Despite tough start, Gibson optimistic going into '24

JUPITER, Fla. -- Kyle Gibson is not too concerned about his less-than-stellar stats so far this spring, and neither is Cardinals manager Oli Marmol.

The way Marmol sees it, the 36-year-old Gibson is a veteran pitcher who the skipper trusts to be an asset in the Redbirds’ rotation this season, so there’s no reason to see the right-hander’s inflated Grapefruit League numbers as a red flag with Opening Day only nine days away.

“We know what he’s got,” Marmol said Tuesday following the Cardinals’ 11-10 win over the Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Suffice it to say that Gibson’s pitching line Tuesday was not suitable for framing: five innings pitched, eight runs (five earned), nine hits and a walk. Two of the Marlins’ hits off the right-hander were wind-aided home runs to right field by Jazz Chisholm Jr., his second and third homers in two days. Gibson’s spring training ERA is now 10.80 following his longest outing of camp.

The fact that he made it comfortably through five innings of work on 74 pitches (51 strikes) seemed to be enough for Gibson to feel good about where he is at this point of Spring Training.

“Physically, I felt good. I just didn’t execute as well as I’d like to on some pitches,” Gibson said. “I was able to get ahead of most guys except for the walk and to Jazz.”

Gibson admitted that the inflated ERA after three starts this spring does bother him, but also acknowledged that elevated stats can happen when pitchers are working on different aspects of their approach during Spring Training.

“The numbers are what they are,” he said. “It’s more about execution and how you go about it. There are certain things I’ve got to clean up and get better at. It’s execution. It’s something I can control a lot of the time, but I just didn’t do that today. Trying to build up pitches, working on some things, that’s just delivery stuff that I’m working on. But that’s what Spring Training is all about. Figure out adjustments you need to make.”

Gibson said his approach and game plan will change once the regular season begins and he’s studying scouting reports and pitching in different game situations, when wins and stats carry more weight.

“I don’t put too much stock in those numbers,” Gibson said of his spring stat line that includes allowing 12 earned runs in 10 innings of work over three starts. “I’ve had good bullpens. For the most part I feel physically pretty close to where I want to be.”

Marmol said that other than the home runs by Chisholm, both of which came off the bat looking like routine fly balls to right field but found their way over the fence in part thanks to a gusty wind blowing out, Gibson looked strong.

“He was on the ground a ton, which gives you optimism of what he can do,” Marmol said. “There were the two big swings today, but he’s been around awhile, so that’s why he feels the way he does.”

Gibson’s next start is scheduled for Sunday, in the final spring game in Jupiter before the Cardinals break camp and head west in preparation for the opener against the Dodgers. Gibson said he would like to get through six innings and reach a higher pitch count in his final tune-up for the regular season.

“I got the pitch count I wanted [today], maybe build up a little more [on Sunday],” he said.

Worth noting
Brendan Donovan's wife Aly gave birth to their first child, Vivian, last Friday, and Donovan returned to camp on Tuesday, reaching base twice and scoring a run from the leadoff spot.

“That’s him. He grinds out at-bats and finds a way to get on base,” Marmol said.

Victor Scott II continues to impress this spring. The 23-year-old center fielder made a superb diving catch in the second inning, and in the bottom of the frame laid down a perfectly executed bunt, beating the throw to first with his blazing speed and helping spark a seven-run rally by the Cardinals.

“He’s been impressive all camp,” Marmol said of Scott, who is a non-roster invitee to Spring Training. “He’s already at a pretty elite level.”