With Keeper Rosters submitted and the countdown to the 10th Annual Roger Dorn Baseball League Draft, Front Offices across the league are diving into their Auction Draft plans as they study the full Free Agent Class.
On the field, the focus of the baseball world is on the WBC Final which is set for 4pm PST tonight with USA facing off against Japan.
Here are the latest risers and fallers across the RDBL.
RHP Roki Sasaki (Free Agent)
In the mold of Stephen Strasburg or Shohei Ohtani, it's easy to be skeptical of the hype surrounding a pitcher. Despite allowing three runs in the WBC Semifinals against Mexico, right-hander Roki Sasaki was absolutely electric, living up to all of the hyperbole that followed him. The outing was enough for St. Joseph Jokers GM Rick Steen to reportedly ready to select him with the top overall pick in Monday's Reserve Draft.
While Steen's interest has cooled due in large part to an uncertain ETA that could be as late as 2027, Monday's start highlighted just how much value his selection will hold in future seasons, even if it is on the trade market. Sasaki tossed 26 pitches clocked 100+ mph tonight and looked the part of a future ace.
LHP Patrick Sandoval (2D/$5), Stacks
While Sasaki drew the hype for good reason, he was out-pitched by Mexico starter Patrick Sandoval who looks poised for another strong season for the Alamo Short Stacks. The 26-year-old pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and a walk with six strikeouts against Japan. Sandoval took a big innings jump in 2022, logging 148 2/3 IP over 27 starts while compiling a stellar 2.91 ERA. His WHIP of 1.34 was largely driven by a lack of weapons outside of his changeup to right-handed hitters which will be an area to watch in 2023.
Mt. Diablo Devils Late Moves
A pair of Monday deals from GM Jason Watson were certainly to the liking of CBS Projection systems as the Devils enter Draft Day with the second highest point total, trailing only the Alamo Short Stacks by just 12.0 points. The Devils will enter Draft Day with a full starting rotation following the acquisition of Nathan Eovaldi and activation of James Kaprielian while the young duo of Riley Greene and Wander Franco will be very intriguing players to follow in 2023.
SS Vaughn Grissom (Free Agent)
Grissom spent much of the 2022 season in High-A and skipped Triple-A entirely en route to a splashy debut as the Braves second baseman. He faded down the stretch and vanished in the postseason, but entered camp as the favorite to replace Dansby Swanson at short. That will not be the case to start the season as Grissom and Braden Shewmake were both sent down to Triple-A with Orlando Arcia expected to be the starter in April.
Grissom will enter Draft Day in an interesting spot as he's exhausted his Rookie eligibility and is not currently on a MLB Roster. That will mean he's only eligible for a 1D/$5 deal in the Reserve Draft, a contract that should still make him an early target for Front Offices.
OF Nolan Jones (Minors), Maulers
Jones was a key target by GM Chris Ferraro, acquired as part of their deal with the Burlingame Blue Ducks that sent Daulton Varsho out of town. He was expected to cut his teeth in the big leagues, but that won't be the case to start 2023 as he was sent to Triple-A last week. Jones’ demotion comes as a bit of a surprise. Colorado acquired the 24-year-old from the Guardians at the start of the offseason, sending infield prospect Juan Brito the other way. It was a rare swap of fairly well regarded young players, with Colorado taking the shot on a power hitter closer to the majors while Cleveland added an up-the-middle talent with excellent numbers in Low-A. Jones entered camp with what seemed to be a strong chance to crack the Opening Day team in Colorado, an opportunity that might not have been afforded on a deeper Guardians’ roster.
With McMahon likely headed to second to cover for Brendan Rodgers, third base became a position for grabs. Jones, Elehuris Montero and non-roster veterans Moustakas and Harold Castro appeared the top candidates. Jones is now out of the mix to start the season, due at least in part to a disappointing spring performance. The left-handed hitter hit .186/.250/.233 in exhibition play, striking out 20 times in 48 plate appearances. Moustakas, Montero and Castro have all gotten off to better starts this spring.
A former second-round pick, Jones appeared among Baseball America’s top 100 prospects each season from 2019-21. He has generated intrigue for huge walk tallies and big power potential in his 6’4″ frame but lofty strikeout totals have been the biggest concern. Jones routinely struck out in more than a quarter of his plate appearances climbing the minor league ladder, including a 30% rate in Triple-A in 2021. To his credit, he trimmed that to 25.8% with a quality .276/.368/.463 line over 55 games there last year. That earned him a 28-game MLB look, in which he posted a .244/.309/.372 slash with 31 punchouts and eight walks in 94 plate appearances.
Jones will start the year with the Isotopes and should benefit from one of the most favorable offensive environments in pro ball. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him earn a recall to make his team debut before too long.
RHP Luis Severino (3/$11), Grapes
While you should never read to deeply into Spring Training stats, the Grapes are certain to be not loving the early results from Luis Severino who was kept by GM Terry Shelley yesterday on the final year of an $11 deal. Severino has allowed 15 hits and 15 earned runs in 15.0 innings over work this Spring. The alarming number is his home run rate as he has allowed a league-high six already in his five appearances.
On the positive side, the stuff still seems to be there for Severino who has punched out 23 batters, the second most in baseball.
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