The Mets signed right-handed pitcher Michael Gibbons last August as a undrafted free agent out of D3 Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. He becomes just the third player in school history to sign a contract with a MLB team joining Chris Denorfia and Jamie Baker.
During his final year at Wheaton he was 4-1 with a 1.89 ERA (7th best in school history) with 37 strikeouts in 57 innings while holding opponents to a .203 average. Overall in college he was 9-3 with a 2.63 ERA (9th best in school history) in 106 innings.
He pitched in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League in the summers of 2013 and 2014. He went 4-2 with a 4.79 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 50.2 innings spanning 10 starts for the Torrington Titans during the 14′ FCBL season.
Michael made his Mets debut on June 15th pitching for the St. Lucie Mets, he went seven scoreless innings allowing just two hits and four strikeouts. He then bounced all around the Mets minor leagues making two starts for the Brooklyn Cyclones, one for the Binghamton Mets, six for the Savannah Sand Gnats before ending the season back with St. Lucie for two starts.
Overall, in the 2015 season for Mets affiliates he was 4-5 with a 3.63 ERA and 1.341 WHIP in 69.1 innings that came in 12 starts.
MMN – First off, thank you for taking time to answer my questions and congrats on a great first season in the Mets system. When and how did the Mets approach you about signing a contract?
Michael – I was approached by the Mets after my Junior summer of summer ball. I played in the Futures league in New England, was at the pro day and threw hard, threw well, and got noticed by a few teams. After that the process was pretty quick I was introduced to JP Riccardi and threw a bullpen for him down at Citi Field and signed about a week later.
MMN – What was the feeling like after having such an incredible debut? Especially skipping some levels and going right to St. Lucie?
Michael – It was eye opening. I was just focusing in spring training and extended to getting better, developing a more effective change-up and getting used to pro ball so when I got the opportunity to throw for St. Lucie I was really excited. It happened really fast so I didn’t have enough time to think about skipping levels I was just focused on going out and doing my job to help the team win.
MMN – You pitched at four different levels this year which is very unusual, what was the biggest different you saw from the New Penn League to the Eastern League?
Michael – The biggest difference I felt like I saw as I went to higher levels was the experience and consistently. Being in the Eastern League for only a spot start its difficult to say the difference I just tried to stay within myself at every level and help the team win and do my part.
MMN – For people who haven’t seen you pitch can you give them an idea of what you throw and how to like to work hitters?
Michael – My approach on the mound is pretty simple I try to attack the hitter with all pitches and pound the strike zone. I primarily utilize a sinker for my fastball to try and get hitters to ground out and keep my pitch count low. I’ll use a 4 seam fastball but more as a put away pitch. Besides that I throw a circle changeup that I started throwing alot of at the end of the year, as well as a slider.
MMN – Have you changed anything mechanically since joining the Mets system and who has been a coach that has influenced you the most so far?
Michael – No major changes in my mechanics. Just becoming more consistent in my delivery and knowing myself a little more. I think at all the levels the pitching coaches were major influences all of them do a great job of working with players in the developmental process, as well as our pitching coordinator Ron Romanic.
MMN – What are you doing this offseason to get ready for the 2016 season?
Michael – Staying true to my offseason workout routine, trying to eat healthy, and start my throwing process a little earlier this year to come back ready and in shape for the season. Taking it a day at a time and getting better that day.
MMN – When did you realize that you would have a chance to pitch profesionally?
Michael – I think for most baseball players its always a dream you have, not something thats on your mind whenever your playing the game, but when I started talking to teams it was just a great chance to have an opportunity to live out a childhood dream.
MMN – Can you tell me a Mets teammate that really impressed you this year?
Michael – Dominic Smith really impressed me in St. Lucie when I made it back there at the end of the season.
MMN – Does the type of success the Mets had at the Major League level trickle down to the guys in the minors at all and motivate them even more? Is there success something the guys in the minors pay attention to?
Michael – Ya, I think the success at the big league level gets the minor league guys excited, have them work with a sense of pride and know that there gonna need to work hard to make it the major leagues.
MMN – What would you say the toughest part of baseball life is in the minor leagues?
Michael – Handling the grind, its a long season with ups and downs you just need to be able to stay within a successful routine and get better each day.
MMN – What would you like to improve on to take the next step in being ready for the Major Leagues?
Michael – Become more consistent overall as a player, my delivery, off-speed pitch command in any count a little more and learn how to read hitters swings and approaches to give myself the best chance to be successful.
MMN – Some pitchers have been known for being superstitous, do you have any weird or different rituals you have before starts?
Michael – No weird superstitions, just stay focused, listen to music and kind of keep to myself.
MMN – Thanks for your time Mike, good luck next season and hope to see you in New York soon!
Michael – No problem, thanks you!
