State of the Franchise: Cloverdale Clovers

We continue our State of the Franchise Series with the Cloverdale Clovers who enter their 11th Season in the Roger Dorn Baseball League with a pair of Division Titles and one League Championship to date. The Clovers are coming off an 8th Place finish in 2023, their third consecutive season missing the RDBL Playoffs while entering 2024 with high expectations yet again.

Franchise History Page

President of Baseball Operations: Chris Shelley

Headquarters: Concord, CA

Seasons: 10

Cash Finishes: 5

Division Titles: 3

Lifetime Earnings: $

Top Hitter:

Top Pitcher:

2023 Season

The Clovers produced a familiar season for GM Chris Shelley as the club produced an elite offense but couldn't match it with the 10th ranked pitching staff. It was the seventh time in Franchise History that the pitching staff has finished 10th or worse while their offense has finished seventh or better in seven seasons of those seasons.

There was plenty to like about the Clovers season with Freddie Freeman producing the fifth most points in a Full Season while Adley Rutschman posted the second best season by a catcher in League History.

Patience with their young players prospects might have been the biggest storyline of the 2023 Clovers season as Shelley let elite young assets like Anthony Volpe, Elly De La Cruz, Zach Neto, Marco Luciano and Ceddanne Rafaela cut their teeth at the big league level with eyes on Opening Day activations in 2024.

Lost to 2024 Free Agency

3B Nolan Arenado, RP Jhoan Duran, OF Alex Verdugo, RP Evan Phillips, SP Cristian Javier

Current Projected Keeper Roster Ranked by Value

1. C Adley Rutschman (2R/$3)

2. 1B Freddie Freeman (2/$57)

3. RHP Tyler Glasnow (3/$2)

4. SS/3B Elly De La Cruz (1R/$1)

5. SS Oneil Cruz (2R/$3)

6. SS Anthony Volpe (1R/$1)

7. RHP Joe Ryan (3/$9)

8. OF Bryan De La Cruz (2D/$5)

9. RP Camilo Doval (3/$5)

10. OF TJ Friedl (2/$1)

11. 2B Zach Neto (1R/$1)

12. OF Ceddanne Rafaela (1R/$1)

13. RHP Edward Cabrera (1R/$1)

14. C Elias Diaz (2/$5)

15. OF Jarred Kelenic (3R/$5)

The Clovers have a pair of difficult decisions in Pete Alonso (2/$48) and Xander Bogaerts (3/$44), with sources indicating that Shelley would prefer to shift those cap space resources to the starting rotation making each trade candidates this Winter. If the club elects to part with both and get aggressive on activations, the Clovers could have significant volatility with the ability to spend big in the Auction to pair Tyler Glasnow with a pair of suitable aces.

Rutschman and Freeman are so exceptional at the respective positions that the Clovers will likely be comfortable with some aggressive promotions, especially considering the upside of Volpe and De La Cruz after up and down 2023 campaigns.

Underrated returnees TJ Friedl and Bryan De La Cruz give the Clovers a strong duo in the outfield with strong floors to boost the offense.

Farm System

1. SS/3B Elly De La Cruz (Reds)

2. SS Anthony Volpe (Yankees)

3. RHP Andrew Painter (Phillies)

4. LHP Ricky Tiedemann (Blue Jays)

5. OF Ceddanne Rafaela (Red Sox)

6. SS Marco Luciano (Giants)

7. RHP Edward Cabrera (Marlins)​ 8. SS Zach Neto (Angels)

9. C Dalton Rushing (Dodgers)

10. SS Liover Peguero (Pirates)

Next Best: 1B Nick Pratto (KC), RHP Marco Raya (MIN)

Few Farm Systems possess the ability to make the impact on the 2024 Season that the Cloverdale Clovers can. GM Chris Shelley could have as many as nine prospects start 2024 in the big leagues, making their Keeper Deadline decisions one of the more interesting ones to follow.

Few players in all of baseball have more upside than Elly De La Cruz who is a lock to hold down an infield spot to open 2024 with a wave of shortstops behind him ready as well.

