Joey Gerber

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #21 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Gerber made it to the majors his third professional season, with the quick arrival primarily due to the need for extra pitching during the pandemic-afflicted 2020 season. The hard-throwing reliever made 17 appearances and posted a 4.02 ERA with six strikeouts in 15.2 innings. The low strikeout rate came after he averaged 13.6 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gerber pitches with a funky, crossfire delivery that adds deception to an electric fastball. His stuff generally was down in the majors, with his fastball averaging 94 mph after sitting 96-98 mph in the minors. His heater has natural sink with armside run from a low three-quarters delivery that makes hitters uncomfortable, but also makes it difficult to command. Gerber's mid-80s slider has flashed plus, and he's shown the ability to command it better than his fastball. Overall his control is below-average.
  
  THE FUTURE: Gerber had only pitched a partial season above high Class A, so more minor league seasoning is in order. If he gets his velocity back up, he has potential to be a high-leverage reliever.
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #23 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Drafted in the eighth round in 2018, Gerber is a hard-throwing reliever. After striking out just over 12 batters per nine innings in college, Gerber has surpassed that number as a pro, fanning 13.6 batters per nine in his two pro seasons.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gerber delivers an electric fastball that regularly touches 97-98 mph with a funky, crossfire delivery that gives batters uncomfortable at-bats, especially since he rushes his pitches from a quick set and quick action to the plate. Hitters get a short arm view from Gerber's low-three-quarters delivery. His 83-85 mph slider often flashes plus and pairs well with the heater. That's all he should need in his role as a potential high-leverage reliever, especially if he improves his below-average command.
  
  THE FUTURE: After splitting the 2019 season between high Class A Modesto and Double-A Arkansas, Gerber should break camp with Triple-A Tacoma to start the 2020 season. Don't be surprised if he gets big league time later in the year.
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #25 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: A pure reliever with an aggressive delivery, Gerber was a closer at Illinois and averaged just over 12 strikeouts per nine innings during his three years in college. Drafted by the Mariners in the eighth round in 2018, Gerber pitched well at both short-season Everett and at low Class A Clinton in his pro debut, combining for a 2.10 ERA and 15 strikeouts per nine innings.
  
  Scouting Report: The 6-foot-4 Gerber is an imposing figure on the mound who comes right at hitters with premium velocity. He has what's been called violent velocity--a plus fastball that he throws for strikes from 92-96 mph with movement, life and sink. His fringe-average slider flashed above-average potential, but he needs to make it sharper more consistently. He had a decent changeup in college but rarely used it. Gerber uses a herky-jerky delivery with effort, but he stays online with a quick tempo to keep hitters from getting comfortable in the box.
  
  The Future: After dominating hitters in low Class A, look for Gerber to start 2019 at high Class A Modesto.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #145 prospect in 2018 draft
  Illinois' closer has effectively shut the door on hitters around the Big Ten, as his 93-96 mph fastball is enough to blow away hitters and he mixes in an above-average slider as well. He's even flashed an average changeup, although he barely ever throws it. Gerber is a pure relief prospect with a reliever's delivery, which limits how high he will be drafted, but he has present stuff to handle a setup role and a track record of success (0-1, 2.74, 13 saves with 38 strikeouts and nine walks in 23 innings).

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Gerber made it to the majors his third professional season, with the quick arrival primarily due to the need for extra pitching during the pandemic-afflicted 2020 season. The hard-throwing reliever made 17 appearances and posted a 4.02 ERA with six strikeouts in 15.2 innings. The low strikeout rate came after he averaged 13.6 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gerber pitches with a funky, crossfire delivery that adds deception to an electric fastball. His stuff generally was down in the majors, with his fastball averaging 94 mph after sitting 96-98 mph in the minors. His heater has natural sink with armside run from a low three-quarters delivery that makes hitters uncomfortable, but also makes it difficult to command. Gerber's mid-80s slider has flashed plus, and he's shown the ability to command it better than his fastball. Overall his control is below-average.
  
  THE FUTURE: Gerber had only pitched a partial season above high Class A, so more minor league seasoning is in order. If he gets his velocity back up, he has potential to be a high-leverage reliever.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Gerber made it to the majors his third professional season, with the quick arrival primarily due to the need for extra pitching during the pandemic-afflicted 2020 season. The hard-throwing reliever made 17 appearances and posted a 4.02 ERA with six strikeouts in 15.2 innings. The low strikeout rate came after he averaged 13.6 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gerber pitches with a funky, crossfire delivery that adds deception to an electric fastball. His stuff generally was down in the majors, with his fastball averaging 94 mph after sitting 96-98 mph in the minors. His heater has natural sink with armside run from a low three-quarters delivery that makes hitters uncomfortable, but also makes it difficult to command. Gerber's mid-80s slider has flashed plus, and he's shown the ability to command it better than his fastball. Overall his control is below-average.
  
  THE FUTURE: Gerber had only pitched a partial season above high Class A, so more minor league seasoning is in order. If he gets his velocity back up, he has potential to be a high-leverage reliever.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Drafted in the eighth round in 2018, Gerber is a hard-throwing reliever. After striking out just over 12 batters per nine innings in college, Gerber has surpassed that number as a pro, fanning 13.6 batters per nine in his two pro seasons.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gerber delivers an electric fastball that regularly touches 97-98 mph with a funky, crossfire delivery that gives batters uncomfortable at-bats, especially since he rushes his pitches from a quick set and quick action to the plate. Hitters get a short arm view from Gerber’s low-three-quarters delivery. His 83-85 mph slider often flashes plus and pairs well with the heater. That’s all he should need in his role as a potential high-leverage reliever, especially if he improves his below-average command.
  
  THE FUTURE: After splitting the 2019 season between high Class A Modesto and Double-A Arkansas, Gerber should break camp with Triple-A Tacoma to start the 2020 season. Don’t be surprised if he gets big league time later in the year.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Drafted in the eighth round in 2018, Gerber is a hard-throwing reliever. After striking out just over 12 batters per nine innings in college, Gerber has surpassed that number as a pro, fanning 13.6 batters per nine in his two pro seasons.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gerber delivers an electric fastball that regularly touches 97-98 mph with a funky, crossfire delivery that gives batters uncomfortable at-bats, especially since he rushes his pitches from a quick set and quick action to the plate. Hitters get a short arm view from Gerber's low-three-quarters delivery. His 83-85 mph slider often flashes plus and pairs well with the heater. That's all he should need in his role as a potential high-leverage reliever, especially if he improves his below-average command.
  
  THE FUTURE: After splitting the 2019 season between high Class A Modesto and Double-A Arkansas, Gerber should break camp with Triple-A Tacoma to start the 2020 season. Don't be surprised if he gets big league time later in the year.