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.

Top 10 Prospects Lists Updated

The Organizational Top 10 Prospects Lists have received a mid-season refresh, just ahead of Sunday's 2023 MLB Draft. Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes top the Burlingame Blue Ducks Farm System with the duo expected to be the first two names called on Sunday.

Of the fifteen #1 prospects across RDBL Organizations, eight have spent at least some time in the big leagues this season. That group is headlined by Cloverdale Clovers star Elly De La Cruz, slugging Asti Grape Stompers outfielder Jordan Walker, flame throwing Lake Merced Goutfish right-hander Bobby Miller and young Maltese Falcons ace Eury Perez.

The aggressive push from the Idaho Taters this season has left the club with just six prospects under contract, the lowest number in the RDBL. Meanwhile, the early firesale by the Alamo Short Stacks has left their club with a RDBL-high 16 prospects.

With the refresh, we took a stab at ranking the Top 10 overall prospects based on current value that remain under Minor League contracts in the RDBL. That list is headlined by De La Cruz who has burst onto the big league scene as one of the most exciting players in baseball.

Overall RDBL Top 10 Prospects

1 SS Elly De La Cruz, Cloverdale Clovers

2. RHP Eury Perez, Maltese Falcons

3. SS Jackson Holliday, Las Vegas Aristocrats

4. OF Jordan Walker, Asti Grape Stompers

5. OF Dylan Crews, Burlingame Blue Ducks

6. RHP Paul Skenes, Burlingame Blue Ducks

7. RHP Roki Sasaki, St. Joseph Jokers

8. SS Marcelo Mayer, Alamo Short Stacks

9. RHP Grayson Rodriguez, Lunatic Fringe

10. RHP Gavin Williams, Las Vegas Aristocrats

Just Missed (In No Particular Order): C Francisco Alvarez (Grapes), OF Colton Cowser (Grapes), OF Jackson Chourio (Crats), RHP Bobby Miller (Goutfish), OF James Wood (Falcons), 3B Brett Baty (Hops), OF Evan Carter (Stacks), SS Matt McClain (Jokers), RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Goutfish)