Our Post Mortem series continues as we take a look at clubs set to miss the 2021 Playoffs and a view of what went right, what went wrong, and what the future looks like for each club.
The Mission Viejo Maulers took a clear long-term approach on Draft Night, completing multiple deals during the Auction with eyes on 2023 and beyond. The results have been shaky at best as a 14th place finish and remaining questions about the health of their returning rotation options leave more work for GM Chris Ferraro this off-season.
What Went Right?
Willy Adames Emergence
The Maulers landed Adames from the Lake Merced Goutfish as part of a star-studded deal for Yasmani Grandal and Dom Smith. The move is looking good for the Maulers rebuild as up and coming catching prospect Kiebert Ruiz was joined by Willy Adames in the return. Adames was off to a sluggish start in Tampa Bay before an early season deal to the Milwaukee Brewers before emerging as a National League MVP candidate. Adames has slashed .293/.377/.542 with 17 home runs in 80 games for the Brewers and look like one of the RDBL's top activations for 2022. Adames continues to run up a RDBL record 1,591 big league at-bats without being activated.
FA Claim of Mullins Lands Acuña
The Maulers appear to be locked into the 2021 Free Agent Claim of the Year with standout outfielder Cedric Mullins. The club elected to trade Mullins to the Goutfish at the deadline, landing injured star Ronald Acuña (knee) in return. Acuña's not a guarantee to be ready for Spring Training in 2022, but if he is, it would be a boon for the Maulers in the final year of the outfielder's RDBL deal.
What Went Wrong?
Young Building Blocks Show Cracks
The Maulers had some rough luck across the big leagues and Minor Leagues with some of their promising pitchers. Dustin May and Adrian Morejon both lost their seasons to Tommy John, injuries that will push May into RDBL Free Agency and push back Morejon's activation date until 2023. Brendan McKay (7.82 ERA in just 12 2/3 innings) appears to be a bust while Rocker's presumed MRI issues and failure to sign with the Mets leave his immediate future up in the air.
On the offensive side of the ball, Victor Robles continues to provide middling results through 1,100 big league at-bats, placing his future with the Maulers in doubt. Ferraro tried to right his previous wrongs by investing $36 in Kyle Lewis who the club dropped as a prospect, but the move has provided little return. Lewis suffered another knee injury while producing just 77.5 points on the season.
Reserve Draft Picks Not Signing
The Maulers used their 5th Overall pick on right-hander Kumar Rocker while acquiring the 20th overall pick Jud Fabian from the Mt. Diablo Devils in a Draft Day deal. Both players failed to reach agreements with their respective MLB clubs and appear set to return to college in 2022. While the failure to sign isn't debilitating to their long-term value, questions around the health of Rocker remain while Fabian's stock took a dent during his Junior season while pushed him to the 2nd Round of the MLB Draft in July.
2022 Early Roster Projection
The Maulers poured resources into injured starting pitching leaving their 2022 prognosis largely in the hands of their Training Staff. The club hopes to be led by Justin Verlander and Mike Clevinger in their starting rotation while Ronald Acuña patrolling the outfield. Whether that view will come on Opening Day next season remains to be seen.
Aaron Civale is the next safest option in the rotation while the club expects to take a hard look at the final six weeks of right-handed Free Agent claim Touki Toussaint. Corey Kluber, owner of a 2021 no-hitter, also remains in play provided he can prove his health in September and Spring Training.
The offense has some strong pieces to build around as Aaron Judge, Jesus Aguilar and mid-season acquisition Corey Seager will lead the offense. The club could also have a upside duo behind the plate in Alejandro Kirk and Daulton Varsho for just $8 combined.
Adames will receive his long-awaited activation while fellow middle infielder Nico Hoerner could join him on the valuable rookie deals.
The Maulers are good bets to be active this Winter with a slew of draft picks that can be utilized to bolster their Keeper List.
Farm System
For having 15 prospects under contract, the system is fairly top heavy with a wave of ETA's safer for 2023 than next season. While Adames and Hoerner could graduate, William Contreras, Nick Gonzales, Keibert Ruiz and Max Meyer look to be better bets to help after next season.
The club will face some difficult decisions this Winter as they examine the future of Griffin Canning, Brandon McKay and Victor Robles with hopes of brighter days ahead for Drew Waters and Taylor Trammell who saw dents to their value this season.
Pre-season acquisition Jasson Dominguez remains one of the highest upside prospects in baseball but has had shaky results in Low-A thus far. Still just 19, Dominguez is a likely candidate to start 2022 back in Low-A with the ability to move quickly from there if things click.
Comentarios