Mid-Season Award Update: Ohtani Edges Out Acuña for Hitter of the Year

While the All-Star Break marks the (almost) midway point of the Major League Season, the Roger Dorn Baseball League Regular Season is 68% complete with just seven weeks remaining. We'll still use the break from games to check in on the RDBL Awards and races to watch down the stretch.

There's plenty of time for things to change, but here are the current leaders for the major RDBL Awards that will be announced later this season.

Executive of the Year: Michael Tirabassi (Fish)

Honorable Mention: Jason Watson (Devils), Ryan Atkinson (Goutfish), Mike Friedrich (Taters)

The race for the Regular Season Title will likely determine this Award, but Michael Tirabassi has to be lauded for the club’s production through the first fifteen periods of the RDBL Regular Season. Tirabassi has been aggressive in the trade market while building a stable of pitching options that make his club a favorite for a RDBL-leading third League Championship. With $3,900 already pocketed in lifetime earnings, Tirabassi could be the first to cross the $4,000 and $5,000 mark this year.

Pitcher of the Year: Nathan Eovaldi, Devils

Honorable Mention: Framber Valdez (Goutfish), Zac Gallen (Hops), Gerrit Cole (Maulers), Lohan Webb (Hops), Marcus Stroman (Goutfish)

A week prior to the 2023 Draft, the Devils acquired Nathan Eovaldi in a move that would vault GM Jason Watson's squad to the top of the East Bay Division. The cost was a pair of early pick swaps with Watson also netting a pair of middle round picks. The biggest benefit was Eovaldi who enters the All-Star Break leading all pitchers in scoring while posting a 2.83 ERA and 1.02 WHIP and is on pace for a 600+ point season while earning just $1 on the final year of his contract.

Hitter of the Year: Shohei Ohtani, Hops

Honorable Mention: Ronald Acuña (Fringe), Freddie Freeman (Clovers), Mookie Betts (Devils), Luis Arraez (Fish)

While Ronald Acuña is equaling deserving, leading the RDBL in hitter scoring, the contributions of Shohei Ohtani are too hard to overlook. Ohtani is having a career-best season at the plate, slashing .302/.387/.663 with 32 home runs. After posting 985.5 points in 2022, Ohtani is on pace to easily surpass 1,000 points between his work at the plate and on the mound.

Reliever of the Year: Felix Bautista, Goutfish

Honorable Mention: Alexis Diaz (Hops), Camilo Doval (Clovers), Ryan Pressly (Goutfish), Josh Hader (Fringe)

In an age where relievers can be unpredictable one season to the next, Felix Bautista has picked up right where he left off after a dominant 2022. Bautista leads all relievers with 241.0 points, carrying a 1.07 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over 42.0 innings while notching 23 saves.

Activation of the Year: Corbin Carroll, Stacks

Honorable Mention: Josh Jung (Taters), Adley Rutschman (Clovers), Nico Hoerner (Maulers)

Carroll has met and exceeded every expectation he had coming into 2023, even when ranked as a consensus top-2 prospect entering the year. Carroll is slashing .289/.366/.549, showing more power than expected at this point in his career with 18 home runs, 20 doubles and three triples with 26 steals. He's on pace for almost 500 points in his activation year and ranks among the best contract values in the RDBL at present.

Trade of the Year: Devils Acquire RHP Nathan Eovaldi

Honorable Mention: Yelich (Devils), Olson (Fringe)

When a pair of early round Draft swaps lead to acquiring the most productive starting pitcher at the All-Star Break, and he costs just $1, it's the clear deal of the year. The amazing part for GM Jason Watson is that he might have the second best move of the year, acquiring Christian Yelich from the Spokane Fightin' Fish for a 5th Round Pick. Yelich is on pace for 464.5 points with a return to start-level performance in Milwaukee.

Free Agent Claim of the Year: Bryce Elder, Fightin' Fish

Honorable Mention: Dane Dunning (Jokers), LaMonte Wade (Jokers)

Six shutout innings from Bryce Elder on 4/5 led seven bids in the Period 3 Waivers. A $9 bid from the Spokane Fightin' Fish was matched by the Alamo Short Stacks, but the Fish were behind the Stacks at the time of the waivers which secured Elder. The right-hander rewarded the bid with a 270.0 point first half and is on track for over 500 points this season.

Pitching Prospect of the Year: Paul Skenes, Ducks

Honorable Mention: Eury Perez (Falcons), Gavin Williams ('Crats), Tanner Bibee (Heads), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Goutfish), Carson Whisenhunt (Grapes)

While Eury Perez is equally deserving given his 2.36 ERA in 53 1/3 big league innings of work, no pitching prospect did more to add value to himself than Paul Skenes who had a legendary Junior season and LSU and became the top overall pick in this week's MLB Draft. Skenes, like Perez, lines up as a 2024 activation and should immediately step in as a frontline starter in Pittsburgh.

Hitting Prospect of the Year: Elly De La Cruz, Clovers

Honorable Mention: Dylan Crews (Ducks), Colton Cowser (Grapes), Jackson Holliday ('Crats), Junior Caminero (Stacks), Matt McLain (Jokers)

It only took a month, but Elly De La Cruz is already the most exciting player to watch in baseball. With 30 games under his belt, De La Cruz has already collected 40 hits and 15 steals and is fresh off a league-high 41.5 points in Period 15. He'll join the Cloverdale Clovers Active Roster for the Playoffs before stepping in full-time on a 1R/$1 deal in 2024.

