Derrik Gibson Stats & Scouting Report

AB	3504
AVG	.251
OBP	.339
SLG	.339
HR	22

Full name Derrik Cameron Gibson
Born 12/05/1989 in Seaford, DE
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Seaford
Drafted in the 2nd round (77th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2008 (signed for $600,000).

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Gibson didn't make a national splash until last summer on the showcase circuit. He had an impressive showing at the Perfect Game National Showcase last June but really made a name for himself by finishing strong in the fall and committing to North Carolina. An athletic middle infielder who could also play center field, Gibson's evaluations are still based on projection. Playing in Delaware, he is still raw in the field and at the plate but has the athleticism and tools to make him a premium player. Now he looks like a leadoff hitter with a line-drive stroke and above-average speed. But if his thin, 6-foot-1 frame fills out, Gibson could have a chance to hit for average power. In the field, he moves well and has good hands, but his throwing motion has a hitch in it and needs refinement. While he may be too raw for a team to buy him out of his commitment to UNC, Gibson should be an immediate contributor in college and a top-level prospect in three years.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Gibson remains the best athlete in the system, but he hasn't hit in two years of fullseason ball, putting up .235/.321/.303 numbers in 2010-11. He still has the same quick bat, sound swing and disciplined approach that were part of the package the Red Sox paid $600,000 for after drafting him in the second round in 2008. While Gibson needs to get stronger and that would help him at the plate, his biggest problem is that he's too hard on himself and loses confidence when he's not going well. He may not ever hit for home run power, but he does have the tools to bat at the top of a lineup. He's has well above-average speed, though he could be more daring on the bases. To his credit, Gibson hasn't let his offensive struggles affect his defense. He has the quickness, range and arm strength for shortstop. Scouts aren't in love with his funky throwing motion, but he gets the job done. In his two full years at the position, he has led South Atlantic and Carolina league shortstops in fielding percentage. Gibson also has played second base and third base in pro ball, and he could have a future as a speedy, athletic utilityman if his bat doesn't come around. He'd probably be best served by returning to Salem to start 2012.
After two successful years at the Rookie and short-season levels, Gibson struggled for the first time in low Class A last year. He batted .230, 46 points below his previous career average, and hit just .168 in the final month. He didn't handle adversity well and got too hard on himself, which made it more difficult to snap out of his slump. Though Gibson didn't perform in 2010 like he had in his past, his swing remained quick and sound and he generally did a good job of controlling the strike zone. A late bloomer physically with broad shoulders and a lean frame, he'll be more effective at the plate once he adds some strength. He possibly could hit 10-15 homers on an annual basis. Gibson enhances his on-base ability with a knack for drawing walks, and his plus-plus speed makes him a huge stolen base threat. He didn't allow his hitting woes to affect his defense, leading South Atlantic League shortstops with a .960 fielding percentage in his first year playing the position full-time. He also saw action at second and third base in his first two pro seasons, but he has the range and arm strength for shortstop. Though he has a funky throwing motion, he has cleaned it up some since signing. Gibson has one of the highest ceilings in the system, with the potential to become a dynamic leadoff man and solid defender. He also could be valuable as a Chone Figgins-type utilityman. Despite his struggles, he'll move up to high Class A in 2011.
Gibson is the best baseball athlete and highest-drafted position player to come out of Delaware since Delino DeShields was an Expos first-round pick in 1989. Gibson has similar tools and turned down a North Carolina scholarship to sign for $600,000. The Red Sox minor league baserunner of the year in 2009, he stole 28 bases in 33 tries and led the New York-Penn League with 54 runs. A classic leadoff hitter, Gibson has plusplus speed and supreme control of the strike zone. He has a quick bat, solid gap power and could realize his 15-homer potential once he adds strength to his broad-shouldered frame. He covers a lot of ground in the field and has solid arm strength. His instincts and makeup are off the charts. Gibson has a funny hitch in his throwing motion that eventually will lead him to a move from shortstop to second base or possibly center field. Though he doesn't take a big cut or give less than full effort, he doesn't always get a good jump out of the batter's box. Gibson is poised for a breakout 2010 season at Greenville. He'll still see time at shortstop, but a move is in his near future. The Red Sox don't need to rush him, but he may start to accelerate his timetable.
The highest position player drafted out of Delaware since the Expos made Delino DeShields a first-rounder in 1989, Gibson has a very similar game. Like DeShields, he's a fast-twitch athlete with plus-plus speed, an eye for drawing walks and the ability to sting the ball on occasion. A second-round pick who declined a North Carolina shortstop to sign for $600,000, Gibson helped his cause by going 5-for-6 with a walk and six steals when the Red Sox brought several of their 2008 draftees to Fenway Park for a July workout. He has the bat speed and patience to hit for average, and he could have average power once he fills out. He supplements his speed with good instincts on the bases, enabling him to go 16-for-16 stealing bases in his debut. Gibson has the hands, range and arm strength to play shortstop, though he moved around the GCL Red Sox infield in deference to Casey Kelly. Gibson also could handle center field if needed. He needs to cut down his long arm action and eliminate a hitch, though it hasn't led to throwing errors. His speed and versatility remind the Red Sox of a righthanded Chone Figgins. Gibson likely will play at Lowell in 2009, enabling him to spend most of his time at shortstop. He could make a run at Greenville with a strong spring, though that probably would mean shuttling around the infield again.

Minor League Top Prospects

The highest drafted player out of Delaware since Delino DeShields in 1989, Gibson turned down a scholarship from North Carolina when the Red Sox offered him $600,000 as a second-round pick a year ago. He earned comparisons to DeShields out of high school, but assessments of his speed this summer were mixed. Most observers graded him as a plus runner, but others timed him at 4.4 seconds from the right side of the plate to first, which rates as below average. Either way, Gibson is an excellent baserunner who's 44-for-49 in stolen bases over his two pro seasons. His speed will be a crucial tool for him as he climbs the ladder, because he lacks strength and never figures to hit for power. He does have a mature, patient offensive approach and the ability to make consistent contact, and he could be an average or slightly better hitter as he gets stronger. He led the league with 54 runs scored. Gibson alternated between shortstop and second base at Lowell, but his arm is fringy at short and he profiles better at second. He has good actions and enough range to be a quality defender there.
The Red Sox liked Gibson's athleticism enough to pay him $600,000 as a second-round pick. Though he played shortstop in high school, he saw more time at third base in the GCL in deference to Kelly. Gibson also saw action at shortstop and second base, and he's also capable of playing center field. Gibson has a good approach at the plate and should hit for average. He has room to add strength to a thin, wiry frame, so he could develop average power. He's an above-average runner and basestealer who went 14-for-14 swiping bags in his debut.