Ranking Best Trio of Prospects in the RDBL

Farm System Team Rankings are often viewed in the lens of overall depth and not true star power at the top of the group, but a deeper look at the best trios in the Roger Dorn Baseball League gives a look of just how impactful these high-end prospects can be for a Franchise.

Led by the Burlingame Blue Ducks trio of former collegiate Draft selections, here are the top Prospect trios in the RDBL entering 2024.

1. Burlingame Blue Ducks

Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews, Wyatt Langford

GM Ryan Walsh took a different approach to the Reserve Draft in 2022, carrying it over to 2023 with a focus on talent outside of the Minor Leagues.  The club’s selection of Dylan Crews in ’22 was followed with back to back selections of Paul Skenes and Wyatt Langford in ’23.  All three are now widely considered Top 10 Prospects in all of baseball with each expected to make an impact on their big league clubs this season.  The future looks awfully bright for the Ducks.

2. Las Vegas Aristocrats

Jackson Holliday, Gavin Williams, Jackson Chourio

While some mid-season fireworks were present in the ‘Crats Front Office between Nick Holz and his Assistant GMs on their move to sell last season, the club looks much better positioned to open up a Title contending window in a hurry.  Jackson Holliday and Gavin Williams were acquired in a blockbuster deal with the Idaho Taters (now San Mateo Oppo Tacos), while 2nd overall 2023 selection Jackson Chourio looks poised to break into the big leagues quickly after inking an 8-year pact with the Milwaukee Brewers.  The ‘Crats hold the 2nd and 3rd overall picks in the 2024 Reserve Draft with Max Meyer, Brett Baty, Hurston Waldrep, Gavin Stone and Shea Langeliers all expected to open this season in the big leagues. 

3. Lake Merced Goutfish

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Bobby Miller, Matt McLain

The depth of the Goutfish Farm System might not be as strong as previous seasons, but their trio of young stars rivals any in the RDBL. All three top prospects are ready to step into full-time roles in 2024 with Yoshinobu Yamamoto fresh off signing the biggest pitcher contract in Major League History. The addition of Matt McLain helps balance out the 2024 Keeper Roster for GM Ryan Atkinson in another season they will enter with serious Title aspirations.

4. Maltese Falcons

Eury Perez, Triston Casas, Royce Lewis

The health of Royce Lewis might be the only thing preventing the Falcons from topping this list with Eury Perez and Triston Casas both showing elite production at the big league level in 2023.  Perez ranked as the second best pitcher in the RDBL Top 100 while Casas hit .317 with 15 home runs and a 1.034 OPS over his final 54 games.  Lewis has mashed in 70 big league games (.307/.364/.549), but it comes with a laundry list of injuries that he will need to put in his past to fulfill his lofty ceiling.

5. Alamo Short Stacks

Evan Carter, Junior Caminero, Colson Montgomery

The Stacks pulled the plug on their 2023 Season, jumping the rest of the market to acquire each of their top five prospects via trade. That group is headlined by 2023 Playoff breakout Evan Carter who vaulted into the top third of the Rangers World Champion winning lineup and looks well suited for the OBP driven scoring format of the RDBL. Caminero matches the upside of any prospect in the RDBL with a chance to hit the Stacks Active Roster as soon as 2024 while Montgomery has drawn Corey Seager comps with a 2025 ETA.

6. Lunatic Fringe

Grayson Rodriguez, Noelvi Marte, Triston McKenzie

While the rest of the RDBL has pushed away from pitching prospects, GM Tony Guglielmi has consistently jumped on them with Grayson Rodriguez heading up Farm. A dominant second half stretch looks like a sign of things to come for G-Rod who could quickly rise to ace-level status for the Fringe while Triston McKenzie's 900+ big league points are the most of any RDBL Prospect still under a Minor League deal. Noelvi Marte has suffered through a bit of prospect fatigue, but was exceptional after a big league call-up and looks to have a bright future with an Opening Day role locked in for the Reds.

