Rasmussen, Cortes Lead Group On Track for RDBL History

The RDBL Commissioner's Office added a wrinkle to the Reserve Draft starting in 2022, allowing Reserve Draft picks to secure a new 1D/$5 contract that would allow for a third season of contract at 3D/$15. Under the old system, players selected in the Reserve Draft would fall under the same 1FA/$5 contract as Waiver Claims throughout the season, all being capped at just two full seasons of contract.

The first wave of Big League Reserve Draft picks are set to have those 3R/$15 options available in 2024 led by Spokane Fightin' Fish right-hander Drew Rasmussen and Maltese Falcons left-hander Nestor Cortes who are currently safe bets to be among the first in RDBL History to receive the new contract. Rasmussen followed up a 416.0 point season in 2022 with a 32.0 point debut on Monday while Cortes is fresh off a 522.0 breakout campaign.

In total, 16 players were protected on Keeper Rosters under 2D/$5 deal with three on the Fightin' Fish alone.

The move to allow for a third year of control has pushed interest in big league players up in the Reserve Draft with Michael Conforto, Patrick Sandoval, Tony Gonsolin and Merrill Kelley all selected in the Top Two Rounds of the 2022 Reserve Draft. That was followed up with eight big leaguers selected in the 2nd Round of the 2023 Reserve Draft.

Players Under 2D/$5 Contract, Eligible for 3D/$15 Contracts in 2024

RHP Drew Rasmussen, Spokane Fightin' Fish

LHP Nestor Cortes, Maltese Falcons

RHP Tony Gonsolin, Burlingame Blue Ducks

LHP Patrick Sandoval, Alamo Short Stacks

RHP Miles Mikolas, Cloverdale Clovers

LHP Andrew Heaney, Burlingame Blue Ducks

RHP Merrill Kelly, Mt. Diablo Devils

OF Michael Conforto, Idaho Taters

OF Steven Kwan, Spokane Fightin' Fish

1B Yandy Diaz, Spokane Fightin' Fish

SS Andres Gimenez, Asti Grape Stompers

1B Christian Walker, Lake Merced Goutfish

OF Adolis Garcia, Las Vegas Aristocrats

1B/OF Josh Naylor, Las Vegas Aristocrats

OF Joc Pederson, Lunatic Fringe

OF Jurickson Profar, Honolulu Hammerheads

"2024 Class Better and Deeper" -- RDBL Front Offices Set for Another Elite Group of Free Agents

While we are fresh off the best Free Agent Class in Roger Dorn Baseball League History, we look to be on the verge of an even better group in 2024. While teams will be clearing money again next off-season in preparation, the more pressing topic will be one of the wildest Trade Deadlines we have ever seen with 81 players in the final season of the RDBL contract.

The group is headline by Aaron Judge and Sandy Alcantara, both capable of landing RDBL Record breaking contracts next March. The star power hardly stops there with Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Fernando Tatis, Jr., Trea Turner, Paul Goldschmidt, Austin Riley, Nolan Arenado, Justin Verlander, Julio Urias and many other elite talents set to be available.

“There might have been bigger names at the top this year, but the 2024 Class is better and deeper” according to one Peninsula Division Executive.

With all of those expiring deals, plenty of help for contenders looks like it will be readily available which could limit trade returns this season. 2023 will also mark the first season of the early RDBL Trade Deadline which is two weeks prior to the MLB Deadline, leading to a tighter window to make moves and for Front Offices to make earlier buy/sell decisions.

The Starting Pitching market stands out specifically, with 23 arms who earned Keeper spots set to see their contract expire at the end of the year. If the Lunatic Fringe fell out of contention for example, the race to acquire Sandy Alcantara could mark the story of the season but the depth available for a cheaper price could be a potentially better path for Title contenders.

It's not hard to see 12-15 players worthy of $50+ contracts next March

Catcher (8)

Daulton Varsho (3/$7), Burlingame Blue Ducks

Willson Contreras (3/$23), Asti Grape Stompers

Alejandro Kirk (3/$1), Lake Merced Goutfish

Salvador Perez (3/$16), Burlingame Blue Ducks

Cal Raleigh (2FA/$5), Spokane Fightin' Fish

Omar Narvaez (3/$7), Asti Grape Stompers

Mitch Garver (3/$8), Spokane Fightin' Fish

Jonah Heim (2FA/$5), Maltese Falcons

First Base (7)

Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (3R/$5), Alamo Short Stacks

Paul Goldschmidt (3/$35), Honolulu Hammerheads

Andrew Vaughn (3R/$5), Meinert Hops

Ty France (3/$5), Alamo Short Stacks

C.J. Cron (3/$8), Maltese Falcons

Jose Abreu (3/$37), St. Joseph Jokers

Ryan Mountcastle (3R/$5), Lunatic Fringe

Second Base (7)

Jonathan India (3R/$5), Spokane Fightin' Fish

Jake Cronenworth (3/$12), Meinert Hops

Thairo Estrada (2FA/$5), Meinert Hops

Brendan Donovan (2FA/$5), Asti Grape Stompers

Christian Arroyo (2FA/$5), Honolulu Hammerheads

Brandon Drury (2FA/$5), Burlingame Blue Ducks

Chris Taylor (3/$3), St. Joseph Jokers

Third Base (4)

Austin Riley (3R/$5), Honolulu Hammerheads

Nolan Arenado (3/$38), Cloverdale Clovers

Alec Bohm (3R/$5), Las Vegas Aristocrats

Eugenio Suarez (2FA/$5), Las Vegas Aristocrats

Shortstop (3)

