We should preface this article by noting it's January 2nd, meaning many of the CBS Projections could still be well off given the lack of depth chart information they have with six weeks to go until Spring Training is scheduled to start while sitting in the middle of a lockout. That's why we will leave Rookie projections like Joey Bart (0.0 currently) off this list.
Regardless, while not perfect, the release of the initial CBS Projections certainly gives us a point of reference for the 2022 season.
With that, let's take a look at some of the initial projections that were eye-opening for us at first glance.
LHP Carlos Rodon (2FA/$5), Hammerheads
2022 CBS Projection: 179.0 | 2021 Points: 430.0
The Heads acquired Rodon from the Mission Viejo Maulers with intentions to make a push for the Playoffs in 2021 and serve as a key piece of the rotation in 2022. Much like Cinderella at midnight, Rodon turned into a pumpkin when he hit the 100 inning mark last season suffering a significant drop in velocity while reaching 80 pitches in just one of his final five starts.
Currently a MLB Free Agent, Rodon is certainly a unique asset who looks like he can provide high quality innings but will likely lack quantity.
As the offseason dawned, most expected the White Sox to extend a one-year qualifying offer to Rodon. That $18.4MM salary would’ve represented a massive jump from the $3MM he earned in 2021, but based on his performance, that rate of pay still represented a bargain. Instead, the Sox opted not to make the QO, allowing Rodon to become a free agent without the burden of draft compensation. That led to speculation about his health or a possible gentleman’s agreement with the front office; no one other than the Chicago front office, Rodon and agent Scott Boras can be 100 percent certain as to the reasons for the lack of a QO, but it now makes Rodon one of the most intriguing free agents on the market.
If the shoulder is healthy, the 179.0 projection will be considerably low giving the Heads an elite fourth starter behind an already elite trio of Jacob deGrom, Ian Anderson and Corbin Burnes.
OF Juan Soto (3R/$5), Clovers
2022 CBS Projection: 623.0 | 2021 Points: 559.5
Soto's projection isn't all that extraordinary given his production to date but the number is certainly eye-opening considering the RDBL Record in points for a hitter is 625.5 set by Mike Trout in 2013. Soto has produced 1072.5 points through his first two seasons of his Rookie contract, the most in RDBL History and he has his eyes set on even more in 2022 for the Clovers. Don't be surprised if Soto also breaks Trout's $71 record of highest contract for a hitter in League History in 2023 when he becomes a Free Agent for the first time.
C Mitch Garver (2/$8), Fightin' Fish
2022 CBS Projection: 286.5 | 2021 Points: 162.0
Garver was a breakout star in 2019, blasting 31 home runs while slashing a eye-opening .273/.365/.630 (!). He came back to life in the shortened 2020 season, hitting just .167/.247/.264 while limited to just 23 games. Injuries again limited Garver in 2021 as he played just 68 games but still managed an impressive .517 slugging percentage. With health a playing time, Garver seems like a strong bet for a 200+ point season but to see him ranked as the 6th best catcher for 2022 according to CBS was certainly a surprise.
2B Jazz Chisholm (Minors), Ducks
2022 CBS Projection: 406.0 | 2021 Points: 272.5
Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. displayed his power-speed combo last season, smashing 18 HRs and swiping 23 bags while adding 70 runs and 53 RBI in 124 games as he worked around a pair of IL stints. While those totals look strong a first glance, a 28.6% strikeout rate compared to a 6.7% walk rate paired with a .248 average give Chisholm a rough profile for the RDBL scoring system. His Minor League numbers back up the plagued approach at the plate making this projection of 406.0 points (driven by a .270 projected average) likely unreachable.
2B/3B Abraham Toro-Hernandez (2FA/$5), Hops
2022 CBS Projection: 217.0 | 2021 Points: 180.0
Things may change with this projection based on how the remainder of the Mariners off-season goes, but the current projection of 97 games for 2022 seems well short of reality for the current Seattle depth chart. I liked Toro-Hernandez a great deal in August (.296) but not as much in September and October (.183), but the Mariners remain incredibly high on him and he should soar past those 97 projected games and 217.0 projected points.
OF Starling Marte (3/$31), Aristocrats
2022 CBS Projection: 525.0 | 2021 Points: 397.0
Yes, Marte was incredible in his time with the Oakland Athletics, posting a career-best 134 wRC+ but ranking him as the fourth best outfielder in baseball entering 2022 seems overly aggressive as he moves to the New York Mets. Already 33 years old, Marte is a sure bet to be kept by the Aristocrats at $31 who would be pleased for a 425-450 point season but outpacing the likes of Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and George Springer seems highly unlikely.
OF Luis Robert (2R/$3), Hops
2022 CBS Projection: 470.0 | 2021 Points: 239.5
A torn hip flexor in early May deprived the Meinert Hops of a major breakout for Robert, but his return in August and subsequent demolition of the American League has GM Garrett Shelley dreaming of what could be their franchise's best player if Mike Trout is cut this off-season. In 68 total games, Robert slashed .338/.378/.567 with 13 home runs and could vault all the way into the American League MVP race as soon as this season making his strong 470.0 point projection look right on point.
RHP Adam Wainwright (2/$4), Devils
2022 CBS Projection: 502.0 | 2021 Points: 562.0
Wainwright was a revelation in 2021, ranking among the league's best in innings pitched while finishing fourth overall in points among starting pitchers at age 40. CBS Sports sees a repeat for 2022 which might be far too much to ask for the Devils right-hander in his age 41 season which is likely to be his last.
OF Byron Buxton (3/$7), Hammerheads
2022 CBS Projection: 463.0 | 2021 Points: 215.5
Buxton was again limited by injury in 2021, playing just 61 games but producing a scintillating .307/.358/.647 line with 19 home runs and nine steals over that span. The Twins bet on the talent, agreeing to a $100 million deal with Buxton before the lockout and the Heads hope he can cash in on it starting in 2022, his final year under contract for GM Ross Horiuchi. Currently projected as the 12th best outfielder, the number seems aggressive having played more than 92 games just once in six full big league seasons but a healthy year could make that number seem light.
RHP Cal Quantrill (Minors), Devils
2022 CBS Projection: 474.0 | 2021 Points: 392.0
Quantrill's rise has been well documented here, but seeing the right-hander ranked as the 10th best starting pitcher for 2022 is still eye-opening and one that GM Jason Watson can only dream comes true. With Wainwright ranked 7th and the duo owed a combined $5 for 2022, Watson's top of the rotation would certainly be the biggest bang for the buck across the RDBL but questions linger if Quantrill can maintain the pace he set in the second half of 2021.