Kelsie Whitmore: Eyeing the Top of the WPBL Draft at Nationals Park

Kelsie Whitmore, a trailblazing two-way professional baseball player, has officially signed to attend the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) tryouts—scheduled for August 22–25, 2025—at Washington, D.C.’s Nationals Park and Youth Baseball Academy. She's setting her sights on securing the highest draft pick in the league’s historic inaugural draft this coming October.

Whitmore is no stranger to breaking barriers. She made history in 2022 as the first woman to sign with an MLB-affiliated independent league (the Staten Island FerryHawks) and later with the Pioneer League’s Oakland Ballers—earning recognition as one of the best pitchers at the 2024 Women’s Baseball World Cup. With over a decade on Team USA and accolades including USA Sportswoman of the Year, her credentials are undeniable.

The Tryouts: A Historic Moment
The WPBL tryouts, open to hundreds of women, will unfold over four days:

August 22–24: Athletic testing and drills at the Nationals Youth Academy
August 25: Live game and final cuts on the Nationals Park field
Scouts will select up to 150 athletes for the October draft pool. The league plans to debut in spring 2026 with six teams and six-week seasons

In announcing her attendance, Whitmore stated her ambition clearly: to be the WPBL’s top draft choice and inspire future generations of female baseball players. With her unique blend of professional experience, leadership, and high-level performance, she enters the tryouts as a favorite for the coveted first pick.

What It Means
For Whitmore: A chance to continue her record-making career and take on a leadership role in the new league.
For the WPBL: Having a marquee name like Whitmore raises the profile of their debut draft and the league’s mission to empower women in baseball.

In short: Kelsie Whitmore is not just attending—she’s contending for—and aiming to secure—the top spot in what promises to be a landmark moment for women’s professional baseball.

We were lucky enough to have Kelsie and Team USA at our 2023 All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association Annual Reunion, held in Kenosha, WI in August of 2023. The 2023 reunion celebrated the 80th Anniversary of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.