Nick Gordon Is Quietly Filling the Royce Lewis Void

[Shaitan]

4 hours ago, RpR said:

Which is worse, swinging at a first pitch, or standing and watching a first pitch burn down middle of the strike zone?

Whichever the player didn't do.

[h2oface]

I he develops an eye, and plate discipline, (horrible K, chase, and BB rate), he could have a respectable OBP and learn to use his speed, which will be on the decline, before it is not speed. I wish he woud learn how to steal bases again. He is pretty bad this year, so much so, that he only has 6 attempts.

He is a very nice utility piece.

[East Coast Twin]

5 hours ago, Nick Nelson said:

The two players taken first and second overall in that draft (Brady Aiken and Tyler Kolek) never even reached the majors. So, could be worse! 

And the years before and after the Twins took Gorden, they selected Kohl Stewart and Tyler Jay with the fourth and sixth overall picks.  So yes it could definitely be worse. 

[tony&rodney]

Nick Gordon is a really good guy to have on your roster. He may not be a starter but his talents fill so many roles that his value is large. The Twins have had too many years where their 25th player (26th in this case) was either a speedster/defensive player or a powerful pinch hitter who was weak in a number of areas. Gordon is a keeper with his current level of skills.

[stringer bell]

Nick Gordon probably has proven himself to be a major league player in his time with the Twins. That is, if he were DFAed, he would definitely be picked up by someone. He's a good player to have on the team because he has some speed and can play multiple positions. HIs hitting has progressed to league average at this point. I don't know if he played every day or even in a strict platoon if he would sustain his offense, but he has done well in the role he has with the 2022 Twins.

The problem, or perhaps more accurately the limiting factor, is that Gordon isn't a major league quality shortstop. He'd have the chance to be a regular somewhere if he could be trusted to line up at short for 130-150 games, but the evidence is there that he can't. When Correa first went down (fingers), the Twins brought up Royce Lewis and plugged him in at shortstop. When Correa went down again (COVID), the Twins brought up Jermaine Palacios and plugged him in at short. That says volumes about Gordon's ability to man shortstop on more than an occasional basis. It is a closer call in center field, but Gilberto Celestino is the preferred backup when Buxton isn't in the lineup. 

To summarize, Gordon's improved hitting and ability to be a serviceable defender in the outfield has cemented himself a a major leaguer, his inability to defend well enough at two key defensive positions will most likely preclude him for ever being a regular in the majors. He's certainly not a failure, but he most likely won't ever hold a regular position.

[Karbo]

I like Gordon, but I think with his speed he should be able to steal a few bases ,yet he is 3/6 on his attempts so far. Maybe the Twins need a base stealing coach. Also, most the teams are over shifting him to the right side. If he could learn to bunt once in a while he could probably raise his avg. by several points. 

[FanSince1961]

A solid utility man is always valuable.

[Otaknam]

Gordon is NOT filling the Lewis void. Gordon is clearly helping the team with his versatility and adaptability as a utility player. But that appears to be his ceiling. Expectations for Lewis are high and he showed that he can meet and exceed those expectations. Gordon cannot fill the Lewis void in any respect. 

[RpR]

1 hour ago, Otaknam said:

Gordon is NOT filling the Lewis void. Gordon is clearly helping the team with his versatility and adaptability as a utility player.

Rookies from the minors are not owed a spot, no one is filling for any one , except on the occasion a veteran is on IL and the spot is temporarily filled.

The rookies earn their spot, at this point Gordon and all the rest have earned their place on the field IF they play, NO rookie is taking any thing from any one.

If they do not play , then it is because management thinks some one else should be there, even if we think that is not right.

[bean5302]

On 7/5/2022 at 2:14 PM, RpR said:

Which is worse, swinging at a first pitch, or standing and watching a first pitch burn down middle of the strike zone?

Swinging at a bad first pitch in the dirt.