The Major League Baseball Draft kicked off Sunday afternoon and marked a major day in Roger Dorn Baseball League History as a record 16 prospects already on rosters were selected across the first two rounds.
The Draft was kicked off with Idaho Taters shortstop Jackson Holliday being announced as the first overall pick of the Baltimore Orioles. Holliday was selected 97th overall as a 7th Rounder in the 2022 RDBL Reserve Draft by GM Mike Friedrich and saw his value skyrocket on a monthly basis following the pick.
The Taters also boasted the 9th overall pick as outfielder Gavin Cross in a standout day for Friedrich who announced he will now return for the 2023 season.
RDBL Front Offices certainly showed their prowess in player evaluation, already holding the rights to the first six players selected Sunday as well as 11 of the first 16.
The shocker of the night came when the Texas Rangers selected right-hander Kumar Rocker 3rd overall, a clear win for the Mission Viejo Maulers and GM Chris Ferraro who held onto the former Vandy product from last season despite shoulder surgery. The faith the Rangers placed in Rocker's medicals are a major development for his value as he's likely to be given every opportunity to move quickly through the Minors.
With 16 prospects selected, three prospects remain available with reliever Ben Joyce (Fightin' Fish) likely to hear his name called Monday and Alamo Short Stacks duo Max Clark (HS Outfielder) and Jacob Gonzalez (Ole Miss SS) currently projected as Top-5 selections in the 2023 MLB Draft.
RDBL Prospects Selected in the 2022 MLB Draft
1. Orioles - SS Jackson Holliday, Idaho Taters
2. Diamondbacks - OF Druw Jones, Maltese Falcons
3. Rangers - RHP Kumar Rocker, Mission Viejo Maulers
4. Pirates - IF Termarr Johnson, Spokane Fightin' Fish
5. Nationals - OF Elijah Green, Lake Merced Goutfish
6. Marlins - IF Jacob Berry, Meinert Hops
8. Twins - SS Brooks Lee, Mission Viejo Maulers
9. Royals - OF Gavin Cross, Idaho Taters
12. Tigers - IF Jace Jung, Meinert Hops
15. Padres - RHP Dylan Lesko, Asti Grape Stompers
16. Guardians - OF Chase DeLauter, Meinert Hops
19. Athletics - C Daniel Susac, Burlingame Blue Ducks
34. Diamondbacks - RHP Landon Sims, Mission Viejo Maulers
38. Rockies - OF Jordan Beck, Las Vegas Aristocrats
43. Diamondbacks - 1B Ivan Melendez, Las Vegas Aristocrats
44. Pirates - LHP Hunter Barco, Mission Viejo Maulers
Comments