2023 Activation of the Year: Corbin Carroll, Stacks

It's not hyperbole to call the 2023 Activation Class the best in League History as a star-studded group of prospects turned into key contributors this season across the RDBL. In a season full of young stars, Alamo Short Stacks outfielder Corbin Carroll stood tallest to capture the 2023 Activation of the Year Award.

Carroll finished the RDBL Regular Season ranked 8th in scoring while leading all activations with 390.0 points, posting a .281/.364/.520 line with 22 home runs and 40 steals, becoming the first Rookie since Mike Trout to go 20/40 in his Rookie campaign.

Those 390.0 points in the RDBL Regular Season just edged out fellow star Julio Rodriguez of the Spokane Fightin' Fish while Cloverdale Clovers young phenom Adley Rutschman certainly had a case for the award as well, leading all catchers in scoring. The talent hardly stopped there with standout seasons from Bryson Stott (Aristocrats), Nico Hoerner (Maulers), Tanner Bibee (Hammerheads), William Contreras (Aristocrats), Josh Jung (Taters) and Gunnar Henderson (Jokers).

Carroll joins Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (2021) as the only Stacks players to win the Activation of the Year Award.

Points By 2023 Activations 1 Corbin Carroll, Stacks: 390.0 2. Julio Rodriguez, Fish: 387.0 T-3. Bryson Stott, 'Crats: 337.0 T-3. Adley Rutschman, Clovers: 337.0 5. Nico Hoerner, Maulers: 332.0 6. Tanner Bibee, Heads: 302.0 7. William Contreras, 'Crats: 289.0 8. Gunnar Henderson, Jokers: 285.5 9. Josh Jung, Taters: 278.0 10. Riley Greene, Falcons: 255.0

​Activation of the Year Winners 2023 OF Corbin Carroll, Stacks 2022 RHP Alek Manoah, Ducks 2021 1B Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Stacks 2019 OF Ronald Acuña, Jr., Goutfish 2018 RHP Jose Berrios, AMC 2017 OF Aaron Judge, Hops 2016 3B Kris Bryant, OF Mookie Betts, Fish 2015 RHP Carlos Martinez, Goutfish 2014 OF Christian Yelich, Clovers

Honorable Mention: OF Julio Rodriguez (Fish), C Adley Rutschman (Clovers), 3B Josh Jung (Taters), RHP Tanner Bibee (Hammerheads), SS Bryson Stott (Aristocrats), 2B Nico Hoerner (Maulers)

On The Lookout: Taters Loaded Up with Starters Tuesday

Starting Pitchers for Tuesday, 8/29

Fightin' Fish: N/A

Lunatic Fringe: Alcantara vs. TB

Goutfish: Kirby vs. OAK

Taters: Civale @ MIA, Kremer vs. CHW, Morton @ COL, Steele vs. MIL, Kershaw vs. ARZ

Maulers: Skubal vs. NYY, Berrios vs. WSH

Devils: France @ BOS, Kelly @ LAD

Taters Turn for Five Starters

The Lunatic Fringe sent five starters to the mound with mixed results on Monday (17 ER in 25 2/3 IP) with the Idaho Taters matching that number on Tuesday. Aaron Civale, Dean Kremer, Charlie Morton, Justin Steele and Clayton Kershaw will look to close the gap on the leading Spokane Fightin' Fish as they look to keep pace with a strong Taters offense that went 15-for-40 on Monday.

Fish Offensive Explosion

It's hard to have a more productive day at the plate than the Fightin' Fish had on Monday, going 20-for-39 with eight extra base hits and seven walks. The totals produced a ridiculous .513/.587/.872 line and 66.0 points for the Fish offense while giving the club an early Playoff lead.

Kirby Looks to Stay Hot

Despite seven earned runs over his last two starts, George Kirby has been one of the league's hottest pitchers over the last month. Known for some of the best command in all of baseball, Kirby hasn't walked a hitter in his last four starts and owns a 2.90 ERA over the last month entering a favorable matchup against the Athletics on Tuesday.

Fringe Turn to Sandy

GM Tony Guglielmi was certainly looking for more than a 5.96 ERA after five starts and seven total appearances from his pitching staff on Monday. The team will turn to 2022 RDBL Pitcher of the Year Sandy Alcantara on Tuesday who will face off against a tough Tampa Bay lineup at home.

Devils Look for Jumpstart

After an 11-for-47 day at the plate and without an appearance on the mound, the Devils will look for a shot in the arm from JP France (@ BOS) and Merrill Kelly (@ LAD) on Tuesday.

On The Lookout: Fringe Send Five to Mound to Kickoff Playoffs

We are off and running Monday as the 2023 Playoffs kick off as the Roger Dorn Baseball League will crown a new Champion five weeks from now. Covering Periods 23-27, the RDBL Playoffs will be a sprint to the finish line with each of the six clubs fully loaded and capable of making a run at the title.

Here's what we are on the lookout for on Monday in the latest installment of OTL.

Projected Starting Pitchers for Monday, 8/28

Spokane Fightin' Fish: Elder @ COL, Miley @ CHC

Lake Merced Goutfish: Snell @ STL

Mt. Diablo Devils: N/A

Lunatic Fringe: Gray @TOR, Maeda vs. CLE, Rodriguez vs. CHW, Taillon vs. MIL, Walker vs. LAA

Idaho Taters: N/A

Mission Viejo Maulers: Gausman vs. WSH

Fringe Set for 12 Starts in Period 23, Five on Monday

The Lunatic Fringe are loaded up with starters as the 2023 RDBL Playoffs kick off on Monday. GM Tony Guglielmi announced the activations of Josiah Gray and Grayson Rodriguez Monday morning, with both young right-handers immediately inserted into the lineup and ready for their Active Roster debuts.

In total, the Fringe are set for 12 starts to kick things off this Period with five set to take the mound on Monday.

Activations Join Active Rosters

With the RDBL Rulebook allowing for a "free activation" for the Playoffs, the Fringe aren't the only ones taking advantage this week with their additions of Josiah Gray and Grayson Rodriguez to their Active Roster. The Mission Viejo Maulers pulled the trigger on outfielders Drew Waters and Nolan Jones while the Lake Merced Goutfish are expected to make the same move on right-hander Bobby Miller at some point this month.

Fish Enter Playoffs White-Hot

The Spokane Fightin' Fish are fresh off a 486.0 point week, the highest scoring Period in the RDBL this season. The club is slashing .283/.354/.516 over the last 14 days, leading all teams in hitting while dominating on the mound as well, ranking first in pitching points with a 2.62 ERA over their last 120.0 IP.

Devils Pitching Staff Limps Into Playoffs

The Devils hold a 5.17 ERA over the last 14 Days, ranking 13th in Pitching Points over that span. While their starting pitching is idle on Monday, the club will need to find their footing on the mound to make a run at their second League Title.

Goutfish Ready to Show Off Prized Rotation

With Brandon Woodruff and Max Fried back healthy, the Lake Merced Goutfish boast arguably the league's best pitching staff and will look to show that off starting on Monday with Blake Snell gets the ball against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Goutfish tied the Fightin' Fish in Pitching Points with 2,900 this season, tops in the RDBL.