by Frankie Piliere
Who says it’s too early to look at the ‘09 draft class? I couldn’t ignore one of favorite talents in the country, Kyle Gibson, for much longer. I’m a firm believer that Gibson will be one of the first few picks in the ‘09 draft. Of course, it’s crazy to think we can know that for any degree of certainly right now, but who doesn’t like look down the road a little? I saw quite a few of Gibson’s Cape Cod performance and couldn’t come away much more impressed and most of the other scouts around me appeared to agree.
Gibson is the real deal and will likely get big Team USA exposure this summer after a big coming out party in Cape Cod in ‘07. He’s the ideal projection guy who also has some real polish to his approach and mechanics. Enjoy the scouting report and read up on Gibson. He could be next year’s most talked up college arm. Take a look at the report after the jump…
Kyle Gibson, RHP, Falmouth Commodores (Missouri)
Pitch - Present Grade/Future Grade
Fastball - 50/60
Slider - 60/65
Changeup - 35/45
Command - 55/60.
Here’s a look at Gibson. Check out the frame and think about the projection.
Physical Description - Perfect pitcher’s body. Ultra projectable, long legs. Thin as a rail, plenty of room to grow and bulk up. Square shoulders, looks like a coat hanger. Not yet physically mature. Built like a younger Mark Prior.
Fastball - Sits at 88-90, touches 91. There is plenty more to come. Huge projection, looks like he’s throwing much harder. Throws a heavy ball with good, late life. Easy mechanics makes the ball appear to be jumping out of his hand. Has command east to west but need to work down in the zone. Should soon be sitting 92-93 plus life, could dominate with fastballs down in the zone.
Slider - 80-83 hard slider with 10-4 break. Near unhittable when spotted against right-handers. Has trouble spotting vs. lefties. Plus pitch when located but he needs to find more consistency. Stays on top, rarely hangs it. Can throw for strikes and bury it also. Legitimate strikeout pitch.
Changeup - 79-81 MPH changeup is rarely used. Does not trust it and shows to be essentially a two-pitch pitcher. Very straight, this pitch needs a lot of work. Alters arm speed and lacks feel. He needs this pitch to combat lefties. Big hole in his arsenal.
Mechanics - Smooth, easy arm action, shouldn’t have serious arm problems. Very little effort. Has a pause in his delivery just before his release, allows his arm to catch up. Drifts out over the rubber, weight leaks forwards, costs him a few ticks of his velocity. Doesn’t drive with his legs, relies on his fast arm. Throws over the top, creating good downward action. No windup.
Notes - Not a pitcher at this stage, more of a thrower. Projection is key. Needs to get stronger. Natural movement keeps him away from the middle of the plate. Doesn’t look like a natural athlete, awkward fielding his position. Likes to work insider. Easy delivery appears to lull hitters and makes his fastball more effective.
Adjusted Overall Future Potential: 63
Present Group: P, Future Group: A-
Projected Role: #2 starter
Draft Projection: Top Ten Picks (’09)
Overall Comparison: John Lackey (a thinner-framed version)
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20 responses so far ↓
1 Jason // Mar 25, 2008 at 10:45 am
You weren’t kidding when you said he looks like a coat hanger.
2 Mitch // Mar 25, 2008 at 12:45 pm
You guys have an idea of how well he holds his velocity through games? From the looks of his mechanics, by using very little of his hips/legs I would think he wouldn’t hold up very well past the 65 pitch mark.
3 fpiliere44 // Mar 25, 2008 at 1:23 pm
It is a logical assumption Mitch, but with the way he throws (very free an easy), he keeps the velocity up quite well. I saw him in one particular 6 inning effort in which I was told, if I remember correctly that he threw 90 pitches. And in the 6th inning he was still right where he was in the first.
4 dan12 // Mar 25, 2008 at 6:25 pm
There are plenty of questions as to whether drifting is a good or bad thing. I wouldn’t definitively say that it’s costing him a few ticks, unless we’re talking about two different things.
5 fpiliere44 // Mar 25, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Agreed Dan. I wouldn’t say I’ve got hard and fast standards/philosophies on pitching mechanics but when we get to a video analysis of Gibson that is something that will definitely be discuseed in further detail. Tempo and weight transfer vs. tall and fall is one thing but this is something very different. The drifting isn’t corresponding with his arm action. If the weight was coming with some torque and his arm was catching up, i wouldn’t touch him. Very smart kid though so I really don’t see it being a major issue for him to clean up with some minor tweaks.
I have to say Gibson is one of the most unique guys I’ve ever scouted.
