Spartan Cam Gibson Drafted in the MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers, Just Like His Father Kirk

MLB Draft Update: Gibson Drafted in the Fifth Round by Detroit

EAST LANSING - Michigan State outfielder Cam Gibson was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the fifth round (No. 160 overall) of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday afternoon. Gibson, who just completed his junior season, posted a career-best 10 doubles, five home runs and 32 RBI in 2015.

His 17 stolen bases were also a career high and ranked fourth in the Big Ten. The native of Grosse Pointe, who started all 57 games in left field, led the Spartans and tied for fifth in the Big Ten in runs scored with 54. His 25 runs scored in Big Ten play ranked second in the conference.

Gibson recorded at least one hit in 16 of 19 contests in the month of April and ended the year with 22 multi-hit games, including a team-high seven three-hit games. He hit from the leadoff spot in all but one game and finished the year with a .294 batting average.

As a sophomore in 2014, Gibson’s 70 hits were tied for the most on the team and 10th in the Big Ten. He hit .315 with a .405 on-base percentage, which ranked ninth in the Big Ten. Gibson finished the year with 16 stolen bases and 18 RBI.

He was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team as a rookie in 2013 as he hit .325 in 43 games.

He has a .310 career batting average and a total of 45 stolen bases over his three seasons.

Gibson is the Spartans’ highest MLB Draft selection since Bobby Malek was selected in the fourth round (No. 117 overall) by the New York Mets in 2002. Gibson, whose selection marks the fourth consecutive year MSU has had a player taken in the MLB Draft, is the 15th Spartan to be drafted under MSU head coach Jake Boss.

Cam’s father, Kirk, was also a Detroit Tigers draft pick as the former Spartan All-American was selected 12th overall in 1978.