The RDBL Commissioner's Office added a wrinkle to the Reserve Draft starting in 2022, allowing Reserve Draft picks to secure a new 1D/$5 contract that would allow for a third season of contract at 3D/$15. Under the old system, players selected in the Reserve Draft would fall under the same 1FA/$5 contract as Waiver Claims throughout the season, all being capped at just two full seasons of contract.
The first wave of Big League Reserve Draft picks are set to have those 3R/$15 options available in 2024 led by Spokane Fightin' Fish right-hander Drew Rasmussen and Maltese Falcons left-hander Nestor Cortes who are currently safe bets to be among the first in RDBL History to receive the new contract. Rasmussen followed up a 416.0 point season in 2022 with a 32.0 point debut on Monday while Cortes is fresh off a 522.0 breakout campaign.
In total, 16 players were protected on Keeper Rosters under 2D/$5 deal with three on the Fightin' Fish alone.
The move to allow for a third year of control has pushed interest in big league players up in the Reserve Draft with Michael Conforto, Patrick Sandoval, Tony Gonsolin and Merrill Kelley all selected in the Top Two Rounds of the 2022 Reserve Draft. That was followed up with eight big leaguers selected in the 2nd Round of the 2023 Reserve Draft.
Players Under 2D/$5 Contract, Eligible for 3D/$15 Contracts in 2024
RHP Drew Rasmussen, Spokane Fightin' Fish
LHP Nestor Cortes, Maltese Falcons
RHP Tony Gonsolin, Burlingame Blue Ducks
LHP Patrick Sandoval, Alamo Short Stacks
RHP Miles Mikolas, Cloverdale Clovers
LHP Andrew Heaney, Burlingame Blue Ducks
RHP Merrill Kelly, Mt. Diablo Devils
OF Michael Conforto, Idaho Taters
OF Steven Kwan, Spokane Fightin' Fish
1B Yandy Diaz, Spokane Fightin' Fish
SS Andres Gimenez, Asti Grape Stompers
1B Christian Walker, Lake Merced Goutfish
OF Adolis Garcia, Las Vegas Aristocrats
1B/OF Josh Naylor, Las Vegas Aristocrats
OF Joc Pederson, Lunatic Fringe
OF Jurickson Profar, Honolulu Hammerheads
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