Billy James Gobble (born July 19, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox.
High school career
Gobble attended John S. Battle High School in Bristol, Virginia and started four years on the varsity team. He led the team to three state tournament appearances and compiled a 32–8 record and 512 strikeouts.
As a senior, Gobble was 10–1 with a 0.49 earned run average (ERA), striking out 151 and allowing just 23 hits in 71 innings of work. His only loss came at the hands of Sullivan East High School, which is located in nearby Bluff City, Tennessee. He was also a strong hitter, compiling a .493 batting average with nine home runs, 30 RBI and 24 walks.
Gobble signed a baseball scholarship with the University of Kentucky before being drafted by the Royals with the 43rd pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball draft.
Professional career
Kansas City Royals
Gobble made his professional debut in with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Royals, posting a 2.70 ERA in four games (one start). He was promoted to the Single-A Charleston Alley Cats for the season, and finished 12–10 with a 3.66 ERA and three complete games (two shutouts) in 25 starts. Gobble returned to Wichita at the start of , and pitched well, going 12–8 with a 3.19 ERA in 22 starts. In his second start on August 6, he again defeated the Devil Rays, allowing seven hits and one earned run in Kansas City's 6–2 win. Gobble made nine starts with the Royals to close the 2003 season, going 4–5 with a 4.61 ERA.
Gobble was named the Royals' fourth starter to open . On May 3, Gobble finished within one out of a complete game shutout against the Toronto Blue Jays, but after allowing two straight hits and a run, he was pulled for Royals closer Mike MacDougal, who went on to allow the tying run. The Royals still went on to win, 3–2. On July 29, Gobble was optioned to the Triple-A Omaha Royals following a rough stretch of starts. He returned a month later on August 29, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits in innings in a no-decision against the Seattle Mariners. In his next start on September 5, Gobble recorded his first career complete game in a 12–3 victory over the Minnesota Twins. In 25 games (24 starts), Gobble was 9–8 with a 5.35 ERA. but was not selected and opened the season in Triple-A Omaha. On June 20, Gobble was recalled and placed in Kansas City's bullpen. He ultimately finished the season with a record of 1–1 and a 5.70 ERA in 28 games (four starts). Gobble posted a record of 4–1 with one save and a 3.02 ERA in his appearances. He finished the 2008 season with an 0–2 record, one save and an ERA of 8.81 in 39 relief appearances.
On January 19, , Gobble signed a one-year, $1.35 million contract with the Royals to avoid arbitration.
Texas Rangers
On March 21, 2009, the Texas Rangers signed Gobble to a minor league contract and invited him to Spring Training. He was released on March 30.
Chicago White Sox
On April 5, 2009, the Chicago White Sox signed Gobble to a minor league contract and assigned him to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. He was promoted to the major league roster on May 11, taking the roster spot of struggling starter José Contreras. On July 7, he was designated for assignment. At the time, he had recorded a 7.50 ERA in 12 games. He did not allow a hit in three Cactus League outings and appeared to have locked up a spot as the team's left-handed specialist before suffering an injury.
He appeared in two games for the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox before retiring.