2019 NPF Rookie of the Year: Abbey Cheek

It's hard to believe that 13 players were selected before Abbey Cheek in the 2019 National Pro Fastpitch Draft. The 14th overall pick in April's NPF Draft, Cheek proved everyone who passed over her wrong this summer, as she led the league in batting average (.378) and on-base percentage (.457) in her first season as a professional softball player.

That's why Cheek, a third baseman for the Chicago Bandits, is Softball America's first-ever NPF Rookie of the Year.

The honor marks Cheek's third major award of the 2019 season, as she collected the NPF's Rookie of the Year award last week, while also being named an All-NPF selection. This summer, she became the first NPF rookie since 2007 to lead the league in batting average.

The University of Kentucky graduate also blasted nine home runs during her remarkable 2019 regular season, while collecting 28 RBI and posting a .712 slugging percentage.

Cheek began play in the NPF on the heels of a stellar senior season at Kentucky that saw her earn SEC Player of the Year honors and become a unanimous First Team All-American.

With NPF On Hold, Abbey Cheek Looks Ahead

NPF standout Abbey Cheek looks ahead to a time when she can play softball again.