Robert Gasser

Talk about a transformation. Gasser was draft-eligible in 2020, but even if the draft had been much longer than five rounds, no one was going to select an 88-91 mph lefty reliever who allowed two baserunners per inning and had an 11.57 ERA in four relief appearances. This year, he’ll likely hear his name called before the end of the second round. Gasser was Houston’s ace this year, putting himself on the radar by matching Ty Madden pitch for pitch in an early-season start. He went 6-6, 2.63 overall with 11.0 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9. Gasser spent his layoff in the weight room and on the field, long-tossing and lifting. It paid off as he showed up in 2021 throwing harder and with sharper secondaries. Gasser actually began his career at New Mexico, then transferred to Delta (Calif.) JC, where he went 14-0, 2.38. Along the way, he shortened his arm stroke. In 2021, that work paid off. Gasser sat 90-93 mph this year and could regularly reach back for 94-95 mph whenever he needed it. He’s added a pause in his delivery that seems to mess with hitters’ timing. His above-average slider improved as well. He can now bury it for swings and misses, but also can command it for strikes. He showed feel for spotting a mid-80s, below-average changeup, although that change lacks separation and late drop and fade to be a weapon. Gasser also has developed a big-breaking, mid-70s, fringe-average curveball that he uses almost entirely for early-count called strikes. Gasser projects as a back-of-the-rotation arm, but one with a high likelihood of success thanks to his work ethic and steady improvement.