NEW YORK -- It was one of the biggest possible stages for an MLB debut -- a Sunday afternoon American League East rivalry matchup at Yankee Stadium. But Trey Gibson arrived and quickly showed he could more than handle the moment.
Making his first career start for the Orioles, Gibson turned in an encouraging outing, allowing three runs over 4 2/3 innings against the Yankees. The 23-year-old right-hander, Baltimore’s No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, weathered some early adversity and retired six consecutive batters before a two-out walk to Aaron Judge in the fifth ended his day.
The first starting pitcher in O’s history (since 1954) to debut in the Bronx, Gibson collected two strikeouts, issued two walks and was aggressive, throwing 56 of his 87 pitches for strikes.
Gibson allowed a solo home run to Ben Rice in the first inning and a two-run homer to Judge in the third. However, those two have been among MLB’s best hitting duos this season, as they now have combined for 25 home runs (13 by Judge, 12 from Rice). Both sluggers connected on curveballs left over the middle of the strike zone by Gibson and jolted them over the wall.
Together, Rice and Judge went a combined 3-for-4 against Gibson. The rest of New York’s lineup went 1-for-15 (.067) against the righty.
Gibson showcased the vast arsenal that makes him one of the top pitching prospects in the O’s system. He threw 24 sliders, 18 sinkers, 16 four-seam fastballs, 15 cutters and 14 curveballs.
In the second, Gibson collected his first MLB strikeout by getting Austin Wells to swing and miss at a 2-2 “death ball” -- his gyro slider that has less horizontal movement and more vertical drop.
At the time of Gibson’s departure in the fifth, the Orioles and Yankees were tied at 3.
COMPLETE ORIOLES PROSPECT COVERAGE
It is not yet known whether Gibson will get another start for Baltimore or return to Triple-A Norfolk. The O’s currently have six starters on their active roster -- the other five are Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt, Brandon Young and Cade Povich -- and they only needed a fresh arm on Sunday because of Thursday’s doubleheader vs. the Astros.
Also, left-hander Trevor Rogers (illness) is eligible to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list on May 11 and is expected to rejoin that rotation at that time.
But Gibson proved he’s worthy of more opportunities down the line. It’s clear why the O’s are so high on the Newport News, Va., native, who signed as an undrafted free agent in August 2023, quickly ascended the ranks and won the organization’s 2025 Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award in the process.