The following Atlantic City Gamblers pitchers were standouts during the 2043 season:
Right-handed relief pitcher Leonardo González
González, 36, impressed in his first season in a Gamblers uniform, fresh off signing a two-year, $10.5 million contract with the team. González finished the 2043 season 6-5 with 5 saves in 8 opportunities (.625 save percentage), a 1.47 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, a 2.95 FIP, 47 strikeouts, and a 1.8 WAR in 73 2/3 innings pitched. González finished the season with career-bests in ERA, innings pitched, WAR, home runs per nine innings pitched (0.2), and opponents' OPS (.559). González wasn't as effective in the playoffs, but did finish 1-0 with 1 save in 1 opportunity (1.000 success rate), a 4.50 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and 7 strikeouts in 8 innings pitched. González figures to remain a key cog in the Gamblers' bullpen in 2044 in the final season of his two-year contract.
Left-handed relief pitcher Emílio López
López, 26, improved for the second consecutive season in key metrics such as ERA, WHIP, and FIP. López finished the 2043 season 6-2 with 1 save in 2 opportunities (.500 save percentage), a 2.36 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, a 3.28 FIP, 73 strikeouts, and a 1.1 WAR in 76 1/3 innings pitched (28 appearances). The former first round, 10th overall pick of the Gamblers did not develop into the starting pitcher the Gamblers initially hoped, but has been a steady bullpen presence since his promotion to the big leagues with a career 2.36 ERA / 3.64 FIP. López has two more seasons under team control as 2043 was his first arbitration-eligible season.
Right-handed starting pitcher Kevin Morales
Morales, 31, had one of his best seasons in years, although the win-loss record doesn't necessarily reflect that. Morales finished the season 7-9 with 1 save in 1 opportunity (1.000 success rate), a 3.36 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, a 3.74 FIP, 112 strikeouts, and a 3.0 WAR in 155 1/3 innings pitched (25 appearances, 24 starts). Morales posted his first sub-4.00 ERA since the 2035 season and posted the second best home runs per nine inning rate (1.1) of his career (career-best 1.0, 2033 & 2034). Morales did miss a significant amount of time this year after suffering from shoulder tendonitis in mid-July, also suffering several setbacks before his return in late August. Morales has two $12 million player options over the next two seasons, and could become a free agent entering the offseason if he declines his player option.
Left-handed closer Carlos Flores
Flores, 22, had a solid rookie season, though was a big inconsistent in converting save opportunities. Flores finished the 2043 season 11-3 with 33 saves in 40 opportunities (.825 save percentage), a 3.43 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, a 3.19 FIP, 99 strikeouts, and a 1.9 WAR in 76 innings pitched (61 appearances). Flores encouraged with a stellar 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings and limited opponents to a slash line of .180/.270/.316. Flores figures to retain his closer job with hopes of improving upon his rookie season.
Right-handed starting pitcher Augusto Morán
Morán, 23, posted a career year in his third BBA season, finishing the 2043 season 8-11 with a 4.00 ERA, a 1.21 WHIP, a 3.52 FIP, 114 strikeouts, and a 4.3 WAR in 195 2/3 innings pitched (30 starts). Morán improved significantly on his 4.87 ERA / 4.87 FIP / 2.1 WAR season in 2042, and surprised the Gamblers' front office as he emerged as a dependable starter. Morán was acquired as a supplemental piece in a 2040 trade that sent José Souza to the Jacksonville Hurricanes.
