| Robert Gsellman | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Gsellman with the Mets in 2018 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1993-07-18)July 18, 1993 (age 31) Santa Monica, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: August 23, 2016, for the New York Mets | |
| NPB: August 27, 2022, for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars | |
| MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 20–18 |
| Earned run average | 4.60 |
| Strikeouts | 289 |
| NPB statistics (through 2023 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 4–6 |
| Earned run average | 4.02 |
| Strikeouts | 55 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Robert John Gsellman (/ɡəˈzɛlmən/gə-ZEL-mən;[1] born July 18, 1993) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball for theNew York Mets andChicago Cubs, and inNippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for theYokohama DeNA BayStars.
Gsellman is the son of Bob Gsellman, a formerminor leaguecatcher drafted by thePhiladelphia Phillies in the 23rd round of the1984 MLB Draft fromCulver City High School in California.[2][3] Gsellman attendedWestchester High School inLos Angeles, where he played bothbasketball and baseball. He was aCalifornia Interscholastic Federation state champion in basketball as a junior and voted team captain as a senior.[4][5] As a junior baseball player, he had a .649batting average and 1.67ERA.[4] He was also named toESPN RISE's Underclassmen All-California team.[6] As a senior, he finished with a .608 batting average with eighthome runs and a 1.70 ERA.[6] He verbally committed toLos Angeles Harbor College as a senior.[7]
Gsellman was drafted by theNew York Mets in the 13th round of the2011 Major League Baseball draft.[8][9] He signed with the Mets and made his professional debut with theGulf Coast Mets. From 2012 to 2015 he played for theKingsport Mets,Brooklyn Cyclones,Savannah Sand Gnats,St. Lucie Mets andBinghamton Mets.[10] During 2015 with St. Lucie, he was named to the FSL mid-season All Star team, however, did not participate due to his promotion to Binghamton. The Mets added him to their 40-man roster after the season.[11] Also, the team announced that Robert Gsellman was named the Sterling Organizational Pitcher of The Year. For the year Gsellman went 13-7 with a 2.89 ERA in 24 combined starts for St. Lucie and Binghamton. He led the organization with 13 wins and was third in the organization in ERA among qualified pitchers.
Gsellman began the 2016 season with theLas Vegas 51s of theTriple–APacific Coast League.[12] The Mets promoted him to the major leagues on August 22 whenSteven Matz was placed on thedisabled list.[13] Gsellman made his Major League debut on August 23, 2016. Taking over forJonathan Niese, who had left the game with left knee pain after pitching1⁄3 of an inning, Gsellman pitched 3 and1⁄3 innings, racking up 2 strikeouts, giving up no runs, and earning his first Major League win, the second Met rookie to do so in his debut in 2016, afterGabriel Ynoa.[14] Due to an injury to his labrum, Gsellman was unable to swing the bat during his 2016 Major League stint.[15] Nevertheless, on September 25 atCiti Field, Gsellman picked up his first Major League hit on abunt off of Phillies pitcherJake Thompson.[16]
Gsellman began the 2017 season as a member of the Mets starting rotation.[17] He was 8-7 with a 5.19 ERA. Batters reached base against him on errors 16 times, tops in the major leagues.[18]
In the 2018 season, Gsellman pitched exclusively out of the bullpen for the Mets. He was 6-3 with a 4.28 ERA and 13saves.[19] On May 20, he picked up five outs against theArizona Diamondbacks and recorded the first save of his major league career.[20]
In 2019 for the Mets, Gsellman pitched to a 4.66 ERA in 63.2 innings across 52 appearances before suffering a partially torn right lat in August that would cause him to miss the remainder of the season.[21]
Gsellman opened thepandemic shortened 2020 season on the injured list due to right triceps soreness. On September 8, 2020, Gsellman suffered a fractured rib in an appearance against theBaltimore Orioles, and missed the remainder of the 2020 season.[22] On the year, Gsellman had pitched to a ghastly 9.64 ERA in six appearances, four of them starts, to go along with 9 strikeouts in 14.0 innings pitched.[23]
On June 23, 2021, Gsellman was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right lat strain.[24]
On November 30, Gsellman was non-tendered, making him a free agent.[25]
On March 17, 2022, Gsellman signed a minor league contract with theChicago Cubs.[26] He was assigned to the Triple-AIowa Cubs to begin the season, pitching to a 1.17 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 5 appearances. On May 3, Gsellman was selected to the active roster.[27] In 8 appearances with Chicago, he posted a 4.70 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 15.1 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment on May 30. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Iowa on June 2.[28] He was released on July 13, 2022.
On July 28, 2022, Gsellman signed with theYokohama DeNA BayStars ofNippon Professional Baseball. He re-signed a one-year contract extension for the 2023 season on November 26, 2022. He became a free agent following the 2023 season.
On January 31, 2024, Gsellman signed a minor league contract with theWashington Nationals.[29] In 17 games for the Triple–ARochester Red Wings, he struggled to an 8.75 ERA with 34 strikeouts across 36 innings of work. On June 19, Gsellman was released by the Nationals organization.[30]