For O's No. 4 prospect Gibson, 1st MLB win 'a pretty cool moment'

BALTIMORE -- The assignments haven't been easy ones for Trey Gibson in his first taste of the big leagues. But the 24-year-old right-hander has handled each one well, showing exactly why he's been viewed among the top pitching prospects in the Orioles' system in recent years.

On May 3, Gibson made his MLB debut with a spot start at Yankee Stadium and held the Yankees to three runs in 4 2/3 innings. Then, he pitched two innings of one-run relief against the A's in his first outing at Camden Yards five days later.

On Wednesday, Gibson was assigned his most challenging task yet -- another spot start, only this time, it would be against the American League-best Rays. And Baltimore's No. 4 prospect (per MLB Pipeline) turned in the most impressive showing among his first three big league appearances.

Gibson tossed 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball to earn his first MLB win in the O's 11-2 victory over Tampa Bay, helping them secure a three-game sweep. It'll be a night never forgotten by the righty, who signed with the Orioles as an undrafted free agent in August 2023, then quickly ascended the Minor League ranks.

"It's pretty cool. It's a pretty cool moment," Gibson said. "This past month has been kind of a roller coaster. So I'm just trying to stay where my feet are and just do my job."

Gibson got plenty of help from his Orioles teammates along the way. For one, he was pitching with a lead almost the entire night, as Baltimore took control of the game by scoring five runs off Tampa Bay left-hander Steven Matz in the bottom of the first inning.

The defense behind Gibson was also spectacular. The O's turned three double plays, helping the righty overcome six hits allowed and four walks.

The best play of the night came in the top of the third, when shortstop Gunnar Henderson made an incredible throw from deep in the hole to nab Richie Palacios at first to end the inning. The Rays had the bases loaded with one out before Gibson struck out Yandy Díaz and then got the assist from Henderson.

"I'm a ground ball type of pitcher, so that's huge," Gibson said. "I wasn't really in the zone as much as I'd like, so them being able to turn those double plays with guys on, it's huge for me."

Baltimore's infielders enjoyed having the opportunities to make those plays for Gibson as well.

"Trey's a dude, man," third baseman Blaze Alexander said. "The moment's never too big for him. He's cool, calm, collected. Big body on that mound, and he's doing it. I'm super impressed by him."

"He got himself in some holes, but he made the pitches when he needed to to get out of it," Henderson added. "That’s all you can ask for in a pitcher, is to go out there, bear down and make those pitches when you need to."

After the game, Gibson was given a celebratory beer shower inside the O's clubhouse, as is tradition. He was also gifted the lineup card, which will be signed by every player and then returned to him as a memento.

This was another spot start for Gibson, as the Orioles needed an extra starter this week after using both Brandon Young and Trevor Rogers in a doubleheader against the Tigers this past Sunday. There's a chance he'll be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to continue his development there.

But Gibson is quickly proving that he could have a bright future on Baltimore's pitching staff. And he plans on using these experiences to help him improve moving forward.

"I'll look back [at the outing] later tonight. I already got a few things in my head about what I'm going to be looking for," Gibson said. "But just trying to build off this start, wherever that may be."