With the conclusion of the 2023 World Series and crowning of the Texas Rangers, it's time to officially turn the page to the 2024 Season.
Leveraging 2023 Points Totals while taking into account age/experience, injuries and historical performance, we built out our own 2024 Projections for all 186 Projected Keepers in the Roger Dorn Baseball League. We take an early look at the best Keeper Rosters currently constructed, keeping in mind cap space, historical Draft success, roster upside and more.
The full team by team 2024 RDBL Projections can be found in the RDBL Draft Spreadsheet while the Analytics behind the Projections can be found below.
1. Mission Viejo Maulers
Projected Cap Space: $56 for 9 Players (14th)
Summary
It looks like the Maulers 2023 surprise season was just the start of something for GM Chris Ferraro who brings back a dominant rotation and balanced offense, ranking first in Projected Points per Keeper (404.6) and Points Needed Per Opening (326.1) to hit an 8,600 target that is typical of a RDBL Champion. Some additional Cap Space could be on the way with Alex Bregman (3/$36) rumored as a trade candidate while the Maulers have a stable of starting rotation options that could bring back additional Active Roster help.
Top Asset: RHP Gerrit Cole (2/$70)
Awarded the 2023 Pitcher of the Year, Gerrit Cole is coming off another dominant campaign with no signs of decline heading into 2024. Cole is joined by Luis Castillo (2/$50), Zach Eflin (2/$1), Tarik Skubal (2/$1) and Jose Berrios (2FA/$5) to form the best pitching staff currently constructed for next season.
Underrated Asset: LHP Tarik Skubal (2/$1)
After a spate of rocky outings upon his return from flexor tendon surgery in early July, Skubal was one of baseball's most dominant pitchers over the final two months of the season. Over his last 10 outings, Skubal went 6-2 with a 2.15 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 75:11 K:BB across 58.2 innings and looks to be an absolute steal for just $1 in 2024 and 2025.
2. Lake Merced Goutfish
Projected Cap Space: $92 for 11 Players (12th)
Summary
The Lake Merced Goutfish hardly have the look of a club that cashed in all of their chips for a RDBL Title as GM Ryan Atkinson looks to have another potential Division winner on his hands in 2024. An overflowing group of starting pitchers will be the storyline of the off-season for the Goutfish as Atkinson looks to pair down their Keeper List while considering the activation of Bobby Miller and pending big league Free Agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Top Asset: OF Yordan Alvarez (3R/$5)
The Goutfish created their own path in 2021, confident enough in their roster that they held off on activating Alvarez until the Playoffs. That has allowed the slugging star to be stationed in the middle of the Goutfish lineup for each of the club's League Championships in 2021 and 2023, with hopes of a shot at a third Title next season.
Underrated Asset: RHP George Kirby (3R/$5)
While folks know Kirby is good, he took the step into Ace status in 2023 with his 477.0 point season, posting a ridiculous 165:19 K:BB ratio. Kirby now owns a career 3.35 ERA over 320 1/3 innings, putting a 500 point final season under contract with the Goutfish within reach.
3. Spokane Fightin' Fish
Projected Cap Space: $121 for 12 Players (10th)
Summary
The Spokane Fightin' Fish certainly took a hit in Free Agency as Aaron Judge, Jonathan India, Justin Verlander, Zach Wheeler and Teoscar Hernandez were just some of the names talent swept off the roster at the completion of 2023. While the purge hurts, GM Michael Tirabassi has plenty of firepower remaining with Corey Seager, Julio Rodriguez, Luis Arraez and Yandy Diaz all fresh off 450+ point seasons with more in the tank for 2024. The rotation will need some infusion of talent, with Aaron Nola no lock to return at $43, but Tirabassi has the cap space flexibility to address it with a proven track record as the league's highest earning Executive.
Top Asset: OF Julio Rodriguez (2R/$3)
After a slow start out of the gates, Julio Rodriguez got back to the superstar production expected of the 21-year-old. Logging 155 games, J-Rod posted a .275/.333/.485 line with 71 extra base hits and 37 steals. Given his slow start, Rodriguez looks to have another level he's capable of hitting making him a potential 500+ point player over each of the next two seasons.
