbers suggest? --- ## Dragons Pair the League’s Best Pure Hitter With an Ace—If Either One Plays If every drafted player competes, the Dragons may have won the keeper portion of the draft. That is an enormous “if.” Jack Brennan’s Season 3 numbers were almost impossible to ignore. He recorded a **1.459 OPS and .522 batting average**, making him arguably the best pure hitter in BWAL. Will Byler gives the Dragons a two-way superstar beside him. Byler finished Season 3 with a **1.231 OPS, 64 strikeouts and a 1.29 ERA**. Together, Brennan and Byler should form one of the league’s most powerful combinations. The issue is that neither player has publicly committed to the upcoming season. Rumors concerning Brennan began circulating days before the draft. Several teams reportedly removed him from the top of their boards after failing to receive a clear answer regarding his availability. The Dragons did not hesitate. "They either know something the rest of us don’t, or they took the biggest gamble of the night," one opposing captain said. "Jack might be the best hitter in the league. But a .522 hitter can’t help you if he isn’t at the field." The Byler situation may be even more significant because of his ability to contribute as both a hitter and pitcher. Without Byler, the Dragons would not simply lose an elite bat. They would also lose their primary strikeout threat and one of their most dependable arms. According to league sources, the Dragons were aware of the uncertainty before making their decisions. The front office reportedly believed Brennan and Byler were worth the risk because players with their ceilings rarely become available. "When Jack gets on, I want to bring him home," Byler said after the draft. "When I’m pitching, I know our lineup can give me something to work with. We balance each other well." The quote sounds promising, but it stopped short of confirming his participation. Behind the uncertainty, the Dragons still constructed a strong roster. Michael Myers provides a steady presence after recording a **0.911 OPS and .394 batting average**. Cole Bayesa brings upside from Season 2, when he posted a **1.094 OPS with two home runs**, while Malkam Lawrence recorded a **0.910 OPS in 17 at-bats** that same season. The Dragons made one of the night’s best value selections by adding Zach Donaldson in the fourth round. Donaldson produced a **1.194 OPS and 16 RBI** in Season 3—numbers normally associated with a protected player or early-round pick. Multiple league officials said Donaldson’s name began appearing in trade discussions immediately after the selection. The Dragons rejected every inquiry. One opposing player described Donaldson as "the pick everybody pretended wasn’t bothering them." Then comes Erik Goldbach. Goldbach enters after posting a **0.214 OPS and going hitless in 22 official at-bats** during Season 3. His selection shocked several people around the league. Sources close to the Dragons believe Goldbach’s underlying contact was better than his results and that he suffered from one of the league’s worst combinations of poor luck and bad timing. Another source claimed the Dragons saw offseason footage of Goldbach shortening his swing and changing his stance. "I know what the numbers say," Goldbach said. "I also know the season hasn’t started yet. If teams think I’m an automatic out, let them keep thinking it." Gavin Gilhool, Michael Cuevas, Mykl Leon and Jaime Rodriguez Vega arrive without established statistical records, making the Dragons one of the draft’s most top-heavy teams. If Brennan and Byler both play, the Dragons could have the strongest top four in the league. If only one participates, they remain competitive. If neither plays, their entire draft-night plan could collapse before Opening Day. Why risk it? The Dragons appear to believe championships are won by acquiring talent that other teams are too afraid to touch. It is a bold approach. It could also become the decision that defines their season for all the wrong reasons. **Draft grade if Brennan and Byler play: A** **Draft grade if neither plays: C** **Best pick:** Zach Donaldson **Biggest gamble:** Jack Brennan and Will Byler **Biggest question:** Did the Dragons draft two superstars or two empty roster spots? --- ## Cherrypickers Swing for the Highest-Variance Roster No team created more debate after the opening rounds than the Cherrypickers. Their three-player foundation is strong. Brad Atkinson posted a **1.102 OPS and 0.96 ERA** in Season 3. Ross Conway added a **0.948 OPS and 10 RBI**, while Dylan Atkinson delivered a brilliant two-way season with a **1.388 OPS, 20 RBI and 1.16 ERA**. That trio gives the Cherrypickers pitching, power and experience. "We didn’t feel like we had to chase one specific type of player," Brad Atkinson said. "Dylan can change a game. Ross gives us a professional at-bat every time. I can pitch. We wanted upside around that." Alex Kukic was a strong first-round selection after producing a **1.026 OPS across eight games**. After that, the Cherrypickers drafted almost entirely on projection, reputation and past performance. Joe Chupick, Darius Terry, Devin Atkinson, Ian Campbell and Kings Water Ice enter without available data. That does not mean they lack talent, but it makes the Cherrypickers extremely difficult to evaluate. The most fascinating pick was Luke Miller. Miller posted a staggering **1.640 OPS with three home runs in 22 at-bats** during Season 1. Based purely on production, it is the best offensive line attached to anyone on the roster. The problem is that it occurred two seasons ago. League sources said Miller was one of the most heavily researched players in the days leading up to the draft. At least three teams reportedly attempted to determine whether he planned to play a full schedule. One source said the Cherrypickers received a "strong commitment" regarding his availability shortly before selecting him. Another captain remained skeptical. "If Season 1 Luke Miller walks through that gate, they stole the draft," the captain said. "If he’s