State Farm Weekly Recap: Period 19

The final two periods are shaping up to be the most competitive Regular Season finish in RDBL History as seven teams remain locked into a race for just six Playoff spots. The race for the Masters Division Title is a virtual lock entering Period 20 with the Spokane Fightin' Fish holding a 4.0 point edge of the Mission Viejo Maulers who are seeking their first Division Title in Franchise History.

The final two Wild Card spots remain separated by just 79.5 points with the Meinert Hops, Burlingame Blue Ducks and Lake Merced Goutfish moving up and down the standings over the last few weeks.

Here's a recap of how things shook out in Period 19.

State Farm Team of the Week: Meinert Hops, 414.5 Points

82-277, 277 AB, 9 2B, 3B, 11 HR, 36 RBI, 36 R, 2 SB, 23 BB, 3 CS, 6 HP, 4 SF

61.2 INN, 43 HA, 15 BBI, 51 K, 13 ER, 5 W, 3 L

After posting just 265.0 points in Period 18, the Hops stormed back in Period 19 with a RDBL-high 414.5 points while moving back into 4th Place while pushing within striking distance of the Mission Viejo Maulers (65.5 back) and Spokane Fightin' Fish (69.5 back). Even without Mike Trout, who appears to be getting closer to his return, the Hops got major contributions up and down the roster led by Zac Gallen (71.0, more on him later), Shohei Ohtani (44.5 combined), Logan Webb (36.0), Cole Irvin (33.0) and Randal Grichuk (23.0).

Grichuk highlighted the savvy pickups of GM Garrett Shelley who received a combined 84.0 from recent acquisitions Grichuk, Bryan Reynolds, Thairo Estrada and Amed Rosario.

The pressure is hardy off the Hops with two periods to go with the Burlingame Blue Ducks and Lake Merced Goutfish still hot on their heels as they look to earn their first Playoff berth in Franchise History.

Pitcher of the Week: Zac Gallen, Hops, 71.0 Points

14.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 14 K, 3 BB, 2 W

Zac Gallen continued his emergence as a co-ace of the Meinert Hops with 14 scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies in Period 19. The right-hander lowered his season ERA to 2.94 with a 0.99 WHIP and is now on pace for a 534.0 point season at just $15. Gallen has been a key contributor to the Hops 3.04 Team ERA which would currently set a RDBL Record which was set by the St. Joseph Jokers in 2018 at 3.15.

Hitter of the Week: 3B Alex Bregman, Maulers, 36.5 Points

9-for-19, 4 HR, 2B, 6 BB

Bregman has been a monster since being acquired from the Idaho Taters, going 16-for-40 with seven home runs while posting 53.0 points in just 40 at-bats. While Josh Jung, the return from Bregman, has looked strong over the last week in his rehab, GM Chris Ferraro can rest easy with Bregman leading the way in their pursuit of their first Division Title in Franchise History.

Prospect of the Week: SS Jordan Lawlar, Grapes

Over the last 10 days, Lawlar has gone 13-for-28 with a pair of home runs and a pair of doubles while adding eight walks in a dominant stretch where he has posted 1.400 OPS. Lawlar has already reached High-A at 20 years old after being the 6th overall pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2021 and looks to be on the fast track to potential stardom in the desert.

Life Insurance Player of the Week: St. Joseph Jokers

Things looked like they had bottomed out for the Jokers in Period 18 when the club posted a RDBL-low 114.0 points, but GM Rick Steen's club followed it up with a season record low 90.0 points in Period 19 which was capped off by -10.0 points on Sunday. The club managed just 40 hits in 174 at-bats while allowing 26 earned runs in 40.0 innings.

Biggest RDBL Busts of 2022

With two periods remaining in the Roger Dorn Baseball League Regular Season, here's a look at the biggest busts of the 2022 season. From big money Free Agents to activations that didn't pan out, 2022 was filled with promising players that fell well short of expectations on Draft Day.

Here are two players from every RDBL Franchise that didn't reach their projections this season.

