Nick Gordon -2015

[RollingOaks]

Nick Gordon 

 

#5     Cedar Rapids Kernels (A)

 

http://www.milb.com/images/624503/t492/180x270/624503.jpg

 

(B/T):   L/R    Ht: 6'0"    Wt: 160

 

Age: 19 (October 24th 1995)

 

Drafted: Round 1 Pick 5 (2014 MN)

 

Posistion: SS

 

2014 Stats (Elizabethton A)

 

G:  57    AB:   235    R:   46    H:   69   

 

2B:   6    3B:   4    HR:   1    RBI:   28                                                  

 

BB:   11    SO:   45      SB:    11   CS:   7

 

Avg:   .294     OBP:     .333      SLG:    .366      OPS:    .699

 

 

MLB.Com Prospect Ranking #34

 

"Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55

 

At one point in time, Gordon could have been taken as a pitcher or a shortstop, but he focused solely on the infield during his senior season. His efforts proved to Twins evaluators that there's no question he can stay at the premium position. His arm used to fire low-90s fastballs from the mound, he has great hands and outstanding instincts. At the plate, Gordon hits to all fields from the left side of the plate. Right now, he's more of a gap hitter, but he should add some strength and a little power as he matures. While not a burner, Gordon does run well."

 

Other Info:

 

2013 & 2014 Gatorade Florida Baseball Player of the Year

 

Son of former MLB pitcher Tom Gordon and brother to Marlins 2B Dee Gordon

 

Twitter: @NickyG_IV

 

 

 

[RollingOaks]

Gordon Shines in AA Debut

 

Batting from the two spot, Gordon went 2 for 4 with a walk. His first AA hit was a triple down the right field line with one out in the top of the seventh inning. He scored when Kane County pitcher Jency Solis was called for a balk, giving the Kernels a 4-1 lead. In the top of the ninth Gordon singled to left, scoring Tanner Englsih for Gordons first RBI. A throwing error allowed Gordon to take second base. He scored his second run on a single to give the Kernels a 7-1 lead. The Kernels allowed one run in the 9th, but came away with a 7-2 victory.

 

Next Up: @Kane County 6:30 PM

 

 

[RollingOaks]

Gordon Cools Off but Still Contributes

 

After starting the season 5-9 in his first two games, Nick Gordon went 1-8 over the weekend as the Kernels start the season 4-0. Gordon's BA dropped to .353 but he was able to knock in 3 runs over two games, helping the Kernels to defeat Kane County and Beloit. So far Gordon has been quite productive over his first four games. Along with his .353 BA he has 6 RBI and 4 runs scored. He has only one extra base hit (triple) and has 4 SOs with 1 BB. Gordon hasn't had a lot of action in the field with only 8 total chances. He has 6 assists, 1 put out and one error with those chances. Most scouts have projected him to stay at SS throughout his career, so it will be interesting to see how he progresses in this department.

 

Next up: 4/13 Beloit @6:30

[RollingOaks]

Gordon was back at it on Monday night. He went 3-4 with a triple, BB, scoring one run. His average now sits at .429 and the Kernels improved to 5-0 on the year.

 

Next up: 4/14 Beloit @6:35

[RollingOaks]

Tough Stretch for Gordon

 

Gordon has had a difficult time with the bat over the past 5 games, going 2-20 with 4 RBI and 3 SOs. He is now hitting .268 with .318 OBP/.366 SLG/ .684 OPS. He is second on the team with 10 RBI and stole his first base this past week. His struggles dont be appear to impacting him to much in the field, as he comitted zero errors over the past week and has only 1 on the season.

 

If you check out some of Gordon's tweets over the past few days, you can see that he is trying to stay positive. Everyone who has ever played the game knows that success or lack of success comes in waves. Hopefully Gordon will make the adjustments necessary to keep progessing. From all indications, this appears to be just a bump in the road.

 

Next up: Burlington @11:30

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

The hit tool is the hit tool. Gordon's got it. 3-for-3 in today's game. He hasn't stopped hitting since he joined the organization. I'm more interested in the speed game, power, and defense being played up.

[Shane Wahl]

It's been over five weeks, so here is an update:

 

194 PA, .224/.298/.276, five doubles, two triples, no homers, 16 walks, 38 strikeouts, 11 steals, two times caught stealing.

 

.971 Fielding Percentage. It doesn't mean much independent of an eye test, but note that this percentage is wildly better than other "shortstops" in the system, other than Vielma who is the other true shortstop in the system.

[Willihammer]

Disapointing.