7. Asti Grape Stompers

Jordan Walker, Francisco Alvarez, Jordan Lawlar

A mid-season demotion back to Triple-A turned some away from Walker who looks to be severely underrated going into the 2024 Season. The Cardinals slugger showed his promise after his second call-up to the team in June, where he hit a .277/.346/.455 slash line with 14 home runs and 40 RBIs, a trend that ranked him 7th Overall in the RDBL Top 100. If Francisco Alvarez's hit tool didn't drag behind in 2023 (.208 overall and just .171 after the All-Star Break), the trio might be ranked much higher on this list with Jordan Lawlar set to showcase his elite skillset at short in Arizona early in 2024.

8. Cloverdale Clovers

Elly De La Cruz, Anthony Volpe, Andrew Painter

On upside alone, the Clovers rival any trio in the RDBL but previous big league experience, and falters there, are the only thing that has dimmed the light a bit on both Elly De La Cruz and Anthony Volpe. Unfairly or not, their early promotions to the big leagues highlighted some potential scoring issues in the OBP department that will need to be flxed to reach their respective ceilings while Andrew Painter's Tommy John surgery delayed the arrival of one of the league's top young arms until 2025.

9. Mission Viejo Maulers

Nolan Jones, Jasson Dominguez, Brooks Lee

Jones was one of the biggest prospect risers in 2023 after being the lead return on a deal that sent Daulton Varsho to the Ducks, posting the fourth most points in RDBL Playoff History while slashing .297/.389/.542 with 46 extra base hits overall. An elbow injury to Jasson Dominguez will delay his arrival on the Maulers Active Roster by a year, likely pushing the trio down at least a spot here while Brooks Lee looks ready to make an impact in Minnesota early in 2024.

10. Mt. Diablo Devils

Bo Naylor, Michael Busch, Brady House

The Devils have one of the more underrated trios in the RDBL, especially following Michael Busch's trade to the Chicago Cubs and potential to start 2024 as the Opening Day starter at first base on the North Side. Bo Naylor looks poised to enter 2024 as a potential Top-10 catcher while Brady House brings the highest upside of any prospect in the Devils system with more of a 2025 ERA for the infielder.

11. St. Joseph Jokers

Roki Sasaki, Endy Rodriguez, MacKenzie Gore

With Matt McLain out the door following a trade to the Lake Merced Goutfish, the Jokers fell a bit down the list, buoyed by Japanese stud Roki Sasaki who still holds a 2025 or 2026 ETA. A down year from MacKenzie Gore has dampened his stock while an unexpected elbow injury to Endy Rodriguez will push back his Active Roster arrival to 2025.

12. Meinert Hops

Chase DeLauter, Henry Davis, Joey Wiemer

The Hops could activate all three of their top prospects in 2024 with Chase DeLauter serving as one of the biggest risers over the past few months due to an impactful Arizona Fall League stint. He joins Henry Davis, who should earn back catcher eligibility quickly in 2024, and Joey Wiemer as potential Opening Day activations for GM Garrett Shelley.

13. San Mateo Oppo Tacos

Walker Jenkins, Spencer Jones, Gavin Cross

The wait is likely to be worth it on Walker Jenkins for GM Erik Nielsen, with the Twins young outfielder having the potential to be the top prospect in the sport in the next 1-2 years. It was a mixed bag for Spencer Jones in 2023, but the ceiling remains high with extremely loud tools while Gavin Cross looks to build back up his value after a down year.

14. Spokane Fightin' Fish

Heston Kjerstad, Termarr Johnson, Connor Norby

Reaching the big leagues in 2024, Kjerstad has battled a difficult road as a prospect following a heart condition that sidelined him for all of the 2021 season. A former 2nd overall pick in the MLB Draft, Kjerstad's future might now lie at first base with a chance to make a major impact in Baltimore in 2024. Connor Norby could face an uphill battle for playing time in that crowded Orioles depth chart, making him a potential candidate to be traded at the big league level at some point this season which might be a boon for his value. Second baseman Termarr Johnson's star has dimmed a bit following a mixed bag in 2023, but plenty of upside remains with a longer ETA of 2025 or 2026.

