Major League Baseball transactions are happening at a fast and furious rate with player values seemingly changing by the hour. Injuries continue to play a significant factor as clubs across the Roger Dorn Baseball League are facing the likelihood of carrying Keepers that will miss Opening Day.
A number of prominent Free Agents remain as Freddie Freeman Carlos Correa, Nick Castellanos and Kenley Jansen are just a few of the top Keepers still waiting to join a big league camp.
Here's the latest 3 Up, 3 Down with 14 days until the 2022 Draft.
Bobby Witt, Jr., Grapes
Witt is viewed as the Royals' Opening Day third baseman, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports which is set to lead to an interesting dilemma for the Asti Grape Stompers. Witt came up through the minors primarily as a shortstop, but Adalberto Mondesi is expected to begin the season there. Instead, Witt could open his major-league career at the hot corner, which is a slightly less demanding position defensively. Mondesi logged some time at third base last season as well -- the Royals' lineup features a lot of flexibility around the infield. Witt split time between Double-A and Triple-A last season, combining for a .290/.361/.576 slash line, 33 home runs, 29 stolen bases, 97 RBI and 99 runs scored across 123 games while earning the RDBL Hitting Prospect of the Year award.
Seiya Suzuki, Free Agent
A shallow Free Agent market in the RDBL could lead to a strong market for the newest Chicago Cubs outfield Seiya Suzuki. Fresh off a 5-year, $75 million agreement Wednesday, Suzuki hit .317/.433/.639 with 38 home runs in 533 plate appearances for the Hiroshima Carp this year. He’s been one of the best hitters in NPB dating back to 2016, with a career line of .309/.402/.541. He’s hit at least 25 home runs in each of the last six seasons and is a five-time NPB All-Star.
Cristian Pache
The Hammerheads aggressively promoted Pache in 2021, a move they would want back after a 7-for-63 season for 0.0 points. He looked like a surefire drop but a recent trade to the Oakland Athletics who are in full rebuild mode could lead to a full season of at-bats and a return to the Heads. Pache's carrying tool is his gold glove level defense but emerging power and an improve hit tool as well as control through 2023 could lead to his retention.
Goutfish Spring Training News
The Goutfish were dealt a series of blows Monday morning, most notably hearing that their star shortstop Fernando Tatis, Jr. is set to miss three months due to a fractured wrist. Adding to the news, activation candidate Sixto Sanchez was shut down due to continued shoulder issues while it was confirmed that Lance McCullers (elbow) will miss at least the start of the season after some off-season setbacks. McCullers was released by the Goutfish on Tuesday.
The Tatis injury highlights an amazing string of bad luck for premium stars in the Goutfish organization. The club lost Ronald Acuña, Jr. to a torn ACL in 2021, forcing the club to pivot to Cedric Mullins in a blockbuster deal with the Mission Viejo Maulers.
Early Injuries
Chris Sale (rib) was the latest pitcher to go down in an already painful opening to Spring Training across the League. McCullers (elbow), Fernando Tatis (wrist), Jack Flaherty (shoulder), Alex Reyes (shoulder), Adley Rutschman (elbow), Albert Alzolay (shoulder), Sixto Sanchez (shoulder), Starling Marte (oblique), Zack Wheeler (shoulder), Taijuan Walker (knee), Kyle Lewis (knee), Josh Jung (shoulder) and Stephen Strasburg (neck) are just some of the names dealing with injuries that could push them out of Opening Day availability.
Luke Voit
Pieces continue to move, but the Yankees re-signing of Anthony Rizzo will push Luke Voit (3/$8) out of the Meinert Hops' 2022 plans given the uncertainty of playing time. Working around injuries, Voit hit .239/.328/.437 with 11 homers in 68 games last season.
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