Underrated Asset: 3B/1B Yandy Diaz (3D/$15)
Diaz earned every bit of the $10 jump in his salary for 2024, posting a career year at the plate en route to 467.5 full season points. Slashing .330/.410/.522, Diaz tied Jose Ramirez for the second most points among third baseman, trailing only Austin Riley.
4. Cloverdale Clovers
Projected Cap Space: $159 for 7 Players (1st)
Summary
The Clovers have more than a wave of young talent ready to join the Active Roster, building around stars Adley Rutschman and Freddie Freeman. What will need to be addressed is the starting rotation which will need more certainty behind Tyler Glasnow. At some point, GM Chris Shelley will need to make at least one major investment on that side after posting a staff that ranked better than 10th in just one of the last seven seasons. Expect that to be the main area of focus with their cap space in 2024.
Top Asset: 1B Freddie Freeman (2/$57)
The Clovers didn't enter Draft Day with intentions to grab Freeman, but it certainly was the right investment as the future Hall of Famer turned in the fifth best full season hitting year in RDBL History. Freeman was dominant, posting 621.5 points in 2023 while his 515.5 points in the RDBL Regular Season were the third most in League History.
Underrated Asset: C Adley Rutschman (2R/$3)
While Rutschman is hardly forgotten about, it's important quantify just how dominant his 2023 season was for the Clovers. The young Orioles star led all catchers in scoring, posting 431.5 points, tying Buster Posey's 2015 mark as the second most from the catcher position in League History. With a .277/.374/.435 line, Rutschman outscored everyone not named William Contreras by 92.5 points or more at the position.
5. Lunatic Fringe
Projected Cap Space: $82 for 7 Players (8th)
Summary
There's a ton to like for the Lunatic Fringe in 2024 after they rode a hot second half into their 4th cash finish in Franchise History. While Braves teammates Matt Olson and Ronald Acuña clearly lead the way, the return of Triston McKenzie (who put up 571.0 points in 2022) and activation of Grayson Rodriguez give the rotation substantial upside. If Kyle Bradish, Lane Thomas and Cody Bellinger can carry over their 2023 success, the Fringe could enter 2024 as the Peninsula Division favorites.
Top Asset: OF Ronald Acuña, Jr. (2/$66)
It's hard to have a better asset than the 2023 Hitter of the Year and Playoff MVP who is fresh off the RDBL-Record for Most Hitting Points in a full and RDBL Regular Season. While it will be hard for Acuña to match his historic season, 80% of his 2023 production next year would be plenty to cash in on his $66 deal.
Underrated Asset: RHP Kyle Bradish (2D/$5)
Bradish was the clear choice for the Orioles to start Game 1 of the ALDS following a breakout 2023 campaign which saw him post a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 168:44 K:BB over 168.2 innings covering 30 starts for 484.0 points. That includes a 2.34 ERA in the second half and a 16-inning scoreless streak to end his regular season.
6. Mt. Diablo Devils
Projected Cap Space: $72 for 11 Players (13th)
Summary
Coming off their fourth Division Title, the Devils are looking to avoid a down season that has plagued their previous success, finishing in last place in each of the three seasons that followed a cash finish. Having Mookie Betts and Jose Ramirez on your roster is a strong way to break that trend as GM Jason Watson looks to have a strong, but expensive core to build around. All eyes will remain on the potential loss of Wander Franco due to off-field issues that would be a major blow to the club's plans for 2024.
Top Asset: OF Mookie Betts (2/$52)
With Franco sidelined, Betts would unquestionably net the biggest trade return on the Devils roster as he quickly proved to be a steal at $52 in 2023. The likely National League MVP Runner-Up logged his fourth 500+ point season of his career and is showing no signs of slowing down entering his age 32 season.
