Alcantara, Goldschmidt, Judge Lead All-RDBL Team

The 2022 All-RDBL Team was announced Monday following the completion of the Regular Season. The offense is led by Paul Goldschmidt (Hammerheads) and Aaron Judge (Maulers) on offense while Sandy Alcantara (Fringe) easily paced all pitchers in scoring.

The 2022 Season was condensed due to the CBA issues at the start of the season and delayed Opening Day. Due to those issues, the RDBL was squeezed into a 21 Period Regular Season compared to 22 Periods from 2016-2019 and 23 Periods in 2022. That squeeze will lead to some being robbed of their chances of having their names done the RDBL Record Books, though some like Alcantara and Justin Verlander were so dominant that they landed there anyway.

First Team All-RDBL Offense

C Will Smith, Alamo Short Stacks, 285.0

C J.T. Realmuto, Burlingame Blue Ducks, 282.5

1B Paul Goldschmidt, Honolulu Hammerheads, 475.5

2B Trea Turner, St. Joseph Jokers, 393.5

3B Austin Riley, Honolulu Hammerheads, 396.0

SS Dansby Swanson, Maltese Falcons, 345.0

MI Francisco Lindor, Lake Merced Goutfish, 340.0

CI Freddie Freeman, Burlingame Blue Ducks, 436.5

OF Aaron Judge, Mission Viejo Maulers, 475.0

OF Juan Soto, Alamo Short Stacks, 377.5

OF Yordan Alvarez, Lake Merced Goutfish, 365.5

OF Mookie Betts, Alamo Short Stacks, 365.5

OF Shohei Ohtani, Meinert Hops, 360.0

OF Josh Bell, Lake Merced Goutfish, 343.0

U Jose Ramirez, Mt. Diablo Devils, 381.5

First Team All-RDBL Pitching Staff

SP Sandy Alcantara, Lunatic Fringe, 614.0

SP Justin Verlander, Mission Viejo Maulers, 550.0

SP Shane McClanahan, Meinert Hops, 513.0

SP Aaron Nola, Burlingame Blue Ducks, 475.0

SP Dylan Cease, Lake Merced Goutfish, 464.0

SP Corbin Burnes, Alamo Short Stacks, 459.0

RP Emmanuel Clase, Alamo Short Stacks, 320.0

RP Edwin Diaz, Lake Merced Goutfish, 281.0

RP Ryan Helsley, Asti Grape Stompers, 269.0

2022 Playoffs Set as Hops Squeeze in Sunday

The 2022 Roger Dorn Baseball League Playoffs are officially set as Sunday's race for the finish line concluded with the Meinert Hops holding off the Lake Merced Goutfish for the final Wild Card spot and earning their first Playoff berth in Franchise History.

The Alamo Short Stacks will enter the Playoffs as the top seed, winning their second Regular Season Championship in Franchise History, the first to accomplish the feat in the RDBL.

The Stacks will try and be the third team to win both the Regular Season and Playoffs, joining the 2016 Spokane Fightin' Fish and 2021 Lake Merced Goutfish. The Stacks, Maltese Falcons and Hops enter as the three teams in the Playoffs without a RDBL Championship while the Spokane Fightin' Fish try and earn their third with the Mission Viejo Maulers and Burlingame Blue Ducks looking for their second.

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Alamo Short Stacks

East Bay Division, Regular Season Champions

Overall: 1st | Hitting: 1st | Pitching: 5th

Top Hitter: Juan Soto, 377.5

Top Pitcher: Corbin Burnes, 459.0

Who's Hot:

Jeff McNeil: Hitting .417/.446/.612 leading all OF in scoring Over Last 28 Days

Eloy Jimenez: Hitting .363/.454/.505 Over Last 28 Days

Carlos Rodon: 1.44 ERA, 0.70 WHIP Over Last 28 Days

Who's Not:

Alex Wood: 11.85 ERA Over Last 14 Days

Corbin Burnes: 9.64 ERA Over Last 14 Days

Ty France: Hitting .122/.173/.162 Over Last 28 Days

Health

The Stacks currently have Byron Buxton, Yoan Moncada and MacKenzie Gore on the IL while Ty France continues to play through wrist issues with the infielder producing just 1.5 points over the last 28 days. Eloy Jimenez (leg) and Juan Soto (back) were also limited in Period 21.

Activations

Gore looked to be on track for a Playoff activation but elbow soreness landed him on the IL in July and while he's closing in on a potential return, the depth of the Stacks pitching staff will rule him out being added to the Active Roster. Top prospect Corbin Carroll is set for his big league debut on Monday. A hot start to his career could make Carroll a potential option late in the Playoffs if the need for offense on the Active Roster arises.

Outlook

This is the most complete team the Stacks have had in Franchise History as they pushed their chips to the middle of the table by dealing four Top 30 prospects, Dustin May, Pablo Lopez, Seiya Suzuki, Rhys Hoskins and others in pursuit of their first League Championship. On paper, this is the best team remaining, especially in the rotation with three 400+ point pitchers and a healthy Jacob deGrom, but anything can happen over the final five weeks of the season.

