Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | SEA | RHP | 3 | 55 |
Grades Update: Nov 2020
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | SL | CH | Cnt/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 60 | 60 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 55/50 |
Nov 2020 Report
Evaluator: Nick Stillman
Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-6
Weight: 225 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Draft - Round 1
RuleV: 2022
Physical Description: At 6' 6", Gilbert has a lanky frame. His weight is evenly distributed throughout his wiry arms and legs, with only modest room for muscle growth. Average athleticism. A cerebral pitcher, Gilbert has a reputation for intense study and a drive for self-improvement. Mentally tough, Gilbert is rarely overwhelmed and will make adjustments inning to inning.
Delivery & Mechanics: Gilbert reaches back and slings the ball from a 3/4th slot, a result of his long levered, smooth delivery. There's little apparent effort and his frame and motion allows him elite extension (reportedly over seven and a half feet) as he gets down the mound and releases on top of hitters. Finishes slightly off balance, but is consistent and fluid with good hip separation.
Fastball: His best pitch, Gilbert's four-seam fastball sits 92-95, t97 with plenty of ride. Fastball plays up as his extension allows him a late release, increasing perceived velocity and adding deception. Generates late life with modest armside run. Possesses above average command and can locate consistently at the top of the zone where it acts as a putaway pitch when paired with his secondary offerings. Grade: 60
Curveball: Gilbert tosses an average curve that flashes above and sits in the mid 70s (74-77). A true 12-6 shape that is distinct from the slider with a spike grip, Gilbert deploys it to steal strikes and set up the high fastball. Early in counts he throws a slow, tumbling breaker that hitters give up on before it pops into the zone, while late in counts he'll throw a sharper breaker that bounces for swings, though it's not as effective as the slider. Shape and break were inconsistent in 2019, but the velo difference allowed Gilbert to freeze hitters even on hangers at the top of the zone. Pitch is most effective to tunnel with the high fastball as hitters had trouble distinguishing the two. Needs to increase consistency and maintain that late break as advanced competition will punish mistakes. Grade: 55
Slider: Sitting 82-85, Gilbert's best secondary is a hard, sweeping slider that has taken a step forward as a pro. It's now an above average pitch that flashes plus. He'll throw it to lefties and righties, burying it back-foot to lefties and off the plate to righties. Can throw it for strikes, but is most effective as a two-plane putaway breaker that tunnels with the fastball. Lacks consistency as it can lose shape inning to inning, blending into a hittable slurve. When he has feel, he misses plenty of bats and the pitch looked more consistent in brief looks in 2020. Grade: 50
Changeup: Sitting 84-87, Gilbert has improved a fading, circle changeup that he throws with consistent arm speed. The pitch sits average with some late sink and fade, but he throws the occasional plus change that falls off the table, hinting at its potential. An underused pitch in 2019, Gilbert deployed it primarily to generate soft contact against lefties, but reports from 2020 intersquad are that changeup development was a focus for Gilbert, with positive early results. This pitch has the most potential to determine Gilbert's ceiling, as an above average or plus changeup will open up the rest of his arsenal and give him another weapon against left handed hitters Grade: 55
Control and Command: A strike-thrower that fills the zone, Gilbert is currently control over command, but his ability to throw all four pitches in the zone keeps hitters guessing. At the big league level he'll need to refine his command to keep hitters off balance, but his easy, repeatable delivery signals at least above average command moving forward. Control: 55 | Command: 55
Overall: Gilbert pairs four average to plus big league pitches with elite extension and solid command. He has the tools to be a middle of the rotation starter and the competitive drive and slow heartbeat to maximize them to land in the top of the rotation. If the changeup develops, Gilbert's ceiling could be as a number two starter. If his stuff stagnates, he still has the current mix of tools and Baseball IQ to stick in the middle of a rotation.
OFP: 55
Role: 60 - #3 SP
Risk: Low
