Fifteen Periods remain in the 2022 Roger Dorn Baseball League Regular Season, but we wanted to take a look at the early season favorites for end of year awards based on their contributions through six periods.
Executive of the Year: Greg Shelley, Stacks
The Stacks enter Period 7 leading the league in both hitting and pitching as they attempt to be the third team in RDBL History to accomplish the feat. Despite little to no contributions from activation Jarred Kelenic and holdover Trent Grisham, the club has maneuvered their way into rotation stalwarts Pablo Lopez and Patrick Sandoval on Draft Day who have covered up the unexpected struggles of Brandon Woodruff while Waiver Claim Taylor Ward has been a revelation in the outfield.
In the Mix: Chris Ferraro (Maulers), Tony Guglielmi (Fringe)
Hitter of the Year: Manny Machado, Stacks
Machado has consistently mashed since the start of the season while posting 26.0 or more points from Period 2 through 5. He leads the RDBL with 139.5 hitting points, 15.5 more than the next best while slashing .359/.443/.586 over 128 at-bats.
In the Mix: Bryce Harper (Devils), Mike Trout (Hops), Aaron Judge (Maulers)
Pitcher of the Year: Justin Verlander, Maulers
The Maulers plan to punt on 2021 and land injured players has seemed to pay off with no better investment than Justin Verlander who has been nothing short of dominant in 2022. The right-hander holds a 1.38 ERA and 0.68 WHIP over 45 2/3 innings while piling up 192.0 points, 16.0 more than the next best pitcher through seven starts. Verlander won this award in 2019 as a member of the Maulers.
In the Mix: Pablo Lopez (Stacks), Corbin Burnes (Heads), Nestor Cortes (Falcons)
Activation of the Year: Alek Manoah, Ducks
Manoah has been everything the Ducks hoped for and more in 2022 with a 1.71 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in the American League East. Manoah isn't a monster strikeout guy, posting 39 in 42.0 innings but excels with elite control as he's posted just 8 walks thus far. He's certainly the early leader for the award while facing some competition from fellow Ducks activation Jazz Chisholm.
In the Mix: Michael Kopech (Clovers), Jazz Chisholm (Ducks), Logan Gilbert (Stacks)
Free Agent Claim of the Year: Taylor Ward, Stacks
Ward was a Period 3 claim and has done nothing but hit since joining the Stacks, leading all hitters in scoring over the last 28 days while slashing .377/.480/.729 over that span. He currently is tied for second overall in scoring despite not playing in Period 1 due to injury and while his numbers are likely to decrease, he has a considerable jump on the competition for the Claim of the Year honor.
In the Mix: Paul Blackburn (Heads), Martin Perez (Fish), Ben Gamel (Heads)
Hitting Prospect of the Year: Corbin Carroll, Stacks
Carroll leads all RDBL Prospects with a 1.130 OPS while hitting .316 at Double-A. He has filled up the stat sheet with 11 home runs, 10 steals six doubles and 25 walks while making a push for the top prospect title entering 2023.
In the Mix: Michael Busch (Heads), Henry Davis (Hops), Jordan Lawlar (Grapes)
Pitching Prospect of the Year: Kyle Wright, Jokers
The patience the Jokers have had in Wright has paid off, though GM Rick Steen certainly wishes he would have pulled the trigger on his activation to open this season. Wright has posted a 2.79 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 42.0 innings this season in the big leagues with five quality starts in seven chances.
In the Mix: MacKenzie Gore (Stacks), George Kirby (Goutfish), Taj Bradley (Clovers), Max Meyer (Maulers)
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