Gerson Garabito Stats & Scouting Report

IP	26.1
ERA	4.78
WHIP	1.33
BB/9	4.1
SO/9	7.52

Full name Gerson Yeris Garabito
Born 08/19/1995 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 160 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Track Record: It's been a slow climb through the Royals' system for Garabito. He first pitched in the Dominican Summer League in 2013, but while he's had to repeat levels at times, the Dominican native flashes enough stuff.

Scouting Report: Garabito pitches up in the strike zone with his fastball, moving it around enough and throwing it to both sides of the plate to get away with the location. His fastball gets up to 95-96 mph, with his comfort zone more in the 91-92 mph range. He's got a big curveball that he throws in any count with good depth and action. Garabito's changeup is still a work in progress and was a below-average pitch early in the season before flashing above-average potential later in the year. His athleticism gives him a loose, fluid delivery with some length in his arm action, and he has a sturdy build with a strong lower half.

The Future: Garabito was not added to the 40-man roster to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft and he went unpicked. He'll head to Double-A to begin 2019. He's likely more of a future bullpen arm using his fastball-curveball combination.
Garabito returned to low Class A Lexington for a second try there after a rocky 2016 season. He pitched much better in his return to the Legends rotation despite missing time to injury. Garabito has a sturdy build for his size with some weight through his lower half. He pitches with deception and feel, delivering his 89-94 mph fastball with good arm speed and fade, distinct cut and sinking action. What stands out for Garabito is the plus command of his pitches coming from a smooth, online delivery. He has a larger arm swing, finishing firm and across the body. He locates a 76-79 mph curveball with good depth and action, and he has good feel for an improving 83-87 mph changeup. Garabito shows composure and good mound presence, and his athleticism allows him to make plays off the mound. He should be ready to move on to high Class A Wilmington in 2018. Garabito's got the repertoire to remain in the rotation as a No. 4 or 5 starter, but his fastball/curveball combo could make him a solid bullpen piece in the future.
The low Class A Lexington rotation faced a rough assignment in 2016 because it played in front of a generally rocky defense. Legends defenders ranked last in the South Atlantic League with a .966 fielding percentage and near the bottom in double plays and passed balls. Additionally, most of the Lexington starters worked on strict limits of 75-80 pitches. That helps explain Garabito's 2-11 record in 2016, his fourth pro season but first in full-season ball. He worked through five innings in just six of his 18 starts, ruling out the potential for a win in the majority of appearances. Garabito's fastball-curveball combo gives him at least a chance to be a useful reliever, and he flashes enough fade and deception with his changeup in bullpen sessions to show signs he'll have three pitches to remain a starter. He shows very little confidence in his change in games, however, so he doesn't sell in convincingly. He sits 90-93 mph and touches 95 with his average fastball. He also has long shown the ability to spin his curveball. It has good depth and projects as a future plus pitch. Garabito heads to high Class A Wilmington in 2017 as he continues to acquire feel for his changeup.
One of the keys to the Royals' big league success has been international scouting director Rene Francisco and the team's international scouts' ability to find righthander after righthander who sign for modest price tags. It worked with Yordano Ventura, Kelvin Herrera and Miguel Almonte and it looks to be happening again with Garabito, a $50,000 bargain in 2012. In his U.S. debut, Garabito showed the ability to throw strikes and locate his fastball and his curveball. He pitched at 91-92 mph but touches 95, and there are evaluators who believe he'll eventually sit 93-95. He shows a good feel for spinning his curveball. Garabito's developing changeup has much further to go. Even if Garabito's fastball doesn't gain another tick, he has the stuff to be a future No. 4 starter. If he keeps getting stronger, he has a chance to be more than that. With his present ability to throws strikes, Garabito could make a case for a spot in low Class A Lexington in 2016.

Minor League Top Prospects

Signed by the Royals in 2012 for $50,000, Garabito continues in the organization's line of economical Latin pitchers, a group whose success stories include Yordano Ventura, Kelvin Herrera and Miguel Almonte. Garabito draws comparisons with Ventura at the same age, albeit without the high-90s velocity. He made his U.S. debut this year after two successful seasons in the Dominican Summer League and projects as a No. 4 starter. Garabito works with a plus fastball in the 89-95 mph range, sitting mostly at 91-92. He's got a projectable, 6-foot frame, competes well and throws strikes. He spins a good curveball that improved this season and is learning to use his changeup. Garabito repeats his smooth delivery with minimal effort. "He's got everything you want out of a starting pitcher," Royals manager Darryl Kennedy said. "Everything's there for him to be a top starter."

Career Transactions

RHP Gerson Garabito assigned to Aguilas Cibaenas.
Texas Rangers recalled RHP Gerson Garabito from Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers optioned RHP Gerson Garabito to Round Rock Express.
Round Rock Express activated RHP Gerson Garabito.
Texas Rangers recalled RHP Gerson Garabito from Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers optioned RHP Gerson Garabito to Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers recalled RHP Gerson Garabito from Round Rock Express.
Round Rock Express activated RHP Gerson Garabito.
Texas Rangers optioned RHP Gerson Garabito to Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers recalled RHP Gerson Garabito from Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers optioned RHP Gerson Garabito to Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers recalled RHP Gerson Garabito from Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers optioned RHP Gerson Garabito to Round Rock Express.
Round Rock Express activated RHP Gerson Garabito.
Texas Rangers selected the contract of RHP Gerson Garabito from Round Rock Express.
Round Rock Express activated RHP Gerson Garabito.
RHP Gerson Garabito assigned to Round Rock Express from Frisco RoughRiders.
RHP Gerson Garabito assigned to Frisco RoughRiders.
RHP Gerson Garabito assigned to Texas Rangers.