Alamo Short Stacks

OF Jarred Kelenic (1R/$1), RHP Nick Pivetta (1FA/$5)

The Stacks aggressively activated Kelenic for the 2021 Playoffs, locking in his Opening Day spot on the Active Roster for 2022. It's hard to imagine things going much worse for the outfielder as he compiled just 17.5 points with a .154/.224/.327 slash line when he was in the lineup for the Stacks. A demotion to Triple-A led to his availability in July as Kelenic was a late addition to a blockbuster trade with the Cloverdale Clovers.

Part of that blockbuster deal included the Stacks acquiring right-hander Nick Pivetta who held a 3.23 ERA at the time of the trade. Pivetta would make a pair of starts in the Stacks lineup, posting -35.0 points while posting four negative starts in six starts overall. He was released by the Stacks entering Period 19 despite an additional season of control at $5.

Asti Grape Stompers

OF Franmil Reyes (1/$23), LHP Trevor Rogers (2FA/$5)

A 436.5 point projection led to the Grapes $23 investment in Franmil Reyes following his 30 home run season in 2021. Reyes never found his footing on the Grapes, slashing just .216/.256/.372 with just nine home runs in 231 at-bats before being released by GM Terry Shelley.

On the pitching front, Trevor Rogers was expected to be a key piece of the starting rotation, a group that was viewed as one of the league's best coming into the season. Rogers struggled from the get-go, posting a 6.22 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over 59 1/3 innings helping sink the Grapes out of Playoff contention.

Burlingame Blue Ducks

IF/OF Kris Bryant (2/$24), RHP Jack Flaherty (1/$1)

A series of injuries, most recently to his foot, has limited Bryant to just 160 at-bats this season. When he has been in the lineup Bryant has been a force with a .306/.376/.475 line but it's been so infrequent that GM Ryan Walsh was forced to overhaul much of his lineup while depleting his Farm System to help make up for his absence.

It's hard to call Flaherty a bust given his $1 investment, but the Ducks were certainly hoping for more eight innings and a 5.62 ERA this season. The right-hander continues to build back up with hopes of a September return, but it's unlikely he will see the Ducks Active Roster again this season due to the risk he's shown when on the mound.

Cloverdale Clovers

IF Jonathan Schoop (1/$8), RHP Huascar Ynoa (2FA/$5)

Don't expect to see Jonathan Schoop in a Cloverdale Clovers uniform again as the infielder has burned GM Chris Shelley twice now. Schoop was handed a $39 contract by Shelley in 2018 after posting 440.0 points the season before. Schoop flopped on the investment with just 256.0 points that season and was released. The Clovers gave him another chance in 2022 with an $8 investment but Schoop has been even worse, posting a .199 average in 377 at-bats with just 105.0 points on the season while in the lineup.

Ynoa was selected to round out of the Clovers Keeper List, a move Shelley certainly wants back. The righty lasted just two starts on the Braves roster, posting a 13.50 ERA and 2.55 WHIP with -28.0 points before being demoted to Triple-A where he was remained for the entire season.

Honolulu Hammerheads

IF/OF Dominic Smith (2R/$3), RHP Jacob deGrom (3/$66)

The Hammerheads were squeezed at catcher with Tyler Stephenson, Sal Perez and Willson Contreras entering Draft Day. GM Ross Horiuchi decided to part with Contreras for Dominic Smith who would post just 54 at-bats in the Heads Active Roster before being demoted to Triple-A and ultimately released by Horiuchi. Contreras, who would later be traded again to the Asti Grape Stompers, is currently the second ranked catcher.

While Smith was a disappointment on the field, ace Jacob deGrom was one off of it. A shoulder injury in Spring Training sidelined deGrom for over four months preventing the $66 investment from making a start as a Hammerhead in 2022. deGrom's upside did help bring back a strong trade package to help build up the projected core of the Heads 2023 roster.

Idaho Taters

IF Spencer Torkelson (1R/$1), OF Jo Adell (1R/$1), RHP Casey Mize (1R/$1)

The 2022 season was supposed to open up a window of contention for the Idaho Taters. Instead, GM Mike Friedrich is finishing the year with more questions than answers, especially with a trio of activations.

