2023 Baseball Prospectus Top 101: Henderson Tops Again

For the second time this week, St. Joseph Jokers infielder Gunnar Henderson topped a major publication's Top 100 Prospect list, this time by Baseball Prospectus. Henderson is safely planted as an Opening Day activation for GM Rick Steen and should serve as the heart of the Jokers roster for the next three seasons.

Just like with Baseball America earlier in the week, Baseball Prospectus is a big fan of the Asti Grape Stompers Farm System with eight representatives. That group is led by slugger Jordan Walker (2) and Francisco Alvarez (4).

The Maltese Falcons ranked second in the RDBL with seven representatives in the Top 1001 led by right-handers Eury Perez (11) and Daniel Espino (25), 1st and 2nd Rounders from the 2022 Reserve Draft.

The Burlingame Blue Ducks were the lone club without a representative in the Top 101.

2023 Baseball Prospectus Top 101 Prospects

1 IF Gunnar Henderson, St. Joseph Jokers

2. IF/OF Jordan Walker, Asti Grape Stompers

3. OF James Wood, Free Agent

4. C Francisco Alvarez, Asti Grape Stompers

5. IF Elly De La Cruz, Cloverdale Clovers

6. OF Corbin Carroll, Alamo Short Stacks

7. SS Anthony Volpe, Cloverdale Clovers

8. RHP Grayson Rodriguez, Lunatic Fringe

9. IF Jackson Holliday, Idaho Taters

10. OF Jackson Chourio, Free Agent

11. RHP Eury Perez, Maltese Falcons

12. RHP Andrew Painter, Cloverdale Clovers

13. SS Marcelo Mayer, Idaho Taters

14. SS Jackson Merrill, Free Agent

15. LHP Ricky Tiedemann, Cloverdale Clovers

16. IF Curtis Mead, Asti Grape Stompers

17. IF/OF Brett Baty, Meinert Hops

18. SS Marco Luciano, Cloverdale Clovers

19. C Diego Cartaya, Mt. Diablo Devils

20. LHP Kyle Harrison, Asti Grape Stompers

21. SS Ezequiel Tovar, Free Agent

22. OF Evan Carter, Free Agent

23. RHP Taj Bradley, Cloverdale Clovers

24. SS Jordan Lawlar, Asti Grape Stompers

25. RHP Daniel Espino, Maltese Falcons

26. RHP Gavin Williams, Idaho Taters

27. RHP Bobby Miller, Lake Merced Goutfish

28. OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, Asti Grape Stompers

29. IF Noelvi Marte, Lunatic Fringe

30. SS Masyn Winn, Free Agent

31 2B Termarr Johnson, Spokane Fightin' Fish

32. SS Colson Montgomery, Free Agent

33. OF Druw Jones, Maltese Falcons

34. OF Zac Veen, Maltese Falcons

35. 1B Triston Casas, Maltese Falcons

36. RHP Mick Abel, Asti Grape Stompers

37. SS Brooks Lee, Mission Viejo Maulers

38. OF Colton Cowser, Asti Grape Stompers

39. 3B Miguel Vargas, Alamo Short Stacks

40. SS Royce Lewis, Maltese Falcons

41. OF Sal Frelick, Free Agent

42. OF Emmanuel Rodriguez, Free Agent

43. RHP Tink Hence, Free Agent

44. SS Adael Amador, Free Agent

45. RHP Hunter Brown, Free Agent

46. C Henry Davis, Meinert Hops

47. SS Zach Neto, Free Agent

48. SS Oswald Peraza, Lake Merced Goutfish

49. 3B Cam Collier, Free Agent

50. RHP Gavin Stone, Free Agent

51 RHP Griff McGarry, Free Agent

52. RHP Tanner Bibee, Free Agent

53. RHP Marco Raya, Free Agent

54. RHP Nick Nastrini, Free Agent

55. C Endy Rodriguez, Free Agent

56. C Dalton Rushing, Free Agent

57. OF Spencer Jones, Free Agent

