From Zero to Hero: Inside Chicago Slice's A+ Draft Masterclass Building a Contender from Scratch
What's the Score?
Chicago, USA – The Chicago Slice, fresh off winning the 2024 Challenger regular season and earning promotion to Major League Pickleball's Premier level, faced the daunting task of building their entire 2025 roster from scratch. Unable to retain any players, General Manager Ron Saslow and his team navigated the MLP draft with what is being hailed as an "A+ draft masterclass". By blending extensive preparation, analytics, deep player knowledge, and strategic aggression, the Slice assembled a highly competitive team against the odds.
Hit it deeper!
The journey to the 2025 Major League Pickleball season presented the Chicago Slice with a unique challenge. Despite their success in the 2024 Challenger season, contract issues meant the team could not keep any of their winning roster. This forced GM Ron Saslow and his team to approach the 2025 draft needing to construct a full Premier-level team entirely from the waiver pool. The pressure was high, requiring a strategic approach to navigate the unpredictable MLP draft environment.
Saslow emphasised that their success wasn't accidental but the product of extensive planning. His team analysed numerous draft scenarios and developed multiple strategies, including aggressive and less aggressive approaches. Their decision-making process incorporated a "fair amount of analytics," balanced with scouting and "educated gut feel". A distinct advantage for the Slice ownership group, which includes paddle brands Paddletek & ProXR, is their deep, year-round interaction with players. Saslow noted this provides an almost "unfair advantage" in player knowledge compared to other teams.
During the draft, as top teams predictably retained players, the Slice recognised that significant talent was available in the waiver pool. This prompted them to adopt an aggressive drafting strategy. Their key selections included drafting James Ignatowich 5th overall for $90,000, Vivienne David 9th overall for $80,000, and Callie Smith 12th overall for $70,000. They also added Max Freeman at 10th overall for $80,000, a player Saslow considers underrated but promising. This starting four was built for a total cost of $320,000.
Saslow revealed that a long-term strategic financial decision played a role; they chose to "save the money in 2024 for 2025 and beyond". This allowed them to enter the 2025 draft with flexibility, noting that their $320,000 expenditure for the starting four was considerably lower than the upwards of $500,000 some Premier teams spent in 2024. Beyond the initial four, the team focused on roster construction considering chemistry and player matchup analysis (right/left sides, gender, mixed pairings). They also secured valuable bench players in Carlos Imparato (who also serves as coach) and Di Laura, seen as integral practice partners who could step into starting roles if needed. Post-draft evaluations from writers widely recognised the Slice's success, with many giving them A+ grades. Saslow expressed optimism for the 2025 season, believing their preparation and deep player knowledge position them for a strong playoff run.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The Chicago Slice's performance in the 2025 MLP draft, as described by GM Ron Saslow, is a textbook example of how preparation, strategy, and leveraging unique resources can overcome significant disadvantages. Facing the daunting task of rebuilding an entire roster, the Slice team employed a calculated blend of analytics and scouting, augmented by the deep player insights gained through their ownership's ties to paddle brands. Their aggressive yet financially prudent approach allowed them to assemble a roster widely praised for its talent and potential chemistry. The decision to strategically save funds in 2024 positioned them well financially for the 2025 season, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to team management. Earning A+ draft grades is a testament to their execution. The Chicago Slice story suggests that in the complex landscape of MLP, being prepared and adaptable, coupled with superior player evaluation, can build a competitive team even from scratch, making them a compelling team to follow in 2025.