Spencer Torkelson was hyped as a can't miss hitting prospect but an aggressive promotion to the big leagues and Opening Day activation by the Taters resulted in a .211/.298/.312 line and a trip back to Triple-A. A similar fate came for Jo Adell who has hit just .211/.257/.359 over 128 at-bats in the Taters lineup which sandwiched his own trip back to Triple-A.

An elbow injury and subsequent Tommy John surgery ended fellow activation Casey Mize's season, likely putting an end to his Rookie contract with the Taters.

Lake Merced Goutfish

SS/OF Fernando Tatis, Jr. (2R/$3), RHP Anthony DeSclafani (2FA/$5)

The Goutfish had their 2022 season rocked by the Spring Training announcement of Fernando Tatis, Jr.'s wrist injury with initial indications that he would miss three months. Things took a significant turn further downward as Tatis, five months removed from the wrist injury announcement, was suspended for PEDs which ends his 2022 season without an at-bat while also being set to miss 30+ games to start 2023.

On the mound, the Goutfish brought back 2021 standout Anthony DeSclafani who was a key to their first RDBL Championship. Things never got on track for the right-hander as he posted a 9.95 ERA and 2.05 WHIP with -45.0 points over five starts before having season-ending ankle surgery.

Lunatic Fringe

SS Javier Baez (2/$14), RHP Lucas Giolito (2R/$3), RHP Lance Lynn (1/$40)

A strong finish to the 2021 season in New York gave the Fringe hope that Javier Baez had altered his approach at the plate enough to get back to 350+ point season and prove to be worth the $14 contract he was retained for in 2022. That hasn't been the case as Baez has slashed .218/.258/.338 in 317 at-bats, producing just 118.5 points on the season entering play Sunday.

The flops on the mound proved to be the downfall of the Fringe as former ace Lucas Giolito has flopped to a 4.92 ERA and 1.49 WHIP while $40 investment Lance Lynn was sidelined for most of the season with a knee injury while sinking the club with a 7.50 ERA as late as 7/16 which forced GM Tony Guglielmi to sell.

Maltese Falcons

IF Brandon Lowe (1/$28), RP Mark Melancon (1/$3)

The market for Brandon Lowe was quite hot, leading to a $28 investment that hasn't panned out for the Falcons Front Office. Lowe has managed just a .216/.289/.405 line across 190 at-bats while dealing with multiple injuries and just 95.5 points while in the lineup.

The Falcons have managed to hit on just about every pitcher they bet on for the 2022 season, making the addition of Mark Melancon in Auction just a small blip on the radar. Melancon didn't last long, posting -3.0 total points over 11 1/3 innings with a 8.10 ERA before being released.

Meinert Hops

OF Willie Calhoun (3R/$5), 1B Seth Beer (1R/$1)

The Hops love affair with Willie Calhoun finally ended with the Texas Rangers having to DFA the outfielder before GM Garrett Shelley would finally move on. Calhoun, a $5 keeper for 2022, slashed just .136/.283/.273 for 15.5 points in 44 at-bats before being cut loose.

Activation Seth Beer started off hot, surprising many as a potential building block for the Hops. But Beer quickly skunked, finishing his time with a .200/.293/.275 line before being released.

The Hops pitching staff has amazing avoided any pitfalls with just 13 pitchers making an appearance on the Active Roster and posting a current record for Team ERA.

Mission Viejo Maulers

1B Frank Schwindel (1/$7), RHP Aaron Civale (2/$14)

The 400+ point projection for Frank Schwindel by CBS Sports seemed like a ticking time bomb on Draft Day with Mission Viejo Maulers GM Chris Ferraro picking it up for $7. While Schwindel's .238/.282/.376 line for $7 wasn't a season-breaker, the Maulers find themselves in a race for the division title where every point matters making their small investment a potentially impactful whiff.

