Opening Day is less than two months away, and the Talons are set to make the final three additions to the roster for the inaugural season. The talent will come from the AUSL College Draft, which will bring in the top NCAA seniors who have finished their collegiate eligibility.

The Talons roster currently stands at the following 13 players:

No. 1 Draft Need: Utility or DP

The Talons have an extremely versatile roster, which makes it difficult to nail down what direction they’ll go with their first pick in the college draft. Their defense is sound, and the pitching staff is incredibly balanced, so the Talons could be looking to bolster their batting lineup more than anything.

That’s why they could pursue another power hitter who can either be a designated player or work into the defense.

Pick Prediction: Savannah Pola or Bri Ellis

There are quite a few utility players in the 2025 class, including UCLA’s Savannah Pola. Talons general manager Lisa Fernandez and head coach Howard Dobson have shown a pattern of drafting players they have coached, which is why UCLA’s Savannah Pola could be a potential pick. She’s played in 210 games (199 starts) in her career, and is hitting her best yet this season. Pola’s slugging percentage has surged to .773, and her on-base percentage is at .497.

There’s no denying Bri Ellis is the best hitter in college softball right now, which is why the Talons would find room for her in the lineup despite having Tori Vidales at first base. Ellis is batting .490 with 21 home runs and 61 runs batted in. She’s also slugging 1.214 and has an on-base percentage of .642.

No. 2 Draft Need: Outfielder

The Talons have more flexibility defensively because Sahvanna Jaquish and Maya Brady are utility players. Jaquish mostly plays third base these days, but she is also an accomplished catcher on the U.S. Women’s National Team. Flippen and Romero both have experience at third base, so that rules out needing another corner.

The Talons were the only team to select just two outfielders at the Allocation Draft in January, and on paper, it may look like they have a shortage of outfielders, but Brady is a utility for a reason: she can play in the grass or at shortstop.

The Talons could pursue another outfielder if they want the option to move Brady to shortstop.

Pick Prediction: Korbe Otis or Sierra Sacco

Florida’s Korbe Otis’ hitting has picked up significantly over the last couple of weeks. Six of her last 10 games have been multi-hit outings. In 2024, Otis was named a First Team NFCA All-American and Top 10 USA Softball Player of the Year Finalist. Last season, she was the only player in the country with 70-plus hits and runs scored in addition to 50-plus RBIs and walks.

Sacco was an option presented for the Volts for her consistent hitting (Sacco is in the Top 5 nationally for her .504 batting average), and her .824 slugging percentage could draw the Talons to this Mississippi State lefty. There’s also a good chance Dobson has scouted her extensively; she’s from Marrero, Louisiana, and started her career at Louisiana Tech. The former Tigers coach would be familiar with her game.

No. 3 Draft Need: Pitcher

With an ace like Faraimo and veteran Corrick, the Talons are set up nicely with experienced hurlers who can throw extensive innings. Fouts and Lopez are great additions to the bullpen who will mix up the pairings and look against batters. It should not be missed that Lopez is a rare left-handed pitcher. There are only three in the league: Lopez, Bandits’ Taylor McQuillin, and Blaze’s Keilani Ricketts are southpaws.

Each team must carry five hurlers, and with the second pick of the draft, the Talons will lock in another pitcher at some point.

Pick Prediction: Devyn Netz

Talons’ general manager was a pitcher who raked, and that’s why Arizona’s Devyn Netz comes to mind. It would be in line with the team’s profile for Lisa Fernandez to select a two-way player. For example, in the perfect game Netz threw against BYU on March 27, she also hit a home run. She currently has a 16-4 record with a 2.39 ERA and a .357 batting average with 14 home runs.

Netz has multiple velos on different pitches. Arizona pitching coach Christian Conrad said she’s comfortable throwing in and outside to both righties and lefties. A college pitcher who has mastered movement and working the zone will make an easier transition to the pros.

Tune in on May 3 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT on ESPNU as the Bandits, Blaze, Talons, and Volts choose the top college talent invited to compete in the AUSL’s inaugural season.

Read More: AUSL College Draft: Golden Ticket Tracker

The AUSL is a professional women’s softball league featuring four teams playing in a traditional format. Tickets to the 2025 season are on sale now.

Savanna Collins is the Senior Reporter for the AUSL. You can follow her on X @savannaecollins.