Twenty Canadians selected in inaugural Women's Pro Baseball League draft

Women’s National Team right-hander Alli Schroder (Fruitvale, B.C.) was selected fifth overall by Boston in the inaugural Women’s Pro Baseball League draft on Thursday night. Photo: Baseball B.C.

November 21, 2025

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Twenty Canadians - including four in the first round - were selected in the inaugural Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) draft that took place last night.

Women’s National Team right-hander Alli Schroder (Fruitvale, B.C.) was the first Canuck selected when she went fifth overall to Boston. Boston then followed by chosing two more Canadians in the first round: right-hander Raine Padgham (Abbotsford, B.C.), 12th overall and infielder Zoe Hicks (Boissevain, Man.), 13th overall.

In all, 120 players were chosen in the six-round draft.

The WPBL, which will begin play on August 1, 2026, is comprised of four teams - Boston, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. The season will last approximately seven weeks.

Here’s a summary of the Canadians selected and a scouting report about each of them from the WPBL site:

Women’s National Team right-hander Raine Padgham (Abbotsford, B.C.) was selected 12th overall by Boston in the inaugural Women’s Pro Baseball League draft on Thursday night. Photo: Baseball B.C.

1st Round

5th overall, Boston - RHP Alli Schroder (Fruitvale, B.C.)

“Schroder is a wildfire fighter, a nine-year Canadian national team veteran, a CCBC history-maker, and a star of two national documentaries. Her presence adds toughness, durability, and big-game poise.”

12th overall, Boston - RHP Raine Padgham (Abbotsford, B.C.)

“One of the youngest elite pitchers in the draft, Padgham already owns a bronze-medal World Cup start and years of national team experience. The 20-year-old brings velocity, composure, and high-development upside to Boston’s rotation.”

13th overall, Boston - INF Zoe Hicks (Boissevain, Man.)

“A steady bat with clean defensive actions, Hicks gives Boston further infield depth and another young building block. Her experience across Canada’s women’s baseball pipeline positions her well for immediate impact.”

14th overall, New York - RHP Jaidi Lee (St. John’s, Nfld.)

“Lee is one of the most promising teenage arms in North America, already well-known for becoming the first girl to pitch in Canada’s men’s national championships. At 19, she adds youth, velocity, and long-term upside to New York’s pitching staff.”

Women’s National Team infielder Madison Willan (Edmonton, Alta.) was selected 35th overall by New York in the inaugural WPBL draft. Photo: Baseball Alberta

2nd Round

32nd overall, San Francisco - 1B Andreanne Leblanc (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.)

“San Francisco turned to the power positions with Leblanc, a first baseman from Québec. She brings a strong Canadian baseball pedigree and the kind of corner-infield presence that can anchor a lineup and infield alike.

35th overall, New York - INF Madison Willan (Edmonton, Alta.)

“Willan is the definition of a multi-sport high performer. A member of Team Canada’s Women’s National Baseball Team since 2017, she made history with the program’s first out-of-the-park home run in international play and has multiple World Cup bronze medals. In winter, she starred for the University of Alberta’s women’s hockey team, winning national awards, championships, and even a gold medal at the FISU Winter Games. She’s also competed in university golf. New York gets a mature, competitive infielder who’s used to carrying big roles across multiple sports.”

37th overall, Boston - RHP Maika Dumais (Quebec, Que.)

“Dumais, at just 17, brings one of the youngest arms in the draft to Boston. A right-hander from Québec, she represents the next wave of Canadian talent and will have time to develop under a staff already rich in experience.”

38th overall, New York - CF-LHP Claire Eccles (Vancouver, B.C.)

“Eccles offers New York something rare: a legitimate two-way profile. Capable of impacting the game as both a left-handed pitcher and a center fielder, she gives New York roster flexibility and another creative option in late-game situations.”

39th overall, Los Angeles - RHP Michelle Roche (Burnaby, B.C.)

“Roche is a pitcher whose career has been defined by continually playing “up” and proving she belongs. From robbing a championship-winning home run as a young outfielder to starring in top boys’ travel programs and the BCPBL, she’s built a résumé full of innings, efficiency, and poise. She’s already a key starter for the University of British Columbia and has been a mainstay on the mound for Team Canada. Los Angeles adds a durable, strike-throwing right-hander with a long track record against elite competition.”

Women’s National Team right-hander Autumn Mills (Burlington, Ont.) was selected 58th overall by Los Angeles in the WPBL draft. Photo: Baseball Canada

3rd Round

41st overall, San Francisco - INF Ela Day-Bedard (Gatineau, Que.)

