SBCC pitcher Tyler Gilbert spoke with the media on Tuesday at a press conference announcing his signing with USC.
Reigning Western State Conference Co-Pitcher of the Year Tyler Gilbert is taking his talents to USC to pitch for the Trojans.
The Santa Barbara City College left-hander discussed his decision to sign with the Trojans at a press conference on SBCC’s campus on Tuesday.
?I chose USC over a few other schools because I felt like it was the right fit,? Gilbert said, citing academics and location as additional factors playing into his decision.
Gilbert was the WSC Co-Pitcher of the Year last spring while sporting a 2.43 ERA in 85.1 innings with a 9-2 win-loss record.
“I’m looking forward to pitching against the so-called best-of-the-best on the West Coast being in the Pac-12,” said Gilbert, who?credited the development of an effective splitter for last season’s success.
Vaqueros head coach Jeff Walker added that his velocity has increased into the 90s this fall and that he believes Gilbert can be the best community college pitcher in California come spring.
“Last year pretty much every time he touched the baseball, we won, which is kudos to him,” Walker said. “Our goal for him was to be the best pitcher in conference last year, and then to be the best pitcher in the state of California this year. It’s a very achievable goal.”
Gilbert, originally from Santa Cruz, chose USC having also seriously considered the University of San Diego, University of Washington, Cal Poly, and UCSB. The Trojans made their scholarship offer in late October.
Walker said he’s also drawn interest from pro scouts and getting drafted in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft is a possibility.
USC, which was 20-36 overall last season with a 10-20 record in the Pac-12, will be bolstered in the spring by their?2013 recruiting class that was recently ranked No. 24 by Baseball America.