15. Honolulu Hammerheads

Brandon Pfaadt, Benny Montgomery, Quinn Priester

The Hammerheads Front Office is confident Pfaadt can carry over his dominant Playoff run into 2024 where they hope he will emerge as a front of the rotation arm immediately. GM Ross Horiuchi is clearly looking to build back up the club's Farm System, peeling a 1st Rounder away from the St. Joseph Jokers last week in exchange for Sonny Gray and Michael Wacha. Benny Montgomery has some upside, especially with a future in Coors Field, but expect a major talent infusion into this group on Draft Day.

3 Up, 3 Down: Busch Value Surges Following Cubs Deal

The 2024 Roger Dorn Baseball League Season is officially underway as the locks were taken off Front Offices on Monday with a pair of deals already in the books. Several high profile Free Agents remain on the MLB Market, but with prospect rankings hitting the web this week as well as trade activity across baseball set to hit overdrive, value changes in the RDBL are happening on a daily basis as Spring Training approaches.

Here's the latest 3 Up, 3 Down as 67 days remain until the 2024 RDBL Draft.

Michael Busch (Minors), Mt. Diablo Devils

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Saturday that while Busch's ultimate position will be up to manager Craig Counsell, he expects the 26-year-old to play first base, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports. "He's certainly going to play. There's no question. It's up to Craig where. I think first base is obviously a natural spot for him. He's played there a lot," Hoyer said at the team's Cubs Convention. Most of Busch's playing time with the Dodgers in 2023 came at third base, and it's possible he could wind up there if the Cubs bring in another first baseman. However, the consensus seems to be that the defensively-challenged Busch fits best at first base. If Busch is indeed confined to first, it puts a damper on Matt Mervis' dynasty outlook.

RP Jordan Hicks (2FA/$5), Maltese Falcons

The signing of Jordan Hicks by the San Francisco Giants could be a boon for GM Gary Falzon with the club's intention to use Hicks as a starter to open 2024. After only appearing as a reliever in 2023, Hicks can be slotted into the RP spot for Draft Day, essentially giving the club a built-in seventh starter. Hicks can't make a start from the RP spot, but the depth at the position is always something clubs are seeking.

Hicks' only experience in the majors as a starter came early in 2022 with the Cardinals, when he posted a 5.47 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 25:21 K:BB over 26.2 innings. His 204 other big-league appearances have all been in relief, including all 65 last season. The Giants always have the option of eventually moving Hicks back to the bullpen if starting doesn't work out, of course. The 27-year-old held a 3.29 ERA and 81:32 K:BB across 65.2 frames for the Cardinals and Blue Jays in an impressive 2023 campaign.

OF Roman Anthony (Free Agent), Boston Red Sox

While Colt Keith has been rumored as the top overall pick in the 2024 Reserve Draft by the Meinert Hops, Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony appears to be gaining ground. Anthony topped the Baseball Prospectus Top 101 among Free Agents, one of 47 ranked and available to RDBL clubs.

Anthony was the Red Sox second-round pick—receiving a late-first round bonus—in the 2022 draft. A potential five-tool outfielder, he posted a sub-.700 OPS in Salem for the first six weeks of the season, albeit with much, much better underlying contact data, and was curiously promoted to Greenville in May. Salem is an awful place to hit, but one wonders if even the Red Sox expected him to post a near-1.000 OPS the rest of the way in the Sally League. His swing-and-miss jumped a bit at the new level, but he continued to make plus swing decisions and hit the ball very hard. Anthony will need to hit the ball in the air more and add a bit more physical strength to reach the 30-home-run mark, but that’s very much in play. In fact, it’s the projection. He already has the requisite above-average bat speed and penchant for pull-side contact. Anthony’s swing is reminiscent of Josh Bell’s from the left side and I could see “the good Josh Bell year” be about where he lands for his peak.

OF Juan Soto (2/$65), San Mateo Oppo Tacos

The San Mateo Oppo Tacos are already at a crossroads in GM Erik Nielsen's first season at the helm. The club's top players are also their highest priced, led by star outfielder Juan Soto. Thus far, the market has been lukewarm for Soto who is actively being shopped as the Tacos look to shed some payroll and gain back some cap space flexibility as well as restock the shelves of their Farm System.

