Kyle Gibson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #5 prospect in 2013
  Gibson turned down the Phillies in the 36th round as an Indiana high schooler and became a first-rounder out of Missouri in 2009, signing for $1.85 million. His stock fell late that spring due to forearm tightness, and though he remained healthy in 2010, he needed Tommy John surgery in September 2011. He returned in 2012 with 13 appearances of no more than four innings before a stint in the Arizona Fall League. Gibson's stuff has returned after his elbow reconstruction. He threw his four-seam fastball at 92-94 mph in the regular season and the AFL, where he started in the Rising Stars Game and ranked third in strikeouts. He also threw strikes with his two-seamer and his plus changeup with sink that he long has used as an out pitch. While the velocity (80-84 mph) and good bite on his slider are back, he was still searching for his feel for the pitch in the AFL. The Twins are desperate for starting pitching, and Gibson is the closest candidate their system has to offer. Minnesota's offseason moves will determine whether he gets the chance to open 2013 in the big leagues or gets more time in the minors. He's already 25 but can become a No. 2 or 3 starter.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #8 prospect in 2012
  Gibson was primed to go high in the 2009 draft before a stress fracture in his forearm sidelined him in May. That allowed the Twins to get him with the No. 22 overall pick, and they signed him for $1.85 million. No. 1 on this list a year ago after reaching Triple- A in his first pro season, Gibson returned to Rochester and gradually wore down. After doctors diagnosed a muscle strain and a ligament tear in his elbow in July, he had Tommy John surgery. Before he got hurt, Gibson pitched with a 91-92 mph fastball with late sink and threw it for consistent strikes. He manipulates his fastball well, making it run, sink or cut at will and using it to set up his pair of above-average secondary pitches. Both his changeup and slider can generate swings and misses. As the season progressed, his fastball lost velocity and his slider lost sharpness, and it became obvious he was hurt. He may not pitch until the second half of 2012 at the earliest, and Minnesota likely won't get a great read on Gibson until 2013, when he'll be 25. If his stuff and above-average control return, he should be able to establish himself as a solid No. 2 or 3 starter.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #1 prospect in 2011
  Gibson has the ceiling, pedigree and performance of a No. 1 prospect. He ranked No.100 on BA's list of 2006 draft prospects out of an Indiana high school before starring for three seasons at Missouri, first in the bullpen, then in the rotation. He also starred in the Cape Cod League and with Team USA, putting him in line to go in the top 10 picks of the 2009 draft. His junior season, however, ended on a down note when his velocity dropped into the mid-80s in his final start a week before the draft. He was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his forearm, causing him fall to the Twins at the No. 22 overall pick. Gibson signed for an above-slot $1.85 million bonus in August, then proved he was healthy during instructional league. He reinforced that point with a productive pro debut 2010, leading the system with 152 innings and 126 strikeouts while finishing the year at Triple-A Rochester. The Twins have produced a bevy of pitchers in recent years who thrive on their knack for throwing quality strikes with solid but not outstanding arsenals. Gibson has similar pitch-making ability to Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn and former ace Brad Radke--and he has better stuff. Gibson's tall, lean frame wore down a bit toward the end of last season, but he usually showed average fastball velocity, ranging from 86-92 mph. He generally throws a two-seamer that's more notable for his command of the pitch and its excellent life than for its velocity. He can make it run, sink or cut, and has become more aggressive and confident with his fastball as a pro. He works off the fastball more now than he did as an amateur, but Gibson's secondary pitches remain his primary weapons for getting swings and misses. His slider is a plus offering that helps him generate plenty of groundballs--2.77 groundouts for every airout in 2010--and some scouts project it as a future 70 pitch on the 20-80 scale. His changeup at times equals his slider as a present plus pitch, with similar sink to his two-seamer. His command, control and makeup all enhance his total package. His ability to induce groundouts and his knack for finding a little extra velocity when needed make him adept at controlling damage and avoiding big innings. Added strength, staying healthy and a slight lack of deception (his delivery is very clean) are the only items he needs to address. Gibson did everything the Twins could have asked last season, including staying positive while pitching for bad teams. In 2011, he likely will be asked to pitch in the major league rotation at some point, especially if Minnesota loses free agent Carl Pavano. Gibson should get a nonroster invitation to big league spring camp, though he'll probably open the season back in Triple-A and be first in line for a promotion. The Twins see him as a future No. 2 starter on a playoff club--he'd need more fastball to qualify as a true ace--and even more skeptical scouts outside the organization see him as no worse than a No. 3.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #3 prospect in 2010
  Gibson was the third Missouri pitcher drafted in the first round of the last four drafts, joining Max Scherzer (2006) and Aaron Crow (2008). In his final college start, an NCAA regional game against Monmouth, his fastball velocity dipped into the mid-80s. Doctors diagnosed a stress fracture in his right forearm, which dropped him down many draft boards. The Twins snagged him with the 22nd overall pick and signed him for an aboveslot $1.85 million bonus. Gibson has premium secondary stuff that sometimes diverts attention from how good his fastball can be. He pitches at 91-92 mph with sinking life and commands his fastball to both sides of the plate. He'll run his four-seamer up to 94 mph, and scouts think there's more velocity to come. Minnesota believes his fastball will be a swing-and-miss pitch, as his plus slider already is. It sits at 82-85 mph when he's at his best and has sharp movement and good depth. His changeup gives him a third pitch with plus potential, and at times it's as good as his slider. The forearm injury scared off some clubs, as it's often a precursor to elbow damage. Some scouts thought Gibson trusted his offspeed stuff so much that he didn't learn to pitch off his fastball, so the Twins will emphasize that in his first pro season. Gibson threw well in instructional league, airing it out for four innings in his last start, and reported no problems. Minnesota is bullish on his health and will start his career at high Class A Fort Myers, putting him on a fast track. A strong, healthy season would put him in the mix for the big league rotation in 2011, and his upside is as a true No. 1 starter.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Arizona Fall League #4 prospect in 2012
  Gibson, a 2009 first-round selection, returned from Tommy John surgery in July and was sent to the AFL to continue building his workload and to give the Twins a chance to evaluate him heading into the 2013 season. Prior to his injury in 2011, the 6-foot-6, 210-pounder looked poised for a midseason promotion, and he is quickly returning to form. Gibson went 3-2, 5.40 with 28 strikeouts and eight walks over 23 innings for the Javelinas. He shows solid command of a 92-94 mph fastball with movement, a changeup and a put-away slider. All three offerings project as above-average or better. Assuming he stays healthy, Gibson, 25, could begin the 2013 season in Minnesota's rotation.
