Ella Smithson’s power is still developing, but her 2025 breakout hints at a high-upside bat for UNI
Smithson enters the 2026 season as a Northern Iowa first baseman with a track record of real game experience and some pop, after batting .256 with 21 hits, 12 runs, 3 home runs, 16 RBI and a .390 slugging percentage in 2025 across 37 games and 30 starts. That profile suggests a hitter who can contribute in the middle of a lineup and bring run production, though her current 2026 line is lighter (.145 with 10 RBI), so the fit looks strongest for a team betting on upside, development, and a player who has already handled regular Division I reps.[2][4][1]
