Gasser makes statement to be in rotation
PEORIA, Ariz. – Robert Gasser still lives with his parents, but this spring he seems determined to make himself a household name of his own.
The 24-year-old left-hander began his offseason ramp-up process earlier than usual in hopes of showing up to camp ready to compete with his best foot forward for a spot in the Milwaukee Brewers starting rotation.
Gasser's days this winter at his parents' home in southern California consisted of morning throwing, weight lifting and then lots of time watching television with his folks on the couch.
His days this spring consist of really strong pitching – and a lot of it.
And Gasser, acquired at the trade deadline in 2021 in the Josh Hader deal with the San Diego Padres, is hurling his way into consideration for the opening day roster in Milwaukee because of it.
Through 10 innings and four starts, including four strong innings Thursday in a 4-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners, Gasser has a 2.70 strikeout and 11 strikeouts. His sweeper is showing the makings of a real plus pitch to both lefties and righties, and despite velocity that doesn't jump off the screen he crafts a trio of fastballs that each works effectively in conjunction with the others.
“He's got a swing and miss,” is what Brewers manager Pat Murphy said stands out the most about Gasser. “Usually the crafty lefty that works both sides, there's not that many punches. The fact that he's got a swing and miss separates him a little bit.”
Robert Gasser makes his arsenal work because of a great understanding of himself
The whole of Gasser's arsenal is greater than the sum of his individual pitches. Talk to him and it's quickly clear that he knows himself, his stuff and what works to what types of hitters.
By pairing a four-seam fastball, thrown between 92 and 94 mph typically, with a two-seamer around a similar velocity, as part of a five-pitch repertoire but doesn't rely on them as his primary pitches. By doing so, Gasser has learned he can still get by without having elite traits to either pitch because the fastballs play off each other to keep hitters unsure as they're veering toward the edge of the plate.
“I feel like it honestly expands the plate for me,” Gasser said. “I get a couple extra inches just because the hitters aren't completely certain which way it's going to go.”
Gasser has also began to lean heavily on a cutter he developed after being drafted by the San Diego Padres out of the University of Houston in 2021. It has become critical in his development, especially as it pertains to getting righthanders out.
Because Gasser is so naturally gifted at supinating his wrist as he throws – leading to great feel for spin with pitches such as his slider – his changeup, which requires pronating, never progressed as hoped. Instead, the cutter is now a true second option against righties. He called this pitch “critical” to his progression.
“Coming out of college I didn't have it,” Gasser continued. “Started to develop it. It's transformed a little bit and found a shape that I think is going to make it play. But, yeah, it's keeping righties at bay and even against lefties, I get some not-amazing swings on it. But definitely important against righties.”
Expect Gasser to make his MLB debut early in 2024
Gasser was on the precipice of the majors for much of last season. He led the International League in strikeouts with Class AAA Nashville and had a 3.09 ERA with 115 strikeouts to 24 walks over his last 17 starts, earning co-pitcher-ofthe-year honors in Milwaukee's minorleague system.
There were moments, he admitted, when he thought the call was going to come to pack his bags and catch a flight to Mitchell International. But it never did.
This spring, Gasser looks like someone pitching with something to prove.
“He has a little edge to him because he didn't get called up last year,” Murphy said. “I don't blame him. He's got a little edge to him.”
Gasser isn't just going out to work on getting a feel for his pitches or to get his cardio work in during his Cactus League outings. He's competing.
“Obviously I'm aware that it's an opportunity,” Gasser said. “But at the end of the day, I don't have control over that. I can go out and throw strikes and compete when I get the chance.”
Gasser still appears to be on the outside looking in at a crowded rotation. Even if Wade Miley opens the season in the injured list, Freddy Peralta and Colin Rea have already locked up starting spots and DL Hall seems to be a good bet, as well. That leaves two starting spots up for grabs and a cascade of contenders – Joe Ross, Jakob Junis, Aaron Ashby and Gasser primarily among them – to battle it out.
Gasser's odds of making the team were low coming into camp but are now trending up in his manager's eyes.
“I think he's pretty darn close,” Murphy said Thursday.
Murphy also offered a nugget on when Gasser may be seen in Milwaukee even if he starts in Nashville.
“If he doesn't make the opening day roster, you'll see him fairly soon,” Murphy said. “We've got a couple back-toback 13-game stretches with one day off. With the state of our pitching staff in terms of experience, guys stretched out, guys that have gone five, six innings in the big leagues, there's not too many that have done it too many times.
“I think you're going to see Gasser early.”