Soto is fresh of third 500+ point season, ranking sixth in scoring among all hitters last season. Under control through 2025, Soto's market could pick up later in Spring as clubs appear focused on saving cap space currently.

Matt Mervis (Minors), Spokane Fightin' Fish

The addition of Michael Busch and likely return of Cody Bellinger could quickly cloud the future for Fightin' Fish farmhand Matt Mervis. Was Mervis a bit unlucky in the majors last year? Perhaps, but the gap between a .531 OPS and what he’d need to be a good regular as a corner bat isn’t bridged by some batted ball luck. Mervis did hit the ball pretty hard—albeit in the air less often than in the minors—and his contact rate, while suboptimal, wouldn’t be disqualifying given the damage he can do. He struggled mightily with offspeed down in the zone, though, and you can see that in both the raw whiff rates and your favorite heat map. Mervis has plenty of bat speed, and plenty of pop, but his struggles with soft stuff are downright concerning given that he’s a bat-first, -second, and -third prospect.

3B Colt Keith (Free Agent), Detroit Tigers

While the light on Keith hasn't dimmed, the Tigers infielder is facing more competition for the top overall pick in the 2024 Reserve Draft by the Meinert Hops. Entering the off-season as the favorite to go 1-1, Keith might be slipping behind Roman Anthony, Cade Horton and/or Samuel Basallo who have ranked right alongside the Tigers infielder on the Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus Top Prospect Lists.

Keith also has a chance to play his way out of the Reserve Draft as he will enter Spring Training with a chance to earn a spot on the Tigers Opening Day roster and be Auction eligible.

TRADE: Jokers Add Senga from Goutfish for McClain, Pick

The St. Joseph Jokers continued the overhaul of their starting rotation on Thursday, announcing the acquisition of right-hander Kodai Senga (2/$12) from the Lake Merced Goutfish for infielder Matt McClain (Minors) and a 3rd Round Pick (41st Overall).

Senga joins Sonny Gray (2/$2) and Michael Wacha (2/$1) as newcomers to a Jokers rotation that badly needed an infusion of stability after posting the fifth and sixth worst pitching seasons in RDBL History in 2022 and 2023.

Senga's first year in the majors couldn't have gone much better from an individual standpoint, as he made 29 starts and posted a 2.98 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 202:77 K:BB across 166.1 innings. He joined the Mets on a three-year, $45 million contract after spending the first 11 years of his career in Japan, and he ended up being a bright spot on what was mostly a disappointing team in Queens.

The 31-year-old struggled with walks -- his 11.1 percent walk rate was third worst among qualified starters -- but he helped offset the free passes with a 29.1 percent strikeout rate, 0.92 HR/9 and by stranding 80.3 percent of baserunners. A higher 3.87 xERA and 3.77 xFIP are hardly a surprise given his walk totals, so some regression wouldn't be surprising if he's unable to walk the tightrope quite so well in 2024. However, he regularly outperformed his peripherals while in Japan, so there's no reason to expect a precipitous drop after an impressive rookie campaign.

Senga posted 444.0 points over the full 2023 season, adding to the 845.0 points added with the acquisition of Gray and Wacha on Monday. GM Rick Steen has wasted no time improving a rotation that posted just 1,612 points as a full staff last season. All three arms are under team control through 2025.

For the Goutfish, it was a clear a subtraction from a loaded group of pitchers before Draft Day with the market heavily after Senga. McClain ranked 18th in the recent 2024 Pre-Season RDBL Top 100 Prospect List. He was one of baseball’s breakouts in 2023, slashing .290/.357/.507 while taking over the starting shortstop spot for the Cincinnati Reds. He torched Triple-A to start the season, hitting .340/.467/.688 and looks the part of a Top-10 producer at the position over the next three seasons for the Goutfish, joining Rafael Devers, Yordan Alvarez, Ryan McMahon and Christian Walker in a potent offensive lineup.

McLain now clocks in as the third ranked prospect in the Goutfish Farm System, trailing right-handers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Bobby Miller.

The Goutfish are without a 2nd Round selection currently, but now hold a pair of 3rd Rounders and their own 1st Rounder.