Robert Gsellman
Player Data: Age: 27, B/T: R/R
Primary Stats: 6 G, 0-0, 14.0 IP, 9.64 ERA, 5.79 K/9, 5.14 BB/9, 2.143 WHIP
Advanced Stats: 45 ERA+, 7.55 FIP, -0.5 WAR
Free Agent: 2023
2020 Salary:$1.225 million
Grade: D-
2020 Review
Robert Gsellman’s shortened 2020 season was nothing short of a disaster.
After starting off the season on the Injured List with a tricep injury suffered during summer camp, Gsellman made his first appearance of the season on August 8. Coming out of the pen for an appearance versus the division rival Miami Marlins, Gsellman was effective, going one inning, and allowing only one hit on two strikeouts and no earned runs.
That was his last solid appearance of the year.
With the Mets struggling for help in their starting rotation, they made the decision to stretch Gsellman, putting him in the rotation on August 12th. His first start came against the Washington Nationals and was discouraging to say the least. Gsellman lasted just two innings, gave up four hits and three earned runs, and boosted his ERA from 0.00 to 9.00 in just one game.
The Mets, still looking for answers to their rotation problem, kept trying Gsellman to no avail. His next two starts combined, he went just 5.2 IP, giving up seven hits, two earned runs, and two walks. His biggest problem was his inability to last deep into games, as his longest start of the season lasted just four frames.
Gsellman made his fourth and final start of the season on September 3rd versus the Yankees and was knocked out before the end of the second inning, giving up four hits and four earned runs while walking four over 1.2 innings of work.
His confidence obviously shaken, Gsellman moved back to the bullpen, and made his final appearance of the season in long relief versus the Orioles on September 8th. Already down by four runs, Gsellman did not help the Mets’ cause, as he gave up a season-high six earned runs on six hits, including two long-balls, while also walking two over 3.2 IP.
Later on, it was discovered that Gsellman had fractured a rib during the game, sending him back to the IL and ending his 2020 season with a disappointing finish.
Gsellman’s 2020 statistics showcased a definite decline in ability. His K/9 dropped by almost three points, while his BB/9 increased by two. His HR/9 increased from 0.99 in 2019 to 2.57 in 2020, and hitters batting average against balls in play against him rose to .367.
Albeit, his sample size was minuscule, and the Mets did misuse him in terms of the relief role he was used to coming into the season, but nonetheless, 2020 was a disappointing tailspin for Gsellman.
2021 Outlook
There are only two things that are keeping me from slapping an F on Gsellman’s season and calling it a day; he had a tiny sample size and he was misused. Gsellman wasn’t even in the conversation for a starting rotation option at the beginning of the season, and he was thrust into the role with little preparation after two straight seasons of primarily relief work. If Gsellman can work on his health, and his role is defined as a reliever, I can see him going back to a somewhat effective middle-reliever during the 2021 season.
