Last season, Zach Eflin made a game-changing move by joining the Rays, expecting to be part of a stellar pitching rotation. However, injuries struck the team, and Eflin stood out as their most reliable starting pitcher, boasting a 16-8 record and a 3.50 ERA over a career-high 31 starts. This impressive performance earned him a sixth-place finish in the American League Cy Young Award voting. As a result, Eflin has been named the Rays' opening day starter for the upcoming season, a decision that he deeply appreciates and feels honored by.
Growing up in Orlando, Eflin was a devoted Rays fan. When the Rays expressed interest in him after he became a free agent, Eflin was thrilled. Despite expectations that the Rays would pursue a left-handed bat, they went after Eflin, offering him a three-year, $40 million contract, the largest in team history for a free agent. Eflin's season was marked by remarkable consistency and health, missing only two weeks due to back tightness while pitching a career-high 177⅔ innings.
With key pitchers like Shane McClanahan out for the season due to Tommy John surgery, the Rays will heavily rely on Eflin to lead a relatively inexperienced rotation. Eflin recognizes the opportunity this presents, acknowledging that injuries and losses have reshaped the team but also highlighting the talent among the Rays' pitching staff. He feels both humbled and ready for the responsibility of being the opening day starter, a role he has long worked toward.
Beyond his performance on the field, Eflin has been a positive presence in the Rays' clubhouse, offering leadership and organizing team-bonding activities. His efforts were recognized when he won the Tampa Bay baseball writers’ Paul C. Smith Champion Award, which honors a player who embodies professionalism both on and off the field. Eflin's selection as the opening day starter marks a significant milestone in his career, and he looks forward to continuing to contribute to the team's success in the seasons to come.
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