A short Period 16 due to the All-Star Break still offered plenty of fireworks with just two days remaining before the 2023 RDBL Trade Deadline. The Spokane Fightin' Fish, Mt. Diablo Devils and Lake Merced Goutfish continue to have a stranglehold on Division Leads while several teams remain in the fight for the three Wild Card spots.
Team of the Week: Spokane Fightin' Fish, 210.5 Points
45-157, 157 AB, 7 2B, 9 HR, 24 RBI, 26 R, 20 BB, CS, HP
32.2 INN, 21 HA, 13 BBI, 27 K, 13 ER, W, 2 L
The Spokane Fightin' Fish were starting to feel the heat on their 1st Place lead from the Mt. Diablo Devils and Lake Merced Goutfish heading into the All-Star Break but a big Period 16 provided some breathing room.
Hitter of the Week: Cody Bellinger, Fringe, 18.5 Points
4-11, 11 AB, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R, BB
Bellinger continues to have a stellar year at the plate, especially considering the $4 contract GM Tony Guglielmi locked him into on Draft Day with control through 2025. He's slashing .300/.358/.524 with 26 extra base hits in 61 games this season.
Pitcher of the Week: Julio Urias, Taters, 32.0 Points
6 INN, HA, BBI, 7 K, W, HB
The Taters had a pair of standout performers on the mound as Charlie Morton topped all pitchers with 35.0 points but was on the bench for GM Mike Friedrich. Julio Urias picked up the slack with six shutout innings, allowing just one hit and one walk in a win over the Mets.
Prospect of the Week: Gabriel Gonzalez, Stacks
Still just 19, Gonzalez earned a promotion to High-A last week and went 5-for-13 with a home run and double. A career .324 hitter in the minors, Gonzalez slashed .348/.403/.530 with nine home runs and eight steals in 73 games for Single-A Modesto, where he also logged 32 games in 2022. Even with all that experience in full-season ball, Gonzalez doesn't turn 20 until January and is looking like one of the best pure hitters in the minors, leading all hitters with 108 hits on the season.
Life Insurance Player of the Week: Michael Kopech, -19.0 Points
0.2 INN, HA, 4 BBI, 4 ER, L, HB
Kopech (3-8) allowed four runs on a hit and four walks in only two-thirds of an inning while taking a loss against Atlanta on Friday. Kopech was activated from the injured list to make his first start since June 27 and immediately ran into trouble. He loaded the bases with no outs before serving up a grand slam to Matt Olson. Kopech has compiled a brutal 12:20 K:BB through 13 innings over his last four starts. He saw his season ERA climb to 4.47 with a league-leading 53 walks. Assuming his shoulder wasn't an issue Friday, Kopech is currently lined up for a road matchup with the Mets next week.
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