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However tough I thought the 2047 season was to endure(a 14 win drop in the standings and a playoff watcher) the 2048 season was 100 times more difficult to live through. A lot of the same players from the 98 win team of 2046 were still playing for the 2048 version of the Montreal Blazers but this team only managed 73 wins. A long, quick fall from grace indeed. The 2048 season was a literal roller coaster with each month alternating between winning and losing with the losing months being far worse than the winning months were good. Even the final month was challenging as we tried to finish the season with dignity. We started the month 7-7 but finished with a fizzle losing 10 of our last thirteen including a demoralizing seven game losing streak.
While the season was certainly a disappointment there were some good things that happened on the field. Some players that continued to play well and others that finally came into their own while others that were complete surprises.
CL Carlton Casson collected a career high 35 saves for the second consecutive season. Despite a rough July that saw him give up seven earned runs in nine innings he finished the season with a 2.14 ERA and just three blown saves. The 28 year old moved into fifth place on the Blazers' all time saves list and with 26 more next year he would move into third.
RP Anthony Annear was a 22 year old relief pitcher taken from Boise in the Rule V draft. He overcame low expectations in spring training by making the Blazers' bullpen with a 2.08 ERA. Things only got better for Annear once the season started. He was lights out for Montreal April through June before the league started to catch up to him a little. His June was amazing as he 20 in 14.2 innings while giving up just one earned run for a 0.61 ERA. July through September were not as good and Annear finished the season with a 2.14 ERA and a sub-one WHiP for the 2048 season.
3B Eduardo Gonzalez put up the best WAR of his career since his rookie season. He led the Blazers in runs scored, hits, RBI, doubles, homers, walks, slugging percentage, OPS, and WAR.
The Rodriguez boys were mid season additions to the major league team that found their place in the Montreal lineup. OF Juan Rodriguez was a minor league free agent signing that earned a call up the first week of May and he never looked back. The soon to be 29 year old hit .302 with 14 homers hitting regularly against righties. 2B Jose Rodriguez was a late season waiver pick up that found his place hitting against lefties. Both are expected to contribute and get regular at-bats for Montreal in 2049.