Just 14 days remain in the 2024 Roger Dorn Baseball League Regular Season as the battle for the six coveted Playoff spots has never been hotter. The East Bay Division looks as but wrapped up as the Alamo Short Stacks are closing in on their fifth Division Title, eighth Cash Finish and potentially third Regular Season Title, all RDBL Record marks.
The Peninsula Division is hotly contested between the Lake Merced Goutfish and Maltese Falcons with the clubs separated by just 10.5 points entering play Monday. The Masters Division is also up in the air with the Spokane Fightin' Fish currently holding 48.0 point margin on the Honolulu Hammerheads who are looking to clinch their third Playoff berth in Franchise History.
Team of the Week: Asti Grape Stompers, 399.0 Points
97-324, 324 AB, 18 2B, 4 3B, 13 HR, 56 RBI, 47 R, 10 SB, 31 BB, 2 CS, HP, 2 SF46 INN, 37 HA, 11 BBI, 40 K, 14 ER, W, 2 L, 4 S, 4 HB, 4 HD
The Grapes filled up the stat sheet in Period 21, leading the with 252.0 hitting points while slashing .299/.360/.500 in addition to a strong 2.74 ERA on the mound over 46.0 innings. It was certainly a group effort on offense with seven different hitters posting 20 or more points over the Period while Framber Valdez’s 39.0 point effort drove the pitching staff. The Grapes enter Period 22 160.5 points out of the final Wild Card spot with two weeks remaining.
Hitter of the Week: OF Yordan Alvarez (Goutfish), 44.5 Points
9-for-21, 2B, 5 HR, 7 BB
The countdown for Yordan Alvarez’s contract expiration is on across the RDBL with the Lake Merced Goutfish in pursuit of a second consecutive Championship while under the league’s best contract. Alvarez mashed yet again in Period 21 with six extra base hits while pacing the RDBL with 44.5 points.
Pitcher of the Week: RHP Albert Suarez (Oppo Tacos), 55.0 Points
11 2/3 IP, 6 HA, 0 ER, 11 K, 3 BB
Suarez rode a pair of strong starts in Period 21 to lower his season ERA to 3.39, filling in for the injured Grayson Rodriguez in the Orioles rotation. The Tacos posted a respectable 284.0 points as they look to get out of the cellar before the end of the RDBL Regular Season.
Prospect of the Week: OF Jackson Merrill (Fringe), 40.0 Points
10-for-24, 4 HR, 2B, 3B, 3 BB
Merrill has flown under the radar in 2024, only recently emerging as a true threat to Paul Skenes for the National League Rookie of the Year Award. The shortstop turned outfielder is slashing .291/.323/.483 playing his Rookie campaign at just 21 years old and looks to have an outstanding future ahead for the Fringe.
Life Insurance Player of the Week: RHP Hayden Birdsong (Fringe) -34.0 Points
6 1/3 IP, 10 H, 12 ER
Things were looking up for the San Francisco Giants young right-hander before hitting a large speedbump in Period 21. With the Fringe closing in on Playoff contention entering the Period, Birdsong was part of a club rotation that posted a 6.86 ERA and 1.70 WHIP for just 7.0 pitching points in the Period.
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