Rumor Central: Harper, Buehler Locks for Maulers?

With the Mission Viejo Maulers switching to rebuild mode for the second time in three seasons, GM Chris Ferraro is planning for the 2023 Auction with a long-term vision in mind. After watching the club maneuver in similar fashion in 2021, that Draft should give us a strong idea of where the club is likely to focus their efforts on March 27th this season.

That points directly to outfielder Bryce Harper and starting pitcher Walker Buehler as clear fits for the Maulers with both expected to miss significant time due to injuries.

Harper did not have the elite level of production he had over previous seasons, but 2022 was excellent even in an unfortunate smaller sample. An elbow injury in April would have ended his season if not for the Universal DH rule, but a Blake Snell fastball off the hand put him back on the IL until August at which time he finished the season as the DH and took the Phillies to the World Series. It was announced in November that he would have Tommy John surgery surgery and miss the start of the 2023 season. The plan is for Harper to return to designated hitter duties around the All-Star Break with a return to the outfield possibly late in 2023 or in early 2024.

The Dodgers rewarded Walker Buehler for his stellar 2021 season with their opening-day start. After six starts, his ERA was 1.96 with a 1.06 WHIP, but only 32 punchouts in 36.2 innings was a concern. Buehler started six more games, recording a 6.67 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with 26 strikeouts in 28.1 frames. He was then put on the IL with elbow discomfort which was later diagnosed as a flexor strain in his throwing elbow. While recovering, Buehler had a bone spur removed from his right elbow. In August, the Dodgers decided to give up on a September return and Buehler underwent Tommy John surgery for a second time, with the first back in 2015. Buehler is likely to miss the entire 2023 season making a minor investment this season a potentially brilliant move for 2024 and 2025.

Around the RDBL - According to sources, the Cloverdale Clovers made a push for Burlingame Blue Ducks ace Alek Manoah (2R/$3) but the ask required parting with prized right-hander Andrew Painter (Minors) which the club was hesitant to do. At that point, the conversation shifted to Cristian Javier (3/$6) who was ultimately dealt as part of a larger package to the Clovers last week.

- The Maltese Falcons Front Office is saying not so fast on the presumed activation of first baseman Triston Casas (Minors). According to sources, the club is planning on holding Casas back in his Minor League contract unless he has a breakout Spring Training.

- One key contract to watch is Meinert Hops outfieler Bryan Reynolds (2/$36) who is probably priced just about right for his production but is up against a legendary Free Agent group of outfielders. 2022 was another year of the perpetual rebuild in Pittsburgh where little went well, but that did not stop Reynolds from building off his successful 2021 campaign. The batting average fell as Reynolds continues a cycle of BABIP peaks and valleys year after year, but he set a career high in homers and steals while compiling for an otherwise dreadful lineup. His 374.5 points in 2022 might not be worth the $36 investment, but his 454.0 point projection by CBS has the Hops remaining interest in picking up the option.

2023 RDBL Survey Results, Part 2

The second part of the 2023 Roger Dorn Baseball League Survey is here as we close in on the 10th Draft in League History.

Part Two shifts to more player value related questions including a poll on the league's top prospects and available talent for the 2023 Reserve Draft. The league is set for their 10th Draft on Monday, March 27th.

How much will Bryce Harper go for in Auction?

$41+ (5), $26-30 (4), $36-40 (3), $31-35 / $21-25 (2), $16-20 (1)

In a Free Agent Class that was already loaded, the news of Bryce Harper's Tommy John Surgery shifts another elite-level talent into the fold for RDBL Front Offices to plan around. Harper is expected to miss at least the first half of the season, but would come with three seasons of control. The rebuilding Mission Viejo Maulers have become a glaring fit as GM Chris Ferraro seems to be shifting his focus to 2024 and beyond making Harper a perfect fit.

Which Player would you rather have under Contract?

OF Julio Rodriguez (12), C Adley Rutschman (5)

While you can't go wrong with either option, Spokane Fightin' Fish outfielder Julio Rodriguez took the overwhelming majority of the votes over Cloverdale Clovers catcher Adley Rutschman. Both rank among the league's best values and will officially start their contract clock on Opening Day with the remaining clubs counting down the days until they become Free Agents.

Of the RDBL Prospects not currently projected to be Activated for Opening Day, who would rank as the top remaining player under a Minor League contract?

LHP Kyle Harrison, 3B/OF Jordan Walker (4), RHP Andrew Painter, SS Jackson Holliday (2), SS Jordan Lawlar, C Francisco Alvarez, RHP Bobby Miller, RHP Eury Perez, RHP Ryne Nelson (1)

Nine players received votes on this question le by a pair of Asti Grape Stompers in left-hander Kyle Harrison and slugger Jordan Walker. Amazingly, the Grapes had two additional prospects in Jordan Lawlar and Francisco Alvarez receive votes as well, speaking to the depth of GM Terry Shelley's Farm System.

If you had the first pick in the RDBL Reserve Draft, who would you select?

RHP Roki Sasaki (9), OF Jackson Chourio (4), OF James Wood (2)

The St. Joseph Jokers are set for the first overall pick in the 2023 Reserve Draft, their first time with the top selection in Franchise History. The current tea leaves seem to be moving towards young Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki but GM Rick Steen has yet to finalize his plans according to sources close to the club.

Which RDBL Franchise is best positioned for the next Three Seasons?