[nytwinsfan]

Since June 1, Gordon is hitting .310/.385/.362 (.747).  And his defense is by all accounts great for a 19-year old. Just saying that there is still plenty of potential here.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Since June 1, Gordon is hitting .310/.385/.362 (.747).  And his defense is by all accounts great for a 19-year old. Just saying that there is still plenty of potential here.

Yep. His stat line is modest but not particularly troublesome. He's 19 years old in low A ball. That's an advanced level for a guy that age.

 

He's striking out less than once every five plate appearances. That's pretty often but not absurdly so. He's walking once every twelve plate appearances. That's not great but it's acceptable, especially considering his age. He has almost zero power but that's not something we should worry too much about when discussing a 19 year old shortstop. He has plenty of time to build more muscle mass before he gets anywhere near the major leagues.

 

The guy can't legally take a drink through the end of the 2016 season. If he's approaching 22 and still hits for zero power and that average doesn't come up, then I'll start to worry about it.

[nytwinsfan]

Surprisingly glowing review of Nick Gordon.  I mean, I am still higher on him than most around these parts, and I was still astonished. Short take away: He needs to improve pitch recognition, level his swing a little bit (he hits into the ground too much), and grow into his frame (hopefully bringing more power).  The first will come with experience, the second with coaching, and the third (hopefully) with time.  Otherwise his swing and approach at the plate are great, his defense is excellent (they are pretty sure he stays at SS), his speed above average and his arm plus.

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/6/26/8841633/twins-prospect-nick-gordon-scouting-report-and-projection

[drjim]

I'm amazed at how much weight people put into numbers at Low A by teenagers both good and bad. He's where he needs to be, mostly just needs to grow.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Gordon wasn't my personal favorite in the draft last year, but I think we are a bit spoiled by Buxton.  He's 19 and holding his own in the MWL.  Yeah, he's not doing a Buxton, but he's not doing horribly, and given his age relative to the league, I think that's encouraging.  At this rate, he'll be finishing up AA before he's allowed to buy a drink. 

[Guest]

I think we all had a right to expect a little more offense out of a guy drafted that high, but there's certainly no reason to panic. He's absolutely a bona fide SS (Vielma might be the only guy I've seen in CR among Twins prospects who is at least his equal, if not better) and could probably play the position at the big league level right now.

 

But he's 19 and, physically, doesn't look even that old. His GIDP rate is frustrating, but as his body matures and his swing improves, hopefully his results at the plate will, too.

[nytwinsfan]

Another glowing review of Gordon, especially relative to the hitting performance: https://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=26781

 

Again, power is the limiting factor, but the hit tool is praised, the speed good, and best of all, this:

 

"He has a strong arm and solid fundamentals defensively that profile as plus at shortstop, and there is no question he can stick there in the future."

 

You don't hear those words very often.

[Guest]

It's going to be interesting to follow Nick Gordon (Low A) and Engelb Vielma (High A) up the organizational ladder. They have similar, slight, builds (Gordon is listed at 6' 160# and Vielma at 5' 11" and 150#). Vielma, however, is almost 2 years older than Gordon, so one would think Gordon might have more room and time to grow in to his body.

 

Both are excellent defenders and, at this point, pretty much just contact-makers as hitters. Of course, the Twins have far more money invested in Gordon than Vielma, so he'll get more opportunities to succeed, one would imagine.

[Shane Wahl]

2015 A statistics:

 

412 PA, .263/.329/.329 (.658), 16 doubles, four triples, 33 walks, 71 strikeouts, 23 steals, and six times caught stealing.

 

Gordon was great in July and so it is clear that he is really coming around. Will be interesting to see if the Twins push him to A+ right away next year.

[Mike Sixel]

It would be a waste not to push him up next year, assuming he doesn't fall off a cliff here.

 

In retrospect, Turner might have been a better pick for where this team is, but I still really like this pick a lot for the future.

[nytwinsfan]

Gordon is really on a tear. He's hitting .368/.405/.526(.931) in his last 10 games and .318/.374/.418(.792) since June 1st. Overall his numbers are 277/.341/.354(.695). I think this kid is going to be really good. We just need to be patient.

[nytwinsfan]

 

Check out this video of highlights from today's Ceder Rapids game, featuring Nick Gordon going 3 for 5 and making multiple fantastic defensive plays.

 

Especially look at TWO fantastic defensive play (including the no-doubt plus arm) by Gordon at 4:08 and then again on a game ending double-play at 5:24.

 

He also has a nice double at 0:20.

 

I will say that although the tools are clearly there, his frame still looks like a teenager. I think that is good news, as it suggests in a year or two as he matures he could really increase the power.

[Old Twins Cap]

Thanks for posting this.

 

I agree, Gordon is going to be a stud -- MLB pedigree in the family and a ton of tools.