With Pitchers and Catchers trickling into Spring Training, we wanted to take a look at some of the biggest names that Roger Dorn Baseball League Front Offices have their eyes on this March while planning for the 2024 Draft. From prospects looking to break into the big leagues to veterans looking to secure a spot on a Keeper Roster, the 2024 Spring Training schedule should be packed with interesting storylines to follow before the 11th RDBL Draft on Tuesday, March 26th.
Alamo Short Stacks: LHP Nick Lodolo (2R/$3)
Outside of Logan Gilbert, the Stacks are hardly settled in their rotation with the club waiting to evaluate Nick Lodolo, Bryan Bello and Bryan Woo in Spring Training with Walker Buehler still in the mix as well despite a reported late start to 2024. Acquired from the Mt. Diablo Devils last season, Lodolo might possess the highest upside of the group after a lost 2023 activation season due to a leg injury. Lodolo posted a 29.7% strikeout rate in 103 1/3 IP in 2022 and holds contractual control through 2025. A big spring should lock in his spot, though it could come with a limited workload in 2024.
Asti Grape Stompers: RHP Emmet Sheehan (2FA/$5)
The Dodgers have the most depth in the starting rotation of any club in baseball, and that was before the signing of James Paxton and return of Clayton Kershaw. That leaves the long-term rotation spot in question for Grapes starter Emmet Sheehan, but the young right-hander certainly has the upside to cement his spot with a big Spring and early season breakout. Sheehan was excellent down the stretch in 2023, posting a 3.19 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over this last 31.0 innings with a 35.3% strikeout rate and a .176 average against.
Burlingame Blue Ducks: 1B Kyle Manzardo (Minors)
The Ducks have a pair of current prospects to watch in Taj Bradley and Kyle Manzardo, but we’ll keep the focus on the Guardians first baseman for today. Manzardo was the reason the Guardians parted ways with a red-hot Aaron Civale at last year’s Trade Deadline as they tried to catch the first-place Twins. Not only does he have excellent bat-to-ball skills, but he has the potential to be a power bat with more experience, and he put that on display during the Arizona Fall League this offseason. A big Spring should lead to an Opening Day role in Cleveland and on the Ducks.
The Ducks will also have a close eye on Taj Bradley (Minors) as he looks to cement his spot in the Rays Opening Day rotation.
Cloverdale Clovers: SS Marco Luciano (Minors)
The San Francisco Giants were less than encouraged by Marco Luciano’s Winter Ball stint, but the Front Office has yet to address the position which has Luciano set for the starting role at shortstop. A deal for Willy Adames or Ha-Seong Kim remains a possibility, but if Luciano remains the starter he could be in line for an Opening Day activation if he can put together a big Spring. He had an encouraging big league stint to end 2023 with a more polished approach than anticipated, but his light-tower power hasn’t shown up just yet.
Red Sox multi-positional threat Ceddanne Rafaela (Minors) will be another name to watch for the Clovers over the next six weeks.
Honolulu Hammerheads: RHP Ryne Nelson (2R/$3)
The Hammerheads shipped out Michael Wacha and Sonny Gray early this off-season, opening the door for Brandon Pfaadt and Reese Olson to backfill them. One name lost in the battle for their rotation has been 2023 activation Ryne Nelson who worked 144.0 innings in 2023 between the rotation and bullpen. Nelson posted a 5.31 ERA over that span with 96 strikeouts and 46 walks, but holds the talent to breakout in 2024. He will enter Spring Training in a battle with Tommy Henry for the final spot in the D’Backs rotation.
Lake Merced Goutfish: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Minors)
One of the most highly anticipated big league debuts belongs to Yamamoto who received the largest contract for a starting pitcher in Big League History this Winter. Much like the Dodgers, the Goutfish are swimming with starting pitcher options making it not out of the realm of possibility that GM Ryan Atkinson holds Yamamoto back for an additional season under Minor League control. A dominant Spring could squash those plans and force Atkinson’s hand.
Lunatic Fringe: IF Jackson Merrill (Minors)
The big news of Tuesday around Spring Training is the potential of Jackson Merrill making a move to the outfield and earning an Opening Day spot in the Padres lineup. The move would make sense given San Diego’s quiet off-season and holes in the outfield, potentially serving as a big jolt to the Lunatic Fringe’s 2024 plans. Merrill split time between High-A and Double-A in 2023, posting a strong 12.1% strikeout rate while showcasing his plus hit tool and emerging power. He will enter the season with SS eligibility, potentially forcing GM Tony Guglielmi to make a deal from a crowded infield depth chart.
Maltese Falcons: OF Riley Greene (2R/$3)
Greene enters 2024 as one of the potential breakouts in all of baseball, but that also comes just five months removed from Tommy John surgery on his non-throwing elbow. The Tigers are likely to slow play Greene in Spring Training, but enters camp on track for Opening Day where he should see DH duties to start the season. While any setback will hardly put his spot in jeopardy, it will be a knock to a Maltese Falcons roster that suddenly has Playoff aspirations following their acquisition of Juan Soto over the weekend.
