With the Division Series round set to wrap up on Thursday with a classic Game 5 matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, we wanted to take a spin around the Roger Dorn Baseball League on the developments of the last week of games as it relates to plans for the 2022 season.
- Lake Merced Goutfish righty Lance McCullers Jr. departed after four frames yesterday, and manager Dusty Baker told reporters after the contest that the decision was prompted by the right-hander informing the team of some tightness in his right forearm. Pitching coach Brent Strom said after the game (video link via MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart) that McCullers acknowledged some elbow tightness, but Strom added that he’s remaining “optimistic” that the issue won’t prove to be major. McCullers, who had Tommy John surgery in 2018, told Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle and others that he doesn’t believe the issue to be ligament-related. The club will surely evaluate him in the coming days as it determines whether McCullers will be able to contribute to the rotation for their ALCS showdown against the Red Sox while GM Ryan Atkinson monitors the situation closely as they plan for 2022. McCullers was a key piece of the club's championship roster and holds options for 2022 and 2023 at an affordable $18.
- The Honolulu Hammerheads had a close eye on Carlos Rodon (2FA/$5) who has faced an uncertain future given his health and diminished stuff to finish 2021. Rodon went two scoreless innings before getting into trouble in the third but averaged 95.8 mph Tuesday with this fastball after just 90.9 in his final start of September. After returning to the White Sox following being non-tendered, Rodon posted a 13-5 record with a 2.37 ERA which included his first no-hitter. On the numbers side alone, Rodon would be a lock to return to the Hammerheads as a premium value but his dip in performance right around the 100 inning mark could lead to some potential questions for GM Ross Horiuchi. One key indicator could be the White Sox looming decision of a qualifying offer for Rodon. He would be a lock for the decision with health but a decline of the offer by the Sox could be concerning.
- Kyle Tucker has been the Houston Astros best player thus far and looks like a key part of the Maltese Falcons plans for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The Falcons acquired Tucker from the Alamo Short Stacks in exchange for impending Free Agent Bryce Harper in a deal that both sides would seemingly do again. While Tucker will certainly hurt, Harper was a star down the stretch and led all hitters in scoring in the RDBL Playoffs. After posting a .917 OPS this season, Tucker has followed with a 1.000 OPS through the Division Series and looks to be blossoming into a Top 15 outfielder for the Falcons.
- The Falcons also look to have a solid piece for 2021 in acquisition Gavin Lux who appears to be breaking out into the player many expected when he was considered a top five prospect two seasons ago. Lux had a pair of hits in Tuesday's Game 4 against the Giants after slashing .366/.467/.510 in September and was moved around enough to hold eligibility at second base, shortstop and outfield.
- Logan Webb (1FA/$5) certainly looks the part of a top of the rotation starter for 2021 which is huge boost for the Meinert Hops. GM Garrett Shelley will face a difficult choice on Mike Trout (3/$71) but does hold some strong values in Luis Robert (2R/$3), Andrew Vaughn (2R/$3) and potential activation Shane McClanahan.
Comments