Mets select LHP Sean Gilmartin in Rule 5 Draft

During the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday morning, the Mets selected LHP Sean Gilmartin from the Minnesota Twins.

With the Mets’ 40-man roster now full with the signing of John Mayberry, Jr., the Mets will have to clear room in order to add Gilmartin. With Dillon Gee potentially soon to be traded, that might be the roster move.

Gilmartin, 24, has been a starter throughout his minor league career, but he will almost certainly be used in relief by the Mets.

For the Twins this past season in Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Rochester, Gilmartin posted a 3.71 ERA in 26 starts.

In 2014, Gilmartin held lefties to a triple slash of .201/.219/.235 while allowing no home runs, walking four and striking out 49.

Drafted by the Braves in the first round of the 2011 Draft, Gilmartin was dealt to the Twins last December for Ryan Doumit.

Thoughts:

Along with the recently signed Scott Rice, Gilmartin will give the Mets another lefty option for the pen to pair with Josh Edgin.

While Gilmartin has been lights out against lefties, Mets GM Sandy Alderson intimated that the Mets don’t view him as a guy who will face only lefties.

Gilmartin may be able to cross over a bit, but the expectation should be that he’ll get the bulk of his work against lefties.

At the moment, it appears that the Mets have five locks for the bullpen with Jenrry Mejia, Jeurys Familia, Vic Black, Josh Edgin, and Carlos Torres.

Along with the above five will likely be another lefty – perhaps Gilmartin if the Mets don’t add another lefty option to compete with him – and one more right-hander.

With Bobby Parnell set to return from Tommy John surgery around May, whoever fills the last slot in the pen on Opening Day will probably be someone who is more of a placeholder than anything.