Several big names Free Agents have now signed after a busy Friday with the trade market likely to pick up this week. We are just 8 days away from the 2022 Keeper Deadline on Sunday, 3/27 with the 2022 RDBL Draft set for Wednesday, March 30th at 1pm PST.
Here's the latest on the value changes across the Roger Dorn Baseball League as the first weekend of Spring Training games are underway.
Remaining MLB Free Agents
The last 48 hours have been kind to RDBL General Managers who were staring at Keeper players without an MLB team. Carlos Correa (Hammerheads), Kris Bryant (Ducks), Kenley Jansen (Stacks) and Nick Castellanos (Clovers) all found MLB homes with positive gains to their value, locking in their places for their respective RDBL clubs for Opening Day.
2023 Activation Candidates
The 2022 Activation Class is loaded, led by the likes of Wander Franco, Yordan Alvarez, Jarred Kelenic and Casey Mize, but the 2023 Class doesn't look far behind in terms of high-end talent. CJ Abrams (Hops) and Julio Rodriguez (Fightin' Fish) have both homered early in camp, looking like elite prospects with very high ceilings. Bobby Witt, Jr. (Grapes) could be held back by GM Terry Shelley despite a likely Opening Day starting spot in Kansas City, marking a third major bat for 2023.
Adley Rutschman (Clovers), Riley Greene (Devils), Grayson Rodriguez (Fringe), Spencer Torkelson (Taters), George Kirby (Goutfish), Jack Leiter (Taters), Corbin Carroll (Stacks), Henry Davis (Hops), Keibert Ruiz (Maulers), Triston Casas (Falcons), Brennan Davis (Taters) and Hunter Greene (Grapes) are just some of the names to watch that have appeared in the Top 25 prospect rankings that are in line for 2023 activations.
Oneil Cruz (Minors), Clovers
Cruz blasted his first home run of Spring Training Saturday and is well aligned for an Opening Day activation by the Cloverdale Clovers. The 23-year-old hit .310/.375/.594 w/ 17 HR & 19 SB in 302 PA in AA & AAA in 2021. He stands 6'7", becoming the tallest player in MLB History to start a game at shortstop and will be on the most unique talents to watch in 2022.
Trevor Story (3/$38), Fightin' Fish
The available spots for Trevor Story continue to dry up as rumors are now swirling over a potential move to second base or into a super-utility role according to sources. The Boston Red Sox remain the most logical fit if Story is open to a position move as Xander Bogaerts has made clear of his intention to remain at shortstop. Story's $38 option was always a questionable choice after his down season in 2021, but if is MLB Free Agency stretches into early next week, RDBL Free Agency likely won't be far behind.
Michael Conforto (2/$26), Grapes
While Correa, Bryant, Jansen and Castellanos are off the board, Grapes outfielder Michael Conforto (2/$26) remains unsigned. Reports on Sunday indicated Conforto remains unvaccinated which could be limiting his market with regulations remaining in New York and Toronto for home and visiting clubs. After a down season, Conforto wasn't a lock to return on a $26 contract but his late start to camp won't help his value and will likely push him into RDBL Free Agency.
Abraham Toro-Hernandez (2FA/$5), Hops
The addition of Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez in Seattle has shifted Meinert Hops expected Keeper Abraham Toro-Hernandez (2FA/$5) into a super-utility role and likely off their club's roster before Draft Day. Toro-Hernandez had a strong end to 2021, leading many to believe that GM Garrett Shelley would retain him for this season but for a club that ranked last in at-bats by almost 200 (and 1,238 fewer than the leading Goutfish), playing time is a critical focus for the Hops Front Office.
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