58. RHP Gordon Graceffo, Free Agent

59. IF Michael Busch, Mt. Diablo Devils

60. OF George Valera, Spokane Fightin' Fish

61. SS Edwin Arroyo, Free Agent

62. OF Garrett Mitchell, Las Vegas Aristocrats

63. OF Jasson Dominguez, Mission Viejo Maulers

64. C Kevin Parada, Free Agent

65. OF Joey Wiemer, Free Agent

66. OF Robert Hassell III, Honolulu Hammerheads

67. OF Miguel Bleis, Free Agent

68. OF Elijah Green, Lake Merced Goutfish

69. 3B Coby Mayo, Maltese Falcons

70. OF Gavin Cross, Idaho Taters

71. RHP Cade Cavalli, Mt. Diablo Devils

72. RHP Max Meyer, Las Vegas Aristocrats

73. IF/OF Cedanne Rafaela, Free Agent

74. IF Jordan Westburg, Free Agent

75. IF Jett Williams, Free Agent

76. OF Oscar Colas, Free Agent

77. C Logan O'Houppe, Free Agent

78. C/1B Tyler Soderstrom, Mt. Diablo Devils

79. RHP Nick Frasso, Free Agent

80. OF Owen Caissie, Free Agent

81 1B Kyle Manzardo, Free Agent

82. 2B Connor Norby, Free Agent

83. RHP Brandon Pfaadt, Honolulu Hammerheads

84. LHP Mason Montgomery, Free Agent

85. C Harry Ford, Lunatic Fringe

86. IF Jace Jung, Meinert Hops

87. RHP Wilmer Flores, Free Agent

88. 1B Matt Mervis, Free Agent

89. C Edgar Quero, Free Agent

90. OF Andy Pages, Lake Merced Goutfish

91. RHP Jackson Jobe, Las Vegas Aristocrats

92. LHP Kyle Muller, Free Agent

93. SS Jose Salas, Free Agent

94. 3B Casey Schmidt, Free Agent

95. LHP D.L. Hall, St. Joseph Jokers

96. RHP Connor Phillips, Free Agent

97. LHP Ken Waldichuck, Free Agent

98. 3B Colt Keith, Free Agent

99. 3B Junior Caminero, Free Agent

100. 3B Josh Jung, Idaho Taters

101. OF Alex Ramirez, Free Agent

Free Agents

3. OF James Wood, Free Agent

10. OF Jackson Chourio, Free Agent

14. SS Jackson Merrill, Free Agent

21. SS Ezequiel Tovar, Free Agent

22. OF Evan Carter, Free Agent

30. SS Masyn Winn, Free Agent

32. SS Colson Montgomery, Free Agent

41. OF Sal Frelick, Free Agent

42. OF Emmanuel Rodriguez, Free Agent

43. RHP Tink Hence, Free Agent

44. SS Adael Amador, Free Agent

45. RHP Hunter Brown, Free Agent

47. SS Zach Neto, Free Agent

49. 3B Cam Collier, Free Agent

50. RHP Gavin Stone, Free Agent

51 RHP Griff McGarry, Free Agent

52. RHP Tanner Bibee, Free Agent

53. RHP Marco Raya, Free Agent

54. RHP Nick Nastrini, Free Agent

55. C Endy Rodriguez, Free Agent

56. C Dalton Rushing, Free Agent

57. OF Spencer Jones, Free Agent

58. RHP Gordon Graceffo, Free Agent

61. SS Edwin Arroyo, Free Agent

64. C Kevin Parada, Free Agent

65. OF Joey Wiemer, Free Agent

67. OF Miguel Bleis, Free Agent

73. IF/OF Cedanne Rafaela, Free Agent

74. IF Jordan Westburg, Free Agent

75. IF Jett Williams, Free Agent

76. OF Oscar Colas, Free Agent

77. C Logan O'Houppe, Free Agent

79. RHP Nick Frasso, Free Agent

80. OF Owen Caissie, Free Agent

81 1B Kyle Manzardo, Free Agent

82. 2B Connor Norby, Free Agent

84. LHP Mason Montgomery, Free Agent

87. RHP Wilmer Flores, Free Agent

88. 1B Matt Mervis, Free Agent

89. C Edgar Quero, Free Agent

92. LHP Kyle Muller, Free Agent

93. SS Jose Salas, Free Agent

94. 3B Casey Schmidt, Free Agent

96. RHP Connor Phillips, Free Agent

