In a season as competitive as any we have seen in Roger Dorn Baseball League History, we will take a Division by Division look at how clubs are faring through six periods of play in 2021.
We kick things off with the East Bay Division which is currently led by the Alamo Short Stacks who are seeking extend their RDBL Record three Division Titles while trying to match the Maltese Falcons with six cash finishes.
Alamo Short Stacks
Overall: 3rd | Offense: 3rd | Pitching: 4th
Top Hitter: Vlad Guerrero, Jr., 118.5
Top Pitcher: Brandon Woodruff, 163.0
- Negotiations for Bryce Harper played out over multiple months according to team sources as the Stacks were in contact with the Falcons on the star outfielder since February. Kyle Tucker remained the top target for the Falcons Front Office and the clubs finally reached a deal last week after the Stacks scoffed at offers for young outfielder Corbin Carroll.
- The Stacks are kicking themselves for not retaining first baseman Nate Lowe who has been a Waiver Wire standout for the Asti Grape Stompers early in 2021. Lowe is slashing .288/.377/.482 with seven home runs in 139 at-bats, the fifth most in baseball.
- Despite temptation, the Stacks plan to hold outfielder Jarred Kelenic in the Minors through the 2021 Regular Season with hopes of adding him to the Playoff Roster if the club can secure a spot. GM Greg Shelley remains hopeful MacKenzie Gore and Logan Gilbert could share similar timeframes for activation.
- Jed Lowrie has proven to be a huge pickup so far for the Stacks. The club had slotted Josh Rojas into the spot on Opening Day but he was dropped after a cold start (and is white hot now), leaving a hole at second. Lowrie has slashed .275./.346/.433 as a critical piece of the Stacks offense.
Asti Grape Stompers
Overall: 5th | Offense: 11th | Pitching: 6th
Top Hitter: Nate Lowe, 111.5
Top Pitcher: Clayton Kershaw, 136.0
- The Grapes are off to a strong start on the mound and should have more in the tank as Shohei Ohtani rounds out his control on the mound. The stud Angels dual threat continues to see his value rise as he has appeared in the lineup more than the Grapes could have ever hoped. Ohtani has generated 201.5 points overall, the most of any player in the Roger Dorn Baseball League with an almost even split of 99.5 at the plate and 102.0 on the mound.
- Keston Hiura and George Springer have been two of the larger disappointments early in 2021. Hiura struggled out of the gates after a poor 2020 season and was sent to the Minors, a far cry from the expectations heading into his activation season. Springer on the other hand has been limited to just 15 at-bats, hitting the IL for the second time this season over the weekend.
- The club should get a boost in the near future as Ketal Marte nears his return. Marte was off to a torrid start (12-for-26) before going down with a hamstring injury.
- Reserve Draft pick Trevor Rogers continues to be one of the league's best selections as he boasts a 1.90 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 38.0 innings.
Cloverdale Clovers
Overall: 11th | Offense: 5th | Pitching: 13th
Top Hitter: Rafael Devers, 102.5
Top Pitcher: Huascar Ynoa, 138.0
- The Clovers stumbled out of the blocks as the club was expected to be a lock for a Playoff spot, but GM Chris Shelley's club has righted the ship as they look to chase down the left side of the standings. Despite ranking 13th in pitching overall, the Clovers have been hot on the mound of late with the 3rd most pitching points over the last 14 days. Activation Alex Reyes has been a key addition. Despite a highwire act at times, Reyes has 101.0 points on the year.
- While the pitching staff is trending upward, the Clovers are the safest bet to be active in the trade market as Jesus Luzardo (hand) and Mike Soroka (shoulder) have been little to no help in 2021. Waiver Wire pickup Huascar Ynoa is neck and neck with Lowe and Adolis Garcia as the Free Agent Claim of the Year early on and leads the Clovers with 138.0 pitching points entering play Tuesday.
- The injury bug continues to nip at the offense as Juan Soto's return from a shoulder injury was quickly followed by Joey Votto breaking his thumb. Anthony Santander has been sidelined as well since Period 2.
- After a slow start, Alex Verdugo has been one of the league's top activations with a .326/.375/.474 line over the last 28 days.
- Shelley is looking for more out of $30 auction purchase Jeff McNeil who is hitting just .217/.321/.348 through 92 at-bats.
Mt. Diablo Devils
Overall: 11th | Offense: 8th | Pitching: 10th
Top Hitter: Isiah Kiner-Falefa, 96.5
Top Pitcher: Max Scherzer, 163.0
- The Devils took some heat for retaining Scherzer at his $68 contract but he has been an anchor for the roster to start 2021 with 168.0 points, ranking 8th among all pitchers entering Tuesday.
- Activation Leody Taveras has an uncertain future as his .087/.160/.087 line in 46 at-bats to start 2021 pushed him back to the Minor Leagues and likely out of the Devils future plans.
- Reserve Draft pick Isiah Kiner-Falefa has provided a major boost, leading the Devils with 96.5 points so far.
- Stud prospect Wander Franco already has a pair of home runs at Triple-A and looks ready to take his talents to Tampa Bay in the very near future. Franco is widely viewed as the most valuable player still under a Minor League contract in the RDBL with Yordan Alverez (Goutfish) close behind.
- While the club has been pinged about selling, the Devils remain just 70.0 points out of a Playoff spot and have no plans to make moves for the future for the time being. The club has scoffed at deals for JT Realmuto (3/$30), Brandon Lowe (2FA/$5) and Franmil Reyes (2FA/$5) to date, all playing out the final year of their deals.
Meinert Hops
Overall: 12th | Offense: 10th | Pitching: 9th
Top Hitter: Mike Trout, 134.0
Top Pitcher: John Means, 196.0
- The Hops have pieced together a solid pitching staff which has been anchored by stud left-hander John Means who is fresh off a no-hitter. Means leads all pitchers with 196.0 points entering play Tuesday and is followed by JA Happ (105.0) and Taijuan Walker (112.0) as standouts for the Hops on the mound.
- GM Garrett Shelley is reportedly active on the trade market as the club has holes to fill. Mitch Keller (-13.0) has been a disaster to start 2021 while injuries to Anthony Rendon (knee) and Luis Robert (hip) have left the offense short. Luke Voit's return from the IL on Tuesday will help but the Hops are one of the clubs that likely needs to be aggressive if they want to stay in the hunt.
- The club would prefer to wait on activating left-hander Shane McClanahan who continues to flash supreme stuff in short bursts. The Rays have been using the hard throwing lefty as a starter but coupling him with Luis Patiño which has led to three consecutive four inning outings.
- Jake Cronenworth has proven to be a strong auction pickup as the $12 infielder is slashing .279/.356/.419 with 88.5 points entering Tuesday.
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