By Robert Fulton

Micah Gibbs is getting old. Heck, he’s even playing baseball for money now.

You know, has a job and all.

In June, the Chicago Cubs selected Gibbs with the 97th overall pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The former LSU star and Pflugerville High School graduate, who turned 22 earlier this month, is now with the Cubs short-season class A Minor League affiliate Boise Hawks.

“It’s awesome, but it makes me feel like I’m getting old,” said Gibbs during a recent phone interview. “Playing every day makes you feel like you’re getting older. It’s weird knowing you’re working now.”

When Gibbs’ name was announced in the third round of the draft, he wasn’t even the first in his circle to know. With some friends over to watch the draft take place online, Gibbs had stepped out of the room to make a phone call. That’s when he heard one of his friends yell in excitement.

Gibbs was to become a Cub.

“I was very excited,” Gibbs said.

While at LSU, Gibbs was a member of the 2009 team that won the College World Series. In 2010, the starting catcher finished the season batting .388 with 10 home runs and 60 RBIs in 245 at bats. The team lost in the NCAA Regionals.

Gibbs is now going through an adjustment period at the next level.

“It’s tough getting use to wood bats and playing every day,” he said. “I’m getting use to it, getting into the swing of things. With wood bats, you don’t have much room for error.”

In short-season Single A ball, Gibbs says that most of his teammates are similar to him in that they’re also recently out of college. Though he admits that some of his new teammates give him a ribbing about being an NCAA champion.

The Cubs are familiar with LSU talent. Last year, the team selected shortstop DJ LeMahieu with the 79th overall pick. LeMahieu and Gibbs were roommates in college and are still good friends.

“We look forward to getting together in the offseason and getting ready for spring training,” said Gibbs of LeMahieu, who has progressed to high Single A.

Growing up, Gibbs was a fan of the Texas Rangers. But when he entered his teenage years, he became a fan of baseball in general and didn’t have a favorite team. Now, he’s most definitely a Cubs fan, and appreciates the history of the franchise.

But before he gets to Wrigley Field, Gibbs knows there’s a lot of work to be done.

“Hopefully I’ll make my way up the system,” said Gibbs of where he wants to be in a year. “Catcher is definitely a position where you can move up.”