The race for six coveted Playoff spots in the Roger Dorn Baseball League looks set to go down to the final wire yet again this season, but clubs are already analyzing their options to strengthen their Active Roster through their Farm System and through players set to return from the Injured List.
Here's a team by team look at potential activations and likely returnees for the 2023 RDBL Playoffs.
Spokane Fightin' Fish
Potential Activations: RHP Emerson Hancock (SEA), OF Heston Kjerstad (BAL), 2B Connor Norby (BAL)
Returning from Injury: 2B Jonathan India, OF Taylor Ward, RHP Shane Bieber, RP Jordan Romano
The Fightin' Fish have a loaded roster but are bumping up against the in-season $325 Salary Cap on a weekly basis. That could make recently promoted right-hander Emerson Hancock an option for the RDBL Playoffs. Hancock made 20 starts at AA Arkansas, surrenders 31 of 47 earned runs in four starts while tallying a 1.64 ERA in his other 16 starts combined.
Prospects Heston Kjerstad and Connor Norby continue to mash at Triple-A but are facing a crowded Baltimore Orioles big league depth chart, making a potential activation unlikely even if either well-touted player is promoted.
On the injury front, the Fish are anxiously awaiting the return of Jonathan India (foot) and Jordan Romano (back) with both expected back as soon as this week. Shane Bieber (elbow) and Taylor Ward (face) are facing longer absences but could both play a role in the Playoffs.
Lake Merced Goutfish
Potential Activations: RHP Bobby Miller (LAD)
Returning from Injury: RHP Joe Musgrove, Marcus Stroman
The Goutfish just welcomed back mid-season additions Max Fried and Brandon Woodruff, positioning the rotation as the group with the highest upside in the RDBL entering the Playoffs. That group could be further strengthened through the Minors with Bobby Miller as well as through potential IL returnees Joe Musgrove (shoulder) and Marcus Stroman (hip).
As another club bumping up against the in-season salary cap, Miller could provide relief at $1, especially upon the return of Musgrove.
Mt. Diablo Devils
Potential Activations: IF Michael Busch (LAD), C Bo Naylor (CLE)
Returning from Injury: SS Bo Bichette, RHP Nathan Eovaldi, RP Ryan Helsley, RHP Cal Quantrill
Devils infield prospect Michael Busch has little left to prove at Triple-A but faces an uphill battle getting enough regular playing time down the stretch in Los Angeles to earn a RDBL activation. Bo Naylor can likely be used as insurance at the catcher position if Yainer Diaz or Yasmani Grandal go down with an injury.
The club is anxiously awaiting the return of star shortstop Bo Bichette (knee) who is expected back as soon as the end of Period 20 while their top starter Nathan Eovaldi (forearm) is hopeful to return before the RDBL Playoffs.
Lunatic Fringe
Potential Activations: RHP Grayson Rodriguez (BAL), RHP Josiah Gray (WSH), RHP Clarke Schmidt (NYY), SS Brayan Rocchio (CLE)
Returning from Injury: OF Brandon Marsh
The Fringe have been among the hottest teams in the RDBL over the last month and have plenty of help on the way if GM Tony Guglielmi chooses to dip into his Minor League System for the Playoffs. Grayson Rodriguez has turned a corner with four consecutive positive starts and brings the highest upside of the prospects available while Josiah Gray was named a National League All-Star while holding a strong 3.69 ERA entering play Thursday.
Clarke Schmidt and Brayan Rocchio each look ready to help as well, but Guglielmi will likely have to be cautious with their activations in the starting rotation so they don't overcrowd their 2024 Keeper Roster.
On the injury front, Brandon Marsh (knee) is expected back around the first week of the RDBL Playoffs.
Mission Viejo Maulers
Potential Activations: OF Nolan Jones (COL), OF Drew Waters (KC)
Returning from Injury: LHP Carlos Rodon, OF Mike Yastrzemski
The Maulers might have a secret weapon in pre-season addition Nolan Jones who is slashing .280/.361/.508 in 193 ABs for the Rockies and looks positioned to help the Active Roster for the RDBL Playoffs. Drew Waters has the playing time in Kansas City to help as well, but the production hasn't shown up yet to force a move by GM Chris Ferraro.
The club has yet to see a return on their deal for Carlos Rodon (hamstring) who has just 9.0 points on the season with a 7.33 ERA. They are still hopeful for a quick return from Rodon as well as Mike Yastrzemski (hamstring), with both expected back as soon as next week.
Idaho Taters
Potential Activations: LHP Matthew Liberatore (STL)
Returning from Injury: 3B Josh Jung, LHP Clayton Kershaw, 1B Josh Naylor
An excellent Farm System was cashed in by GM Mike Friedrich to upgrade their Active Roster, leaving the group short on activation options for the Playoffs. Matthew Liberatore could pitch his way into consideration, but has -11.0 points on the season entering his Thursday start.
The Taters do have plenty of help on the way from the Injured List with Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) set to return against the Rockies on Thursday. The wait will be longer for Josh Jung (finger) and Josh Naylor (oblique) with each expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a potential return in the middle of the Playoffs.
Cloverdale Clovers
Potential Activations: SS Elly De La Cruz (CIN), SS Anthony Volpe (NYY), SS Liover Peguero (PIT), 1B Nick Pratto (KC)
Returning from Injury: SS Oneil Cruz, RHP Joe Ryan, OF Jarred Kelenic
The Clovers have plenty of help available if they can squeak one of the final Wild Card spots. Elly De La Cruz would be the most high profile addition to any RDBL Roster from the Minors while Anthony Volpe has been a steady threat at the plate and on the bases in the second half. Nick Pratto is currently on the IL, making an activation less likely while Liover Peguero is less of an impact option to risk forcing a 2024 Opening Day spot.
The club has three key players on the IL as well who could all be back by the end of August with Oneil Cruz (ankle), Joe Ryan (groin) and Jarred Kelenic (foot) all expected back soon.
Meinert Hops
Potential Activations: C/OF Henry Davis (PIT), OF Joey Wiemer (MIL)
Returning from Injury: C Jonah Heim, LHP Daniel Lynch, OF Kevin Kiermaier
The Hops have strong depth at catcher, decreasing the need of activating Henry Davis who currently carries C eligibility but has appeared in just two games at the position this year. Joey Wiemer could provide depth in the outfield and looks to have a full-time role heading into next season, making an activation less risky for 2024.
The club is expected to be without Shane McClanahan (forearm), a major blow to the Franchise for this year and next year. Jonah Heim (wirst) is expected back next week which will help ease the club's salary cap issues and allow Bryan Reynolds to slot back into the Active lineup.
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