QUITMAN, LA – Quitman High School welcomed a special guest this week as Miami Marlins pitcher Cade Gibson returned to his early roots, spending the afternoon speaking to the junior high and varsity baseball teams.

Gibson began his early childhood in Quitman before becoming a standout at Ruston High School, LSU–Shreveport, and Louisiana Tech. He was selected in the 10th round of the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft and made his Major League debut with the Marlins in April of this year.

Gibson shared his journey from small-town baseball to reaching the highest level of the game, speaking openly about the challenges he faced along the way. He emphasized the importance of persistence, discipline, and his faith. He challenged players to show appreciation to the people who support them, saying that even small gestures of gratitude go a long way.

One principle he repeated to the players was a standard he lives by: “How you do anything is how you do everything.”

Players gained insight into life as a Major League pitcher – from being drafted and climbing the minor leagues to being called up and facing his childhood hero, Bryce Harper, in front of 45,000 fans. After speaking, Gibson answered questions from the team and spent time meeting players individually.

Quitman High School baseball is thankful for Cade Gibson’s time and the positive message he shared. His early connection to Quitman made his visit even more meaningful for the young aspiring athletes who look up to him.