The Falcons will also get their first glance at converted starter Jordan Hicks (2FA/$5) who can be retained in a RP slot.
Meinert Hops: OF Chase DeLauter (Minors)
The Hops have a talented, but expensive Keeper Roster planned to return for 2024 which could get even pricier if they elect to retain outfielder Bryan Reynolds (3/$36). That leaves GM Garrett Shelley searching for salary relief which could come from their top overall prospect Chase DeLauter who was the talk of the Arizona Fall League. The No. 16 overall pick in 2022, DeLauter broke his left foot midway through his junior year with James Madison and then broke a toe on that same foot during his rehab, so he didn't make his pro debut until June of 2023. He quickly made up for lost time, slashing .355/.417/.528 with five home runs, 22 doubles and six steals in 57 games across rookie ball, High-A and Double-A, with the bulk of those at-bats coming at High-A. A hulking 6-foot-4, 235-pound outfielder who can currently handle all three spots, DeLauter added to his 2023 ledger with a .299/.385/.529 line, five home runs and more walks than strikeouts in 23 AFL games.
Mission Viejo Maulers: 2B Zack Gelof (2FA/$5)
The Maulers Front Office forked over $51 of their $100 FAAB on Gelof who immediately paid dividends and looks like a foundational player heading into 2024. Gelof began the season with 12 homers, 20 steals, and a .304/.401/.529 line in Sacramento over 69 games before coming to Oakland and hitting 14 more homers with 14 steals and a .267/.337/.504 line in the same amount of games. All in all, Gelof finished with 26 homers, 100 runs, 76 RBI, and 34 steals in 138 games and looks fully in line for unlimited playing time in 2024. Spring Training will cement just how high the Maulers are on the infielder, giving GM Chris Ferraro a better idea of who to part with in a crowded Keeper Roster.
Mt. Diablo Devils: IF Michael Busch (Minors)
The door appears to finally be open for big league playing time for Busch who was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Chicago Cubs this Winter. With a current hole at first base, that could be filled by a potential return of Cody Bellinger, Busch has a chance to run with a starting spot on Opening Day if he can put together a strong Spring Training. Entering 2024 with just third base eligibility, Busch is fresh off a .323/.431/.618 line with 27 home runs, an 18.8 K% and a 13.9 BB% in 98 Triple-A games but has yet to put it together in limited big league time.
Nashville Aristocrats: OF Jackson Chourio (Minors)
Chourio will enter Spring Training as one of the biggest names to watch in all of baseball after inking a historic $80M deal with the Brewers this Winter despite not making the big leagues yet. The contract suggests that Chourio is in line for an Opening Day role, but it will have to be earned with a strong Spring as will a potential activation by the ‘Crats Front Office. Chourio became the fourth teenager to go 20-40 in the past 60 seasons, with Ronald Acuna being the most recent to accomplish the feat in 2017. He was also the first teenager to go 20-20 solely in the upper levels of the minors since Delmon Young in 2005. His surface stats weren't outstanding early in the year, in part due to the pre-tacked balls the Southern League used in the first half of the season. However, with standard balls back in play, Chourio slashed .324/.379/.538 with 11 home runs, 21 steals and a 13.4 percent strikeout rate in his final 57 games across Double-A and Triple-A, and he doesn't turn 20 until March.
San Mateo Oppo Tacos: OF James Wood (Minors)
Wood is not immediately on the verge of a big league debut, but he’s expected to get a long look in Spring Training. He’s slipped a bit in prospect circles, due in large part to the ridiculous infusion of outfield talent from the 2023 MLB Draft including new Nationals teammate Dylan Crews. Wood can vault himself back towards the top of Top 100 rankings with a big Spring after a loud 2023 season at Double-A.
Spokane Fightin’ Fish: SS Corey Seager (2/$42)
Spring Training will have little to do with results for Seager and the Fightin’ Fish and more of a wait and see on his health. The surprising news hit just two weeks ago that Seager required sports hernia surgery that has his Opening Day in question after a banner 2023 campaign as the leader of the Fish in a year he finished runner-up for the American League MVP and took home the World Series MVP.
St. Joseph Jokers: LHP DL Hall (Minors)
When you are the headliner in the return for Corbin Burnes, there’s a strong bet that your new club is going to give you every opportunity to start which looks to be the case for DL Hall on the Brewers. With only relief outings last year, the left-hander can be activated into a RP spot which could be a boon for a Jokers rotation that has been rebuilt this Winter by GM Rick Steen. Hall certainly has the skillset to take a big step forward in 2024 while a move from the AL East to the NL Central will only be a benefit.