When looking at the top pitchers in Missouri baseball history, odds are that Kyle Gibson is a name that features prominently on that list. A three-year impact player for the Tigers back in their Big 12 days, here is a look back at the Missouri baseball career of Gibson.
Looking back at the Missouri Baseball career of Kyle Gibson
Originally selected in the 36th round of the 2006 MLB Draft out of Greenfield Central High School in Indiana by the Philadelphia Phillies, Gibson would bypass the professional game out of high school, instead opting to begin his collegiate career at Missouri.
Once in Columbia, Gibson would go on to make a team-high 28 appearances on the mound for the Tigers as a freshman, owning an 8-3 record with a 4.12 ERA and 77:19 K:BB ratio across 67.2 IP. Gibson also had seven saves as a freshman during the 2007 season, and would rank among the Tigers leaders in multiple statistical categories, all while holding opponents to a combined .242 AVG against.
As a sophomore in 2008, Gibson would act more as a starter for Missouri, starting in 12-of-19 games for the Tigers on the mound. Across 86.2 IP that season, Gibson would own a 9-4 record with a 3.84 ERA and 96:23 K:BB ratio, as well as two saves.
Gibson would go on to become one of the top starting pitchers in the Big 12 as a junior in 2009, owning an 11-3 record with a 3.21 ERA and 131:19 K:BB ratio across 106.2 IP. Starting in 15-of-16 of his appearances, Gibson would also have five complete games that season, and would be selected with the No. 22 overall pick in the first round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins at seasons end, bringing a conclusion to his Missouri career.
Since making his MLB debut in 2013, Gibson has played 11 seasons in the major leagues with a total of four different teams, owning a 4.52 career ERA between his time with the Twins, Texas Rangers, Phillies, and Baltimore Orioles. The 35-year-old right-hander is currently with the Orioles, and has also made one All-Star appearance during his 11-year MLB career.