With the 2018 Draft fast approaching (Monday to Wednesday on MLB Network and MLB.com), we take a closer look at the top prospects in this year's class.
:: 2018 Draft coverage ::
Name: Logan Gilbert
Position: RHP
School: Stetson
Rank on Draft Top 200: 16
DOB: 05/05/1997
Bats: R
Throws: R
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 195 pounds
Previously drafted: Never
Tools
(Future grades on 20-80 scouting scale)
Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50
Top 20 Draft Prospects profiles
Stats
Games started: 13
Record: 9-1
IP: 93
ERA: 2.61
K: 134
Opp. batting avg.: .166
Scouting Report
After a strong sophomore season at Stetson that included Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year honors, Gilbert turned in an All-Star showing in the Cape Cod League over the summer. While he hasn't quite had the velocity he showed on the Cape, he's still performing well enough to be among the better college pitching options available.
While Gilbert was sitting in the mid-90s and touching 97 mph over the summer, he's been pitching more in the 91-92 mph range and touching 94 mph. At times his two breaking balls can blend together, but his slider is better than his slow "get me over" curveball. His changeup might be his best pitch, though some scouts would like to see him use it more frequently. His arm and delivery works well and he throws strikes.
Stetson has never had a pitcher taken in the first round, though Corey Kluber and Jacob deGrom did cut their teeth at the school. Despite the slight dip in velocity, Gilbert still is a safe bet to beat those two right-handers, who went in the fourth and ninth rounds, easily.
MLB comp:John Lackey
Fun fact: Gilbert could become the highest draft pick ever selected from his hometown of Apopka, Fla. The Tigers selected catcher Keith Fisher 39th overall in the 1979 draft, the first of 12 draftees from Apopka. Additionally, only one of those 12 came from the high school Gilbert attended, Wekiva High School.
He said it: "I'm trying to force contact, I feel like I do get a lot of strikeouts and that's probably the type of pitcher I am at least in college, but really just going right after guys, that's the way I approach it. I just like to attack guys and get out there and go right after 'em. If they put it in play that's great, if I can work to get a strikeout that makes it easier." -- Gilbert.
They said it: "Logan is a very calm guy, he doesn't let a lot bother him. If he makes a bad pitch he's on to the next one. If he gets a big strikeout, I think the most you'll get out of him is just a quick little fist pump and then walk back to the dugout and prepare for the next guy. And that's just what works for him." -- Stetson coach Steve Trimper.