Major League Pickleball (MLP) begins its season in three weeks at MLP Orlando. Each year in MLP there seems to be a player or two who have a “breakout” season.
In 2023, I would say the two breakout players were Rachel Rohrabacher and Christian Alshon. Last year, Kate Fahey and Quang Duong were the breakout players.
Who will it be this year? I have three candidates to keep an eye on.
Before we get into my three players, let’s define what a “breakout player” really is.
My definition of a breakout player
First and foremost, a breakout player can’t already have a bunch of results and be well known. For example, I am not considering Kate Fahey as a breakout player candidate this year, because she had enough results last year, that everyone knows how good she is.
Next, I would argue that anyone in the top 10-20 in terms of doubles are already established players and aren’t eligible to be considered a breakout player. Through the first quarter of 2025, I think Parris Todd and Lea Jansen have both been playing great doubles pickleball along with their already elite singles. I think both are easily on their way into the top ten women in doubles, if the Columbus Sliders teammates aren’t already there. However, because they are veterans and…
