DELAND — He's one of the nation's most coveted college pitching prospects, but until his junior year of high school, Logan Gilbert had barely stepped foot on a mound.
He picked up a bat for the first time at age 4, caught at a young age and manned the corner infield spots his first two years at Wekiva High School in Apopka.
"It was a little easier than hitting for me," Gilbert said. "I didn't have a lot going for me (in my first pitching appearance). I was pretty much just the third baseman on the mound, throwing fastballs and getting it by them.
"I had to play catch-up a little bit; everybody else already knew what they were doing. Thankfully, I came to the right place. I've had a lot of help from the coaches, and it's turned out alright so far."
It has indeed proven to be the right move, one which could ultimately result in a multi-million dollar payday come June.
Named a preseason first-team All-American by Perfect Game USA, Gilbert is poised to become just the third Stetson player ever selected in the first round of the MLB draft. He's also set to lead an improved Hatters squad, one that enters the 2018 baseball season as the favorite in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
It's been 15 years since a Hatter went in Round 1; the Oakland Athletics grabbed third baseman Brian Snyder with the 26th overall back in 2003. In December, Baseball America tabbed Gilbert the No. 7 draft-eligible college prospect. MLB.com rates him the No. 16 player, including high-school athletes.
Gilbert possesses the physical tools scouts crave — a 6-foot-6, 225-pound frame, clean mechanics, pinpoint control and effortless mid-90s velocity on the fastball, complemented by three offspeed pitches.
"His release point is so much closer to the plate. I definitely think that's his biggest advantage on the mound," senior catcher Austin Hale said. "He can be throwing 92 (mph), but it looks like 97. And over the years, he's developed a better mentality. He pitches more inside and now throws a sharper slider."
He's got the stats to back up the measurables, as well. During his sophomore season, Gilbert earned ASUN Pitcher of the Year honors with a 10-0 record, 2.02 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 15 appearances. He backed it up with a strong showing in the Cape Cod League, fanning 39 batters and walking only six in 37.1 innings for the Orleans Firebirds.
Stetson head coach Steve Trimper said as many as 20 scouts have watched Gilbert's bullpen sessions in recent weeks. To this point, he feels Gilbert has handled the hype extremely well.
"You wouldn't recognize if this guy was your superstar or if he was the 35th man on the team; he just goes about his business," Trimper said. "He's very well-grounded. … He's not taking this like it's an easy step."
Trimper has yet to name a starter for the Hatters' Feb. 16 season opener against Manhattan. Three returning Stetson pitchers topped the 100-strikeout threshold in 2017 — Gilbert, fellow junior Jack Perkins and senior Brooks Wilson, who is also a candidate to close games on the weekend.
Stetson became the just the eighth team since 2002 to have three pitchers top 100 strikeouts in a season. Perkins went 7-5 with a 2.71 ERA, good for sixth in the ASUN. Wilson, who returned to school after being picked in the 24th round by the Texas Rangers, led the league with 127 strikeouts and finished 4-7 with a 3.01 ERA.
Whether it's setting the tone on Friday nights or pitching the swing game on Saturdays, Gilbert knows the Hatters will depend heavily on his right arm.
As for his prior love of hitting, that's just a thing of the past.
"I hung up the bat," Gilbert said. "I wish they'd let me (hit) sometimes. I think pitchers' (batting practice) over the summer is as close as I've got."