Niko Goodrum

[MarcusE]

Cartier Niko Goodrum

[video=youtube;X4UFN0iMqAM]http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4UFN0iMqAM

 

Born: February 28, 1992 - Fayetteville, Georgia

 

Bats: Both

Throws: Right

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 170

 

Drafted as a SS out of Fayette County HS by the Twins - 2nd round (#71 Overall) of 2010 June MLB Amateur Draft.

 

Pro Stats:

2010: Twins GULF - 36G | 128 PA | .161/.219/.195 | 4SB/2CS

2011: E-town APPY - 59G | 230 PA | .275/.352/.382 | 8SB/1CS

2012: Currently in EST - strong chance he is moved to Beloit before short season play begins.

 

Prospect review from AG.com:

 

"Niko Goodrum had one of the worst debuts you'll ever see from a second-round pick, batting .161 with 34 strikeouts in 36 games at rookie-ball after the Twins selected him 71st overall out of a Georgia high school in 2010. Those struggles weren't overly alarming because Goodrum was considered very raw at the time of the draft and last season the switch-hitting shortstop's impressive physical tools were on full display.

He moved up one level of rookie-ball and hit .275/.352/.382 with 15 extra-base hits and eight steals in 59 games for a star-studded Elizabethton lineup that also included Miguel Sano and Eddie Rosario. Goodrum still had trouble making consistent contact, whiffing 56 times in 230 plate appearances, but he also drew 21 walks and finished the Appalachian League season on a very strong note by hitting .341/.438/.489 in 26 games during the final month.

Like most teenage shortstops he made a ton of miscues, committing 24 errors in 54 starts, but Goodrum's arm is shortstop-caliber and depending on how his 6-foot-3 frame fills out there's a shot he could play the position long term. Goodrum also saw some action at second base and seemingly has the skills to be a center fielder if moving away from the infield proves necessary. He's a long way from the majors, but ranks among the Twins' most intriguing prospects."

 

Twitter Feed: nikogoodrumtc

Facebook: Niko Goodrum

 

[MarcusE]

Niko's still in EST, so nothing really to update.

 

While we wait for his 2012 debut, give the kid a follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/nikogoodrumtc - He's pretty active.

[MarcusE]

Anyone think that some of the recent middle-infield shakeups could also result in Niko ending up with the Beloit squad soon? Seems like he'd fit nicely into the 2-spot in that powerful Snapper lineup.

[MarcusE]

According to our own Seth Stohs, Niko has been sent to Elizabethton where he will likely be the everyday SS. The season kicks off tomorrow at the Danville Braves. I'm looking forward to a big season out of young Mr. Goodrum with the outside chance of a late season promotion to Beloit if all goes well. Check back often for updates!

 

FYI: Here's a Niko's MILB Elizabethton player page.

[MarcusE]

Starting at SS and batting in the 2 hole, Niko Goodrum began the Rookie Ball season on a less than perfect note by going 0-4/1 BB with a fielding error. However, he and double play partner 2B Jorge Polanco collected their first two of what hopes to be many twin killings this season.

 

Moving forward, we'll stick to weekly updates, just too excited about finally having my prospect in a game!

[jimbo92107]

My brother Sam did the same thing in about 1969 when he was eleven years old. He had a huge lead at third. Pitcher threw behind him, Sam took off for home, third baseman fired a strike to the catcher Bill Conroy, who crouched with the ball, ready to make the tag. Sam dived over the catcher, rolling over home plate like the player in the video. Umpire Rich Klingman called him safe, after which the opposing coach came out and argued the call, saying Sam was out of the base path. Not so, said Klingman, because the base path is limited left and right, but not...up.

[MarcusE]

^^^what?^^^

[greengoblinrulz]

still surprising they would send a 2nd round pick to short season for a 3rd yr after he had success last yr.

Hope he can rip thru ELIZ & get to Beloit this yr & get on track for advancement.

[MarcusE]

I'm with you, goblin, he's off to a solid start (besides 2 errors in 3 games) and hopefully it continues.

[MarcusE]

Week 1 for Niko at E-Town:

 

5G - 26PA - 2SO - 5BB - 4 Triples - 1HR - 6RBI - .286/.423/.810

 

Great start, but 4 Errors at SS may be a sign as to why he's not in Beloit with many of his 2011 teammates. Obviously can't keep up this power rate, but the bat is looking pretty advanced for this level.

[DaveW]

Errors are a terrible way to judge a player defensively. I have heard nothing in any reports that indicate he is over-matched defensively at the position thus far. He isn't in Beloit because he is still very young and because he didn't exactly tear up the league last season. If he somehow continues to keep hot he will be up there sooner then later. They won't promote a player after 5 games.

[greengoblinrulz]

Just sayin......Tyler Ladendorf tore up ELIZ a few yrs back & was never even close to replicating that.

Part of reason I dont like the league is you cannot trust any numbers a player puts up there.

Cannot fully judge a player till he gets to A ball & its frustrating cause Niko is condisered a solid prospect.

[greengoblinrulz]

Who are the Twins kidding.....promote the kid to a league where he can be judged

4-5 SAT hitting for the cycle w/4rbi

14/42 for season .333/.440/.810 2doubles 6triples 2hr 14rbi 12 runs 8k 8bb 5e's in 10gms

quit wasting his time

[TKGuy]

Just sayin......Tyler Ladendorf tore up ELIZ a few yrs back & was never even close to replicating that.

Part of reason I dont like the league is you cannot trust any numbers a player puts up there.

Cannot fully judge a player till he gets to A ball & its frustrating cause Niko is condisered a solid prospect.

