Meet the Rookie: Kyle Gibson

Kyle Gibson makes his fifth start for the Minnesota Twins tonight when they take on the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

The 25 year old Indiana native got his start playing baseball throughout his high school years. He was named the Hancock County Player of the Year following his senior year, and was named to the Indianapolis Star All-East team, after which he was named the All-East Player of the Year and made the Indiana All-Star team.

Jul 14, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (44) pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. (Photo Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports)

Following high school, Gibson was picked by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 36th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft, but decided instead to attend the University of Missouri, playing baseball for the Missouri Tigers. In the 2009 Major League Draft, Gibson was drafted by the Minnesota Twins as the 22nd overall pick. He was given a $1,800,000 signing bonus.

While playing in the minors, Kyle Gibson’s numbers were definitely favorable, with a 3.54 ERA and a total of 329 strikeouts. It’s certainly not a bad record, and it shows why he was always considered a good prospect. Now he just needs to bring numbers like those up to the majors, and not let the big league players knock him around too much.

So far in the major leagues, Gibson has gone 2-2, had 11 strikeouts, and a 6.45 ERA, but walks have been his biggest concern over his past few starts, with Gibson walking eight batters over the last two games. Hopefully tonight he can manage to target the zone and stay ahead in the count.

The rookie right-hander had a shaky start in his last game against the New York Yankees July 14th, giving up three runs and four walks, but fortunately the offense pulled through, leading the Twins to a 10-4 victory over the Yankees.

“Gibby battled through it. He kind of nit-picked around the zone; we’d like to see him attack the zone a lot more,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhiretold the Twins official website. “He just kind of picked a little too much for our liking. The game was slow-paced, and he knows that. He’s got to do a little better.”

Currently the Twins are 1-0 against the Angels in the three-game series.