Alamo Short Stacks, Cloverdale Clovers (4), Asti Grape Stompers (3), Spokane Fightin' Fish (2), Lake Merced Goutfish, Las Vegas Aristocrats, Meinert Hops, Maltese Falcons (1)

The Alamo Short Stacks and Cloverdale Clovers each received a league-high four votes while the Asti Grape Stompers (3) and Spokane Fightin' Fish (2) were the only other clubs to receive multiple nods. The Stacks are looking to become the first Franchise to win back to back RDBL Championships while the Cloverdale Clovers look to be opening up a strong window of contention with a young and cost-controlled roster coupled with one of the league's best Farm Systems.

Which RDBL Franchise has the best Keeper Roster for 2023 as Currently Projected?

Alamo Short Stacks (6), Spokane Fightin' Fish, Maltese Falcons (3), Asti Grape Stompers, Burlingame Blue Ducks, Cloverdale Clovers, Honolulu Hammerheads, Lake Merced Goutfish (1)

The Stacks received the nod from their peers with six votes as the club is expected to bring back a strong Keeper Roster coupled with four activations. The result is a league-high 5,784.5 point projection while also holding the highest cap space per opening which should allow GM Greg Shelley to add at least two significant additions in Auction.

Which team that missed the Playoffs in 2022 that will make it in 2023?

Lake Merced Goutfish (5), Cloverdale Clovers, Las Vegas Aristocrats (3), Mt. Diablo Devils (2), Honolulu Hammerheads, Lunatic Fringe, St. Joseph Jokers (1)

It's not surprising to see the Lake Merced Goutfish grab the most votes after missing the 2022 Playoffs by just 58.0 points in a race that went down to the final day of the RDBL Regular Season. With Fernando Tatis, Jr. back in action in late April along with Yordan Alvarez, Dylan Cease and George Kirby, GM Ryan Atkinson is looking for more than just a Playoff berth in 2023.

2023 Hitter of the Year will be:

Freddie Freeman (4), Aaron Judge (3), Mike Trout, Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña (2), Paul Goldschmidt, Trea Turner, Kyle Tucker (1)

After a record-breaking season, Aaron Judge was edged out in voting by Freddie Freeman who ranked second in scoring last season with 553.5 points. What stands out about the group of votes is the impact available in Free Agency with Freeman, Mike Trout, Juan Soto and Ronald Acuña all available in the Auction Draft.

2023 Pitcher of the Year will be:

Sandy Alcantara, Jacob deGrom (5), Corbin Burnes (4), Shane McClanahan, Spencer Strider (1)

It's no surprise that Lunatic Fringe right-hander Sandy Alcantara received a league-tying high five votes after posting 733.0 points last season, the 9th most in RDBL History. Sharing the lead in votes was prized RDBL Free Agent Jacob deGrom with fellow Free Agent Corbin Burnes (4) being the only other starter to receive multiple votes.

Honest Level of Interest in the RDBL:

5 (9), 4 (7), 2 (1)

16 of the 17 votes ranked their interest at a four or five, a positive sign for the overall health of the RDBL. One vote registered at a two, with Las Vegas Aristocrats Assistant GM Nick Kusanovich as the likely voter. President of Baseball Operations Nick Holz recently added Russ Colburn to their Front Office, giving the 'Crats the lone three-person Front Office in the RDBL.

TRADE: Heads Grab Carlson from Ducks

A busy week of deals continued Friday as the Honolulu Hammerheads and Burlingame Blue Ducks made their second deal in as many days as GM Ross Horiuchi announced the acquisition of outfielder Dylan Carlson (3/$15) for prospect Jace Jung (Minors).

Carlson's own manager was driving the hype train last spring, predicting big things for a player he envisioned as his leadoff man. That train went off the rails in a hurry as Carlson mostly struggled before landing on the injured list in May with a hamstring strain. A thumb sprain put him back on the shelf in September and the outfielder couldn't really get going in between. In the end, Carlson slashed .236/.316/.380 across 488 plate appearances. After popping 18 home runs in 2021, Carlson managed eight long balls last season to go along with five steals in seven attempts. If there's a silver lining it's that Carlson trimmed his strikeout rate five percentage points to 19.3%. Keep in mind too that Carlson is still only 24 years old and will be for the entirely of the 2023 season which likely has the Heads thinking there is more in the tank.

While far too young to give up on, the switch hitter had dramatic platoon splits and the Cardinals may be forced dial back his playing time slightly if his struggles against lefties continue.

The younger brother of Rangers top prospect Josh, Jace really excelled as a hitter during his time at Texas Tech. He had an OPS over 1.000 all three years and slashed .335/.481/.612 with 14 home runs, 59 walks and 42 strikeouts in 61 games as a junior while routinely being pitched around. Detroit grabbed him with the 12th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. The lefty hitter showcased significant power to all fields while in college. A below-average runner with an average arm, Jung won't be a great defensive option, and he might fit best at designated hitter long term. He gets high marks for his baseball IQ and leadership qualities. Former general manager Al Avila doesn't have many hits to point to in the draft, and Jung's debut was pretty tepid. He hit just one home run in 30 games at High-A with a .102 ISO while being extremely passive and seemingly waiting for the perfect pitch. Given his defensive deficiencies, Jung needs to make a major impact offensively making 2023 an important season in his development.