A pair of starting pitchers might be the ones to watch behind De La Cruz in the Farm System as Ricky Tiedemann and Edward Cabrera possess some of the biggest swing and miss stuff in the Minor Leagues. Cabrera is the more likely of the two to break camp with the Marlins but Tiedemann should be a factor at some point next season.

Off-Season Questions

1. What to do with Pete Alonso and Xander Bogaerts?

It's easy to dream on the options that $92 in Cap Space can provide for the Clovers if they move on from both Alonso and Bogaerts this off-season, but it would create a hole of 800 points that the duo produced in 2023 that will need to be replaced. A wave of shortstop ready activations and Freddie Freeman already at first base make it challenging to see a return for either at this point, with Shelley hyper-aware of his team's struggles on the mound and a likely major investment on that side of the ball.

2. Significant Trades Brewing?

When you have a Farm System that has as many as nine prospects that could open 2024 in the Big Leagues, Shelley has a bevy of options which includes packaging some of those assets for a big deal this Winter. One name that sticks out is San Mateo Oppo Tacos outfielder Juan Soto (2/$65) who is on a club strapped for cap space along with a Farm System that was gutted in 2023. Soto was also an original Clovers Reserve Draft pick before becoming one of the best activations in League History.

3. Which Free Agent Starter do the Clovers prefer?

The Clovers are a lock to bring in at least one $50+ starter in the 2024 Auction Draft with Zack Wheeler, Spencer Strider, Kevin Gausman, Max Fried and Joe Musgrove ranked as the five best currently.

Top 10 Second Base Prospects: Holliday Soars Ahead of the Rest

In our third installment of the RDBL Top 10 Prospects by position, we tackle second base which is led by RDBL Hitting Prospect of the Year and Las Vergas Aristocrats phenom Jackson Holliday. Having played five games at second in 2023, Holliday carries eligibility across both positions into 2024 which only adds to his already sky-high value.

The position as a whole is extremely deep with a wave of prospects expected to be positioned for an activation in 2024 by their respective RDBL clubs.

1. 2B/SS Jackson Holliday, Las Vegas Aristocrats

Acquired: 2023 Trade from Idaho Taters | ETA: 2025

Awarded Baseball America’s Player of the Year in the Minor Leagues, Holliday has ascended into RDBL’s top hitting prospect. Originally a selection of the Idaho Taters, Holliday was one of the highest profile prospects to be traded in League History as the Las Vegas Aristocrats were able to pry him away. He’s on track to make his big leagues in 2024 with a potential Playoff activation or 2025 Opening Day addition to follow. Currently eligible at both shortstop and second base, his long-term future will largely be decided by the Orioles loaded depth chart and who has established themselves at the time of his promotion.

2. 2B/SS Matt McLain, St. Joseph Jokers

Acquired: 2021 Reserve Draft, 5th Round | ETA: 2024

McLain 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 St. Joseph Jokers who will look to build around McLain and Gunnar Henderson.

3. 2B Edouard Julien, Maltese Falcons

Acquired: 2023 Reserve Draft, 4th Round | ETA: 2024

Julien might be a surprise for some this early on the list, but the slugging second baseman looks poised to immediately step in as a Top-10 producer at the position in 2024. Julien's Rookie debut went exceptionally well in Minnesota, ranking 5th in OPS (.840) among second basemen with at least 250 at-bats, ahead of the likes of Marcus Semien and Gleybar Torres. Despite just 109 games overall, Julien ranked fifth in walks (64) at his position, aligning his skillset perfectly with the RDBL.

4. 2B Adael Amador, Alamo Short Stacks

Acquired: 2023 Trade from Lake Merced Goutfish | ETA: 2025

In just 69 games this season, Amador racked up 15 doubles, 12 home runs, and 15 steals with a .287/.380/.495 slash line and more walks (39) than strikeouts (37). If he didn't miss around half of the minor league season recovering from surgery on his right hamate bone, Amador might be in the top 10 overall discussion heading into 2024. While Amador might not have the flashy power/speed blend that most of the names ahead of him in my rankings have, he's still around average game power and speed, maybe even above average in the power department. That's enough to flirt with 20/20 seasons when half of your games are going to be in Coors Field. Add in a plus or better hit tool and outstanding approach, and you have a well-rounded offensive middle infielder with a fairly high floor as well that should be ready to take on a full-time role in Colorado in 2025.