97. LHP Ken Waldichuck, Free Agent

98. 3B Colt Keith, Free Agent

99. 3B Junior Caminero, Free Agent

101. OF Alex Ramirez, Free Agent

Asti Grape Stompers (8)

2. IF/OF Jordan Walker, Asti Grape Stompers

4. C Francisco Alvarez, Asti Grape Stompers

16. IF Curtis Mead, Asti Grape Stompers

20. LHP Kyle Harrison, Asti Grape Stompers

24. SS Jordan Lawlar, Asti Grape Stompers

28. OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, Asti Grape Stompers

36. RHP Mick Abel, Asti Grape Stompers

38. OF Colton Cowser, Asti Grape Stompers

Maltese Falcons (7)

11. RHP Eury Perez, Maltese Falcons

25. RHP Daniel Espino, Maltese Falcons

33. OF Druw Jones, Maltese Falcons

34. OF Zac Veen, Maltese Falcons

35. 1B Triston Casas, Maltese Falcons

40. SS Royce Lewis, Maltese Falcons

69. 3B Coby Mayo, Maltese Falcons

Cloverdale Clovers (6)

5. IF Elly De La Cruz, Cloverdale Clovers

7. SS Anthony Volpe, Cloverdale Clovers

12. RHP Andrew Painter, Cloverdale Clovers

15. LHP Ricky Tiedemann, Cloverdale Clovers

18. SS Marco Luciano, Cloverdale Clovers

23. RHP Taj Bradley, Cloverdale Clovers

Idaho Taters (5)

9. IF Jackson Holliday, Idaho Taters

13. SS Marcelo Mayer, Idaho Taters

26. RHP Gavin Williams, Idaho Taters

70. OF Gavin Cross, Idaho Taters

100. 3B Josh Jung, Idaho Taters

Lake Merced Goutfish (4)

27. RHP Bobby Miller, Lake Merced Goutfish

48. SS Oswald Peraza, Lake Merced Goutfish

68. OF Elijah Green, Lake Merced Goutfish

90. OF Andy Pages, Lake Merced Goutfish

Mt. Diablo Devils (4)

19. C Diego Cartaya, Mt. Diablo Devils

59. IF Michael Busch, Mt. Diablo Devils

71. RHP Cade Cavalli, Mt. Diablo Devils

78. C/1B Tyler Soderstrom, Mt. Diablo Devils

Las Vegas Aristocrats (3)

62. OF Garrett Mitchell, Las Vegas Aristocrats

72. RHP Max Meyer, Las Vegas Aristocrats

91. RHP Jackson Jobe, Las Vegas Aristocrats

Lunatic Fringe (3)

8. RHP Grayson Rodriguez, Lunatic Fringe

29. IF Noelvi Marte, Lunatic Fringe

85. C Harry Ford, Lunatic Fringe

Meinert Hops (3)

17. IF/OF Brett Baty, Meinert Hops

46. C Henry Davis, Meinert Hops

86. IF Jace Jung, Meinert Hops

Alamo Short Stacks (2)

6. OF Corbin Carroll, Alamo Short Stacks

39. 3B Miguel Vargas, Alamo Short Stacks

Honolulu Hammerheads (2)

66. OF Robert Hassell III, Honolulu Hammerheads

83. RHP Brandon Pfaadt, Honolulu Hammerheads

Mission Viejo Maulers (2)

37. SS Brooks Lee, Mission Viejo Maulers

63. OF Jasson Dominguez, Mission Viejo Maulers

Spokane Fightin' Fish (2)

31. 2B Termarr Johnson, Spokane Fightin' Fish

60. OF George Valera, Spokane Fightin' Fish

St. Joseph Jokers (2)

1. IF Gunnar Henderson, St. Joseph Jokers

95. LHP D.L. Hall, St. Joseph Jokers

Burlingame Blue Ducks (0)

2023 Mock Draft, 1.0: Surprise at the Top for Jokers

With a little under 70 days until the 2023 Roger Dorn Baseball League Draft, Front Offices are picking up steam in their preparations for the league's 10th season of play. For the first time in Franchise History, the St. Joseph Jokers will select first overall after obtaining the Lake Merced Goutfish's 1st Round selection in a mid-season deal last year.