Farm System of the Year: Alamo Short Stacks

Honorable Mention: Asti Grape Stompers, Maltese Falcons, Lunatic Fringe, Lake Merced Goutfish, Cloverdale Clovers, Burlingame Blue Ducks

Waving the white flag early, the Stacks have reloaded their Farm System with the additions of Marcelo Mayer, Evan Carter, Junior Caminero, Colson Montgomery, Adael Amador and Tyler Soderstrom. With 16 prospects under contract, the Stacks are likely to have 14 of them rank within Top 100 Lists this off-season with Tommy White expected to be a Top-10 pick in 2024 as he completes his Junior season at LSU.

State Farm Weekly Recap: Period 15

Period 15 was a critical one in the RDBL Standings as the last full week of play before the July 15th Trade Deadline. While the Division races are largely settled, the Spokane Fightin' Fish's strangle hold on first place loosened with both the Mt. Diablo Devils and Lake Merced Goutfish gaining ground.

The All-Star Break has arrived, but it should be far from a quiet week in the RDBL as Friday's Trade Deadline looms with the six teams still actively pursuing upgrades to secure the three Wild Card spots.

Team of the Week: Mt. Diablo Devils, 407.5 Points

90-303, 303 AB, 13 2B, 2 3B, 19 HR, 55 RBI, 52 R, 7 SB, 30 BB, 11 HP, SF

80.1 INN, 73 HA, 26 BBI, 78 K, 42 ER, 3 W, 7 L, 3 S, 5 HB

The Devils posted their second 400+ point period of the season and just the fourth from any RDBL club in 2023. The pitching staff logged a RDBL-high 80 1/3 innings which included 24 1/3 innings on Sunday that resulted in 75.0 pitching points with Domingo German, Kyle Gibson and Ben Lively leading the way. The offense produced 90 hits in the Period with mid-season acquisition Manny Machado continuing his hot streak with four home runs and a double in an 11 hit week.

Pitcher of the Week: Logan Gilbert, Stacks, 75.0 Points

16 INN, 8 HA, 13 K, ER, 2 W, HB

The Stacks continue to battle for Draft position, posting a 357.0 point week in Period 15 that was largely driven by the pitching staff. While Bryan Woo (45.0 pts.) and Lance Lynn (38.0 pts) were excellent, Logan Gilbert paced all pitchers with 75.0 points, allowing just one earned run in 16.0 innings. The big week put him on pace for a 500+ point season after a 455.0 point activation season for the Stacks in 2022.

Hitter of the Week: C Willson Contreras, Hops, 41.5 Points

11-17, 17 AB, 4 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, CS, 2 HP

The Hops are rumored to be the most active team in the trade market this week as the club looks to secure their second consecutive Playoff berth. Their June addition of Willson Contreras is certainly paying dividends as the backstop posted a RDBL-high 41.5 points in Period 15 with 11 hits and a pair of home runs. Fellow catcher addition Jonah Heim added 11.5 points himself in a strong 349.5 point period for GM Garrett Shelley.

Prospect of the Week: SS Elly De La Cruz, Clovers, 41.5 Points

What a week it was for the emerging superstar. De La Cruz posted 41.5 points in Period 15, matching Willson Contreras for the most in the RDBL. He went 10-for-30 with three doubles, a home run and seven steals. Through 30 big league games, De La Cruz has posted 41 hits and 16 steals. He was named the top prospect in the RDBL and is a lock to join the Clovers Active Roster for the 2023 Playoffs.

Life Insurance Player of the Week: Ducks Active Roster

With the Trade Deadline closing in, the Burlingame Blue Ducks faced a critical week on the field as GM Ryan Walsh wavered between buying and selling. The Ducks laid an egg in Period 15, ultimately making the decision clear as the club posted just 123.5 points over the seven day period. The pitching staff allowed 39 earned runs in 57 1/3 innings while the offense collected just 47 hits while slashing .194/.249/.289.

Rumor Central: Ducks "Close" to Sell Mode

The Burlingame Blue Ducks faced a critical Friday in their pursuit for the final Wild Card spot with the July 15th Trade Deadline looming. They closed the day in 13th place, just breaking through the 100 point mark for the Period despite a trio of starters on the day.

Facing a 200+ point deficit for the Playoffs and just seven days until the deadline, Ducks GM Ryan Walsh is reportedly "close" to selling off his roster according to sources with moves likely to take place over the All-Star Break.

Here are the top assets expected to be moved by next week:

OF Randy Arozarena (3/$25)

Arozarena is the clear prize of the Ducks roster as he leads the club in hitting with 255.5 points entering play Friday. His .282/.390/.475 line would be an upgrade for any contender's offense while his $25 is manageable for those that have already made additions.

Potential Fits: Hops, Heads, Devils, Fringe, Maulers

C Sal Perez (3/$16)

Perez entered Friday ranked 9th in scoring at catcher with a .248/.289/.440 line and would serve as an upgrade for multiple contenders behind the plate.

Potential Fits: Goutfish, Devils, Fringe, Maulers

C/OF Daulton Varsho (3/$7)

Varsho has struggled mightily but still carries catcher eligibility despite not appearing behind the plate this season. He ranks 11th in catcher scoring but carries just a .221/.285/.380 which could limit his return.

Potential Fits: Goutfish, Devils, Fringe, Maulers

IF Brandon Drury (2FA/$5)

Drury hit the IL with shoulder soreness that is still being examined but a team would be smart to grab him at a discount. He brings eligibility at first, second and third and is enjoying his second consecutive strong season at the plate with a .277/.323/.500 line.

LHP Andrew Heaney (2D/$5)

Heaney has contract control through 2024, but it would include a $10 jump in salary to 3D/$15 after he was selected in the 2022 Reserve Draft. It's been a mixed bag for Heaney, but he's on pace for 29 starts and holds a strong 4.07 ERA while carrying over a strikeout an inning. He could quickly slot in as an upgrade to the backend of most rotations or be used as a matchup play for the Division Leaders down the stretch.