The following Atlantic City Gamblers pitchers were impressive performers during the 2048 season:
Carlos 'Tag' Flores
Flores, 27, dominated during the 2048 season, finally turning his obvious massive potential into the results that have been expected of him for years. The former 2nd pick in the 2nd round (76th overall) of the 2039 BBA Amateur Draft finished the 2048 season 17-2 with a 1.78 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP, a 2.27 FIP, a .169 opponents' average, a .516 opponents' OPS, 285 strikeouts, and a 7.8 WAR in 207 1/3 innings pitched (33 starts). Flores led the Johnson League in categories such as wins, ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, strikeouts per nine, and WAR, making him a heavy favorite for the Johnson League Steve Nebraska Golden Arm Award. Flores showed dominant potential during the 2045 season, which was his first year as a starter following his first two seasons as a closer; Flores finished the 2045 season 17-7 with a 3.03 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, a 2.69 FIP, a .215 opponents' average, a .624 opponents' OPS, 270 strikeouts, and a 7.4 WAR in 187 1/3 innings pitched (31 starts). During the 2046 and 2047 seasons, Flores had an increase in ERA (4.18 in 2046, 4.06 in 2047), though his FIP figures were significantly lower than his ERA (3.40 in 2046, 3.27 in 2047). In addition to his amazing production in 2048, Flores has emerged as one the team's vocal leaders and is relied upon to help keep the clubhouse attitude positive, which he has succeeded with despite some recent down years in Atlantic City.
RHP Closer Pat "Muscles" Waites
Waites, 25, had a spectacular season as the Gamblers' closer during the 2048 season. The former 44th pick in the 2nd round (95th overall) of the 2041 BBA Amateur Draft finished the 2048 season 5-4 with 38 saves in 40 opportunities (.950 success rate), a 2.81 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, a 3.87 FIP, a .206 opponents' average, a .658 opponents' OPS, 69 strikeouts, and a 0.5 WAR in 64 innings pitched (64 appearances). Waites did benefit from a low BABIP (.247), but he completed his third major league season while recording an ERA below 3.00 in all three. Of concern, Waites did post career-worst home run per nine (1.4), walks per nine (2.7), and WAR (0.6); his WAR was a sharp contrast to his career-high 2.2 WAR recorded last season. Despite the concern, Waites is poised to be an important cog in the Gamblers bullpen in the immediate future.
Starting pitcher Woody 'Shepherd' Tyler
Tyler, 25, had a great season and ate a significant number of innings for the Gamblers during the 2048 season, leading the Johnson League in innings pitched (216 2/3). The former international free agent from Canada (signed 5/15/2039) finished the season 13-10 with 3.45 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, a 4.49 FIP, a .256 opponents' average, a .729 opponents' OPS, 134 strikeouts, and a 2.1 WAR in 216 2/3 innings pitched (33 starts). Although he was never a top prospect, Tyler has emerged as a legitimate mid-to-back of the rotation starter after struggling in his first few seasons with the Gamblers. Tyler finished his rookie 2045 season with a 9.37 ERA in 4 starts and struggled mightily during the 2046 season (2-5, 5.25 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 5.24 FIP in 50 appearances / 4 starts). It was the 2047 season that sparked optimism for Tyler within the organization, with Tyler finishing the season 10-10 with a 4.17 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, a 4.91 FIP, a .264 opponents' average, a .764 opponents' OPS, 113 strikeouts, and a 1.1 WAR in 196 1/3 innings pitched (32 starts).
Reliever Jason Ramey
Ramey, 26, finished the season 2-0 with a 2.90 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, a a 2.68 FIP, a .237 opponents' average, a .637 opponents' OPS, 60 strikeouts, and a 1.3 WAR in 59 innings pitched (47 appearances). Similar to Tyler, Ramey had a relatively poor performance with the Gamblers prior to his 2048 breakout. The former 5th pick in the 3rd round (98th overall) of the 2040 BBA Amateur Draft started off his Gamblers career with eight starts during the 2045 season, which yielded poor results (2-5, 7.08 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, 7.09 FIP). His 2046 season showed improved form (5-7, 4.51 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 5.06 FIP) while splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen (31 appearances, 15 starts); however, he regressed again during the 2047 season (5-8, 5.85 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 4.94 FIP) in terms of ERA, which created questions in spring training as to whether he would even make the Gamblers roster. He did and the rest was history as he has set himself up nicely to serve an important role in the Gamblers bullpen in 2049.