The Mock Drafts have never been more difficult to predict following the addition of the 1D/$5 contract in 2022 for Reserve Draft selections, giving RDBL clubs the option of retaining Major League selections for a third season of control at $15. We saw the addition increase the value of Michael Conforto last season as the Idaho Taters selected the outfielder 7th overall while Merrill Kelly (18th Overall) looks like a major value for the Mt. Diablo Devils.

While it's impossible to predict who will slip through the Auction Draft and into the Reserve Draft, we'll stick with only prospects for Mock Draft 1.0. Additionally, prospects like Logan O'Hoppe and Ezequiel Tovar are solid bets for big league roles and Auction Draft selections, but we'll leave them in consideration as prospects for now.

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*1. St. Joseph Jokers: RHP Roki Sasaki, Japan

Acquired from Lake Merced Goutfish

The Approach: The Jokers have their best Farm System in Franchise History, headlined by activation-ready slugger Gunnar Henderson and right-hander Kyle Wright as well as a trio of catching prospects ready for the Active Roster. That gives GM Rick Steen the freedom to shoot for the moon with the top overall selection.

The Player: Sasaki gained fame when he threw a perfect game on April 10th while punching out 13 consecutive batters and 19 overall in the NBP. He finished the year with a 2.02 ERA and 173 strikeouts at age 20 though he comes with an uncertain timeline for a potential move to the US and Major League Baseball, but rumors are swirling that it could come as soon as next year. While outfielder Jackson Chourio is the best stateside option, Sasaki possesses a similar ETA and more upside overall.

2. Las Vegas Aristocrats: OF Jackson Chourio, Brewers

The Approach: The addition of Russ Colburn to the Aristocrats Front Office led to a shift in focus on investing in the club's Farm System, starting last season with an increased focus on the Amatuer level. The club is expected to shoot for upside again with the second overall selection, their fourth time selecting inside the Top-2 in Franchise History.

The Player: Baseball America had Chourio ranked as the #2 prospect in all of baseball to end the 2022 season, so this would be quite the boon for the 'Crats if the Jokers go with Sasaki with the top overall selection. The Brewers signed him in January 2021 and spent that season in the Dominican Summer League. He began 2022 in extended spring training, but was quickly promoted to Low-A Carolina in early May. From there, he took minor league baseball by storm.

Despite being the youngest player in Low-A by several months, Chourio dominated the Carolina League, earning a promotion to High-A Wisconsin, where he continued to dominate. Chourio then earned a final promotion for the last week of the season to Double-A Biloxi at just 18 years old and the youngest player in the league every step of the way. With advanced hitting ability, explosive power, plus-plus speed and highlight-reel defense in center field, he has the tools to be a future superstar and could be on a similar track of current Fightin' Fish star Julio Rodriguez.

*3. Spokane Fightin' Fish: OF James Wood, Nationals

*Acquired from Honolulu Hammerheads

The Approach: Historically, the Fish have aggressively explored the International Market making Roki Sasaki a strong bet to not last past this pick if he's not selected by the Jokers or Aristocrats. With multiple graduates to their Active Roster, the Fish are entering a reset Draft for their Farm System with just six under contract currently.

The Player: A giant slugger with the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways, Wood is more than an oddity as a 6-foot-7 slugger with advanced plate discipline and more bat-to-ball skills than his huge limbs would portend. His combination of plus power and feel to hit in a power forward’s body make Wood one of the most exciting prospects in the minor leagues. Wood was one of the key pieces that went to the Nationals in the blockbuster deal for Juan Soto and at 20, could produce a quicker Active Roster contributor over Chorio for the 'Crats.

