David Hibner

From BR Bullpen

David Michael Hibner

  • Bats Right, Throws Right
  • Height 5' 10", Weight 180 lb.

BR Minors page

David Hibner was a first-round draft pick but never advanced beyond A ball.

The Texas Rangers took Hibner with the 9th pick of the 1977 amateur draft. He was the second shortstop chosen after Paul Molitor. He hit only .203/.347/.259 in his pro debut with the GCL Rangers, though he did steal 15 bases in 18 tries and drew 32 walks in 44 games. He also struck out 52 times in 143 at-bats. At short, he fielded .907. He made the Gulf Coast League All-Star team, one of two shortstops picked.

Hibner split 1978 between the GCL Rangers (.213/.326/.323, 23 SB, 5 CS, .908 at SS) and Asheville Tourists (.188/.386/.263, 17 SB, 1 CS, .871 at SS). He tied for the GCL lead with 47 strikeouts and was four shy of the lead in swipes. In 1979, David put up a .184/.358/.344 line for Asheville with a career-high 10 home runs in 212 AB. While he was showing power, speed and walks, he was also striking out a heck of a lot (102 times, nearly half his at-bats) and his poor glovework at short had moved him to the outfield.

David was at .191/.313/.313 in his third year at Asheville, 1980. In 1981, he played 23 games for the Tourists and hit .237/.370/.408. He moved to the Detroit Tigers chain and batted .188/.299/.358 for the Lakeland Tigers the rest of the way. He ended his career in 1982 with the Macon Peaches, going 4 for 32 with 15 walks.

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