Robert Gasser Tried Out The New Sinker On Friday; Is It Truly A Different Pitch?

With the number of starters the Brewers had in camp with big league experience, it wasn’t a complete surprise when Robert Gasser was optioned to Nashville to begin the year. A former top ten prospect in the Padres system, Gasser came to Milwaukee and has only pitched in 31 1/3 innings in multiple stints with the big-league team since 2023. However, a new sinker grip, allowing Gasser’s sinker to move more traditionally, could be a game-changer for the 26-year-old to earn significant time in the rotation in 2026.

This spring showed mixed results for Gasser. He made four starts this spring, ending with a 5.11 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP in only 12 1/3 innings pitched. His first appearance was solid, allowing no runs in one inning of work, but the next two starts were tough, allowing 3 runs in 2 2/3 innings against the Rockies and four runs, off three home runs, against the Reds six days later. The fourth and final start was the most important, though; Gasser threw 6 innings while striking out seven and only walking one. 

The key difference between Gasser’s results in the big leagues versus his last spring training start was the way he attacked hitters. In both 2024 and 2025, Gasser used primarily sweepers and sinkers against lefties, while attacking righties with all five pitches but mostly four seamers, sweepers, and sinkers.

However, the start against the Padres yielded different results. Gasser threw 79 pitches total, utilizing 34% sinkers, 28% cutters, 23% sweepers, 13% changeups, and 3% four seamers. He only threw sinkers (38%), cutters (31%), and sweepers (31%) versus lefties, which is a big change from his past MLB experience. Against righties, Gasser again used sinkers primarily, while mixing all four of his other pitches as well. While this start was obviously promising, it wasn’t enough for Gasser to crack the Opening Day roster.

Is Gasser's New Sinker Different Enough?

However, it was enough for him to earn his second Opening Day nod in Norfolk against the Tides on Friday, after being in the Padres system back in 2022. Gasser continued his success from the end of spring training, throwing 5 2/3 scoreless frames while allowing two hits, walking three, and striking out 11, matching Misiorowski’s total from the Brewers’ Opening Day on Thursday. He threw 87 pitches, 58 of them for strikes.

It's only one start, and according to Savant, Gasser threw only 26 sinkers, but there might be evidence that the pitch moves differently than it did in 2025 (Nashville 2025 sinker data shown alongside Gasser's Friday start). The same box is highlighted on both images to illustrate how the pitch is moving several inches more arm-side.

Gasser's spin rate in the sinker in the Friday start (2,124 RPM) was virtually identical to his Nashville numbers in 2025 (2,120 RPM). His release velocity on Friday night (92.5 mph) was effectively the same as his release velocity in 2025 (92.8 mph).

Opposing hitters didn't seem prepared for the pitch; on 26 sinkers thrown, Gasser received eight called strikes looking, and only one swinging strike. An additional four pitches were fouled off, and three were successfully put into play.

What's Next For Gasser?

Overall, Brewers fans can be ecstatic about this start from Gasser. Eleven (5 sweepers, 5 fastballs, 1 sinker) strikeouts matched his career high, and hopes for the number 71 overall draft pick in 2021 to contribute this year in Milwaukee have certainly increased. His ability to get groundball outs with his sinker, as well as strikeout hitters with his sweeper and fastball, should play well in the majors.

However, it remains to be seen whether he can continue to have success against major league bats. As mentioned in the Rotation, Bullpen, or Nashville article focused on Gasser, published back in February, the data on the lefty starter is relatively incomplete. It is difficult to come up with a firm answer on whether this is for real, but we’ve frequently seen the Brewers produce pitchers at a premium. This could be another instance of that, but only time will tell as Gasser continues to push for sustained MLB time.

What are your reactions to Gasser’s Opening Day start for Nashville? Do you think his recent success will continue? Feel free to comment below!

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