Cam Gibson Scouting Report, Detroit Tigers — January, 2018
Full Name: Cameron Michael Gibson
DOB: February 12, 1994 (23)
Birthplace: Grosse Pointe, MI
School: Michigan State University
Acquired: 5th Round, 2015 MLB Draft
Height, Weight: 6’1”, 195 lbs.
Position: OF
Bats/Throws: L/R
Dates Observed: October - November, 2017
Affiliate(s): Mesa Solar Sox (Arizona Fall League)
Previous Reports: October 20 — Click Here
Tool (FV)
Notes & Comments
Hit (30)
Wide-set, hunched stance with little ability to create leverage for power; some bat wrap issues behind head leaves long, slow swing path susceptible to being beat in the upper half of the zone and by above-average velocity. Opposite-field approach; inside-out look with slap hitter tendencies and little ability to jump on pitches on inner half with authority. Good runner, though, and could take advantage of an opposite-field slap game in the right role. Below-average pitch recognition; will chase up and out of zone in particular. Reactionary hitter; tendency to fight off pitchers’ pitches as opposed to jumping out on strikes and doing damage. Overall, very rough showing at the plate at AFL — proved in long look there that his bat isn’t close to being ready to face pitching of this caliber.
Power (35)
Below-average bat speed; little leverage in wide-set, low stance with very small stride and insignificant weight transfer. Inside-out approach at the plate with weak hands and wrists; reactionary hitter who lacks consistent ability to get out on pitches and do damage, especially to his pull side. Exploited by fastball velocity at AFL and proved inability to adjust and hit the fastball with any consistency. Ultimately well-below-average raw and game power at present with little likelihood of developing into average tool considering he’s already 23 years old and more or less at/near final physical form; perhaps modest gap-to-gap power here thanks to above-average speed with occasional line drive execution to opposite field.
Glove (45)
Serviceable if slightly below average in left field; inconsistent routes to the ball and questionable reads off the bat at times, but he can overcome it a bit with plus speed. All-out attitude in the outfield; hard-nosed guy who goes full-bore all the time, and that could aid his case and play up modest defensive tools. That said, lack of arm strength and inconsistent/variable route-running will likely limit him to left field in any significant role at higher levels.
Arm (30)
Well below-average arm with awkward mechanics and little velocity/carry on the baseball. Shows tendency to play relatively shallow in bid to compensate for lack of arm strength. Not enough arm strength to play center/right in short-term utility roles at higher levels without being exploited by base runners; well below-average across all facets (velocity, accuracy, consistency) and unlikely for significant tool improvement now entering fourth year of pro career.
Speed (60)
Legitimate 60-grade runner; 4.10 - 4.16 to first base from LHH box at AFL; 4.43 - 4.49 turns at first base; also timed 6.95 from second base to home plate. Speed helps glove and hit tools play up some, but only modestly; thus far in career he surprisingly hasn’t shown signifiant stolen base acumen even with good speed. Along with speed, though, he’s a serious hustler — hustles everywhere he goes, plays the game at 100% at all times, and goes all out with remarkable intensity; seems to understand that what he lacks in tools, he can play up in hustle and intensity. Commendable quality; that alone may not get him to The Show, but should make him a good teammate and leader in time.
Notes
Thin, lean with weaker forearms, hands, and wrists; some room to fill out physically but relatively close to final form considering age. Son of longtime big leaguer Kirk Gibson and shows it on the field; old-school, stirrups, no batting gloves, all-out hustler who plays with remarkable intensity and reckless abandon. Very good-natured kid with high-quality makeup off the charts; by all accounts a good teammate; light-hearted and funny, and would make for a very good leader as he ages even despite relative lack of physical tools. Attitude and intensity will push his playing career wherever it goes, but he might profile best long term as a coach with his leadership tendencies and good-natured makeup a natural fit.
OFP (35 FV)
For me, unlikely to fall into much larger role than organizational depth over the next few years; hustle and reckless abandon may get him a look in The Show and potentially a small up-and-down role at ceiling, but the physical tools and ability to make adjustments against good pitching never got close to workable in my long look this fall. Family name will carry him some, especially with the Detroit Tigers, and the intense way he plays the game is truly commendable, but there’s not much here to suggest an ability to settle into a productive big league role of any significance. Beyond that, though, Cam Gibson would likely be a good fit as a coach down the road; he works well with teammates and media and should be a good ambassador and leader with age. MLB ETA: 2020.
Cam Gibson Scouting Report, Detroit Tigers — Game Video
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