Drafted in the 29th round (872nd overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2000.
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A 29th-round pick out of high school in 2000, Gabbard spent a year at Indian River before signing as a draft-and-follow. He got off to an auspicious start in 2002, his first full pro season, not giving up more than two earned runs in any of seven low Class A starts. Then his elbow began to bother him and he didn't pitch again until instructional league. Gabbard had elbow surgery before he turned pro, and he needed another operation to clean out bone chips. He returned for instructional league, though he was shut down before it ended when his elbow got tired. If he can stay healthy, Gabbard offers a lot of promise. He threw 90-92 mph in instructional league in 2001, though his velocity sat more at 87-89 last year. At 6- foot-4, he should be able to maintain a plus fastball, and he already achieves nice sink with the pitch. His curveball and changeup also should be at least solid average, and his approach rates higher than that. Because he barely has pitched as a pro, the Red Sox will move slowly and send him back to low Class A in 2003.
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