Gibson ran his scoreless innings streak to 18 Saturday, tossing eight scoreless innings in a victory over Charlotte. Gibson held an opponent scoreless for the third time in four starts, winning all three of those outings.

"I wouldn't say I'm surprising myself. I've just had a pretty good plan in three of the past four starts and I executed the plan," he told MLB.com. "I'm just figuring out how to focus on advanced scouting reports."

Gibson is 4-5 with a 2.82 ERA and .221 opponents' batting average in 10 starts. He's managed 53 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings.

"As well as the fans know the game and with what [journalists] write about me, I'm trying not to focus on that too much," Gibson said about a potential promotion. "Whether fans doubt me or write things about me, I don't let it affect me too much because I know what I'm capable off. If I work hard ... I'm not too worried about it."

Gibson has a 3.25 ERA and 3.3 K/BB over nine starts (52 2/3 innings) at Triple-A Rochester. But he has yet to have consecutive quality starts. His last three starts have seen a complete game shutout, a three-inning disaster (seven hits, four earned runs) and another complete game shutout. 

"Every start for him is important, and so far he’s been good, bad, good, bad, good, bad. He’s close, but he’s not quite there yet. We’re looking for him to string together four or five of those good one. That would give us confidence that it’s time for him to come up here," Ryan said.

Gibson can pitch well enough to make his way to Minnesota this season, but if he needs to make three or four consecutive sharp starts, he's at least a few weeks away.

Like Al Melchior said on Wednesday's Fantasy Baseball Today, Gibson doesn't have much left to prove in the minors. He's no Kevin Gausman or even Zack Wheeler, but in leagues where the next big thing is inevitably the next hot claim, perhaps now is the time to make a move for him.

The Twins were considering three pitchers for Friday's start, and chose Samuel Deduno. Manager Ron Gardenhire said Gibson will eventually pitch in the rotation this year, but now wasn't the time. Gibson has a 3.25 ERA through nine Triple-A starts this season.