Pitching Prospect of the Year: Triston McKenzie, Fringe

What could have been for the Lunatic Fringe as GM Tony Guglielmi can't help but think what their season would have looked like if right-hander Triston McKenzie was trusted with an Opening Day activation. Instead, McKenzie is honored as the 2022 RDBL Pitching Prospect of the Year following his breakout season for the Cleveland Indians.

McKenzie dominated the RDBL Regular Season, ranking 14th in pitcher scoring with 428.0 points while compiling a 3.17 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. It would be been a welcome addition to the Fringe pitching staff which posted a 4.00 ERA as a team while working through rough seasons from Lucas Giolito and $40 auction addition Lance Lynn who posted a 5.00 ERA and 77 1/3 innings. The inability to find consistent quality innings behind ace Sandy Alcantara and an excellent offense ultimately sunk the Fringe into a seller and 10th place finish.

McKenzie has hardly let off the gas pedal since the completion of the RDBL Regular Season, posting a 2.48 ERA and 1.01 WHIP putting him on pace for almost 600 points this season as he currently ranks 12th in overall scoring among pitchers.

While McKenzie ran away with the award at the big league level, he still faced serious competition from Cloverdale Clovers right-hander Andrew Painter who was a key acquisition in the club's blockbuster deal with the Alamo Short Stacks for Juan Soto, Mookie Betts and others. Painter rose to Double-A at the age of 19 with 155 strikeouts in 103 2/3 innings while posting a 1.56 ERA, leaving him among a handful of names that could claim the title of best pitching prospect in baseball.

Honorable Mention: Andrew Painter (Clovers), Kyle Wright (Jokers), Gavin Williams (Taters), Kyle Harrison (Grapes), Ricky Tiedemann (Clovers), Taj Bradley (Clovers), Roansy Contreras (Goutfish)

State Farm Weekly Recap: Ducks Charging with 10 Days to Go

10 Days remain in the 2022 RDBL Playoffs and we are shaping up for an All-Time finish with three teams firmly in the mix for the League Championship. The Alamo Short Stacks enter Period 26 with a 40.0 point lead over the Spokane Fightin' Fish while the Burlingame Blue Ducks sit just 72.0 points out of the lead.

Here's the recap from Period 25:

Team of the Week: Burlingame Blue Ducks, 383.0 Points

94-301, 301 AB, 28 2B, 11 HR, 50 RBI, 50 R, 7 SB, 31 BB, 3 CS, 2 HP, SF

46.1 INN, 34 HA, 21 BBI, 58 K, 14 ER, 4 W, 2 L, S, HB

Ryan Walsh has developed a knack for assembling a championship caliber roster without selling the Farm System and 2022 looks to be no different. The Ducks posted a league-high 383.0 points in Period 25 and enter the final 10 days just 72.0 points behind the lead with a solid hold on third place. The club leads the Playoffs in hitting points and average (.275), currently 20 points over their mark in the Regular Season.

Hitter of the Week: Steven Kwan, Fish, 43.0 Points

14-32, 32 AB, 2 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 9 R, 4 SB, 2 BB

Kwan was hardly a one week wonder to start 2022 as the outfielder is now on pace for a 426.5 point season after going 14-for-32 in Period 25. He currently ranks sixth in scoring in the RDBL Playoffs while slashing .300/.379/.436 over that span.

Pitcher of the Week: Max Scherzer, Maulers, 59.0 Points

12 INN, 4 HA, BBI, 16 K, ER, 2 W

While the Maulers have continued to mash at the plate, their pitching has failed them in the RDBL Playoffs with a league-high 4.45 ERA, significantly higher than the 3.62 mark they posted in the Regular Season. Scherzer helped drive the club over the 300 point mark last week with a dominant Period 25 and is likely set for one final start this year as he completes the third season of his $68 contract that will produce over 1,500 points.

Prospect of the Week: Francisco Alvarez, Grapes

Alvarez went 12-for-29 over the last 10 days, pacing all RDBL prospects with a 1.190 OPS including a pair of home runs and doubles. Alvarez looks primed for an Opening Day activation in 2023 for the Grapes if he can show the catching skills to handle a veteran Mets pitching staff behind the plate.

Life Insurance Player of the Week: Mookie Betts, Stacks, -1.0

Mookie Betts limped to -1.0 points in Period 25 and highlighted the surprising struggles from several Stacks stars. Betts is hitting just .202 in the Playoffs, joined by Juan Soto (.195), Corbin Burnes (4.89 ERA) and Jacob deGrom (3.72 ERA) with disappointing performances through 4 weeks of play.

On The Lookout: Burnes Burned Out, Pressure on Duck Bats

Period 25 kicks off with just 2.5 weeks remaining in the Roger Dorn Baseball League Playoffs. Currently, the race for the 2022 Title looks to be focused on the Alamo Short Stacks, seeking their first RDBL Championship, and the Spokane Fightin' Fish who are seeking to extend the league record with a third Title.

Here's what we are watching over the slate of games Monday.

Burnes Burned Out?

The prize of the Trade Deadline for the Alamo Short Stacks was supposed to be right-hander Corbin Burnes but he's hardly been himself, posting just two positive starts in his last five outings. Over his last five starts, Burnes owns a 6.23 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 30.0 innings. He is set for two starts in Period 25 against the Mets and Reds as he looks to help lead the Stacks to their first RDBL Championship.

The Stacks will also send Logan Gilbert (@ LAA) to the mound who has allowed just one earned run in his last three starts.

J-Rod Back?

Julio Rodriguez (back) was scratched Saturday and left out of the lineup Sunday and will be an important piece of the Fish lineup to watch on Monday. Rodriguez is the 4th AL player age 21-or-younger to hit 25+ home runs in his first MLB season, joining Joe DiMaggio (1936), Ted Williams (1939) & Eddie Murray (1977) and leads the Fish with 74.0 hitting points in the RDBL Playoffs.

Pressure on Ducks Offense

The Ducks remain within striking distance of the Stacks and Fish but the pressure will shift to the club's offense with all one-start pitchers slated to go for GM Ryan Walsh in Period 25. The Ducks enter Monday ranked fourth in hitting and pitching in the RDBL Playoffs.

Falcons Hot Streak Continues?

The Falcons are surging and will send Clayton Kershaw (vs.ARI) and Sonny Gray (@CLE) to the mound on Monday as they look to continue their ascent in the RDBL Standings.