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Maltese Falcons

Peninsula Division Champions

Overall: 2nd | Hitting: 4th | Pitching: 2nd

Top Hitter: Dansby Swanson, 344.0

Top Pitcher: Yu Darvish, 409.0

Who's Hot:

Sonny Gray: 2.02 ERA Over Last 3 Five Starts

Kyle Tucker: .348 AVG Over Last 21 Days

Ranger Suarez: 1.93 ERA Over Last 3 Starts

Who's Not:

Teoscar Hernandez: .197 AVG Over Last 21 Days

Rowdy Tellez: 8-for-55 (.145) Over Last 21 Days

Anthony Rizzo: 11-for-56 (.196) Over Last 21 Days

Health

The Falcons have lost three stalwarts in their rotation over the last week as Zach Wheeler (forearm), Nestor Cortes (ankle) and Tyler Mahle (shoulder) were all placed on the IL. Cortes and Mahle are good bets to return in early September while Clayton Kershaw (back) looks on track to make his return to the Dodgers rotation this week. Brandon Lowe (elbow) has been limited over the past few days but should be available for Period 22.

Activations

The Falcons have Jose Miranda ready to go and could pull the trigger as soon as Monday on his activation according to sources close to the club. Royce Lewis (knee) looked poised for the same fate but a mid-season injury ended his 2022 campaign.

Outlook

The series of pitching injuries certainly dampened the Falcons outlook but plenty of talent remains to chase down their first RDBL Title in Franchise History. If Sonny Gray, Yu Darvish, Kevin Gausman and Ranger Suarez can continue their recent hot streaks and bridge the gap to the return of Kershaw, Cortes and Mahle, the Falcons will be tough to beat.

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Spokane Fightin' Fish

Masters Division Champions

Overall: 3rd | Hitting: 5th | Pitching: 3rd

Top Hitter: Pete Alonso, 367.5

Top Pitcher: Gerrit Cole, 431.0

Who's Hot:

Shane Bieber: 1.62 ERA Over Last Five Starts

Gerrit Cole: 2.05 ERA Over Last Four Starts

Luis Castillo: 2.52 ERA Over Last Four Starts

Who's Not:

Ketal Marte: .181 AVG Over Last 28 Days

Taylor Rogers: 5.00 ERA Over Last Nine Appearances

Luis Arraez: 8-for-46 (.174) Over Last 14 Days

Health

The Fish have a pair of catchers on the IL in Mitch Garver and Roberto Perez and will instead rely on Cal Raleigh and Danny Jansen behind the plate. Mid-Season acquisition Carlos Carrasco (oblique) looks to be two weeks out while Tylor Megill (shoulder) is a potential candidate to return as a bullpen arm in September for the Mets.

Activations

The Fish could get a major jolt Monday with the addition of the RDBL's top prospect Julio Rodriguez who is on track for a 375+ point Rookie season as a 21-year-old and just received an extension from the Mariners that could total $470 million. Vinnie Pasquantino (shoulder) is currently on the IL but could be another option for GM Michael Tirabassi if they need help in the infield.

Outlook

Tirabassi has a three-headed monster in Cole, Castillo and Bieber while the potential addition of Julio Rodriguez should give them an offense to match their talented starting rotation. The Fightin' Fish have gained a reputation for rising higher when the lights get bright in September as they are looking to be the first club to three RDBL Championships and cross the $4,000 mark in lifetime earnings.

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Mission Viejo Maulers

Wild Card Winners

Overall: 4th | Hitting: 2nd | Pitching: 6th

Top Hitter: Aaron Judge, 475.0

Top Pitcher: Justin Verlander, 550.0

Who's Hot:

Nolan Arenado: .355/.413/.720 Over Last 28 Days

Alex Bregman: .356/.429/.656 Over Last 28 Days

Ha-Seong Kim: .342/.413/.488 Over Last 14 Days

Who's Not:

Frankie Montas: 7.32 ERA, -4.0 Points Over Last 28 Days

Jesus Aguilar: 12-for-66 (.182) Over Last 28 Days

Trent Grisham: 8-for-45 (.178) Over Last 21 Days

Health

There isn't a bigger injury question mark than Justin Verlander (calf) who left Sunday's start early, likely costing the Maulers the Masters Division Title. It's hard to overstate the importance of Verlander's MRI Monday for GM Chris Ferraro who has top-end talent in the rotation but has struggled to find consistency with his fifth and sixth spots which could get exposed if Verlander is forced to miss time. The bullpen is hopeful to get healthy soon as Ryan Pressly (neck) is expected to be out until early September while David Bednar (back) is working towards a similar timeline.

Activations

The Maulers will promote infielder Nico Hoerner on Monday according to sources. Hoerner went 3-for-5 Sunday and is hitting .293 on the season while providing eligibility at SS, 2B and OF. While Drew Waters recently received his first big league promotion, he's unlikely to factor into the Maulers post-season plans.

