We continue our State of the Franchise series with the Asti Grape Stompers who are coming off a 14th Place finish overall while ranking 11th in hitting and last in pitching. Despite the results on the field, this is a Franchise headed in the right direction with a wave of young talent projected to join the Active Roster next season.
President of Baseball Operations: Terry Shelley
Headquarters: Asti, CA
Seasons: 10
Cash Finishes: 3
Lifetime Earnings: $1,525
Top Hitter: Freddie Freeman, 459.0 (2019)
Top Pitcher: Walker Buehler, 589.0 (2021)
2023 Season
The Grapes knew 2023 would be a season of transition and GM Terry Shelley, despite matching their worst finish in Franchise History, found multiple building blocks to aid their elite Farm System with the goal of returning to contention next year. As soon as Shelley held off from an Opening Day activation for Jordan Walker, it was clear the Front Office had their eyes set on 2024 and beyond.
The club aced investments in Spencer Steer and Masataka Yoshida while landing Pablo Lopez from the Honolulu Hammerheads for an expiring Brendan Donovan and a 2024 4th Round Pick turned out to be one of the steals of the summer. Lopez is set to return for his final season of control as the ace of the Grapes after posting a 2.75 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 68 2/3 innings after the deal while adding a pair of excellent post-season starts to his resume.
2024 Pending Free Agents
RHP Brady Singer, OF Mitch Haniger
Current Projected Keeper Roster Ranked by Value
1. SS/3B Bobby Witt, Jr. (3R/$5)
2. 1B/2B/3B/OF Spencer Steer (2/$1)
3. OF Jordan Walker (Projected Activation, 1R/$1)
4. RHP Pablo Lopez (3/$13)
5. C Francisco Alvarez (Projected Activation, 1R/$1)
6. OF Mike Trout (2/$58)
7. OF Masataka Yoshida (2/$23)
8. RHP Hunter Greene (2R/$3)
9. RHP Alex Cobb (2/$3)
10. LHP Kyle Harrison (Projected Activation, 1R/$1)
11. 3B Curtis Mead (Projected Activation, 1R/$1)
12. SS Jordan Lawlar (Projected Activation, 1R/$1)
13. OF Pete Crow-Armstrong (Projected Activation, 1R/$1)
14. RHP Shane Baz (2D/$5)
15. OF Colton Cowser (Projected Activation, 1R/$1)
The Grapes look poised to add as many as seven activations on Opening Day of 2024, giving GM Terry Shelley some extreme cap space flexibility, especially with Mike Trout's return not thought to be a lock. While the Grapes might not be that aggressive with all seven, the Keeper group is loaded at the top end with Bobby Witt, Jr. emerging into a star while Spencer Steer quietly posted a 429 point season while Walker, Lopez and Francisco Alvarez give them a legitimate top-five that's owed just $21 combined.
There's work to do in the rotation with a wide variance of health and/or consistency with Hunter Greene, Alex Cobb, Kyle Harrison and Shane Baz making the Grapes cap space likely a strong bet to be used with a top of the rotation starter.
Farm System
1. 3B Jordan Walker (Cardinals)
2. C Francisco Alvarez (Mets)
3. SS Jordan Lawlar (D'Backs)
4. LHP Kyle Harrison (Giants)
5. OF Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs)
6. 3B Curtis Mead (Rays)
7. C Ethan Salas (Padres)
8. RHP Dylan Lesko (Padres)
9. OF Colton Cowser (Orioles)
10. RHP Mick Abel (Phillies)
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Next Best: OF Emmanuel Rodriguez (MIN), LHP Carson Whisenhunt (SF), SS Felnin Celestin (SEA), SS Kahlil Watson (MIA)
The Grapes have a case for the top Farm System in the RDBL with seven prospects finishing the 2023 season in the big leagues with five additional prospects already in the Top-100 led by young phenom Ethan Salas. As that group graduates, keep an eye on Emmanuel Rodriguez, Dylan Lesko and Carson Whisenhunt who all have big ceilings heading into 2024.
Off-Season Questions
1. How aggressive will Shelley be with Activations?
It's safe to assume Jordan Walker and Francisco Alvarez will be Opening Day activations in 2024. But GM Terry Shelley will be staring at potential activations for Kyle Harrison, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Curtis Mead, Colton Cowser and Jordan Lawlar who all could start next season with big league roles.
2. Cash in on some of the Farm System?
While Shelley would love to sit back and be patient with their loaded Farm System, superstar Bobby Witt, Jr. is entering the final season of control putting some pressure on the Grapes to build a winner in 2024. There's plenty of depth to the Grapes Farm, allowing Shelley to dip into the Trade Market this Winter for potential Active Roster upgrades.
3. How does the Starting Rotation shake out?
The rotation will be led by Pablo Lopez, a savvy pickup in 2023, but there are plenty of questions behind the right-hander. The group of Hunter Greene, Alex Cobb, Shane Baz, Casey Mize, Emmet Sheehan, Jon Gray and Kyle Harrison will likely be fighting for four spots next Spring.
4. Does Mike Trout return at 2/$58?
Trout has now played 140 games in just one season since 2016, not crossing the 400 point mark since 2019. Trout is likely worth the $58 he is owed in 2024, but it might not be the right fit for the Grapes who are likely to enter next season with the youngest roster in the RDBL and some major volatility on the mound.