Ferraro has been forced to cover up for the miss of retaining Aaron Civale for $14. The right-hander was frequently targeted by other Front Offices heading into Draft Day, but Ferraro stuck with him and he's been "rewarded" with a 6.94 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in the six starts he has been trusted to start on the Maulers Active Roster. His 23 1/3 innings of work in those outings resulted in -7.0 points on the season. A string of four consecutive positive starts could earn him another shot before the end of the season.

Mt. Diablo Devils

OF Eddie Rosario (1/$18), RP Jake McGee (2/$1)

Things got so bad for Eddie Rosario that eye surgery seemed to be the only option after an April start that saw him slashing .068/.163/.091, immediately leaving a dent in the Mt. Diablo Devils plan to contend for the Playoffs this season. While things have improved since his return, Rosario remains a lock to be released with just 45.0 points to date in 144 at-bats.

The Devils scooped up Jake McGee in a pre-Draft deal with the Alamo Short Stacks, keeping the closer who racked up 35 saves in 2021. He would go on to pitch just 5 2/3 innings for the Devils, posting 0.0 points before hitting the IL and being released by GM Jason Watson.

Spokane Fightin' Fish

3B Yoan Moncada (3R/$5), RP Craig Kimbrel (2/$1)

Yoan Moncada was expected to be a foundational piece of an infield that ranked among the league's best but a disastrous start and injuries has left him on his third RDBL club of the season. Moncada slashed just .143/.188/.220 with just 13 hits in 91 at-bats for the Fish before being dealt to the Honolulu Heads (a move that did net the Fightin' Fish a 1st Round Pick). Moncada was moved again to the Alamo Short Stacks where he's seen sporadic time in the lineup.

GM Michael Tirabassi can't be faulted for his $1 Keeper decision on Craig Kimbrel, but a 1.56 WHIP from your closer is hardly something you can be excited about even for that small of an investment. Kimbrel has added 19 saves (when in the Fish lineup) to a league-high 77 saves as a team, helping keep the Fish in the mix for the Masters Division Title. Just don't expect him to be back for the 2023 season despite the small price tag.

St. Joseph Jokers

C Yasmani Grandal (1/$19), RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (2R/$3)

The Jokers tried to shore up their catching spot with a $19 investment in Yasmani Grandal who was fresh off a 23 home run season while posting a dominant .420 OBP. Grandal never matched that production with the Jokers, slashing .155/.278/.206 before being traded to the Lake Merced Goutfish.

GM Rick Steen kept his faith in 2021 activation Vladimir Gutierrez, but things quickly were sidetracked as a 7.41 ERA and 1.94 WHIP over four starts led to his release and Tommy John surgery.

Looking Ahead: Cloverdale Clovers

The Cloverdale Clovers entered 2022 facing the most pressure of any club in the Roger Dorn Baseball League as the Front Office was staring at the expiring contracts of Juan Soto, Rafael Devers and Mookie Betts. While disappointment over just one Playoff berth over their contract term looms over the Franchise, GM Chris Shelley parlayed their expiring deals into one of the league's deepest and most cap friendly Keeper Rosters for 2023.

On paper, that should have the club right back in contention next season with multiple seasons of control and arguably the league's top Farm System ready to infuse even more talent into the Active Roster.

Catching

The duo of Tucker Barnhart and Jacob Stallings has been anything but a positive for the Clovers in 2022 as the duo has combined for just 127.5 points while posting sub .210 averages and on-base percentages under .270. Things are certain to improve at the position in 2023 as Adley Rutschman is torching the big leagues over the last month and might enter next season as the league's top producer at the position.

The Clovers will hold a 2FA/$5 option on their former prospect Francisco Mejia, but it is more likely the club will pair a fresh name with Rutschman for next year.

Infield

The infield group will be led by Xander Bogaerts (1/$44) who has been a steady force for the Clovers this season and is on pace for 445.5 points. Bogaerts has been a dependable asset, posting more than 400 points in all but one season since 2015, topping out with 537.0 points in 2019. The shortstop could have a new big league home in 2023 as he holds the right to opt-out at the conclusion of the season.

Jorge Polanco (2/$15) is another solid bet to return with eligibility at both second and shortstop. He's currently on pace for 330.0 points after posting 404.0 in 2021. The dip in production could but him on the edge for Shelley or push Polanco to the trade market if he doesn't have a strong finish this season.