Outlook

Few can match the top-end talent of Aaron Judge, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer while Nolan Arenado and Alex Bregman have each been playing at the peak of their powers recently. The offense has been a monster all season (leading all clubs with 271 Home Runs) which will pin the Maulers chances for their second RDBL Championship from the Wild Card spot on the back-end of the rotation and a pieced together bullpen due to injury.

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Burlingame Blue Ducks

Wild Card Winners

Overall: 5th | Hitting: 6th | Pitching: 1st

Top Hitter: Freddie Freeman, 433.0

Top Pitcher: Aaron Nola, 475.0

Who's Hot:

Nate Lowe: .386/.441/.624 Over Last 28 Days

Framber Valdez: 1.98 ERA Over Last Four Outings

Cristian Javier: 2.00 ERA Over Last Four Outings

Who's Not:

Gleybar Torres: 17-for-97 (.175) Over Last 28 Days

Max Kepler: 11-for-66 (.167) Over Last 28 Days

Andrew Heaney: 4.61 ERA Over Last Three Outings

Health

The Ducks have patched up the holes left by long-term injuries to Kris Bryant (foot) and Austin Meadows (achilles) with a flood of moves that have worked out about as perfectly as could be for GM Ryan Walsh. The club is expected to get Jack Flaherty (shoulder) back next week though Walsh is likely to take a patient approach to his return to the Active Roster.

Activations

Luis Garcia could provide a spark for the infield at some point in the Playoffs. While he brings a strong average (.288), he's allergic to walks with a .299 OBP and just four base on balls in 236 at-bats. Nolan Jones looked like he could potentially have an impact but was sent back to Triple-A recently.

Outlook

The Ducks are arguably the hottest team going into the Playoffs and bring exceptional depth in the rotation and lineup. Aaron Nola continues to shine as the ace of a suddenly deep crop of starters who boast four 445 or more point starting pitchers (Nola, Alek Manoah, Framber Valdez, Tony Gonsolin) while posting the second best ERA and best Team WHIP in League History. Nate Lowe, Freddie Freeman, Randy Arozarena, Sal Perez and Rhys Hoskins have all mashed since being added to the Ducks who are looking to win their second League Championship in three seasons from the Wild Card spot. If Vegas was involved, a great deal of money would be placed on the Ducks.

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Meinert Hops

Wild Card Winners

Overall: 6th | Hitting: 7th | Pitching: 4th

Top Hitter: Shohei Ohtani, 360.0

Top Pitcher: Shane McClanahan, 513.0

Who's Hot:

George Springer: 21-for-48, 2 HRs Over Last Month

Michael Harris: 20-for-60, 3 HR, 10 Doubles Over Last 17 Games

Zac Gallen: 140.0 Points, 0.82 ERA Over Last Four Starts

Who's Not:

Logan Webb: 5.22 ERA Over Last Five Outings

Max Stassi: 7-for-64 (.109) Over Last 28 Days

Bryan Reynolds: .219 Over Last 21 Days

Health

The Hops have used just eight starting pitchers all season, potentially an RDBL Record with only Jon Gray (oblique) hitting the IL. He's on track for a mid-September return as the lone expected contributor currently on the shelf.

Activations

While Julio Rodriguez will get the hype, Michael Harris is likely the most impactful activation with a white-hot streak heading in the Playoffs. Harris has collected 20 hits in his last 17 games, capping it off with a 4-for-4 day on Sunday. Continued struggles at the plate are likely to hold the Hops back from activating CJ Abrams while Daniel Lynch could be a potential 2-start option at some point in September.

Outlook

The Hops offense finally flexed their muscle on Sunday, pulling in front of the Lake Merced Goutfish for their first Playoff berth in Franchise History. With a frontline of Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani and Shane McClanahan, they are hardly just happy to be here and have eyes on making some noise in September. The addition of Michael Harris to the lineup will be huge, but a healthy Luis Robert will be equally as important for the Hops to make a strong run in September so the offense can match a pitching staff that set a RDBL Record with a 3.07 Team ERA.

Aristocrats Extend Russell Colburn's Contract, Promoted to Assistant GM

The Las Vegas Aristocrats quickly announced the extension and promotion of Russell Colburn Monday, the first day of the off-season for the club after they wrapped up a strong 8th Place finish in 2022.

Colburn helped drive the majority of player evaluations and draft strategy this past season in an Advisory role. He will now serve as Assistant General Manager, Player Evaluation with Nick Holz moving to President of Baseball Operations and Nick Kusanovich staying in his Assistant General Manager, Scouting Director role.

Holz added, "While publications had us ranked last in the RDBL following the Draft, we were steadfast in our belief in Russell and his vision and anxious to lock him in for the next five seasons. We believe we have laid the foundation for the Las Vegas Aristocrats to continue to be one of the top organizations in the league and add to our prestigious history."

Colburn's deal is a five year pact through 2027. It will be the first 3-man Front Office in Roger Dorn Baseball League History.