Underrated Asset: C Bo Naylor (1R/$1)
After being named to the Cleveland Guardians’ 2022 AL Wild Card and ALDS rosters and playing a regular season game this year on May 21st, Bo Naylor became Cleveland’s mainstay catcher on June 17th. It took the 23-year-old about two months to find his stride against Major League competition as he sputtered to a .602 through mid-August. However, from August 19th through the end of the regular season, he was one of the premier catchers in MLB. In his final 28 games of the year, Naylor hit .321 with 26 hits, eight doubles, seven home runs, 18 RBI, and a 1.113 OPS. He will enter 2024 as an activation lock for GM Jason Watson, partnering with breakout trade acquisition Yeiner Diaz as a formidable duo behind the plate.
7. Meinert Hops
Projected Cap Space: $98 for 11 Players (11th)
Summary
The Meinert Hops had one of the more frustrating ends to a RDBL Regular Season in League History, but GM Garrett Shelley is poised to move forward after producing the two of the most successful seasons in Franchise History. After losing bellcows Shane McClanahan and Shohei Ohtani to Tommy John Surgery, both expected to be co-aces in 2024, the Hops plan to shift cap plans to Corbin Burnes (2/$73) who was exceptional following his mid-season acquisition from the Las Vegas Aristocrats. With Zac Gallen and Logan Webb back as well, few clubs can boast the same firepower in a starting rotation as the Hops who will pair the trio with a young and developing offensive core led by Michael Harris and C.J. Abrams.
Top Asset: RHP Zac Gallen (3/$15)
It had to be refreshing to see Gallen dominate his final start of the season in Game 5 of the World Series as the right-hander was starting to run out of gas with the D'Backs deep Playoff run. His highest pitch total prior to this season was 182 and after Wednesday, he will be coming off 243 1/3. While he's likely to be slow played in Spring Training, he remains one of the top arms and best values in the RDBL entering his final season under team control.
Underrated Asset: RHP Logan Webb (2/$38)
While Gerrit Cole and others receive the lion's share of attention on the mound this summer, Logan Webb was masterful in his most complete season to date while finishing 3rd overall in points. Webb worked a MLB-leading 216.0 IP, tying Cole with 24 quality starts in 33 chances and will look to ride that momentum into 2024 with his undervalued $38 contract.
8. Las Vegas Aristocrats
Projected Cap Space: $160 for 11 Players (6th)
Summary
While there was some internal conflict within the 'Crats Front Office on their decision to waive the white flag in 2023, it's clear they have a roster ready to be a buyer throughout the 2024 Summer. The offense could have seven 400+ point producers all under discount contracts while Gavin Williams leads a starting rotation full of upside. Proven Veteran talent will need to be added for the 'Crats to make a serious run at their sixth cash finish, but President of Baseball Ops Nick Holz certainly has the pockets to do so with $160 in cap space currently projected.
Top Asset: 2B Jose Altuve (2/$19)
Altuve's run as one of the most dominant players in RDBL History is far from over as the second baseman turned in another elite year despite a delay in his start due to injury. The future Hall of Famer slashed .311/.393/.522 with 40 extra base hits in 90 games played, making his $19 investment an absolute steal on Draft Day last year.
Underrated Asset: 2B/SS Bryson Stott (2R/$3)
Stott came into his own in 2023, his first as an Active Roster player for the 'Crats. The second baseman posted a .280/.329/.419 slash line with 15 home runs, 62 RBI, 78 runs scored and 31 stolen bases over 151 games, ranking 9th in scoring at the position with more seemingly in the tank.
9. Honolulu Hammerheads
Projected Cap Space: $176 for 11 Players (4th)
Summary
While the production of Paul Goldschmidt and Austin Riley is out the door, the Hammerheads turn their roster over to a young and exciting core led by Jarren Duran, Tanner Bibee, Ezequiel Tovar and Brandon Pfaadt. A deep crop of Keeper-worthy starters should allow GM Ross Horiuchi to add to their offense this Winter while their big cap space should allow them to add at least one major slugger with rumors linking them to a return for Riley.
Top Asset: RHP Tanner Bibee (2R/$3)
While Sonny Gray out-performed Bibee atop the Heads rotation in 2023, Bibee brings enormous upside into 2024 after a stellar Rookie campaign that included a mid-year activation from the Heads.
