Minnesota Twins: Taking an Early Look at the Rotation

Sep 28, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher

(44) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Gibson

Gibson was one of the top prospects in the Twins organization until he needed Tommy John surgery in the fall of 2011. Gibson struggled mightily afterwards in 2013, his first stint in the Majors, ending the year with a 6.53 ERA. Last season he was with the main club the entire season and improved, posting a record of 14-11 with an ERA of 4.47. He finished the year with a WHIP of 1.31, which was slightly above the American League average of 1.28, but not way out of line.

I feel like I have been hearing about Kyle Gibson for 15 years but he is only 27 years old. He is also saying the right things about Paul Molitor and the new coaching staff. According to Eric Peterson of Inforum, Gibson said of Molitor, “I love being around him. He’s a great person to talk to, and you see his baseball pedigree and all of a sudden you respect him. He doesn’t have to earn that.” At this point, it seems farfetched that he will ever be a full-fledged ace. That said, if he can stay healthy and develop a little more start-to-start consistency he can absolutely be a fixture in the Twins rotation long-term.

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