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ayaghmour2 · 08-09-2024, 11:30 PM

2nd Round, 20th Overall: SS Jack B Gibson
School: Loyola Knights
1951: .452/.529/1.012. 102 PA, 10 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 32 RBI
Career: .439/.524/.845, 225 PA, 20 2B, 4 3B, 16 HR, 64 RBI

Don't let anyone ever tell you that if you're smart you can't be sexy too, as the other player I wanted at 14 was still available after five more selections. One of the youngest players in the draft, Jack Gibson doesn't turn 17 until April, so on his 24th birthday Skipper Schneider will be 37. That's excellent news for him, even if he doesn't end up at shortstop, as there is really no one in his way since he'll need so long to develop.

I may end up regretting not taking a pitcher here, as two of the guys I really wanted were taking directly after and three more were taken after Gibson. This left us with just two really good pitchers, but I couldn't pass on one of the most enticing players in this draft. An added bonus is that this is a really weak class at short, with no real equivalent to Gibson available. I'd even say he's better then the #2 pick Claude Richerson, but he's closer to the big leagues and carries far less risk. Both boast the potential to hit a ton of home runs, with our second rounder coming off an 11 homer season in his second year as a varsity starter. Like Hoffman, he doesn't really have the best personality, but the above average power potential is the real key here. He has the tools to stick at short and a great approach at the plate, so 20+ homers would make him an elite infielder regardless of position. OSA loves him, praising his "good potential" and "very promising future" as well as comments on his power, approach, patience, and even contact.

Aside from being a very underdeveloped prospect, there's not a gap in his game, and there's really not an average tool either. I don't envision strikeout issues or a lack of extra base hits, and even if he doesn't end up at short he's got the defensive ability to be a plus defender at second or third. He almost reminds me of Elmer Grace, but Grace had the advantage of being a switch hitter and college bat. Gibson upside seems to outpace him, as as crazy as it sounds we now have our first shortstop of the future since, well, Skipper Schneider! It would be awesome if Gibson enters the system with higher potential then our longtime shortstop, but the only certainty is he'll never match out 8-Time All-Stars wizardry at short.

The rest? I just see one guy with more upside then Gibson. That's Joe Kleman. But I'd be happy with Paul Watson, or Cecil LaBonte, or Gordie Perkins. Just with the potential to hit more homers then even the eventual 20-home run hitter Watson. The '52 Lions may have some serious star power in the lineup this Summer. Hopefully while Jerry Smith and Bob Allen are flexing on FABL stars.

08-09-2024, 11:30 PM	#1506
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	1952 Draft: Round 2 2nd Round, 20th Overall: SS Jack B Gibson School: Loyola Knights 1951: .452/.529/1.012. 102 PA, 10 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 32 RBI Career: .439/.524/.845, 225 PA, 20 2B, 4 3B, 16 HR, 64 RBI Don't let anyone ever tell you that if you're smart you can't be sexy too, as the other player I wanted at 14 was still available after five more selections. One of the youngest players in the draft, Jack Gibson doesn't turn 17 until April, so on his 24th birthday Skipper Schneider will be 37. That's excellent news for him, even if he doesn't end up at shortstop, as there is really no one in his way since he'll need so long to develop. I may end up regretting not taking a pitcher here, as two of the guys I really wanted were taking directly after and three more were taken after Gibson. This left us with just two really good pitchers, but I couldn't pass on one of the most enticing players in this draft. An added bonus is that this is a really weak class at short, with no real equivalent to Gibson available. I'd even say he's better then the #2 pick Claude Richerson, but he's closer to the big leagues and carries far less risk. Both boast the potential to hit a ton of home runs, with our second rounder coming off an 11 homer season in his second year as a varsity starter. Like Hoffman, he doesn't really have the best personality, but the above average power potential is the real key here. He has the tools to stick at short and a great approach at the plate, so 20+ homers would make him an elite infielder regardless of position. OSA loves him, praising his "good potential" and "very promising future" as well as comments on his power, approach, patience, and even contact. Aside from being a very underdeveloped prospect, there's not a gap in his game, and there's really not an average tool either. I don't envision strikeout issues or a lack of extra base hits, and even if he doesn't end up at short he's got the defensive ability to be a plus defender at second or third. He almost reminds me of Elmer Grace, but Grace had the advantage of being a switch hitter and college bat. Gibson upside seems to outpace him, as as crazy as it sounds we now have our first shortstop of the future since, well, Skipper Schneider! It would be awesome if Gibson enters the system with higher potential then our longtime shortstop, but the only certainty is he'll never match out 8-Time All-Stars wizardry at short. The rest? I just see one guy with more upside then Gibson. That's Joe Kleman. But I'd be happy with Paul Watson, or Cecil LaBonte, or Gordie Perkins. Just with the potential to hit more homers then even the eventual 20-home run hitter Watson. The '52 Lions may have some serious star power in the lineup this Summer. Hopefully while Jerry Smith and Bob Allen are flexing on FABL stars.