“San Francisco opened the round by adding infield depth with Day-Bedard, a versatile Canadian infielder who has come up through Québec’s growing women’s baseball pipeline.”

43rd overall, New York - C Elodie Ciamarro (Mont-Saint-Hillaire, Que.)

“At 19, Ciamarro is one of the youngest catchers selected so far. She’s been playing since age 11 and represents Team Québec, giving New York a developing backstop with national-level experience.”

49th overall, San Francisco - LHP Elizabeth Gilder (New Westminster, B.C.)

“Gilder gives San Francisco something every staff needs: a reliable left-handed arm. She strengthens the Giants’ ability to mix looks and match up late in games.”

58th overall, Los Angeles - RHP Autumn Mills (Burlington, Ont.)

“Mills is a veteran arm with deep international credentials for Canada. Her experience, poise, and understanding of big-game environments make her a stabilizing force on Los Angeles’ pitching staff.”

Right-hander Sydney Barry (Fort McMurray, Alta.) was selected 74th overall by Los Angeles in the WPBL draft. Photo: Baseball Canada

4th Round

66th overall, Los Angeles - LHP Juliette Kladko (Vancouver, B.C.)

“Kladko started in local Little League at five, winning four national titles with Team British Columbia before briefly stepping away from the game to play university basketball. An ACL tear and three years away from competition could have ended her story—but in 2024 she returned to baseball and rediscovered where she belonged. She now pairs her comeback on the mound with work growing girls’ baseball across Canada. Los Angeles adds a lefty with both perspective and poise.”

74th overall, Los Angeles - RHP Sydney Barry (Fort McMurray, Alta.)

“Barry has spent much of her career competing with and against boys at the AAA level. For Team Alberta at the Canadian Women’s Open Nationals, she threw a 108-pitch complete game to secure bronze. The same year, she helped her hometown team earn bronze at 18U boys’ nationals on home soil. Los Angeles gets a right-hander who’s used to big workloads, big stages, and big expectations.”

Infielder Braidy Birdsall (Saskatoon, Sask.) was selected 85th overall by Boston in the WPBL draft. Photo: Baseball Canada

5th Round

83rd overall, New York - RHP Zoe Falardeau (Welland, Ont.)

“Falardeau joins New York as a young right-hander from Ontario. A product of Canada’s growing women’s baseball system, she’ll be looking to convert regional success into a pro opportunity.”

84th overall, Boston - OF Emily Baxter (Oakville, Ont.)

“Baxter adds outfield depth for Boston. Coming out of Ontario, she brings experience patrolling the corners and the ability to compete for a role as a defensive and bench option.”

85th overall, Boston - 2B Braidy Birdsall (Saskatoon, Sask.)

“Birdsall’s path blends performance, psychology, and officiating. A former national and international martial arts champion, she pivoted into baseball and quickly made her mark: two Golden Gloves at third base, top-three finishes in home run derbies, and recognition as one of Canada’s Top 40 female players. She’s also a Level 3 umpire, a coach, and a sport psychology student intent on helping girls perform at their best. Boston gets a second baseman who understands the game from almost every angle.”

86th overall, New York - RF Adelaide Ziebart (Saskatoon, Sask.)

“Ziebart grew up splitting time between baseball and figure skating before fully committing to the diamond at 13, when she made AAA and played alongside other girls for the first time. Since then she’s represented Saskatchewan at nine national championships, earned Defensive Player of the Tournament at 19U, and cracked Canada’s national team top-40 and development camp. Now finishing a marketing degree, she dreams of working in the sports industry. New York gains a right fielder who knows what it means to grind through long winters chasing a summer sport.”

Right-hander Sarah Beaulieu (Rivière-du-Loup, Que.) was selected 118th overall by New York in the WPBL draft. Photo: Baseball Canada

6th Round

118th overall, New York - RHP Sarah Beaulieu (Rivière-du-Loup, Que.)

“Beaulieu grew up balancing music and sports: she’s studying to be a music teacher and has been playing piano since nine, but she’s also been crossing borders for girls’ baseball tournaments since 14. She’s won gold with the New York Wonders at BFA events, hit 14-for-17 in a weekend at the Diamond Classic, and traveled hours each week from her small hometown to compete in Québec. She’s medaled at Canadian championships and once threw three scoreless innings in a men’s semi-pro league game—10 batters, two strikeouts, no runs, no walks. New York adds a right-hander with feel, grit, and a history of punching above her weight class.”