Daniel Gibson
| IP | 389 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.47 |
| WHIP | 1.406 |
| BB/9 | 3.794 |
| SO/9 | 9.347 |
- Full name Daniel James Gibson
- Born 10/16/1991 in Tampa, FL
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: L
- School Florida
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Drafted in the 7th round (210th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2013 (signed for $178,600).
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Gibson didn't sign as a 26th-round pick of the Brewers in 2010 out of Tampa's Jesuit High, and now he'll try to follow in the footsteps of lefthanders Nick Maronde (Angels, 2011) and Paco Rodriguez (Dodgers, 2012), former teammates who zipped from the Florida bullpen to the major leagues. Evaluators agree Gibson's delivery is smoother and more efficient than Maronde's, but he lacks Rodriguez's premium slider/cutter. Gibson has been a key reliever for Florida, but scouts liked him as a starter last summer in the Northwoods League and think he could try that role as a pro. He pitched from the upper 80s to 90-91 mph as a starter in high school, but out of the pen he shows a plus fastball, sitting in the 92-95 mph range and touching higher, to go with an above-average slider. He has success working primarily off his fastball and has a physical 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame. As a lefty with a fresh arm (he has pitched just 69 innings in three seasons for the Gators) Gibson could go out as high as the second round, and it's unlikely he'll last beyond the fourth.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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A power lefthanded reliever who has moved quickly, Gibson has pitched well at every level with the exception of a rough patch at high Class A Visalia in 2014. Gibson conquered the California League in 2015, striking out 12.2 batters per nine innings and recording a microscopic 0.82 WHIP. He gave back those gains at Double-A Mobile but remained death on lefties, limiting them to a .151 average while striking out one-third of them at his two stops. Gibson's fastball sits 92-95 mph and is tough for hitters to pick up, and he complements the heater with an above-average slider in the low 80s as well as an average curveball. He struggles when he doesn't command his pitches and leaves the ball up. He worked to clean up a herky-jerky delivery, but he still comes across his body. Gibson may be ready for a jump to Triple-A Reno in 2016. He can function as a lefty specialist, but he might not be limited to that role. -
Gibson joins the University of Florida parade of lefty power relievers to march from Gainesville through the pro ranks. The Angels' Nick Maronde and the Dodgers' Paco Rodriguez, former Gators both, reached the big leagues in 2012. A seventh-round pick in 2013, Gibson signed for $178,600 before reporting first to short-season Hillsboro and then low Class A South Bend. He pitched well at both stops, with a cumulative 0.64 ERA and 27/10 SO/BB ratio in 28 innings. If Gibson's command improves, he could project as a quality set-up man. Otherwise he can function as a situational lefty because he creates terrific angle against same-side hitters. His hard fastball is a plus pitch, ranging from 92-96 mph and sitting at 94. His slider and curveball are both average pitches. Gibson gets the ball across the plate, but not without some funkiness to his across-the-body delivery. Power lefthanders tend to move quickly, so Gibson could begin 2014 at high Class A Visalia.
Draft Prospects
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Gibson didn't sign as a 26th-round pick of the Brewers in 2010 out of Tampa's Jesuit High, and now he'll try to follow in the footsteps of lefthanders Nick Maronde (Angels, 2011) and Paco Rodriguez (Dodgers, 2012), former teammates who zipped from the Florida bullpen to the major leagues. Evaluators agree Gibson's delivery is smoother and more efficient than Maronde's, but he lacks Rodriguez's premium slider/cutter. Gibson has been a key reliever for Florida, but scouts liked him as a starter last summer in the Northwoods League and think he could try that role as a pro. He pitched from the upper 80s to 90-91 mph as a starter in high school, but out of the pen he shows a plus fastball, sitting in the 92-95 mph range and touching higher, to go with an above-average slider. He has success working primarily off his fastball and has a physical 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame. As a lefty with a fresh arm (he has pitched just 69 innings in three seasons for the Gators) Gibson could go out as high as the second round, and it's unlikely he'll last beyond the fourth.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Though some clubs saw Gibson as a possible starter, the Diamondbacks left him in the bullpen role where he worked at Florida. He has a plus fastball and a good slider and could move quickly. He earned a promotion to low Class A South Bend, appearing in six of the Silver Hawks? eight playoff games. ?This guy was unbelievable,? Hillsboro?s Vicente said. ?He?s a plus lefty with a 90-95 mile-per-hour fastball, sometimes a little bit more. He has a plus breaking ball, too. I had the opportunity to talk to hitters around the league, and they all say how good he is. He has a lot confidence on the mound, too.?