4. Lunatic Fringe: SS Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies

The Approach: The Fringe selected a Trevor Story, a young Rockies shortstop in the 4th Round of the 2013 Draft that ended up working out quite well for GM Tony Guglielmi. They could go to the same well in 2023 if Tovar is available and eligible for a Minor League contract on Draft Day.

The Player: A defensive wizard at shortstop, Tovar raced from Double-A to the majors on the strength of his offensive gains and now projects to be the Rockies shortstop of the future. His Gold Glove-caliber defense, growing strength and knack for contact despite an aggressive approach give him a chance to be the Rockies next homegrown standout. Currently penciled in as Colorado's Opening Day shortstop, Tovar could play his way into the Auction Draft with a strong Spring.

5. Asti Grape Stompers: SS Jackson Merrill, Padres

The Approach: The Grapes have a loaded Farm System, placing eight prospects in the 2023 Baseball America Top 100. The group has a heavy 2024 ETA, giving GM Terry Shelley the ability to go for upside regardless of age.

The Player: Shelley spent a few days in the Arizona Fall League, focused on scouting some of the top options set to be available at this pick. Few impressed more than Padres shortstop Jackson Merrill who took big leaps in prospect circles after being limited to just 227 at-bats in the Minor Leagues during the Regular Season. Merrill has a smooth swing from the left side with the athleticism to stick at shortstop. He's ticketed for High-A to start 2023, with a likely ETA of 2025 should all go smoothly in his development.

6. Mt. Diablo Devils: RHP Chase Dollander, UT

The Approach: The Devils have historically struggled to draft and develop starting pitching while most recently seeing a significant drop in value over the last 12 months in their 2022 3rd overall pick Cade Cavalli. That could have GM Jason Watson focused on the hitting front, but the upside of an amatuer right-hander out of the University of Tennessee could change that.

The Player: RDBL Front Offices have dipped into the Amateur ranks with more frequency in recent years, evident by three of the consensus top five picks in the 2023 MLB Draft already locked up (Dylan Crews, Max Clark and Jacob Gonzalez). Right-hander Chase Dollander has a case for leaping over Crews to go 1-1 in July. Not only is Dollander the cream of the crop in terms of college pitching this spring, he’s a metric-darling with unicorn traits that can be extremely tough to find. He checks a lot of boxes. Projection, production, performance and unique data. Dollander has a shot at becoming a frontline starter at the next level with an upper-90s fastball and a plus to double-plus slider. He mixes in an above average changeup that has been unhittable for lefty bats.

7. Cloverdale Clovers: OF Evan Carter, Rangers

The Approach: If the Clovers don't have the best Farm System in the RDBL, then they closely trail the Grapes for that title which has GM Chris Shelley primed for another significant addition after an A+ Draft in 2022 that netted Anthony Volpe, Elly De La Cruz, Taj Bradley and Ricky Tiedemann.

The Player: The Rangers top prospect was a surprise second-round selection in 2020, but has proved the Rangers were wise in the time since the pick. Blessed with some of the most refined plate discipline in the minor leagues, Carter has a well-balanced skill set with average or better tools across the board with scouts confident he will add even more power to his profile. Carter has increased his prospect profile as much as any player in the sport over the last year and would be a big addition to an already loaded Clovers prospect group.

8. Idaho Taters: OF Wyatt Langford, University of Florida

The Approach: From injuries to under performance, the Taters have struggled to find the right approach to their pitching prospect selections, though Gavin Williams looks primed to break that streak. That trend will likely have GM Mike Friedrich focused at the plate with their 8th overall pick.

