FanGraphs: January 25, 2010
Baseball America: January 11-24, 2010; p. 21

Derrik Gibson (Youse's Orioles 2007-2008) has been listed as the eighth rated prospect in the Boston Red Sox farm system by the popular stat site FanGraphs. Gibson was rated 10th overall in a similar list by Baseball America.

Says FanGraphs' Marc Hulet of Gibson: ''A personal favorite of mine, Gibson received his second straight year of short-season ball and looked over-matched in a brief 14-game trial in low-A ball. In short-season ball, Gibson hit .290/.395/.380 and had a .386 wOBA in 255 at-bats. He showed good patience for a future top-of-the-order MLB hitter with a walk rate of 12.9% and his strikeout rate was reasonable at 16.5%. He’s performed poorly against southpaws for two straight seasons (.566, .621 OPS). After nabbing 14 steals in as many tries in ‘08, Gibson was successful in 28 of his 33 tries in ‘09. Defensively, he’s expected to move off of shortstop, which takes a bite out of his value.''

Writes Jim Callis of Baseball America: ''Gibson is the best baseball athlete and highest-drafted position player to come out of Delaware since Delino DeShields was an Expos first-round pick in 1989. Gibson has similar tools and turned down a North Carolina scholarship to sign for $600,000. The Red Sox minor league baserunner of the year in 2009, he stole 28 bases in 33 tries and led the New York-Penn League with 54 runs.''

On his strengths, Callis writes: ''A classic leadoff hitter, Gibson has plus-plus speed and supreme control of the strike zone. He has a quick bat, solid gap power and could realize his 15-homer potential once he adds strength to his broad-shouldered frame. He covers a lot of ground in the field and has solid arm strength. His instincts and makeup are off the charts.''

However, Callis notes that ''Gibson has a funny hitch in his throwing motion that eventually will lead him to a move from shortstop to second base or possibly center field. Though he doesn't take a big cut or give less than full effort, he doesn't always get a good jump out of the batter's box.''

Overall, ''Gibson is poised for a breakout 2010 season at Greenville. He'll still see time at shortstop, but a move is in his near future. The Red Sox don't need to rush him, but he may start to accelerate his timetable.''