Robert Gasser

Organization Prospect Rankings

• Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #6 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/Medium
  
  Track Record: Gasser’s strong 2021 season at Houston, when he showed improved stuff and performance, bolstered his draft stock and led the Padres to take him that year in the second round. During Gasser’s first full season in 2022, the Brewers acquired him in the trade deadline deal that sent reliever Josh Hader to San Diego. In the first two months of 2023, Gasser had trouble with strikes, posting a 4.59 ERA in 49 innings with an 11.7% walk rate and 60% strike rate, but he turned things around after that, posting a 3.34 ERA in 86.1 innings, slicing his walk rate nearly in half to 6.5%, with 67% strikes the rest of the season. He led all Triple-A pitchers with 166 strikeouts.
  
  Scouting Report: With a fastball that sits at 89-93 mph and will occasionally tickle 95, Gasser doesn’t overpower hitters. Instead he relies on his pitchability and willingness to liberally mix in all of his pitches to keep hitters guessing. He throws both a four-seamer and a two-seam fastball, with his two-seamer producing lively armside run with 16 inches of horizontal break from a low release height. He added an average cutter to his mix as well in the upper-80s that he uses more against righties. Gasser uses those fastballs and his cutter in about a 50-50 mix with his slider and changeup. His low-80s slider is his best pitch, with deep lateral movement at 16-18 inches of horizontal break to run away from lefties or to throw to the back foot of a righty. Gasser’s changeup has a lot of fade away from lefties, but it’s an upper-80s pitch that doesn’t have much separation from his fastball.
  
  The Future: After spending all of 2023 in Triple-A, Gasser is ready for a rotation spot in Milwaukee. He’s likely a back-end starter, though some scouts see enough upside for more.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 50
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #10 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Gasser pitched for New Mexico in 2018 and transferred to pitch at Houston in 2020, but the pandemic ended that season early. His stock soared in 2022 as he showed more velocity and sig- nificantly improved performance, prompting the Padres to draft him in the second round and sign him for $884,200. In the midst of Gasser's first full season of pro ball, the Brewers acquired him in the trade deadline deal that sent Josh Hader to San Diego.
  
  Scouting Report: Gasser throws a 50/50 mix of fastballs and offspeed stuff, mainly relying on his fastball and slider. Pitching from the third base side of the rubber, Gasser isn't overpowering, sitting at 89-93 mph with the ability to reach back for 95. His low-80s slider is his most effective pitch, a tick above-average offering around 2,600 rpm that sweeps across the zone with 15 inches of horizontal break to miss bats against lefties or righties. He'll mix in a shorter cutter as well to try to get soft contact against righthanded hitters. Gasser's average changeup comes in firm off his fastball in the mid 80s, but it has good movement with 18 inches of horizontal break, giving him another weapon against righties. Gasser has generally shown good control, though his walk rate spiked when he got to Triple-A.
  
  The Future: Gasser has the stuff and control to project as a back-end starter. He likely opens 2023 back in Triple-A, but he could be an early callup option if a big league opportunity opens.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Slider: 55. Cutter: 50. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.
• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #9 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: A lefty with an 88-91 mph fastball in Houston’s bullpen in 2020, Gasser hit the weights hard during the coronavirus shutdown and returned in 2021 throwing harder to emerge as the Cougars’ staff ace. He logged a 2.63 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 85.2 innings to transform himself from a draft afterthought into a fast-riser, and the Padres drafted him 71st overall and signed him for $884,200. Gasser quickly moved to Low-A Lake Elsinore after signing and hit the ground running with a 1.20 ERA in 15 innings pitched.
  
  Scouting Report: Gasser’s weight room gains improved his entire arsenal. His fastball now sits 90-93 mph with late run and can bump up to 95 when needed. His newly-sharpened slider is now an above-average pitch he can bury for swings and misses and he spots his average changeup well to give him a third quality offering. He is also developing a curveball, but it’s more of a show-me pitch at this point. Gasser’s best attribute is his plus control. He’s able to spot his four-seam fastball up in the zone and can put his secondary pitches where he needs to get swings and misses. His stuff further plays up with a pause in his delivery he devised to throw off hitters’ timing.
  
  The Future: Without overwhelming velocity or an imposing stature, Gasser could be a No. 4 or No. 5 starter. Because he’s a polished lefty with pitchability, he’s also a fair bet to reach that ceiling. He is set to open the 2022 season at High-A Fort Wayne and could pitch his way to Double-A San Antonio.
  

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #63 prospect in 2021 draft
  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.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #82 prospect in 2023

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Gasser pitched for New Mexico in 2018 and transferred to pitch at Houston in 2020, but the pandemic ended that season early. His stock soared in 2022 as he showed more velocity and sig- nificantly improved performance, prompting the Padres to draft him in the second round and sign him for $884,200. In the midst of Gasser's first full season of pro ball, the Brewers acquired him in the trade deadline deal that sent Josh Hader to San Diego.
  
