The 2022 season continues to hold up as the most competitive in RDBL History as several races remain in play with just three periods to go in the Regular Season. The Alamo Short Stacks and Maltese Falcons continue to throw haymakers at each other as they have made it a two-team race for the Regular Season Title.
The Mission Viejo Maulers and Spokane Fightin' Fish are fighting for third place and the Masters Division Title. The Maulers are hoping to match their best finish in Franchise History (3rd in 2014) while seeking their first Division Pennant.
The most exciting race might be the one for the final two Wild Card spots as the Burlingame Blue Ducks leveraged a big Sunday to take over 5th Place, jumping over the Meinert Hops and Lake Merced Goutfish. The three clubs enter Period 19 separated by just 22.0 points overall.
Team of the Week: Alamo Short Stacks, 432.0 Points
103-346, 346 AB, 24 2B, 2 3B, 15 HR, 54 RBI, 50 R, 8 SB, 31 BB, CS, 4 HP, 6 SF
58 INN, 45 HA, 16 BBI, 59 K, 22 ER, 3 W, 2 L, 3 S, 3 HB
For the second consecutive week, the Alamo Short Stacks paced the RDBL in scoring led by their offense which slashed .298/.357/.509 over the past seven days. The group posted 15 home runs, 24 doubles, a pair of tripes and 31 walks led by a balanced attack from their lineup with Eloy Jimenez, Mookie Betts, Ryan McMahon, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Jeff McNeil and Juan Soto all posting 28.5 points or more. The club also enjoyed the return of Jacob deGrom who looked to be in vintage form with 18 strikeouts in 10 innings, allowing three earned runs.
Pitcher of the Week: Kevin Gausman, Falcons, 68.0 Points
14 INN, 7 HA, BBI, 15 K, W, HB
The Falcons kept pace with the Alamo Short Stacks in large part thanks to a dominant week from ace Kevin Gausman who twirled 14 shutout innings while punching out 15. Gausman lowered his season ERA to 2.91 and is lined up for a Period 19 start against the Guardians as the club tries to claw back on top of the RDBL Standings with three periods remaining in the Regular Season.
Hitter of the Week: Pete Alonso, Fightin' Fish, 38.0 Points
11-30, 30 AB, 2 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 8 R, 6 BB
Pete Alonso led the way for the 3rd Place Fightin' Fish, reaching base 17 times in the Period along with three home runs and a pair of doubles. Alonso has been one of the league's most underrated values as he wraps up the final year of his $13 contract. He's on pace for the best season of his career at 528.5 points after posting 501.5 and 417.5 in 2019 and 2021.
Prospect of the Week: Elly de la Cruz, Clovers
Elly de la Cruz has quickly emerged as the most exciting prospect in the Minor Leagues as he has quickly transitioned to his Double-A promotion. The shortstop has slashed .370/.408/.783 with four home runs over the past 10 days to pair with some highlight reel plays on the bases and at the plate. As of last week, de la Cruz was on a 41 home runs, 64 steal pace over 650 plate appearances.
Life Insurance Player of the Week: Sean Manaea, Goutfish, -30.0
Manaea was on the bench for the Goutfish, but the move by GM Ryan Atkinson highlights just how far the left-hander has fallen since being considered one of the steals of the draft. It was his fourth negative start in his last nine appearances as he has posted just 4.0 combined points since June 14th.
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