Trea Turner (3/$49), St. Joseph Jokers

Bo Bichette (3R/$5), Mt. Diablo Devils

Dansby Swanson (3/$10), Maltese Falcons

Outfield (17)

Aaron Judge (3/$31), Spokane Fightin' Fish

Fernando Tatis, Jr. (3R/$5), Lake Merced Goutfish

Brandon Nimmo (3/$16), Idaho Taters

Kyle Tucker (3R/$5), Maltese Falcons

Randy Arozarena (3/$25), Burlingame Blue Ducks

Luis Robert (3R/$5), Meinert Hops

Kris Bryant (3/$24), Burlingame Blue Ducks

Taylor Ward (2FA/$5), Alamo Short Stacks

Teoscar Hernandez (3/$10), Maltese Falcons

Tyler O'Neill (3R/$5), Spokane Fightin' Fish

Oscar Gonzalez (2FA/$5), Asti Grape Stompers

Mitch Haniger (3/$11), Asti Grape Stompers

Alex Verdugo (3R/$5), Cloverdale Clovers

Austin Hays (3R/$5), Idaho Taters

J.D. Martinez (3/$24), Lunatic Fringe

Jake McCarthy (2FA/$5), Mt. Diablo Devils

Dylan Carlson (3/$15), Honolulu Hammerheads

Starting Pitchers (23)

Sandy Alcantara (3R/$5), Lunatic Fringe

Julio Urias (3R/$5), Alamo Short Stacks

Justin Verlander (3/$5), Fightin' Fish

Brandon Woodruff (3/$38), Alamo Short Stacks

Max Fried (3R/$5), Las Vegas Aristocrats

Cristian Javier (3/$6), Cloverdale Clovers

Zach Wheeler (3/$25), Maltese Falcons

Kevin Gausman (3/$17), Maltese Falcons

Luis Severino (3/$11), Asti Grape Stompers

Joe Musgrove (3/$23), Las Vegas Aristocrats

Spencer Strider (2FA/$5), Idaho Taters

Jeff Springs (2FA/$5), Idaho Taters

Ross Stripling (2FA/$5), St. Joseph Jokers

Martin Perez (2FA/$5), St. Joseph Jokers

Tyler Mahle (3/$8), St. Joseph Jokers

Tony Gonsolin (2FA/$5), Burlingame Blue Ducks

Brady Singer (2FA/$5), Asti Grape Stompers

Charlie Morton (3/$12), Idaho Taters

Jesus Luzardo (3R/$5), Cloverdale Clovers

Lucas Giolito (3R/$5), Lunatic Fringe

Nick Martinez (2FA/$5), Burlingame Blue Ducks

Nathan Eovaldi (3/$1), Mt. Diablo Devils

Adam Wainwright (3/$4), Mt. Diablo Devils

Relievers (12)

Emmanuel Clase (3/$1), Alamo Short Stacks

Ryan Helsley (2FA/$5), Asti Grape Stompers

Brock Burke (2FA/$5), Idaho Taters

Jason Adam (2FA/$5), Honolulu Hammerheads

Evan Phillips (2FA/$5), Cloverdale Clovers

Jhoan Duran (2FA/$5), Cloverdale Clovers

Kenley Jansen (3/$6), St. Joseph Jokers

Daniel Bard (2FA/$5), Asti Grape Stompers

Paul Seward (2FA/$5), Lunatic Fringe

Peter Fairbanks (2FA/$5), Maltese Falcons

Clay Holmes (2FA/$5), Lake Merced Goutfish

Felix Bautista (2FA/$5), Lake Merced Goutfish

On The Lookout, Wednesday, 4/5: Aces Take II

There are 13 games on the slate Wednesday with 12 of them set for the morning or afternoon. While a few Opening Day starters made their return to the mound on Tuesday, the majority will make their second start on Wednesday leading to an action packed morning of scoring.

Time to Fly for Ducks

It’s been a dreadful start to 2023 for GM Ryan Walsh and the Burlingame Blue Ducks who enter Wednesday with just 59.0 total points while ranking last in the RDBL in hitter scoring, pitching scoring, average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, ERA and WHIP. Things can’t get much worse as the Ducks are already 325.0 points out of the lead, but the return to prominence can start Wednesday with aces Aaron Nola (@ NYY) and Alek Manoah (@ KC) on the mound.

Second Chance for Aces

Wednesday marks the second outing for several Opening Day starters as Corbin Burnes (‘Crats), Jacob deGrom (Hammerheads), Aaron Nola (Ducks), Logan Webb (Hops), Gerrit Cole (Maulers), Pablo Lopez (Hammerheads) and Shohei Ohtani (Hops) are all set to take the ball.

Debut for G-Rod

The Lunatic Fringe will hold off on activating top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez, but that doesn’t mean we won’t have a focus on how the right-hander fares in his big league debut against the slugging Texas Rangers. Rodriguez could position himself for a potential Period 9 activation with a hot run, but it’s unclear if the Orioles intend to keep him in the rotation or if he’s up to just cover for the injured Kyle Bradish.

A Change At the Top

With the Stacks idle on the mound, the Mission Viejo Maulers will make a push to climb back to the top of the RDBL Standings on Wednesday with Gerrit Cole leading the way for GM Chris Ferraro. The Stacks are set to deploy four starters on Thursday.