Jon Kibler

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #19 prospect in 2009
  In each of the past three seasons, the Tigers' minor league pitcher of the year has been a late-round pick from a Midwestern college: Burke Badenhop in 2006, Duane Below in 2007 and Kibler in 2008. Kibler, who pitched at Western Carolina and Dundalk (Md.) CC before transferring to Michigan State, has the highest ceiling of the group. He led the low Class A Midwest League in wins (14) and ERA (1.75). Kibler has an easy, repeatable, straight-ahead delivery and spots his fastball to both sides of the plate. His trademark is a sinker that averages 89 mph and tops out at 92. It jumps on hitters because of deception in his delivery. He doesn't have plus velocity but he can get outs up in the strike zone because of his superior command. His secondary pitches are an effective 77-81 mph slurve and a usable 76-79 mph changeup. Kibler's stuff is just average at best, raising some concern about his long-term projection. Though his strong frame should enable him to be a workhorse, shoulder fatigue forced him to the disabled list late in August. The injury isn't serious, and he went to instructional league to address his fielding deficiencies. Kibler was the unquestioned ace at West Michigan in 2008, but he's not likely to have that role in the majors. He should get there, very possibly as a steady No. 4 or 5 starter. This year, high Class A awaits.