Mets like what they see in pitcher Robert Gsellman

The New York Mets like what they see in pitcher Robert Gsellman.  Based on the numbers, they’re right for liking him so much.

Something is happening to New York Mets pitcher Robert Gsellman. Whether it’s due to pitching out of the bullpen or pitching coach converted manager Mickey Callaway, Gsellman is starting the season in ways that nobody expected.

In his most recent outing, in the series finale against the Marlins, he was dominant. He struck out all three batters he faced and brought his season ERA down to 1.29.

Through six outings, it’s the third time he struck out every batter he faced. It was also his fourth perfect outing. When it comes to strikeouts, these are huge numbers both on their own and when compared to last season.

More from Rising Apple

• NY Mets Free Agent Retrospective: Daniel Murphy becomes an enemy
• NY Mets: 1 major award you didn’t realize the team has never won
• NY Mets: Trade market for starting pitchers feels non-existent
• NY Mets prospect Eric Orze has the stuff to become a future closer
• NY Mets Rumors: 1 big threat to steal 2 Flushing free agents

In 2017, Gsellman struck out 82 batters in 119.2 innings, mostly as a starter. His strikeouts per nine innings rate were just below 6.2. Over his final 12 starts of the season, he failed to throw more than four strikeouts in a game.

During that stretch, he averaged more than five innings per start. This season is a whole other story as Gsellman has been a strikeout machine. Following the completion of Wednesday’s game, he struck out 12 batters over the course of seven innings.

That’s good for a K/9 rate of more than 15. If that rate were to keep up, Gsellman would surpass last seasons total in under 50 innings.

Keeping runners from scoring has also been one of his specialties this season with his 1.29 ERA. After his second start of 2017, his ERA was 4.50 and it would never drop below that for the remainder of the season. He finished the season with a 5.19 ERA.

One reason that his ERA was so high was because of the unrealistically high number of home runs he was giving up. He gave up 17 home runs throughout the season. That equates to a HR/9 rate of 1.3. This was a surprise because in 2016 he gave up only one home run all season, over 44 innings.

This season is beginning to look a lot like his 2016 campaign as he has yet to give up a home run.

Next: Mets: Mickey Callaway avoiding rookie manager mistakes

What’s going to happen from now on? Gsellman might start slacking in some areas but it looks like he could rebuild himself into one of the Mets best relievers. He’s a special weapon Callaway has in the later innings. So far, they’ve used him well.