Don’t Gsell Robert short
ATLANTA — Who is Robert Gsellman? Is he the precision pitcher who kept the Mets in the playoff hunt last September? That is what they expected this spring, when they made him the front-runner in the race for a rotation spot.
Or is he the young pitcher who struggled to command his pitches and hold that spot most of this season?
The Mets are still trying to figure that out.
They will certainly be more cautious with their expectations for him going into spring training next season. With Sandy Alderson having already said the Mets will likely reshape their rotation, maybe adding a veteran inningseater and bulking up the bullpen to prepare better for the possibility of starters who get injured or struggle to get through five innings, the Mets have to decide how much they can rely on Gsellman.
The 24-year-old righthander is seemingly trying to figure that out himself, too.
Sunday is exactly what the Mets hope Gsellman will be.
Gsellman allowed one unearned run — courtesy of backto-back Amed Rosario errors — on three hits over seven innings in the Mets’ 5-1 win over the Braves at SunTrust Park. He struck out three and did not walk a batter.
Seven innings was his season high and Sunday was the third time he reached it, but it was the first time he completed seven innings since May 29.
Gsellman was efficient because he pounded the lower half of the strike zone, worked inside, changed speeds and hit his spots. He pitched to contact, and allowed his defense to make plays behind him.
The problem is that the Mets know Gsellman is capable of that, but he has not been able to do it consistently. For example, in his last start, against an admittedly better lineup in the Cubs, he was chased after just four innings work and 93 pitches. He walked five in that start, basically dooming him and the Mets.
Sunday, Gsellman did not give away a free base and was efficient with his pitches.
“Sometimes, I think he tried to be like the other guys,” Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen said. “He tries to pick up his game like a Noah (Syndergaard) or a (Matt Harvey) or Jacob (deGrom). But, he’s best when he’s 92 miles with sink and he is using his changeup. I think at times this season, we seen him try too hard.”
Gsellman came into spring training looking to beat out Seth Lugo and Zack Wheeler for a rotation spot. Injuries made the competition moot and he began the season with a 6.16 ERA over his first 14 appearances. He was demoted to the bullpen and pushed back into the rotation because of injuries. Then he had his own — which led to a bruised ego.
He spent time on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring and the Mets extended his rehab time to let him try and work out his issues on the mound. That led to an odd flap with Alderson, who suggested publicly that Gsellman pitch better in his rehab assignments to get back. Gsellman responded via the press he didn’t care and had to apologize publicly.
When the Mets had to shut down Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler for the season, Gsellman got another chance to leave a better impression on Alderson and the Mets.
“I am just trying to finish strong with these guys,” Gsellman said. “Just get some good momentum for next spring and keep it rolling.” unday was a good day for Gsellman and he gave the Mets something to think about, Terry Collins said. “He’s a competitive guy, always have been. He’s an outstanding athlete,” the Mets manager said. “He’s being challenged, he hasn’t had the kind of year he anticipated or we anticipated.
SRight now, he’s got to show us he can be one of those guys again. Today he showed us he could.”
But the Mets have seen this before last September and this year they have seen Gsellman go back and forth between a good start and struggling. He has to show them some consistency. Gsellman needs to show them the pitcher he really is going to be.