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Mets: Robert Gsellman to make Mets’ Rotation, Fantasy Impact

By Adam H. McGinnis

Mar 23, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Robert Gsellman (65) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Robert Gsellman (65) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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 With the regular season about to kick off, the New York Mets have picked Robert Gsellman to be in their starting rotation.

FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman reported on Twitter that Robert Gsellman will occupy the fourth spot in the New York Mets‘ rotation. It’s not yet clear who will win the fifth spot. Gsellman will be a part of a Mets pitching staff that figures to be one of the best in the majors.

Gsellman, 23, allowed only three earned runs in 17.1 innings pitched during spring training. After being called up last August in order to take the then-injured Steven Matz’s spot, Gsellman has shown real promise as a starter.

Potential Fantasy Impact

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The young right-hander made seven starts for the Mets last season, going 4-2 with a 2.42 ERA over 44.2 innings pitched. Gsellman also had an impressive 8.5 K/9 over that span, even though he’s not a top-velocity guy. This to go along with a WHIP of 1.267 and a FIP of 2.63.

If Gsellman can start this season picking up where he left off, he could make for a viable starter on your roster. At the very least, he’s worth stashing, as he could develop into one of the better young starters in the league.

Handling the rigors of the long MLB season can prove difficult for some rookies (Gsellman will retain rookie status through 2017), but if he can do it, I’d actually take him over Steven Matz on the list of Mets pitchers, crazy as that may seem. Gsellman remains relatively unproven at this point, but with Matz’s continuing struggles to stay healthy, Gsellman may well be the less risky option, even with his short body of work.

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The tools are all there for Gsellman to continue having success in the majors. His slider has even been compared that of teammate Jacob deGrom’s. That alone should give you an idea of the righty’s prospective talent.

Now, Gsellman isn’t a lock to be an impactful fantasy starter, but the potential is definitely there for him to be a successful pitcher on one of the league’s best rotations.

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If solid starting pitchers start to become sparse toward the end of your draft, Gsellman could be a wise investment for your team. If he performs like he did at the end of last season, Gsellman could wind up being a bargain.

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