He’s both incredibly polished but loaded with projection, very interesting combination. But, I’m a believer in a pitcher learning to pitch first then getting the stuff. He’s got the killer breaking ball, and some meat will go on that frame….he’s gonna be exciting.
6 River Ave. Blues | Minor League quick hits // Mar 28, 2008 at 12:07 am
[…] Have you checked out Saber-Scouting yet? It’s great new site that mixes the world of sabermetrics (boo) with traditional scouting (yay), and is written by guys that actually know what the hell they’re talking about. Check out their scouting report on uber-stud Kyle Gibson. […]
7 Jesse G. // Mar 28, 2008 at 8:37 am
I love the site so far. Just a quick note. Kyle Gibson pitched for the Falmouth Commodores this past summer not Orleans. Additionally, you should profile some of the other big prospects from that team including Aaron Crow and Christian Friedrich when you have a chance. Keep up the good work!
8 Mike R. // Mar 28, 2008 at 8:42 am
Awesome job Frankie! Do you plan on including position players in this Scouting Report series?
9 fpiliere44 // Mar 28, 2008 at 11:17 am
Most definitely Mike. We just kinda realized we had been neglecting hitters, lol. Check out the Raben report though.
10 fpiliere44 // Mar 28, 2008 at 11:20 am
Good catch Jesee, thanks. Stupid error on my part, considering I don’t think I ever even saw him throw in Orleans, lol.
Falmouth was easily the team I found myself making excuses to go see every day, lol. I could always count on there being a special pitching talent. Kiley has some really awesome stuff coming on Crow today. And, I’ve got a Friedrich report for the near future. Don’t get me started on him…one of my favorites, lol.
11 Todd C. // May 25, 2008 at 12:56 am
The most impressive thing about Kyle Gibson is the work ethic he has. Growing up in playing with Kyle there is no one else that could compete with his work ethic. He has a tremendous humble presence and also is extremely knowledgable about the game in itself. Very impressive to see his upside and love to follow the news.
12 Austin G. // Jun 13, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Kyle is an outstanding individual. He not only has great success on the mound, but off the mound and the field he still excels. He is an overall amazing person and it carries over to the field. I know this because I grew up playing with Kyle and plus he is my first cousin. I wish nothing but the best for him.
13 Jared M. // Mar 11, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Just saw Kyle pitch against Ball State last weekend in Columbia, MO. He threw 8 innings, 104-107 pitches, and struck out 13 with his fastball consistently in the 90’s. He looked very good. Great person off the field and I can’t wait to see what he can do at the next level. Glad we got to spend a little time with him on Saturday.
14 Taylor Gibson // Mar 16, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Just this past Saturday he pitched a complete game shutout against the number one team in the nation the Texas Longhorns. His 4-seam was around 93-96 all game and had a killer change-up and slider. With that kind of stuff he had 12 K’s and only gave up 6 hits. Thats my cousin!!!
15 Terry Freese // Mar 24, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Happened to be at the UT game. Had a rader gun on him. He threw the fastball 91-92 all day. He used his change up several times. Slider was great. He looked the same in the 9th. as he did in the first inning. He threw about 120 pitches. Spent a little time talking to him. He seems to be a great person.
16 Billy Gibson // Mar 25, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Those Gibson boys (and girls) are all great athletes, very coachable and all around good kids. Kyle is the first in a line of more to come. Austin will likely be next as a catcher. Don’t discount one of the most important qualities about these kids. They do it the right way, clean. Good raising and a humble approach should serve Kyle and the others well.
17 Zack Longnecker // Apr 29, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Kyle has great machinces but what makes kyle so great is hes such a great person. I no kyle he is very helpful to anyone. I think he will go around 8th or 9th in the draft. (Hopefully 9th thats Cincinnati’s pick LOL) GO REDS!!!!!!!!
18 Nan Goodale // Jun 1, 2009 at 7:50 pm
I was in a project with kyle in school last semester. His sports talent aside, he is one of the true good guys. My son is autistic and with all else kyle had on his plate he offered to be a mentor for him. I counldn’t have been more impressed with a person. A natural leader, the first in the class to offer help or a friendly word, he has no vanity.
He deserves all the good things that come to him.
19 Jason // Jun 2, 2009 at 11:52 am
Kyle Gibson is a great player. Hands down. He has been since Greenfield Central High. He is a great person, and I hope he gets drafted by the Pirates, so he can go through the minors, through AAA Indianapolis, so that the people who know him from growing up can watch him play.
20 Tony V. // Jun 9, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Welcome to the Minnesota Twins!! I hope he decides to sign and go through the organization. We’ve had some greats come through and the excitement in the town is incredible, some definite stars for the future and a new ball-park!!
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