5. 2B/SS/3B Ronny Mauricio, Lake Merced Goutfish

Acquired: 2021 Reserve Draft, 2nd Round | ETA: 2024

Mauricio has a carrying tool in his plus power, but his below-average on-base ability has generally weighed down his overall offensive production. Mauricio has the electric bat speed and twitch to produce majestic drives to his pull side, and his first MLB hit was a 117.3 mph double that was the hardest hit ball by any Mets hitter in 2023. He also led the Mets with one of the highest chase rates in MLB, undone by poor swing decisions against sliders and changeups. The switch-hitting Mauricio is much stronger from the left side, hitting .284/.334/.497 with a 21% strikeout rate against righthanders in the upper minors and majors. He is an above-average runner and efficient basestealer who went 7-for-7 in his MLB debut. Mauricio is a steady defensive shortstop with a plus arm who fanned out to second base, third base and left field at Triple-A to create avenues to Queens. Playing outfield was abandoned in August, but he looked at home at second and third in New York where he figures to play a prominent role in 2024.

6. 2B/3B Curtis Mead, Asti Grape Stompers

Acquired: 2022 Reserve Draft, 7th Round | ETA: 2024

Mead got his feet wet in the big leagues, earning 24 games of action with a .675 OPS after acing two stops in the Minor Leagues with .287/.377/.502 line. Profiling at both second and third base, Mead brings a strong approach to the plate with emerging power that should allow him to reach his potential as a 350-400 point contributor that could push him into a 2024 activation for the Grapes.

7. 2B/3B/SS Jordan Westburg, Alamo Short Stacks

Acquired: 2023 Reserve Draft, 5th Round | ETA: 2024

Westburg forced his way to the big leagues in 2023, posting a .939 OPS in 67 Triple-A games with 35 overall extra base hits. Facing a crowded depth chart for the first place Orioles, Westburg found his way into 208 big league at-bats across shortstop, second and third base, improving his OPS in each month. Earning a pair of Playoff starts, Westburg looks to be firmly in the O's plans for next season making him a strong candidate for an Opening Day activation.

8. 2B/3B Michael Busch, Mt. Diablo Devils

Acquired: 2022 Trade from Honolulu Hammerheads | ETA: 2024

In his three full minor league seasons, Busch has been a consistent offensive performer, especially in the power department where he's flexed his plus raw power often. After hitting 32 homers in 142 games in 2022, Busch cranked 27 more in 2023 in just 98 games with a .323/.431/.618 slash line. Both the .618 SLG and .295 ISO were career-best marks for Busch. In addition, Busch also improved his walk rate from 11.5% to 13.9% while trimming his strikeout rate from 26.1% to 18.8%. Despite earning the PCL MVP Award, the Dodgers left Busch off their Playoff Roster and don't seem overly ready to hand him a big league job despite the Minor League production. He's a candidate to be moved this Winter which could be a big boost to his value.

9. 2B Termarr Johnson, Spokane Fightin' Fish

Acquired: 2023 Trade from Mission Viejo Maulers | ETA: 2026

Johnson displayed elite patience, posting the highest walk rate among the Minors’ full-season qualifiers (21.9 percent), but some more was expected at the plate after hitting .244 on the season across stops at Low-A and High-A. With many above him on this list set for graduation to the big leagues, Johnson figures to move up significantly during his Age-20 season in 2024 and remains a strong piece of the Fish's future.

10. 2B Connor Norby, Spokane Fightin' Fish

Acquired: 2023 Reserve Draft, 1st Round | ETA: 2024

Norby is the victim of a crowded Baltimore Orioles depth chart that is filled with young hitters pushing for a big league job. Ranked as a Top-100 prospect by multiple publications entering the year, Norby spent all of 2023 at Triple-A where he slashed .290/.359/.483 with 21 home runs and 40 doubles. In another organization, he might already be locked into a 2024 big league job but his immediate future is more uncertain in Baltimore with Jordan Westburg currently ahead of him.

