The Meinert Hops appear open to moving the top overall pick according to league sources with GM Garrett Shelley still evaluating their options for the first selection. Outfielder Roman Anthony and catcher Samuel Basallo have been attached to the Hops, but Shelley has been known to go rogue with their early round selections in year's past.
The club was attached to Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith early in the off-season, but Keith inked a long-term big league deal that should have him ticketed for an Opening Day role, pushing him into the Auction Draft later this month.
Around the RDBL
The San Mateo Oppo Tacos continue to be among the most active clubs in the RDBL entering the 2024 Draft. GM Erik Nielsen has multiple irons in the fire according to sources as the club looks to rebuild their Farm System even after their blockbuster deal of Juan Soto and Chris Bassitt to the Maltese Falcons earlier this off-season. Few have impressed more than acquisition James Wood this Spring with the outfielder looking poised for a big league promotion this Summer. The club continues to shop catcher Will Smith (3/$30) who enters 2024 as CBS' top projected catcher while left-hander Justin Steele (2D/$5) continues to garner interest.
The Lunatic Fringe are holding their breath on the results of imaging on superstar outfielder Ronald Acuña's knee which should come early Tuesday. Alex Anthopoulos told MLB Network Radio Sunday morning that he's "highly confident" Acuña will be in the Opening Day lineup but he was experiencing meniscus irritation in his surgically repaired knee. The pain was enough to push the Braves to send the outfielder across the country to Los Angeles to meet with the surgeon. Acuña became the second player in RDBL History to win the Hitter of the Year and Playoff MVP in the same season while breaking the RDBL Record for points in a Regular and Full Season in 2023.
The Fringe entered the off-season with one of the league's top projected pitching staffs, but that has taken a hit in this Spring with Kyle Bradish (elbow) likely to be pushed off their roster while the club continues to wait for Jordan Montgomery (2/$20) to sign with a big league club. With Jackson Merrill (Minors) impressing in Padres camp, Guglielmi is flush with offensive options with the potential to bring back a full group outside of their two catcher spots.
The Honolulu Hammerheads are hardly settled in their rotation behind Tanner Bibee, Chris Sale and Brandon Pfaadt. The club is encouraged with the early Spring results from Bailey Ober, but also holds Ryne Nelson and Chase Silseth in high-regard according to sources. One thing is clear, GM Ross Horiuchi is not looking to enter Draft Day with a full rotation with eyes on the top of the Free Agent Market to round out their starting staff on Draft Day.
The Heads' Farm System didn't get much attention this off-season in prospect rankings, but early Spring results look quite positive for Drew Romo, Quinn Priester and Robert Hassell III.
The Nashville Aristocrats 2023 rebuild looks to have worked to perfection despite some internal conflict that was reported last year. Jackson Chourio and Jackson Holliday are captivating Spring Training crowds with both potentially breaking camp with big league jobs. The roster is loaded with low-priced upside players between Spencer Torkelson (3R/$5), Bryson Stott (2R/$3), Bryce Miller (2R/$3) and Gavin Williams (Minors) among others while Gavin Stone, Hurston Waldrep, Jackson Jobe, Chase Burnes and Max Meyer all have their arrows pointing significantly up this Spring in their club's Minor League System.