  Scouting Report: Gasser throws a 50/50 mix of fastballs and offspeed stuff, mainly relying on his fastball and slider. Pitching from the third base side of the rubber, Gasser isn't overpowering, sitting at 89-93 mph with the ability to reach back for 95. His low-80s slider is his most effective pitch, a tick above-average offering around 2,600 rpm that sweeps across the zone with 15 inches of horizontal break to miss bats against lefties or righties. He'll mix in a shorter cutter as well to try to get soft contact against righthanded hitters. Gasser's average changeup comes in firm off his fastball in the mid 80s, but it has good movement with 18 inches of horizontal break, giving him another weapon against righties. Gasser has generally shown good control, though his walk rate spiked when he got to Triple-A.
  
  The Future: Gasser has the stuff and control to project as a back-end starter. He likely opens 2023 back in Triple-A, but he could be an early callup option if a big league opportunity opens.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Slider: 55. Cutter: 50. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Gasser pitched for New Mexico in 2018 and transferred to pitch at Houston in 2020, but the pandemic ended that season early. His stock soared in 2022 as he showed more velocity and sig- nificantly improved performance, prompting the Padres to draft him in the second round and sign him for $884,200. In the midst of Gasser's first full season of pro ball, the Brewers acquired him in the trade deadline deal that sent Josh Hader to San Diego.
  
  Scouting Report: Gasser throws a 50/50 mix of fastballs and offspeed stuff, mainly relying on his fastball and slider. Pitching from the third base side of the rubber, Gasser isn't overpowering, sitting at 89-93 mph with the ability to reach back for 95. His low-80s slider is his most effective pitch, a tick above-average offering around 2,600 rpm that sweeps across the zone with 15 inches of horizontal break to miss bats against lefties or righties. He'll mix in a shorter cutter as well to try to get soft contact against righthanded hitters. Gasser's average changeup comes in firm off his fastball in the mid 80s, but it has good movement with 18 inches of horizontal break, giving him another weapon against righties. Gasser has generally shown good control, though his walk rate spiked when he got to Triple-A.
  
  The Future: Gasser has the stuff and control to project as a back-end starter. He likely opens 2023 back in Triple-A, but he could be an early callup option if a big league opportunity opens.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Slider: 55. Cutter: 50. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  August Update: Gasser was in the midst of his first full season in pro ball with the Padres, posting a 4.18 ERA in 90.1 innings with 115 strikeouts and 28 walks at High-A Fort Wayne when the Brewers acquired him on Aug. 2, 2022 trade that sent Josh Hader to San Diego.
  
  Track Record: A lefty with an 88-91 mph fastball in Houston&#39s bullpen in 2020, Gasser hit the weights hard during the coronavirus shutdown and returned in 2021 throwing harder to emerge as the Cougars&#39 staff ace. He logged a 2.63 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 85.2 innings to transform himself from a draft afterthought into a fast-riser, and the Padres drafted him 71st overall and signed him for $884,200. Gasser quickly moved to Low-A Lake Elsinore after signing and hit the ground running with a 1.20 ERA in 15 innings pitched.
  
  Scouting Report: Gasser&#39s weight room gains improved his entire arsenal. His fastball now sits 90-93 mph with late run and can bump up to 95 when needed. His newly-sharpened slider is now an above-average pitch he can bury for swings and misses and he spots his average changeup well to give him a third quality offering. He is also developing a curveball, but it&#39s more of a show-me pitch at this point. Gasser&#39s best attribute is his plus control. He&#39s able to spot his four-seam fastball up in the zone and can put his secondary pitches where he needs to get swings and misses. His stuff further plays up with a pause in his delivery he devised to throw off hitters&#39 timing.
  
  The Future: Without overwhelming velocity or an imposing stature, Gasser could be a No. 4 or No. 5 starter. Because he&#39s a polished lefty with pitchability, he&#39s also a fair bet to reach that ceiling. He is set to open the 2022 season at High-A Fort Wayne and could pitch his way to Double-A San Antonio.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Slider: 55. Curveball: 30. Changeup: 50. Control: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: A lefty with an 88-91 mph fastball in Houston’s bullpen in 2020, Gasser hit the weights hard during the coronavirus shutdown and returned in 2021 throwing harder to emerge as the Cougars’ staff ace. He logged a 2.63 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 85.2 innings to transform himself from a draft afterthought into a fast-riser, and the Padres drafted him 71st overall and signed him for $884,200. Gasser quickly moved to Low-A Lake Elsinore after signing and hit the ground running with a 1.20 ERA in 15 innings pitched.
  
  Scouting Report: Gasser’s weight room gains improved his entire arsenal. His fastball now sits 90-93 mph with late run and can bump up to 95 when needed. His newly-sharpened slider is now an above-average pitch he can bury for swings and misses and he spots his average changeup well to give him a third quality offering. He is also developing a curveball, but it’s more of a show-me pitch at this point. Gasser’s best attribute is his plus control. He’s able to spot his four-seam fastball up in the zone and can put his secondary pitches where he needs to get swings and misses. His stuff further plays up with a pause in his delivery he devised to throw off hitters’ timing.
  
  The Future: Without overwhelming velocity or an imposing stature, Gasser could be a No. 4 or No. 5 starter. Because he’s a polished lefty with pitchability, he’s also a fair bet to reach that ceiling. He is set to open the 2022 season at High-A Fort Wayne and could pitch his way to Double-A San Antonio.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  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.