Editor's Note: Kyle Gibson is a 6-foot-6, 208 pound pitcher for The University of Missouri. He's a hot topic right now, as he could be taken in the first round of the 2009 draft. Gibson fans, such as SaberScouting.com, see him as a projectable hurler who has a chance to be a top 10 overall pick and a No. 2 starter in the big leagues. Our own Lincoln Hamilton said he wouldn't take Gibson inside the top two rounds of the 2009 draft, citing his poor mechanics, lack of a polished changeup, and mediocre fastball -- for a MLB starter -- as reasons for concern. Josh Poore is back with another detailed report on one of 2009's top draft-eligible talents.
DATE 3-6-09
LOCATION: COLUMBIA, MO
THE BASICS:
Fastball...90-92early in the outing, did have several 88 and 89 after 50 pitches in.Reached back for 92 as late as pitch 112. Average life, but spottedwell both sides of the plate.
Slider...Very tight pitch,virtually indistinguishable from the fastball until close to the plate.Usually 81-83, although a couple did come in at 85. Plus pitch. Goodarm action with this pitch. Thrown for strikes looking very often.
Changeup...Used very rarely. Average pitch at best. Came in at 81-83. I only counted six changeups.
Used early in the count more often than not. Did get one swinging strikeout on a change.
Fielding/Holding runners...Only had one fielding play to make and it was a routine throw to firstbase.
Paida lot of attention to runners. Feet are not slow, but his throws tobases are. At times he seemed to be more focused on runners than on thehitter.
Delivery...3/4 Delivery. Stay-tall-and-fall style.Rather upright approach. Landed on a stiff leg from time to time, butlanding point remained consistent. Not much deception in his delivery.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS:
Pitch count was 114.
Weather conditions were favorable. Light wind and temps in the mid 60s.
Probably a dozen scouts in attendance including: Giants, Angels, Braves, Padres and Phillies.
Ball State was taking quite a lot early in the count.
Pitched away often. Did not come inside very often, especially early in counts.
Very projectable frame. Listed at 6 feet 6 inches, 208 lbs.
Mixed fastball/slider well. Did throw several straight sliders when a hitter was badly fooled.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN:
Final linewas 8IP 6H 1ER 1R 1BB 13K (career high in K)
Fourteen first pitch strikes. First pitch put into play twice.
Eight strikeouts on sliders swinging.
Did a good job of evening counts and getting ahead whenever he would fall behind in counts initially.
Gibsonwas backed by a talented club, including Trevor Coleman, Aaron Senne,Ryan Lollis and Greg Folgia. I anticipate all of these players to bedrafted in the early to mid round of the 2009 draft.