Early Predictions for Top 10 RDBL Free Agents

With the Major League Baseball Hot Stove kicking off this week, the Roger Dorn Baseball League has also turned the page to 2024 with an elite Free Agent Class set for our 11th Annual Draft. We covered the first 2024 Free Agent Power Rankings in late October, with outfielder Aaron Judge topping the list as he rolls off his $31 contract signed in 2021.

Here's an early look at the Top 10 Free Agents available and who makes the most logical sense for a potential signing as well as a contract range that's expected.

1. OF Aaron Judge, Yankees

Expected Contract Range: $63-68

2023 Stats: .267/.406/.613, 373.5 Points

Best Fits: Stacks, Falcons, Jokers, Hammerheads, Clovers

Prediction: $66 to Alamo Short Stacks

Judge enters the 2024 Draft with a chance to break Mike Trout's $71 contract for the highest hitter deal in RDBL History while Ronald Acuña's $66 deal was the largest of 2023. Five Front Offices currently project to hold more than $15 in cap space per opening, the likely necessary spending power to be a serious bidder for Judge while reserving cash for the remainder of the Roster. While we expect the Jokers to be heavy bidders, recent struggles on the mound from their organization as well as the Clovers will likely point their Front Offices towards more of a focus on the pitching market. That leaves the Alamo Short Stacks as a logical fit, given the club currently projects to have $200 available for just nine openings.

2. 3B Austin Riley, Braves

Expected Contract Range: $55-60

2023 Stats: .281/.345/.516, 478.0 Points

Best Fits: Hammerheads, Grapes, Clovers, 'Crats, Falcons, Jokers

Prediction: $58 to Honolulu Hammerheads

Riley has been a superstar over the course of his 3-year contract with the Honolulu Hammerheads, posting 1,422.0 points as one of the most successful Rookie contract deals in League History. Slugging .515 or higher in each season, Riley is showing no signs of slowing down. For good reason, Heads GM Ross Horiuchi is focused on retaining the third baseman making it hard to predict Riley landing anywhere else expect the shores of Honolulu.

3. SP/U Shohei Ohtani, Free Agent

Expected Contract Range: $55-60

2023 Stats: .304/.412/.654, 538.0 Hitting Points / 3.14 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 372.0 Pitching Points

Best Fits: Stacks, Falcons, Jokers, Fightin' Fish, Goutfish, Hops

Prediction: $58 to Spokane Fightin' Fish

While Ohtani will have a market across the RDBL with eyes on a dual-impact in 2025 and 2026, it's no lock that he'll be fully healthy in Spring Training and ready for a full slate of at-bats next season which puts his overall value in question. Expect the Goutfish and Fightin' Fish to be creative this off-season and clear cap space with strong enough Keeper Rosters to carry the risk next season while turning it into a boon over his final two seasons of control.

If he is without limits entering Spring Training, Ohtani will be in the mix for the highest overall Free Agent contract in 2024.

4. RHP Zack Wheeler, Phillies

Expected Contract Range: $55-60

2023 Stats: 3.61 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 435.0 Points

Best Fits: Clovers, Grapes, Stacks, 'Crats, Jokers, Falcons

Prediction: $57 to Cloverdale Clovers

The Cloverdale Clovers have failed to produce a pitching staff that has ranked better than 10th just once in the last seven seasons making the starting rotation a key priority for GM Chris Shelley. The club will have the spending power to do it as well with a current projection of $159 for just seven openings, giving them the highest cap per opening number in the league. Wheeler followed up a 624.0 career season in 2022 with 435.0 points last year and looks to be in line for the highest pitcher contract this year.