The Minor League system could bear fruit as soon as 2023 as Oneil Cruz and Nick Pratto are cutting their teeth at the big league level to close out this season. 2022 first overall selection Anthony Volpe could make a push for a role in New York next season while Liover Peguero broke into the big leagues for a cup of coffee and looks to be a future piece of the middle infield in Pittsburgh.

Outfield

The Clovers will likely make a major investment in their outfield for 2023 with a potential reunion Juan Soto. The club is certain to bring back Alex Verdugo (2R/$3) with Alek Thomas (Minors) set for an activation, giving Shelley a pair of cheap assets to build around.

The Clovers will face a difficult decision on deadline addition Jarred Kelenic (1R/$1) who remains full of potential but has posted dreadful numbers to start his big league career. Kelenic is slashing just .131/.197/.280 in 107 at-bats this season, posting just 22.5 points with 43 strikeouts. With the Mariners in the race, Kelenic's playing time could be sporadic down the stretch further complicating the evaluation for the Clovers Front Office.

Pitching Staff

The Pitching Staff is shaping up to be the jewel of the RDBL entering 2023 on both talent and contract value. The group is headlined by 2022 breakout Miles Mikolas (1D/$5) who is on pace for a 600+ points season as a Top-10 scorer at his position.

The talent hardly stops with Mikolas as 2021 breakout Tyler Glasnow (1/$2) could make his return before the end of this season which would be a welcome sight for Shelley. Also bearing down on his return is acquisition Dustin May (1/$1) who has looked strong in his rehab starts and possesses elite upside over the next two seasons.

Michael Kopech (2R/$3) is also locked in as another significant young arm with two seasons of control while currently posting a 3.38 ERA over 98 innings of work.

The Clovers could bring back five starters with Jesus Luzardo (2R/$3) looking quite strong since his return from the IL last week. His performance down the stretch could lock in his spot or lead to him being a premium asset on the trade market this Winter.

Knocking down the door in the Minors is Edward Cabrera (Minors) who has posted a 2.61 ERA in 20.0 innings while working around a series of injuries. A healthy finish to this season could give Shelley even more options heading into next season.

Farm System

The Clovers hold one of the deeper Farm Systems in recent memory, boasting players with exceptionally high ceilings with a mix of immediately and future ETAs. While some clubs have steered away from investing in pitching prospects, the Clovers boast four elite arms in Edward Cabrera, Taj Bradley, Andrew Painter and Ricky Tiedemann to serve as reinforcements for what already projects to be the best rotation in the RDBL next season.

Adley Rutschman headlines the group overall while rivaling any prospect, including Julio Rodriguez, for the best player still under a Minor League contract.

Up the middle talent is plentiful as Anthony Volpe and Oneil Cruz are paired with the sky-high ceilings of Marco Luciano and Elly de la Cruz, the latter of which has been one of the biggest risers this season in prospect circles.

Current 2023 Clovers Projected Keepers

*With 2023 Contract Status, Ranked by Value

1. C Adley Rutschman (1R/$1)

2. RHP Tyler Glasnow (2/$2)

3. RHP Miles Mikolas (2D/$5)

4. RHP Dustin May (2/$1)

5. SS Xander Bogaerts (2/$44)

6. RHP Michael Kopech (2R/$3)

7. OF Alex Verdugo (3R/$5)

8. SS/2B Jorge Polanco (2/$15)

9. OF Alek Thomas (1R/$1)

10. RHP Edward Cabrera (1R/$1)

11. LHP Jesus Luzardo (3R/$5)

12. SS Oneil Cruz (1R/$1)

13. OF Jarred Kelenic (2R/$3)

2023 Draft Picks Moves

Acquired 1st Round Pick from Alamo Short Stacks

Acquired 3rd Round Pick from Mission Viejo Maulers

Acquired 4th Round Pick from Mission Viejo Maulers

Acquired 5th Round Pick from Lake Merced Goutfish

Dealt Away 5th Round Pick to Alamo Short Stacks