Another full slate of games is on tap for Monday as Period 2 kicks off with the Alamo Short Stacks, Mission Viejo Maulers and Lake Merced Goutfish leading their respective Divisions.
Here's what we are on the lookout for on Monday:
Young Guns Showdown in Seattle
The Lunatic Fringe and Lake Merced Goutfish will have their eyes on a showdown of two emerging stars on the mound as Reid Detmers and George Kirby face off with the Angels visiting the Mariners. Detmers was pushed into a Draft Day activation following Triston McKenzie's arm injury while Kirby was called into service in the middle of last season by GM Ryan Atkinson who pushed all of their chips in as they tried to chase down the final Playoff spot. While Kirby has enjoyed more big league success, Detmers has a no-hitter under his belt from last year as well as a significant increase in velocity that he has sustained this Spring.
Grapes Look for Positive Pitching Points
Through four starts and 18 1/3 innings of overall work, the Grapes hold a 8.35 ERA and 2.29 WHIP, resulting in a league-low -29.0 pitching points entering Period 2. They will look to turn things around starting on Monday as they send Jon Gray (vs. BAL) and Brady Singer (vs. TOR) to the mound. After a shaky first outing in the WBC, Singer was not called on to throw again, totaling just 2.0 innings over a 16-day span putting him behind for a full workload to start the season. He's likely to be capped around 80 pitches on Monday.
Walker Paid, but Passed on in Auction
You would think a fresh 4-year, $72M deal for a starting pitcher would draw the interest of every RDBL Front Office in Auction. That was not the case for Taijuan Walker who was passed over by every club, lasting until the 2nd Round of the Reserve Draft when the Burlingame Blue Ducks selected him with the 22nd pick. Walker will make his 2023 debut in New York as he opposes the Yankees after pitching for Team Mexico in the WBC.
Pressure on Morton for Taters
The Idaho Taters cashed in their 1st and 3rd Round Picks this off-season for Charlie Morton and Shane Bieber, only to make a last minute call on the Keeper Deadline to release Bieber from his $58 deal. That leaves Morton as the lone return from the Spokane Fightin' Fish putting the pressure on the veteran right-hander to cash in on some of that outgoing cost this season. Morton will make his 2023 debut Monday, facing off against a very strong Cardinals lineup.
Hunter Brown Debut
The Taters will also send Draft Day purchase Hunter Brown to the mound. Viewed as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, Brown was claimed by the Alamo Short Stacks after last season's Keeper Deadline pushing him back into Free Agency. He had a strong market, landing with the Taters for $8. He will oppose the Detroit Tigers on Monday who are fresh off a three game sweep by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Devils Looking for Pitching to Keep Pace
The Mt. Diablo Devils are off to a hot start at the plate, sharing the lead in hitting points with 139.5 while slashing .314/.385/.474. GM Jason Watson is hopeful their pitching staff can keep pace after posting a 4.86 ERA and 1.56 WHIP through their first six starts. With Adam Duvall now in the fold after Sunday night's FAAB run, the Devils hold three of the top four hitters after Period 1 with Wander Franco and Yoan Moncada's standout weeks but don't have a starting pitcher that has scored more than 12 points thus far. Activation James Kaprielian will look to improve those numbers on Monday as the A's host the Cleveland Indians.
Comments