Jimmy Gobble
| IP | 435 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.297 |
| WHIP | 1.497 |
| BB/9 | 3.517 |
| SO/9 | 5.897 |
- Full name Billy James Gobble
- Born 07/19/1981 in Bristol, TN
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School John S. Battle
- Debut 08/03/2003
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Drafted in the C round (43rd overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 1999 (signed for $725,000).
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LHPs Jimmy Gobble and Joe Saunders pitched as expected this spring after being ranked as the top two prospects in Virginia entering the season. Gobble added velocity and threw in the low 90s while averaging more than two strikeouts an inning. He's more projectable than Saunders, who doesn't throw quite as hard and didn't pitch as well as a year ago. College is not a major factor for either.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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After two promising seasons, Gobble battled injuries in 2002. A right groin tear forced him to the disabled list for three weeks in June. Four starts after he returned, he had shoulder soreness, which didn't turn out to be anything major. That scare, coupled with more groin pain, led the Royals to shut him down in July. Like many lefthanded pitching prospects, Gobble is compared to Tom Glavine. Few live up to the hype, but Gobble has a chance because he operates with three quality pitches, including a low-90s fastball. His curveball is the best in the system and his deceptive changeup is more than a show-me pitch. Gobble doesn't have a major weakness and just needs to stay healthy. Against more advanced hitters he'll have to make adjustments, such as tightening his big-breaking curve and locating his fastball with more precision. Had he stayed healthy, Gobble was in line for a September callup. He's ticketed for Triple-A Omaha to start 2003. -
One of four Royals first-round picks in 1999--and one of three credited to area scout Paul Faulk--Gobble has excelled in Class A the last two seasons. He's built like Chris George, Kansas City's future ace, and has slightly better stuff. He also had more success in the Carolina League at the same age. Gobble has command of three quality pitches. He works with a low-90s fastball, the best curveball in the system and an advanced changeup. There was some concern he'd have trouble keeping his big-breaking curve in the strike zone, but it hasn't been a problem. He does a nice job of keeping the ball down, surrendering just 18 homers in 314 pro innings. He's unflappable on the mound, which he showed when he shut out the Royals for six innings in an exhibition game. Gobble could tweak his changeup and use it more often. But all he really needs is experience because his stuff should play at higher levels. Besides letting him skip short-season Spokane, the Royals have moved him one level at a time. They may not be able to stay so patient if he pitches well at Double-A Wichita to start 2002. -
Gobble was the fourth of four pitchers selected by Kansas City before the second round of the 1999 draft. He too was a free-agent compensation choice, the result of Detroit signing Dean Palmer. After barely pitching in 1999, Gobble held his own in the Class A South Atlantic League as a teenager. He finished strong, going 7-2, 2.58 in his final 11 starts. Gobble has the same build and better stuff than Chris George. Like George, he can throw in the low 90s and isn't afraid to use his plus changeup when he's behind in the count. The difference is that Gobble's curveball is an upgrade over either of George's breaking pitches. What he doesn't have is George's advanced feel for pitching. Gobble's curveball breaks so much he struggles to keep it in the strike zone. More advanced hitters may not chase his curve as much, so he may need to refine it. Gobble still needs polish, so the Royals will be patient with his progress. He'll move up to high Class A Wilmington in 2001 and probably will spend the entire season there.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Gobble's first shot at the Texas League in 2002 wasn't productive, as he battled groin and shoulder injuries and threw just 69 innings. His second time around was much different, and he showed enough to get thrown into the midst of a playoff race when the Royals became desperate for pitching in August. While most managers didn't consider him major league-ready now, they expect Gobble to be a solid No. 3 or 4 starter with a little more seasoning. He pitches at 89 mph and touches 92, backing his fastball with a good curveball and a developing changeup. He throws on a good downhill plane but is still inconsistent with his location. "Going to the big leagues has really helped him a lot," Wichita manager Keith Bodie said. "He's learning that he just needs to throw strikes, keep the ball down and change speeds, and not try to do too much." -
The Royals had nine first-round picks from 1997-2000, and they used them all on pitchers. The best of that group is lefthander Chris George, who led Wilmington to a Northern Division title two years ago. Second in line is Gobble, another lefty who did the same in 2001. Snitker even compared the two. With a curveball that already is regarded as the organization's best, a low-90s fastball and quality changeup, Gobble rarely looked like a teenager on the mound. He finished second in the ERA race and third in strikeouts while limiting opponents to a .226 average. "He showed poise for a 19-year-old," Garber said. "He has the ability to develop three above-average pitches and use them at the big league level."
