The MLL may be in the offseason but that didn’t stop big news from occurring in the lacrosse world. Yesterday, the MLL announced that it will be merging with the LXM Pro Tour and Adrenaline lacrosse to allow players from both leagues to play without repurcussions. The news is huge for the growth of the game as stars from both leagues will now be able to help grow the game.
Of course, the bigger news is that the MLL will get an influx of some really great talent. Players like John Christmas, Kyle Harrison, Max and Xander Ritz and many others will now have a chance to help more MLL teams. The new draft will occur in a couple of weeks and the draft order will be based on the waiver process based on records from last season. With 33 guys eligible to be drafted, maybe more, maybe less because the MLL has opened registration for a player pool. Assuming it is just the LXM Pro players, here is a list of the players that are most likely to be drafted.
Sam Bradman—A couple of years removed from Salisbury, Bradman is an explosive player in the midfield. He can break down his defender any which way and has a rifle of a shot from the outside. He can also play some defense as well. Expect him to be picked up early, especially for a team in need of a scoring threat. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if he went No. 1 overall.
Kyle Harrison—Recently being named to the Team USA roster will certainly help his credibility if he needed it at all. That was probably more of a validation that he could play with the best that the MLL had to offer, which was never really in question. Could help a team that is one or two pieces away from being title contenders. Think New York or Boston or even Florida.
Rhamel and Shamel Bratton—Not much has been about the Bratton brothers after leaving Virginia. But both guys can still play at the top levels of lacrosse and could really help a team starving for some threats from up top. Rochester is weak with talent and Boston could be a good bet. If neither of them go there, I could see Charlotte taking a flier on one or both of them since, you know, everyone on their team formally played in the ACC or is from Loyola.
Max and Xander Ritz—Both brothers are extremely talented and will be sought after by teams like Rochester and Boston. They can do anything that you would want out of your attackman. They can distribute if need be to other scoring threats or they can bring it right to goal.
Peter Baum—Ohio actually owns the rights to him after selecting him with their No. 1 overall pick in 2013. He will team up with this year’s No. 1 overall pick and probably Harrison or Bradman to make a really dangerous midfield group.
Benson Erwin—Erwin can be really valuable to a team like New York. He can play both offensive and defensive midfield and provides veteran leadership. If New York passes on him, I could see Boston or Florida taking him.
Matt Russell—Russell is quick on his feet and was one of the best goalies coming out after helping lead Navy to an improbably NCAA Tournament run back in the day. He could be valuable to a team but only if he was to start. The only places I could see that happening are Ohio or Boston.
Johnny Christmas—Christmas may not get picked because of his age and maybe his willingness to play a lot. However, when he played with the Cannons, he was one of their best players. His play dipped the last two seasons with Boston and Chespeake respectively, but one MLL team will take a flyer on him for sure.
Billy Bitter—Has to get drafted. He is easily one of the best attackman in the game right now and his ability to do everything on the lacrosse field while absolutely breaking defenders ankles behind the cage is special. He will surely get drafted.
Other names to keep an eye on, Tim Desko A/M Syracuse, Johnny Rodriguez G Salisbury, Erik Krum A Salisbury, Zach Brenneman M Notre Dame, Davy Emala M/A North Carolina and Brandon Corp A Colgate.
While all the players may not be drafted with the MLL Collegiate and Supplemental Drafts being done already and a 40 man roster limit holding teams down, even getting three or four names from this list will make the MLL that much more exciting.
