Kelsie Whitmore has secured the top position in the inaugural Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) draft, making her return to the San Francisco area. Whitmore, a talented pitcher and outfielder, was selected first overall during the draft held on November 20, 2025. Meanwhile, fellow player Mo’ne Davis was picked by Los Angeles at the 10th position.
Notable Players and Their Achievements
Whitmore, 27, hails from San Diego and has an impressive background in professional baseball.
- Made her professional debut in 2016 with the Sonoma Stompers.
- Secured two silver medals at the Women’s Baseball World Cup.
- Won gold at the 2015 Pan-Am Games held in Toronto.
In a statement reflecting on her selection, Whitmore expressed her childhood excitement, stating, “You ask a 6-year-old version of me about this opportunity happening right now, she would, one, probably not believe you, but, two, just be so, so, so, so excited for it.”
Davis, 24, originally from Philadelphia, gained fame at a young age by becoming the first girl to secure a victory in the Little League World Series. Her selection as the 10th pick signifies her enduring influence in the sport.
Draft Highlights and Structure
The WPBL draft featured 120 players, organized into six rounds. Each team, including those from New York and Boston, made five selections per round. The draft began with a congratulatory address from Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, celebrating the launch of this new league.
- First pick: Kelsie Whitmore, San Francisco.
- Second pick: Ayami Sato, Los Angeles (35 years old, five-time World Cup winner).
- Third pick: Kylee Lahners, New York.
- Fourth pick: Hyeonah Kim, Boston.
The league’s inaugural season is set to commence on August 1, with all games scheduled at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springville, Illinois. Teams will conduct a reduction of their rosters from 30 players to 15 prior to the season kick-off.
Founded on a Historic Legacy
The WPBL marks a significant milestone as the first professional baseball league for women since the dissolution of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1954. Co-founded by Justine Siegal, who made history as the first woman to coach for an MLB team in 2015, the league is positioned to empower female athletes in baseball.
The 2025 WPBL draft represents a new era for women’s baseball, fostering greater opportunities and recognition for female players at the professional level.
