Mets acquire former Minnesota Twins pitcher Justin Verlander
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The New York Mets have traded superstar pitcher Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros, sending shockwaves through Major League Baseball only hours before the trade deadline of 5 p.m. CT on Tuesday.
Interestingly, one of the two prospects handed to the Mets by the Astros in exchange for Verlander is none other than Minnesota native Drew Gilbert, the 28th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft.
Gilbert, a left-handed hitting and throwing outfielder, was a Minnesota rockstar when he was younger, leading Stillwater High School to the state championship in 2018.
Gilbert, who was only a teenager at the time, threw 95 mph and struck out 15 hitters in the state championship game at Target Field.
He went on to shine at the University of Tennessee, where he hit.368 and was voted SEC Tournament MVP as well as an All-American by multiple publications.
Gilbert has slashed this season between High-A and Double-A baseball.
With 12 homers, 19 doubles, and 38 RBI, he hit 274/.363/.458 (.822 OPS).
He was the Astros' top prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.