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #7 prospect in 2010
  Gibson reached Triple-A in his first full season and didn't get sucked into the vortex of New Britain's minors-worst 44-98 season, as he was the only Rock Cat with a winning record. A sinker/slider pitcher, Gibson gets groundballs and strikeouts by pounding the bottom of the strike zone. His fastball has average velocity, ranging from 86-92 mph with good tail and sink, and he pitched off it more this season rather than he did as an amateur. While Gibson's slider has earned 70 grades on the 20-80 scouting scale in the past, scouts saw it more as a 60 pitch with good bite and better command this season. His changeup gives him a second plus secondary offering, and some scouts like it better than his slider. Though he's 6-foot-6, he's athletic and stays compact in his delivery, repeating it well and throwing consistent quality strikes.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #68 prospect in 2013
• Ranked Baseball America's #34 prospect in 2011
• Ranked Baseball America's #61 prospect in 2010

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Gibson turned down the Phillies in the 36th round as an Indiana high schooler and became a first-rounder out of Missouri in 2009, signing for $1.85 million. His stock fell late that spring due to forearm tightness, and though he remained healthy in 2010, he needed Tommy John surgery in September 2011. He returned in 2012 with 13 appearances of no more than four innings before a stint in the Arizona Fall League. Scouting Report: Gibson's stuff has returned after his elbow reconstruction. He threw his four-seam fastball at 92-94 mph in the regular season and the AFL, where he started in the Rising Stars Game. He also threw strikes with his two-seamer and his plus changeup with sink that he long has used as an out pitch. While the velocity (80-84 mph) and good bite on his slider are back, he was still searching for his feel for the pitch in the AFL. The Future: The Twins are desperate for starting pitching, and Gibson is both the closest and best candidate their system has to offer. Minnesota's offseason moves will determine whether he gets the chance to open 2013 in the big leagues or gets more time in the minors. He's already 25 but can become a No. 2 or 3 starter.
• August, 2012 Scouting Report
  Gibson, a 2009 first-round selection, returned from Tommy John surgery in July and was sent to the AFL to continue building his workload and to give the Twins a chance to evaluate him heading into the 2013 season. Prior to his injury in 2011, the 6-foot-6, 210-pounder looked poised for a midseason promotion, and he is quickly returning to form. Gibson went 3-2, 5.40 with 28 strikeouts and eight walks over 23 innings for the Javelinas. He shows solid command of a 92-94 mph fastball with movement, a changeup and a put-away slider. All three offerings project as above-average or better. Assuming he stays healthy, Gibson, 25, could begin the 2013 season in Minnesota's rotation.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Gibson was primed to go high in the 2009 draft before a stress fracture in his forearm sidelined him in May. That allowed the Twins to get him with the No. 22 overall pick, and they signed him for $1.85 million. No. 1 on this list a year ago after reaching Triple-A in his first pro season, Gibson returned to Rochester and gradually wore down. After doctors diagnosed a muscle strain and a ligament tear in his elbow in July, he had Tommy John surgery. Scouting Report: Before he got hurt, Gibson pitched with a 91-92 mph fastball with late sink and threw it for consistent strikes. He manipulates his fastball well, making it run, sink or cut at will and using it to set up his pair of above-average secondary pitches. Both his changeup and slider can generate swings and misses, and his strikeout rate was higher in 2011 (8.6 per nine innings) than in 2010 (7.5). As the season progressed, his fastball lost velocity and his slider lost sharpness, and it became obvious he was hurt. The Future: Gibson may not pitch until the second half of 2012 at the earliest, and Minnesota likely won't get a great read on him until 2013, when he'll already be 25. If his stuff and above-average control return, he should be able to establish himself as a solid No. 2 or 3 starter.