Minnesota Twins Hope to See Prospect Kyle Gibson in 2013

If you’re a Minnesota Twins fan, you’ve heard the name Kyle Gibson for years now. The surefire prospect was rising quickly through the minor leagues when he was sidelined with Tommy John Surgery in 2011. After rehabbing for the last year and a half, it seems like Twins’ fans will likely get a glimpse of the fabled right-hander in 2013.

Gibson, 25, was the Twins’ 2009 1st round draft pick. In 2010, he shot through the Twins’ farm-system accumulating a 11-6 record with a 2.96 ERA in high A, AA, and AAA. With so much success, so quickly, his appearance with the big league club seemed imminent. However, after a rocky 2011 campaign that ended with reconstructive elbow surgery, Gibson seemed farther from the Twins’ starting rotation than ever.

Gibson began building up his strength again in 2012 but only pitched 29 innings of minor league ball, including two rocky starts in AAA at the end of the year. Generally, the surgery that replaces a ligament takes 12-18 months for a full recovery. With Gibson on schedule in the rehab process, hopes are high that he will be toeing the rubber at Target Field in 2013. Recently in an interview, Twins’ GM Terry Ryan said of Gibson, “He certainly has enough ability. He’s mature enough. I think he’s strong enough physically and mentally. At some point in 2013, you’re going to see him pitch for us.”

This seems like a good year for Gibson to make an appearance, too. Expectations for the Twins are not very high and it’s unlikely the potential rookie would find himself in any pressure cookers. Additionally, the club’s starting rotation is questionable at best. Surely through injury or poor-performance, Gibson will have an opportunity to pitch in a Twins uniform in 2013–a sign the fans at Target Field will welcome.