Heading into spring training, the notion Sean Gilmartin could make the Mets, let alone have a tremendous impact on the left side of the bullpen was pretty far fetched.
He was selected by the Mets in the 2014 Rule 5 draft at the conclusion of the Winter Meetings last December in San Diego, having spent four years toiling around the Braves and Twins organization without a promotion or being added to any 40-man roster.
The Mets decided to take a flyer on Gilmartin, viewing his career splits in the minors as something that could provide value on the left side of the bullpen, should his stuff play for big league competition.
His camp didn’t get off to a great start, as he struggled early in Grapefruit League competition. But as the spring rolled on, Gilmartin got more and more comfortable as Terry Collins began using him in more suitable roles and situations, and he started to put up zero after zero in his outings.
It’s quite possible Gilmartin earned a job out of camp by default. His Rule 5 status minimizes the amount of roster flexibility the club has with him – he must stay on the active roster the entire season. But when Josh Edgin was lost for the season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery, Gilmartin was the only true left-handed specialist in the bullpen, at least until the club acquired Jerry Blevins from the Nationals a week before Opening Day.
Needless to say, the Mets were fortunate to take Gilmartin north with them, because he’s become a tremendous asset for this make-shift Mets bullpen.
Gilmartin’s splits to date this season haven’t necessarily favored lefty-lefty matchups, as he’s been more effective against right-handed hitters in his 24 outings. Still, he’s held left-handed hitters to just a .229 average (8-for-35) and holding the opposition to a .190/.253/.531 line overall with 17 strikeouts and seven walks in 22 innings so far this season. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last seven relief appearances, allowing just two hits and a walk with seven strikeouts over that span, reducing his ERA from 2.93 to 2.01 for the year.
He doesn’t have particularly overwhelming stuff, but he has a deceptive, over-the-top delivery and hides the ball very well from left-handers in particular. He’s a classic four-pitch pitcher, but his slider has been a key to his success in left-handed match-ups, as he uses that pitch primarily when ahead and in two strike counts. It’s been an effective weapon so far, as the opposition has swung and missed at his slider 16 percent of the time and have only put it in play about 13 percent of the time.
For the first part of the season anyway, Collins has used Gilmartin in lower-stake scenarios. But he’s answered Collins’ call for the most part, specifically on Sunday in relief of Dillon Gee which bought the Mets time and opportunities to rally against Atlanta.
He’s been tremendous overall, and has certainly earned more higher-leverage situations, especially since he profiles as a left-handed specialist more than Alex Torres or Jack Leathersich. He has unquestionably been the most consistent reliable left-handed arm all year, leaving very little reason for Collins to turn to anyone else in key, late game situations when available.
Not bad for a career minor leaguer who may or may not even be here if not for injuries.
Just Mets 