MLW Wiffle Ball

by Eddie Kalegi @EddieKalegi

As the 2019 season nears its halfway point, there have certainly been some standouts on the mound, at the plate, and in the field. But of those guys, who are at the zenith? Who are the top 5 players in the MLW right now?

1.) Daniel Schultz: 

Few players can come up clutch in extra innings. An even more diminutive amount can come up big on offense in an 11 inning, scoreless game. Daniel Schultz did that in the Memorial Day affair that will be notoriously remembered as the “longest game in MLW history.” Schultz broke the scoreless tie with a first pitch missile over the high wall in left field to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead, something they wouldn’t surrender. Schultz is the best pitcher in the league right now, having not surrendered a run yet this season. He also has been improving every year at the plate, showing that this season more than ever. Daniel Schultz is an MVP favorite right now, and has dethroned his brother as the best player in Major League Wiffle Ball. 

2.) Kyle Schultz

Older brother Kyle has been conquered, but is still a legend. A force on the mound, he is coming off a season where he carried two rookies to an MLW title. Though the Wildcats haven’t been as dominant this season, Schultz remains the league’s best hitter, driving the ball for both power and contact. He is one of the few players to come up with so many singles and doubles in Wiffle Ball. Toeing the rubber, he remains a formidable opponent to all hitters, with his near sidearm delivery and nasty heat. He is not that far behind his little brother, that’s for sure. 

3.) Drew Davis

I’ve always had my doubts about Drew Davis, but you have to give credit where it is due. He is once again taking a new roster to profusions of success. Davis has gotten much better with the bat as he’s become more of a league veteran, and is just as good on the mound and defensively as staple names like the Schultz brothers and Coughlin. He also has the biggest personality and most determination of any player in the league, making him a fan favorite. He’s an ace and a gunslinger, and is getting closer to an elusive World Series Title. 

4.) Noah Daberko

When it comes to power hitting, there is nobody better than Noah Daberko. Though he does go through slumps on occasion, he can make you forget the woes in a blink of an eye when he bashes a Wiffle ball deep out of Meadows Park. He might not be a dual threat on the mound like his counterparts on this list, Daberko’s clutch hitting and defense puts him among the greats. He was just as, if not more important in the Mallards 2017 World Series victory as pitcher Tommy Coughlin, and continues to get better as seasons go on.

5.) Tommy Coughlin

While being a bit out of control on the mound at times, Coughlin is an elite Wiffle ball player. The walks are always balanced with strikeouts, and when he surrenders a run, expect him to come back strong with the bat in the opposite half of the frame. People often forget about him when they think about aces, and MVPs, and such, but he’s a two time reigning NL champion and one of the premiere players in league history. When he’s locked in, his offspeed pitches are downright unhittable. 

Honorable Mentions

Alec Warda

Brennan Russell

Clayton Price

At this point in the season, I’d say it’s a four horse race for MVP: the Schultz brothers, Drew Davis, and the Preds’ Brennan Russell. But, there is still lots of compelling action on the way that could change that as the dog days of summer near.