Not a whole lot has gone well for the Minnesota Twins to start the 2018 season.
One of the few bright spots for the Minnesota Twins has been starting pitcher Kyle Gibson. The right-hander seemed to figure things out over the last two months of last season. That momentum has carried over into the 2018 season.
Gibson had a 3.55 ERA over his final 11 starts to close out the 2017 season and the Twins went 9-2 during those starts. Throwing strikes has been the biggest reason for his turn around. Gibson walked 45 over 94 2/3 innings pitched through his first 18 starts. However, over those final 11 starts, he walked only 18 while pitching 63 1/3 innings.
Minnesota traded for Jake Odorizzi and signed Lance Lynn this off-season to help solidify the starting rotation. However, it has been Gibson who has provided the steadying presence and has helped keep this team afloat.
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Looking at Gibson’s start
Although the Minnesota Twins have limped out of the gate to start this season, Gibson has been strong and steady. His velocity is up a tick across the board and that is helping him keep his ground ball rate at a healthy 48%.
Gibson has also had the strikeout pitch working this season and currently averages a career-best 10.2 K/9. He has a 3.49 ERA through his first six starts and has a solid 1.216 WHIP through 38 2/3 innings pitched. Odorizzi and Lynn haven’t pitched up to their standards to start their Twins careers, making Gibson’s start even more important for the Minnesota Twins.
With Gibson pitching so well, and rookie sensation Fernando Romero lighting up, Minnesota will have some difficult decisions to make when Ervin Santana returns from injury. However, this is a problem that every team in Major League Baseball would love to have.
Gibson has definitely pitched himself into this rotation and should have nothing to worry about as long as he keeps dealing. As good as José Berríos has been for the Twins, there’s an argument to be made that Gibson has been their most consistent starter this season.
Next: Pitching help on the way
Minnesota has the makings of an above-average starting rotation looking toward the future. Gibson has shown this front office that he should be in those future plans.