Underrated Asset: OF Jarren Duran (2R/$3)
Duran, 27, started the season with Triple-A Worcester but was called up to Boston when fellow outfielder Adam Duvall went down with an injury in mid-April. He fully established himself as a building block for the Heads and Red Sox, collecting career highs across the board, hitting .295/.346/.482. He blasted eight home runs and knocked in 40 RBI while collecting a team-leading 24 stolen bases and 34 doubles in 102 games. The sky looks to be the limit for Duran heading into 2024.
10. Alamo Short Stacks
Projected Cap Space: $200 for 9 Players (2nd)
Summary
The Stacks are currently projected to retain or activate eight players in their first of second big league season, giving the club some risk which is accompanied by upside. The heart of their roster is a talented outfield with Corbin Carroll, Evan Carter, Josh Lowe and Josh Outman, the latter two of which will look to build on 350 point seasons in 2023. Plenty of moves are likely ahead as the Stacks hold six selections in the first 35 picks in the 2024 Reserve Draft and tons of cap space, giving them the ammunition to add a starter behind back to back 450+ point producer Logan Gilbert.
Top Asset: OF Corbin Carroll (2R/$3)
Honored as the 2023 Activation of the Year, Carroll posted a 484.0 point season in his Rookie campaign while backing it up with a strong Postseason, leading the D'Backs to the World Series. His production and contract places him close to the top of the RDBL's most valuable assets heading into 2024.
Underrated Asset: RHP Logan Gilbert (3R/$5)
Gilbert has quietly posted back to back 450+ point seasons, making 64 starts without an IL stint since 2022. He's emerged as one of the game's premier starting pitchers and will enter the final season of his contract with the Stacks with a chance to rank among the most productive activations in League History.
11. Maltese Falcons
Projected Cap Space: $201 for 10 Players (3rd)
Summary
The Falcons became true sellers for the first time in their 10 seasons, resetting the Roster with eyes on 2024 after finishing worse than 8th for the first time in Franchise History. While the Front Office restructures itself after the departure of Assistant GM Erik Nielsen, the Falcons have an exceptional young and cheap core to build around in 2024. Featuring seven potential activations, the Falcons also hold the third most cap space flexibility that will likely heavily be invested in starting pitching behind Pitching Prospect of the Year Eury Perez.
Top Asset: RHP Eury Perez (1R/$1)
The baseball world expected Pérez to debut at some point in 2023, but not nearly as soon as he did. But with injuries to starters Trevor Rogers and Johnny Cueto, plus a revolving door of non-roster arms to fill out the rotation, Miami decided to promote MLB Pipeline's top pitching prospect straight from Double-A Pensacola on May 12. Pérez lived up to the hype. His 2.36 ERA through 11 starts (minimum 50 innings) was the lowest for a pitcher 20 years or younger in the Live Ball Era. Miami temporarily shut him down before the All-Star break in order to monitor his workload, then brought him back on Aug. 7. Pitching through a shoulder injury in September, Perez saw a dip in his numbers but nothing damaging enough to take the shine off the league’s most high valued young asset.
Underrated Asset: 2B Edouard Julien (1R/$1)
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.
12. San Mateo Oppo Tacos
Projected Cap Space: $61 for 12 Players (15th)
Summary
GM Erik Nielsen is stepping into a high-priced Roster that clearly pushed all of their chips into the table in 2023. That group is hardly devoid of talent, with the likes of Juan Soto, Marcus Semien, Will Smith and Adolis Garcia leading the offense. The problem becomes that the foursome is owed $157 in 2024, giving Nielsen a tight wallet to build a contender while the likes of Evan Carter, Junior Caminero, Jackson Holliday and Gavin Williams were shipped out the door. Changes are certain this off-season as Nielsen puts his spin on the Oppo Tacos with catcher Will Smith potentially the first to be moved.
Top Asset: OF Juan Soto (2/$65)
No matter the cost, if you have a player post a 500+ point season, it's hard not to have them top a Franchise's list of most valuable assets. Soto returned to form in 2023, finishing the year with a .929 OPS while ranking 3rd in outfield scoring.
