2023 Opening Day has arrived and Front Offices are chomping at the bit to see the CBS Scoring page update. Here's some of the storylines we are closely following on Thursday.
'Crats Unveil Shiny New Toys
The Aristocrats pulled deep into their Las Vegas moneybag, locking up Corbin Burnes to a RDBL-tying contract for a pitcher only to later land Juan Soto to the second highest hitter contract in League History. Burnes will be on the mound in a chilly Chicago Thursday while Soto (oblique) is expected to be in the lineup for Opening Day against the Rockies in a game that was shifted to the evening due to weather in San Diego.
Hops Roll Out Aces
Don't be surprised to see the Meinert Hops roll out to an early lead Thursday as GM Garrett Shelley rolls out Logan Webb, Shane McClanahan, Zac Gallen and Shohei Ohtani on Opening Day.
Scherzer Gets the Ball, Continuing Record Run
Max Scherzer is set to start his fourth RDBL contract, sharing a distinction with Mike Trout as the only players in League History to complete each of his three previous contracts without being dropped. Scherzer was locked up for $50 by the Spokane Fightin' Fish, the pre-season favorite for the 2023 Title, and he will be joined by Shane Bieber and Mitch Keller on the mound for Opening Day.
Rookie Debuts
While neither were activated, many eyes will be on the big league debuts of Jordan Walker (Grapes) and Anthony Volpe (Clovers). Both widely considered Top-5 prospects in the sport, the duo is looking to make a push for a potential Period 9 activation from their respective RDBL clubs.
Glasnow Replacement
The Clovers depth will be tested early as they look to cover up for Tyler Glasnow's absence. GM Chris Shelley is going with Opening Day starter Patrick Corbin Thursday morning who opposes the Atlanta Braves.
Ace of Aces
After back to back 10th place finishes, the Lunatic Fringe are looking to make their return to the Playoffs since 2019 and will kick things off with 2022 Pitcher of the Year Sandy Alcantara. The Marlins ace posted 733.0 points last season, the 9th highest mark in RDBL History.
deGrom Backin Honolulu
The worst kept secret in the RDBL this off-season was GM Ross Horiuchi's interest in a reunion with Jacob deGrom. He's back along with an elite top-end of Austin Riley, Paul Golschmidt and the catching duo of J.T. Realmuto and Tyler Stephenson that should make the Heads a serious threat this summer.
$120 Investment on the Mound for Maulers
The Maulers might have one eye on 2024, but that doesn't mean that can't be competitive in 2023. With the $120 investment in Gerrit Cole and Luis Castillo, both of which are on the mound Thursday, GM Chris Ferraro is looking to make some waves early this year.
Good Greene of Bad Greene
2022 was a rollercoaster for Hunter Greene, but the flame thrower finished on a tear, punching out 51 in his last 35 1/3 innings with a 1.02 ERA and 0.85 WHIP. He will look to carry that pace over to 2023 with his 2023 debut against the Pirates on Thursday.
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