2053.02 - Shark Bites - 5/19/53 - Gomez, Zalapa, Pitchers

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2053.02 - Shark Bites - 5/19/53 - Gomez, Zalapa, Pitchers

Post by Lane » Wed Dec 14, 2022 2:13 pm

ROUGH START, BUT PITCHING BETTER

Welcome back to Shark Bites, the article I write when I don't really feel like writing. Still 100% human-generated...for now.

Catcher Pedro Gomez has reportedly reached out to the Long Beach front office requesting a contract extension. No word on the dollar amount or length requested, but one would imagine that Surfers management would be open to a discussion. Gomez is 34, but is having a resurgent season at the plate, hitting .349/.378/.504 in 31 starts so far this season. His defense is becoming less reliable but another couple years of Gomez could be just enough for prospect Rhys Atticus to be ready to take over.

Second baseman and offseason acquisition Angel Zalapa is nearing a return to the roster after a setback in his recovery from a strained oblique. He was placed on the IL at the end of the first week of the season, and it is suspected that he had been dealing with the injury for sometime without letting the team know. He hit just .042/.179/.042 in 28 plate appearances in the teams first seven games. He was signed to a 1 year $13 million contract with a mutual option for a second year at the same amount. If he is able to return and produce at a level similar to what he did last year in Valencia, it would be a huge boost to the struggling team.

The revamped pitching staff for the Surfers seem to be paying off so far. The starters ERA is currently ranked 6th in the FL and the bullpen 5th. Notable improvements are relievers Luis Manuel Rodriguez (1.59 ERA vs 5.07 last year), Dell Willis (2.55/4.23) and Scott Everard (2.95/4.12). Barry Short is also adjusting well to a full time role in the bullpen, while concern is starting to mount for former top prospect Sam Rutgers. The 10th overall pick and former darling of the LB farm system is struggling in the bullpen (6.12 ERA) after a disastrous 2052 season that resulted in a 6.23 ERA over 34 games (21 starts).
Stephen Lane
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General Manager, Long Beach Surfers
Since 2026

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