Opening Day has arrived with every team in the Roger Dorn Baseball League hopeful for a deep run to the 2022 Playoffs. The Lake Merced Goutfish will attempt to become the first team in League History to repeat as Champions, but will face some stiff competition as the depth of contenders seems to be the strongest we have seen in recent memory.
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1. Mt. Diablo Devils
By The Numbers: After activating three players, the Devils still have seven prospects either on Opening Day rosters are just missed and will start in Triple-A giving GM Jason Watson both internal upgrade options or tremendous trade capital for 2022.
X-Factor: A dominant second half has Cal Quantrill penciled in for a 450+ point season but he was a middle reliever at this time last season. His continued emergence will be a key factor in the Devils pursuit of a Regular Season Title or a drive towards a Wild Card spot.
2. Lake Merced Goutfish
By The Numbers: With Fernando Tatis, Jr. out for likely two months, the $115 investments in Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies and Whit Merrifield will play a key role in bridging the gap until his return.
X-Factor: The Goutfish have developed a reputation for finding gems at the back of their rotation. They will look to do so again with 2021 holdover Dakota Hudson and activation Dylan Cease looking to both take a step forward this season.
3. Alamo Short Stacks
By The Numbers: The Stacks invested heavily in their bullpen and catching group, carrying a 1,688 projection across those positions, the highest in the RDBL.
X-Factor: The young Mariners duo of Logan Gilbert and Jarred Kelenic will be the two key pieces to take the Stacks where they hope to go. Projected for a combined 500 points, the Stacks Front Office is hopeful for much more production in 2022.
4. Maltese Falcons
By The Numbers: Yet another balanced approach in the Auction Draft for the Falcons saw them land strong contributors Anthony Rizzo, Brandon Lowe, Ian Happ, Andrew Benintendi and Nelson Cruz for a combined $82 in Auction.
X-Factor: This spot is largely dependent on the health of ace Zack Wheeler who is working his way back from shoulder issues that limited him in Spring Training. Any extended delay in his return would push the Falcons down who will rely on the health of Clayton Kershaw and resurgence of Sonny Gray in his place.
5. Cloverdale Clovers
By The Numbers: The top five Clovers hitters carry a mind-blowing 2,558 point projection for 2022 as Juan Soto, Mookie Betts, Nick Castellanos, Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers look ready to shoulder a major load this season.
X-Factor: Much has been published about the Clovers league-worst 4.30 ERA last season while posting the league's 2nd best offense. GM Chris Shelley held over Huascar Ynoa and Jesus Luzardo, promoted Michael Kopech and used one of their auction spots on Tyler Glasnow. That puts a great deal of pressure on Chris Bassitt and Blake Snell to be elite this season.
6. Honolulu Hammerheads
By The Numbers: A 632.0 point projection for Jacob deGrom is impossible to replace as he likely topped the list of most important players to any RDBL team entering the season. His absence pushed the club down from the 2nd or 3rd spot to 6th, a sign of just how vital his presence is for the Heads.
X-Factor: The pressure will shift to GM Ross Horiuchi's Reserve picks as Kris Bubic and Waiver Claim Taylor Hearn will have to shoulder the load until Chris Sale and deGrom return.
7. Spokane Fightin' Fish
By The Numbers: In a weak Free Agent outfield class, the Fish have just $11 committed to their group of five to start the season though reserve draftee Steven Kwan is likely to force his way into the picture alongside veteran Andrew McCutchen.
X-Factor: When or if Trevor Bauer returns to the big leagues will be a major x-factor of the Fish. In the meantime, reports on Alex Cobb and Patrick Corbin have been glowing in camp, with both expected to slot into the back of their rotation while Luis Castillo's shoulder heals.
8. Asti Grape Stompers
By The Numbers: The combination of Walker Buehler and Robbie Ray are projected for 945.0 points while being owed just $10 combined for 2022 as a standout 1-2 punch.
X-Factor: The Grapes will look for Anthony Rendon and Bobby Witt, Jr. to outperform their CBS projections to match what should be one of the top starting rotations in the RDBL.
9. Idaho Taters
By The Numbers: The Taters entered Draft Day with the third most available cap space but chose to not exceed $39 on any player, landing Trevor Story ($39), Jose Berrios ($38), Alex Bregman ($36) and Joey Gallo ($24) as their top four contracts.
X-Factor: Trevor Story's $39 contract outside of Coors Field will be one to watch closely and the likely difference between a Playoff spot and just missing the mark.
10. Lunatic Fringe
By The Numbers: 4-6 are the number of weeks ace Lance Lynn is set to miss following knee surgery this week. The catch of the Fringe's Auction for $40, Lynn's absence will certainly put pressure on the remainder of GM Tony Guglielmi's staff.
X-Factor: Tarik Skubal surrendered 35 home runs in 2021, a number that should decrease this season. If he can get that under check, his 164 strikeouts in 149 1/3 innings speak with his upside and could represent a big addition for the Fringe.
11. Burlingame Blue Ducks
By The Numbers: The two activations by GM Ryan Walsh could quickly serve as two of their top producers are Jazz Chisholm and Alek Manoah will be counted on immediately.
X-Factor: The Ducks rounded out their rotation with Jack Flaherty who serves as a major x-factor for what looks to be a very capable rotation put together by GM Ryan Walsh.
12. Mission Viejo Maulers
By The Numbers: The Maulers overhauled their offense starting at the deadline last season, now led by a core four of Corey Seager, Nolan Arenado, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton that are owed $129 in 2022 and will be expected to perform at that salary level.
X-Factor: Cody Bellinger's $3 contact for the former MVP ranks among the biggest x-factors in the league and could be a boon through 2024 for the Maulers if he can fix himself at the plate.
13. St. Joseph Jokers
By The Numbers: The Jokers held over just two pitchers from their staff that posted a 4.30 Team ERA last season in hopes of producing an elite pitching staff which was the case when they captured a Wild Card spot in 2018, their only Playoff appearance.
X-Factor: While health is first, Kyle Lewis will be greeted with a crowded outfield depth chart following the promotion of prospect Julio Rodriguez. If Lewis can find time, he can be a difference maker for the Jokers.
14. Meinert Hops
By The Numbers: Shohei Ohtani not only holds a record $88 contract, but the combination of Ohtani and Mike Trout are due a record $159 combined. Can you build a winner with enough depth around that figure? We'll find out.
X-Factor: Andrew Vaughn was rated as one of the top young bats in baseball and the sky-high ceiling remains. He torched the Cactus League and looks ready for a breakout season for the Hops.
15. Las Vegas Aristocrats
By The Numbers: The 'Crats held just $72 in cap space for 11 spots, the lowest spending power of any RDBL club. The lack of capital prevented the club from working around Max Scherzer's $68 contract to find enough depth to back up their talented top-end group. The club has five different offensive players obtained through Auction at $3 or less.
X-Factor: A hot start by the rotation could give GM Nick Holz and Assistant GM Nick Kusanovich time to patch up the offense with Mike Clevinger serving as the biggest x-factor on the roster. The timeline for Shane Baz's return to the mound will also be critical to their 2022 chances.
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