10. Mike Gerber, OF
Birthdate: 7/8/92 (24 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: high A, AA
Stats in 2016: .276/.345/.466, 18 HR, 8 SB
Gerber comes from what is a tough situation for most draftees, being drafted as a college senior in the 15th round. Coming from Creighton, Gerber had a long road to overcome to catch the attention of his own organization, let alone national rankers.
He’s done exactly that as a guy who has no outstanding tool, but his combination of tools and game “feel” allow him to find success at every level thus far, even passing the AA test, a typical weeding out level in the minor leagues.
his combination of tools and game “feel” allow him to find success
Gerber’s got a very good feel at the plate in getting his barrel on the ball, which allows him to maximize his power output, which could sit at 10-15 home runs as a big leaguer if he’d get to that level.
Gerber’s also a solid athlete that can steal a base as needed and certainly is a very solid base runner.
Gerber doesn’t have an exceptional arm, but he’s succeeded as a right fielder by having extreme accuracy in his average to above-average arm, allowing it to play up very well.
Gerber has been on the fast track thus far, making AA in his second full season. He’ll likely be starting at AA or AAA to start 2017 with a chance to move to Detroit in a solid 4th outfielder role this year.
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