Tyler Gibson Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Tyler Davis Gibson
Born 06/17/1993 in West Palm Beach, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Stratford Academy
Drafted in the 15th round (467th overall) by the Detroit Tigers in 2011 (signed for $525,000).

View Draft Report

The son of Mercer head coach Craig Gibson, Tyler has a smooth lefthanded swing with a classic high finish and plus raw power potential. He combines good bat speed, improved strength and good balance with plenty of leverage. Scouts are somewhat split on just how high Gibson's ceiling is and how athletic he is, and some believe all his value will be in his bat. With broad shoulders, he should fill out his 190-pound frame and has added 15 pounds since last summer, when he was sidelined by an automobile accident that kept him off the showcase circuit. He returned in October and hit two home runs at the World Wood Bat event and hasn't looked back. Gibson signed with Georgia Tech, which would play him at short, but pro scouts don't consider him a fit there, and projecting him at third base can be a challenge if he keeps getting bigger. He runs well enough (6.7-seconds in the 60) to move to an outfield corner and could hit well enough to man either spot. His arm might be better suited to left field, but it won't matter if he hits with plus power.

Top Rankings

The Tigers have been among the most aggressive draft spenders but were unusually conservative in 2011. The only player they really splurged on was Gibson, who fell to the 15th round because he was strongly committed to Georgia Tech. The son of Mercer head coach Craig Gibson, Tyler signed at the Aug. 15 deadline for $525,000, the second-highest bonus in Detroit's draft class. He has a smooth lefty stroke with good bat speed. He's a balanced hitter who has added strength to his broad-shouldered frame and hits with good leverage. Area scouts were split on his power potential, with some believing he'll have plus pop and others chalking his high school production to overmatching poor competition. Gibson played shortstop in high school and would have stayed there in college, but he moved to center field in pro ball. He'll have to learn the position and refine his instincts, but his plus speed should give him the range needed for the position. He has fringy arm strength. Talented but raw, Gibson will start 2012 in extended spring training before heading to Connecticut in June.