only there for a couple games, that’s a completely different conversation." Smiley is another intriguing comeback candidate. His **0.979 OPS in 12 at-bats during Season 2** showed promise, although his grade is limited by the small sample and time away. Devin Atkinson may ultimately become the team’s biggest wild card. Despite having no recent BWAL data listed, his name carries substantial league recognition. Rumors circulated throughout draft day that multiple teams considered selecting him earlier, but uncertainty surrounding his availability allowed him to slide. "People can call it risky," Dylan Atkinson said. "We call it betting on players we know. There are guys on this roster who haven’t put their numbers on the board yet. That doesn’t mean they can’t play." No roster has a wider range of possible outcomes. The Cherrypickers could uncover multiple impact players and become a championship contender. They could also struggle to find dependable production behind their established core. **Draft grade: B** **Best pick:** Alex Kukic **Biggest gamble:** Luke Miller **Biggest question:** How much production can the Cherrypickers get from five players without established data? --- # Draft-Night Winners ## 1. The 8 Balls The 8 Balls may not have the highest theoretical ceiling, but they constructed the most stable contender. McCleary and Swantner give them two A-level cornerstones without the same availability concerns surrounding Burger, Brennan and Byler. If Aponte and Zuber regain their Season 2 form, this roster could become significantly deeper than it first appears. ## 2. Titans—If Willie Burger Plays The Titans possess the league’s most complete top seven if Burger is available. Brezina and Burger both carry A+ two-way profiles, while Conway, Roldan, Adams and Hoodie Cuban offer legitimate lineup depth. Five Titans posted an OPS above 1.000 in their most recent listed season. No other team can match that proven offensive depth. However, Burger’s uncertain status prevents the Titans from being the unquestioned winners. Drafting him could produce a championship. It could also leave the team wondering why it used such a valuable selection on a player who was never fully committed. ## 3. Zach Donaldson Donaldson may be the best value selection of the entire draft. A player with a **1.194 OPS and 16 RBI** should not normally be available in the fourth round. Even if the Dragons’ superstar gambles fail, Donaldson gives them a proven middle-of-the-order hitter around whom they can build. ## 4. Players Who Actually Confirmed Their Availability Availability became the hidden currency of this draft. With uncertainty surrounding three of the draft’s biggest names, dependable players became more valuable than their numbers alone suggest. A B-level player who attends every week may ultimately provide more value than an A+ player who never appears. --- # The Biggest Draft-Day Rumors ## Willie Burger Could Miss Significant Time The Titans selected Burger based on his extraordinary two-way talent, but several people around the league questioned whether he would play enough games to justify the investment. One source claimed Burger had not ruled out missing the entire season. Another believed he would eventually play, but perhaps not consistently. The Titans apparently decided that even a partial season from Burger was worth the risk. ## Jack Brennan Never Gave Teams a Clear Answer Brennan’s **.522 average and 1.459 OPS** made him one of the most attractive players on the board. His uncertain commitment reportedly frightened away multiple teams. The Dragons were willing to gamble on the possibility of obtaining BWAL’s best pure hitter. ## Will Byler’s Status Could Determine the Championship Race Byler may be the most important availability question because he fills two major roles. His absence would remove an A-level hitter and a pitcher who recorded 64 strikeouts. If Byler and Brennan both play, the Dragons immediately become a championship threat. If neither appears, the Dragons could be forced to rebuild their lineup and pitching rotation on the fly. ## The Cherrypickers Believe Luke Miller Is Coming Back Miller’s Season 1 production remains legendary: a **1.640 OPS and three home runs in only 22 at-bats**. The Cherrypickers reportedly believe he will be more available than rival teams expect. If their information is correct, they may have acquired an elite hitter at a massive discount. --- # Post-Draft Power Rankings ## 1. 8 Balls The safest combination of elite talent, pitching and expected reliability. McCleary’s dominance gives them the highest weekly floor in the league. ## 2. Titans They move to No. 1 the moment Burger confirms he is playing. Until then, uncertainty keeps them behind the 8 Balls. ## 3. Dragons Brennan and Byler give them championship upside, but no roster depends more heavily on players who have not confirmed their availability. ## 4. Cherrypickers Their established trio can compete with anyone. The season will depend on whether their collection of unknowns and former standouts produces consistently. --- # Final Verdict The Titans drafted the best roster on paper. The 8 Balls drafted the most dependable roster. The Dragons drafted the most dangerous hypothetical roster. The Cherrypickers drafted the most unpredictable roster. That distinction could define the entire BWAL season. If Burger, Brennan and Byler all play, the league may have just experienced an arms race. The Titans and Dragons would possess enough star power to overwhelm almost any opponent. If those players do not participate, the entire balance of power shifts toward the 8 Balls, whose core offers both elite production and greater stability. Drafting a superstar is normally an easy decision. Drafting a superstar who may not play is different. The Titans and Dragons decided the reward was worth the risk. Now they have to wait—and hope the players who made their drafts look so impressive on paper are actually there when the games begin.

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