Underrated Asset: 3B Josh Jung (2R/$3)
While lots of young talent was shipped away by the former regime, Josh Jung mid-season thumb injury was the only thing preventing him from becoming a star. A strong Playoff run that culminated in the Rangers World Series Title Wednesday should be a springboard for Jung to emerge into a 400+ annual producer at the heart of the Oppo Tacos lineup.
13. Asti Grape Stompers
Projected Cap Space: $144 for 12 Players (7th)
Summary
The first wave of an extremely talented Farm System is set to join the Active Roster in 2024 for GM Terry Shelley with Jordan Walker, Kyle Harrison and Francisco Alvarez likely set for Opening Day roles. They enter as Bobby Witt, Jr. gets set to exit, already entering his final season of control after taking his step into stardom in 2023. While the club will face an important decision on the now oft-injured Mike Trout and his $58 option, Shelley is more likely to fret about the volatility behind Pablo Lopez in the Grapes rotation which could be an area to be addressed this Winter.
Top Asset: SS Bobby Witt, Jr. (3R/$5)
Witt became the 45th player to join Major League Baseball’s exclusive 30-30 club. He hit 30 home runs and stole 49 bases this season, filling up the stat sheet even after a rough first six weeks of the season. Compiling a wealth of highlights, Witt emerged as a tent pole for the Royals organization and one of RDBL's best values heading into 2024.
Underrated Asset: 1B/2B/3B/OF Spencer Steer (2/$1)
With four positions of eligibility and a 429.0 point season under his belt, it's fair to say Spencer Steer would get a very sizable increase in salary if he hit the open market in 2024. That won't be the case until 2026 for the Grapes 2023 Draft Day steal. The 25-year-old finished 2023 with 23 home runs, 15 steals, 86 RBI and an .820 OPS in 665 plate appearances.
14. Burlingame Blue Ducks
Projected Cap Space: $125 for 11 Players (9th)
Summary
The Ducks enter an interesting off-season with a trio of elite level prospects set to knock on the big league door early in 2024 along with superstar Bryce Harper and six selections in the Top 36 picks of the Reserve Draft. With Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews and Wyatt Langford all looking to be future stars, it will be quite interesting to see just how much GM Ryan Walsh pushes his chips in for 2024, or if he keeps his eyes a bit further down the road.
Top Asset: OF Bryce Harper (2/$41)
While the case could be made for one of the Ducks three young prospects, Harper's $41 acquired from the Lake Merced Goutfish in 2023 remains a boon. With additional months of rest for his repaired elbow, a return to 500+ point seasons look to be in order for the superstar in Philly.
Underrated Asset: 1B Kyle Manzardo (Minors)
While the Big 3 get all of the attention, Kyle Manzardo and Taj Bradley could be the only 2024 Activations on Opening Day. Manzardo is currently torching the Arizona Fall League and could have the inside track on the first base job in Cleveland to start next season.
15. St. Joseph Jokers
Projected Cap Space: $238 for 15 Players (5th)
Summary
The 2023 Mission Viejo Maulers can certainly stand as a point of inspiration for GM Rick Steen after they carried just six players into the Draft and managed to build a Playoff team. Steen will have his work cut out for him with just seven players currently projected as Keepers, but a league-high $238 available to spend.
Top Asset: Gunnar Henderson (2R/$3)
After some early scuffles, Gunnar Henderson proved to be every bit of what prospect rankings anointed him before the season en route to a likely American League Rookie of the Year Award. Henderson hit .255 with 28 home runs and 82 RBIs and an .814 OPS, starting 68 games at third base and 64 at shortstop.
Underrated Asset: C/OF MJ Melendez (2R/$3)
What a difference positional eligibility makes. Melendez, a natural catcher, made the move to the outfield full-time in May but will carry over catcher eligibility to 2024. His 299.0 points are good enough to rank sixth at the position, forming a strong duo with Gabriel Moreno for just $6 combined next season.
