Twins Top 15 Prospects: #5

Who: Kyle Gibson

Position: RHP

How Acquired: 2009 Draft, 1st round (22nd overall)

Highest Level Reached in 2009: N/A

Kyle Gibson was ranked as high as a top 5 selection in last year’s draft by Baseball America before a stress reaction in his forearm sidelined him and caused him to plummet to the 22nd pick. Credit the Twins for doing the medical diligence on Gibson and taking a risk with the 22nd pick, which is right where you should be taking risks in a draft.

Gibson, when healthy profiles as probably a #2 starter. He uses mostly a two seamer and has a couple good breaking balls. On a recent Baseball America podcast, Jim Callis said (and I’m paraphrasing) that he’d take Gibson over Rangers prospect Tanner Scheppers because Gibson has two offspeed pitches that were among the best in the recent draft. Because of his height and frame, Gibson is able to create angles really well. It will be interesting to see if his stuff keeps playing up throughout his professional career, or if it stagnates.

I have Gibson 5 in my rankings because of two things. 1. The injury risk (granted elbows are better than shoulders) and 2. lack of ceiling. A #2 pitcher is very valuable, but Gibson might only have the pure stuff to be a #3. We shall see.