Brent Gibbs

BRENT GIBBS, CATCHER
Born: September 27, 1994
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 215
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 7th Round, 225th Overall, 2016
How Acquired: Draft
College: Central Arizona College (JC)
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Gibbs went to junior college after spending two years, one of them as a red-shirt, at Indiana University without getting into a game.  As a result, he’ll be 22 in September, which is older than the usual JC draftee, and he’s not that experienced yet.  He has a very good arm, but the Pirates have found his receiving skills to be lacking, possibly due to inexperience.  Gibbs put up great numbers at the plate, with a 396/497/590 line, but it came in a high-offense environment and he was older than most of the competition.  His plate discipline (15 BB, 22 K) was solid.  Scouts question his ability to make good contact consistently, but also thought he made progress in 2016.  Baseball America rated Gibbs the 194th best prospect in the draft.  He still had eligibility left and had a commitment to the University of Southern California, but he signed for $35,700 below the slot amount.

2016
R+:  236/371/309, 55 AB, 4 2B, 7 BB, 9 K, 2-3 SB

Gibbs was the primary catcher at Bristol starting in late June, but his season ended about a month early when a hit batsman left him with a badly bruised wrist.  He ended up catching only 15 games, although he showed a good arm by throwing out 37% of opposing base stealers.  He didn’t get a lot of opportunity at the plate, but at least showed good strike zone judgment.

2017
A:  229/282/340, 144 AB, 7 2B 3 HR, 6 BB, 49 K

Gibbs stayed in extended spring training for six weeks to rehab a knee injury, then joined West Virginia, where he shared catching duties with Arden Pabst.  In the end, Gibbs didn’t get a great deal of playing time due to various injuries, including hamstring, hand and concussion problems.  He struggled at the plate, with very poor walk and K rates.  His receiving wasn’t good, although he did have only four passed balls and he threw out 34% of base stealers.

Gibbs had knee surgery in spring 2018 and will miss at least a good part of the season.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2018: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $150,000
MiLB Debut: 2016
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2022
MLB FA Eligible:
Rule 5 Eligible: 2019
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 10, 2016: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 7th round, 225th overall pick; signed on June 14.