The Player: The Taters haven't been shy about dipping into the Amateur ranks, adding Jackson Hollday, Jack Leiter, Marcelo Mayer and Gavin Cross over the last two seasons. That makes Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford a logical fit for Friedrich's club. Langford was the most prominent fall riser in the 2023 draft class after turning in improved run times that make a center field profile look more likely. If that’s the case, his bat goes from profiling well to profiling exceptionally. In 2022 Langford hit .356/.447/.719 with 26 home runs (which tied a Florida program record). He led the Gators in all three triple slash categories, home runs, hits, runs, triples and total bases. His 26 homers were best among all SEC hitters and tied for sixth among all Division I hitters. He currently projects as a slam dunk Top 5 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.

9. St. Joseph Jokers: 1B Kyle Manzardo, Tampa Bay Rays

The Approach: The Jokers can swing for the fences with the top overall pick while potentially pairing that selection with a close to the big leagues option.

The Player: Rays first baseman Kyle Manzardo is more than just a prospect with a close ETA. He hit .327/.426/.617 with 22 homers, 26 doubles, 81 RBIs and nearly as many walks (59) as strikeouts (65) in 93 games between High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery. While he will need another year of seasoning, Manzardo could push his way into Tampa Bay late in the season and position himself for a 2024 activation, joining an elite young group set to join the Jokers Active Roster this season.

10. Meinert Hops: C Logan O'Hoppe, Los Angeles Angels

The Approach: With Shohei Ohtani under contract through 2024 and Michael Harris set for activation, the Hops are in win-now mode following their most successful season in Franchise History. That will likely play a factor in their approach as they look to pair a close to majors prospect with their current core.

The Player: While Logan O'Hoppe could certainly play his way into the Auction with a strong Spring, he would be a strong value at 10th overall if he happens to start the year at Triple-A. He's a catcher with plenty of offensive prowess and the makeup to be a leader behind the dish, where he has a good chance to stick despite a bigger frame with the ability to make an Active Roster contribution as soon as this season.

11. Burlingame Blue Ducks: C Endy Rodriguez, Pirates

The Approach: The Ducks have historically pursued catching early in their drafts and 2023 offers multiple high-end backstops that would fit their need. While Logan O'Houppe could be off the board and Kevin Parada (Mets) has been attached to the Ducks Front Office, Endy Rodriguez could be the best fit overall from an upside and ETA standpoint.

The Player: Rodriguez followed up a breakout season in 2021 by putting together a fantastic .323/.407/.590 batting line with 25 home runs and 39 doubles across three levels in 2022. He began the season at High-A Greensboro but ended it by going 10-for-22 at the dish in a late-season audition at Triple-A Indianapolis and earning the nod as baseball's 23rd ranked prospect by Baseball America.

As great as Rodriguez’s offense was, he also impressed with his defense, drawing rave reviews for his catch-and-throw skills and handling of pitchers. So, while the 22-year-old’s athleticism has allowed the Pirates to also use him at second base, first base, and the outfield, his future looks to be behind the plate.

As things stand right now, the Pirates are projected to have Austin Hedges as their Opening Day catcher and Tyler Heineman backing him up. In other words, Rodriguez does not face any roadblocks once Pittsburgh decides he’s ready.

12. Mission Viejo Maulers: SS Colson Montgomery, White Sox

The Approach: With just seven prospects under contract, GM Chris Ferraro will simply take a "best available" approach as they look to restock the shelves following a pursuit of a title in 2022.

The Player: Montgomery was the White Sox’s first-round pick in 2021, out of an Indiana high school, and the 20-year-old has shown plus defense at short and an advanced approach at the plate while drawing Corey Seager comps due to his large frame. Montgomery enjoyed an excellent full-season debut in 2022, reaching Double-A and running a 50-game on-base streak over one stretch of the season. He ranked as the 39th best prospect according to Baseball America this week.

13. Spokane Fightin' Fish: SS Zach Neto, Angels

The Approach: The Fish continue to turn out activation-ready players with Julio Rodriguez and Vinnie Pasquantino set to join a roster that already has four players on Rookie deals. With J-Rod under contract until 2025, GM Michael Tirabassi will be looking for a prospect that can help in that window and could find their man on their favorite MLB club.