5. SS Trea Turner, Phillies

Expected Contract Range: $50-55

2023 Stats: .266/.320/.459, 30 Steals, 420.5 Points

Best Fits: Ducks, Jokers, Goutfish, Grapes, Stacks

Prediction: $51 to Burlingame Blue Ducks

Trying to live up to his $300M+ deal, Turner was not himself in the First Half of 2023 before turning it on to the tune of .292/.348/.554 over the last three months. Coming off a $49 deal, Turner figures to be right back in that market in 2024. The Ducks, currently lacking middle infield options, could be the best fit after making Turner their first Reserve Draft pick in Franchise History. A tick back up to his career norms along with his impact on the bases should put him safely back in the 450+ point range for the next three seasons.

6. RHP Spencer Strider, Braves

Expected Contract Range: $50-55

2023 Stats: 3.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 441.0 Points

Best Fits: Clovers, Grapes, Stacks, 'Crats, Jokers, Falcons, Heads

Prediction: $51 to Alamo Short Stacks

Outside of Logan Gilbert, the Stacks are staring at a number of starting pitching options that carry upside but attached risk. That likely will have GM Greg Shelley focused towards the top of the starting pitcher market with Spencer Strider as a logical fit. Strider posted a 3.86 ERA in 2023, coming off his 2022 Waiver Claim of the Year Award. The stuff jumps off the page with Strider as the right-hander has now puched out 496 in 327.0 big league innings over 2022 and 2023.

7. OF Kyle Tucker, Astros

Expected Contract Range: $45-50

2023 Stats: .284/.369/.517, 30 SB, 493.0 Points

Best Fits: Grapes, Jokers, 'Crats, Clovers, Ducks, Hops, Fish

Prediction: $48 to St. Joseph Jokers

Tucker had a breakout season in 2023, something that's been expected of him since his RDBL Activation in 2021. Finishing fourth in outfield points, Tucker slashed .284/.369/.517 with 30 steals and 71 extra base hits. While there will be wide interest, the St. Joseph Jokers look to be a logical landing spot as GM Rick Steen enters 2024 with a blank slate and need to make investment in younger assets with a safe floor to build around.

8. 1B Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays

Expected Contract Range: $45-50

2023 Stats: .264/.345/.444, 403.5 Points

Best Fits: Fringe, Clovers, Devils, Stacks, Grapes

Prediction: $48 to Asti Grape Stompers

It was a down season for Guerrero who posted his lowest point output since his 2021 activation. The former RDBL Activation and Hitter of the Year figured to be a $60+ point player when he hit Free Agency, but the market looks a bit lighter after his 2023 struggles. There will still be wide interest across the board with the Asti Grape Stompers, who finished 11th in Hitter Points in 2023, a logical fit to join Bobby Witt, Spencer Steer and Jordan Walker in an improved lineup.

9. SS Bo Bichette, Blue Jays

Expected Contract Range: $40-45

2023 Stats: .306/.339/.475, 383.0 Points

Best Fits: Stacks, Heads, Grapes, Goutfish, Ducks, Devils, Hops, Jokers

Prediction: $43 to Meinert Hops

The Hops have a crowded infield of valuable assets, but with an elite rotation already in place, expect GM Garrett Shelley to make a big investment on the offensive side. Bichette was limited to 135 games, slashing .306/.339/.475 with 383.0 points as he completed his Rookie Contract with the Mt. Diablo Devils. He exceeded 430 points in both 2021 and 2022, giving any club that lands Bichette an elite option at shortstop.

10. 1B Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals

Expected Contract Range: $40-45

2023 Stats: .306/.339/.475, 383.0 Points

Best Fits: Stacks, Grapes, Heads, Clovers, Fringe, Goutfish, Jokers, Fish

Prediction: $41 to Lunatic Fringe

Much like the Hops, the Lunatic Fringe are largely set in the rotation and looking to leverage an average cap space amount into some impactful talent on offense. That could lead them to Paul Goldschmidt to pair with Matt Olson, covering the 1B and CI spots in 2024. Goldy had another elite year in 2023, posting 433.0 points with a .268/.363/.447 line while mashing 25 home runs and 31 doubles. While the production is likely to decline over the course of his last big RDBL contract, the price range of $40-45 bakes that in with a true contender being able to safely pencil in 400 points at a reasonable contract amount for 2024.