Sinke Confident About Being Big Contributor At Indiana

HUDSONVILLE - There were a number of traits that stood out in making Gibson Sinke a Division I college commit.

While South Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Duke and Miami Ohio were enamored with the fifth-rated left-handed pitcher in Michigan, it was Indiana that won out in what proved to be a long recruiting process.

“My confidence on the mound and ability to work a quick tempo,” Sinke said about what stood out to Indiana about him. “I have a projectable frame and the ability of deceptiveness in my delivery to make tough at-bats.”

Indiana got an up-close look at the 6-2 170-pound southpaw in the offseason.

“I did some bullpens with the head coach of my travel team in the summer a month or two before my high school season and he sent videos to schools, with Indiana being one of them,” Sinke said in reference to Ajay Vulimiri. “After that Indiana was in town to play a series with Michigan and their pitching coach (Dustin Glant) came to watch me play. He liked what he saw and we started talking. After that I got on campus with my dad on our own and drove around to see if it was a good fit. A few calls later I was offered and three weeks later I took the offer. It went pretty quick.”

Playing in the Big 10 five hours from home was a no-brainer for the Hudsonville incoming junior.

“What stood out was the coaching staff,” Sinke explained. “They’re invested in me and believe in me. I also like the fact that it’s not too far away from my family. But it was the coaching staff that really stood out for me.”

There is more about IU that jumped out to the 28th-ranked 2024 in Michigan.

“I like my role, I’ll be playing right away,” pointed out Sinke. “Playing my first year is important to me. I see myself relieving the first year and working my way up to starter. I’m a big competitor and I’m really looking forward to competing.”

The idea of playing baseball at a high level started early for Sinke.

“I have always loved baseball since I was a kid,” Sinke reflected. “I was always outside playing with my dad and dreamed of being a major league player.

“It was at 14U when I realized that I could do it. I could see I had better ability than the other players and that I had the talent, I just needed to work hard and be consistent with my training to obtain my dream.”

There was help along the way.

“It all started a few years ago when I did a few PBRs to get my name out there,” Sinke pointed out. “That’s important to do. Getting my name out there ultimately helped. Then it’s big to have a travel team where you’re playing in front of coaches down south to get exposure. That was a tough part for me. I had to leave a travel team I’d been with for eight years but ultimately I had to do what was best for me.”

Something in the business field is the planned major for the 16-year-old, who carries a 3.52 GPA with junior year of high school approaching.

“It’s nice to commit early,” Sinke summed up. “I don’t have to worry about it down the road, now I can just go out and play and have fun. It was a super exciting time to commit. The family was celebrating, it was just an exciting experience overall.”

Although two years of high school remain, Sinke can’t help but anticipate what lies in the future.

“I’m looking forward to just being around the game of baseball, traveling across the country and playing the game I love,” Sinke concluded.