The Player: After an excellent college career at Campbell, Neto was aggressively pushed in his pro debut and responded in a big way. He reached Double-A and raked, albeit in a small sample size. He boasts five average or better tools, including plusses for his hittability and throwing arm with a chance to be the Angels' long-term answer at shortstop. While he may lack the pure upside of other first-year players, Neto does everything well and could develop into a five-category producer capable of going .280/20/15.

*14. Idaho Taters: OF Sal Frelick, Brewers

Acquired from Maltese Falcons

The Approach: The Taters can continue to stockpile prospects with their second selection of the 1st Round as they look to challenge the Grapes and Clovers for the best Farm System in the league. As with their first selection, look for GM Mike Friedrich to stay focused on hitters with pick #14.

The Player: There’s few things Brewers outfielder Frelick can’t do on a baseball field. The diminutive outfielder impressed in his full-season debut in 2022, climbing three levels, reaching Triple-A and improving his performance at each level. Blessed with plus-plus hitting ability and speed, Frelick looks like a dynamic top-of-the-order run producer. His 70 hit tool and size provide Andrew Benintendi comps, though Frelick possesses more speed that could help in the steals category down the road.

*15. Cloverdale Clovers: SS Masyn Winn, Cardinals

Acquired from Alamo Short Stacks

The Approach: The Clovers can continue to shoot for the moon with their second pick of the 1st Round. Few prospects have as loud of tools as Masyn Winn who would join Elly De La Cruz in the Clovers system as two upside options for the future at shortstop.

The Player: Winn might have the strongest throwing arm in all of baseball. His 100 mph throw across the diamond in the Futures Game garnered plenty of headlines, but the elevation of his offensive game was the most encouraging part of his season. He could be a true shortstop who provides impact on both sides of the ball.

Next Best: C Kevin Parada (Mets), 1B Matt Mervis (Cubs)

Rumor Central: Jokers Unwilling to Move Picks in 1st or 2nd Round

The St. Joseph Jokers suffered through a rough season in the standings but replenished their Farm System in 2022 with the addition of Baseball America's top prospect Gunnar Henderson as well as the selections of Gabriel Moreno, MJ Melendez and Kyle Wright. GM Rick Steen now holds nine of the top 44 selections in the 2023 Reserve Draft and has started to inform teams looking for deals that the club is unwilling to part with any of their first six selections in the first two rounds (1, 9, 24, 25, 27, 29).

The club holds three selections (36, 39, 44) in the 3rd Round and could leverage those selections in off-season deals to bring in some help for their Keeper Roster. Steen is reportedly focused on trying to bolster their starting rotation, making them a logical trade fit with the Lunatic Fringe, Cloverdale Clovers, Lake Merced Goutfish and Maltese Falcons who are deep at the position.

The 2023 RDBL Season officially opens on February 1st when trades and player movement can begin.

Around the RDBL

- The Jokers face a logjam at catcher on paper entering Spring Training with the trio of Gabriel Moreno, MJ Melendez and Joey Bart all set for primary starting roles for their respective MLB clubs. Bart could be the one that is expendable according to sources with the Jokers likely seeking big league talent in return to add to their Keeper Roster.

- The Lake Merced Goutfish have had multiple clubs reach out on first baseman Matt Olson (2/$46) who is expected to be moved this off-season. One of those teams is the Lunatic Fringe according to sources, a club that is loaded with starting pitching options but is looking to upgrade their offense before Spring Training. Goutfish GM Ryan Atkinson is reportedly seeking draft picks in return for Olson.

- The impending release of outfielder Bryce Harper from the Mt. Diablo Devils adds another stellar name to the best Free Agent Class in RDBL History. While there will be a strong market for Harper, the Meinert Hops have emerged as a potential match according to sources. With Shohei Ohtani having the ability to fill two positions on the Active Roster, GM Garrett Shelley could leverage Ohtani into a SP spot and fill out their final hitting position with Harper according to those familiar with their thinking. Harper (elbow) had surgery late in 2022 and is expected to return around the All-Star Break in a DH capacity.

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