Didnt Ladendorf get us Cabrera from the A's

[greengoblinrulz]

Didnt Ladendorf get us Cabrera from the A's

That was him....he's currently still in AA for OAK (was a 2nd round pick, so thats disappointing for a 24yr old) but playing ok hitting .289/.375/.428 5 hr 29rbi in 49gms....34k 25bb 4/7sb 7errors

[jimbo92107]

Let's keep in mind that Goodrum is very young. As a six-month old baby, he's got at least 22 years before we can conclude he was a wasted pick.

[greengoblinrulz]

Let's keep in mind that Goodrum is very young. As a six-month old baby, he's got at least 22 years before we can conclude he was a wasted pick.

So you must think like the Twins

age 20---APP Lg

21--Beloit...still young

22--Ft Myers---still young

23--New Brit---still young

24--ROC---about right

25--Majors/ROC for next 2 yrs--too old

26--our of options---waived

[MarcusE]

Let's keep in mind that Goodrum is very young. As a six-month old baby, he's got at least 22 years before we can conclude he was a wasted pick.

Whoops...fixed.

 

This week's Niko Update:

 

Another great week, highlighted by the near cycle (HR short) on Thursday and the actual cycle on Saturday. Niko went 8-24 with 5 walks, 8 RBI and 1 SB

 

Niko's full stats this season:

 

11G | 55PA | 8SO | 10BB | 4-1B | 2-2B | 6-3B | 2HR | 14RBI | .311/.460/.829 | 1SB - 1CS

[greengoblinrulz]

Many things to love Goodrums about, but with 2bb's tonight....he has 14bb 11K. If he can do anything CLOSE to that moving up.....very nice. He hasnt shown that type of discipline his first 2 yrs...90k 30bb in 95gms

.304/.443/.684 in 57ABs, 14gms w/15rbi

[MarcusE]

Niko update: Apparently he left the game Saturday after being hit by a pitch and didn't play Sunday, either. Anyone heard an injury update?

 

Otherwise, the stats are still looking ridiculously good:

 

17G | 75PA | 12SO | 16BB | 5-1B | 4-2B |6-3B |2HR | 16RBI | .288/.442/.661 | 2SB - 1CS

[Seth Stohs]

He'll likely just miss a couple of games with a sore elbow.

[MarcusE]

Niko update: Recovering from a sore elbow due to last week's beaning, Niko was only called on to play in 4 games this week...And, he's still mashing:

 

21G | 99PA | 16SO | 21BB | 8-1B | 5-2B | 6-3B | 2HR | 21RBI | .289/.444/.592 | 3SB - 1CS

 

Most notably young mister Goodrum's OBP is keeping steady due to a continuing glut of walks. In fact, his 21 free passes this season leads the Appy league (Max Kepler is 3rd with 19 BB). Through a mere 100 plate appearances, this high number of walks viewed in combination with a SO/PA ratio that has dropped from .245 in 2011 to .162 in 2012, Niko is increasingly looking like a legitimate top-of-order prospect.

[MarcusE]

Niko had a subpar week which saw all of his triple-slash numbers decline and his season SO total pass the BB total. However, the season-long effort remains satisfactory:

 

28G | 127PA | 25SO | 23BB | 12-1B | 6-2B | 6-3B | 3HR | 25RBI | .265/.402/.529 | 3SB - 1CS

[MarcusE]

Two week update: Niko's ridiculous start to the season has leveled off into what is still very good production, ranking in the top 20 in most offensive states in the APPY League including the top 5 in walks and RBI.

 

38G | 176PA | 25SO | 23BB | 18-1B | 9-2B | 6-3B | 3HR | 31RBI | .248/.375/.455 | 5SB - 1CS

[MarcusE]

Not much to see here. Niko's essentially holding ground statistically on offense but for a continued dry spell on extra base hits:

 

45G | 210PA | 42SO | 33BB | 24-1B | 10-2B | 6-3B | 3HR | 34RBI | .247/.367/.425 | 5SB - 2CS

 

Would love to hear some first-hand reports on how he's performed at SS. For what it's worth, there has been a marked improvement this year over last in his fielding statistics: RF/G has increased from 4.22 to 4.34 and fielding percentage has increased from .905 to .948 (24E in 252Ch in 2011 vs 9E in 174Ch in 2012).

[MarcusE]

Unfortunately, Niko's hot start has faded into a tumultuous August where his offensive numbers have dropped to below respectable in the hitter friendly APPY League. The big difference from early in the season has been plate discipline, as Goodrum has struck out twice as often has he's walked over the past month vs. the exact opposite (2X BB to SO) for June. Update:

 

56G | 260PA | 54SO | 37BB | 30-1B | 11-2B | 7-3B | 4HR | 37RBI | .237/.346/.406 | 6SB - 2CS

 

With the league ending in early September, it's easy to see why Goodrum was given another year in the APPY League. My guess would be he'll play full season next year at Beloit in what could be a make-or-break type of year.

[MarcusE]

Niko's final numbers for 2012 at E-Town:

 

58G | 269PA | 56SO | 38BB | 31-1B | 12-2B | 8-3B | 4HR | 38RBI | .242/.349/.419 | 6SB - 3CS

 

Any thoughts?

[DPJ]

I don't pay much attention to raw athletic kids numbers the first couple years. You just look for small improvements and I think Niko showed plenty repeating Etown.

[Seth Stohs]

The batting average went down, but the Isolated discipline and Isolated power went up... Agree with DPJ on the athletes in the low levels. I would say that next year will be a big year for him!

[kab21]

My thoughts are that he was absolutely awful the final two months of the season and he has only become a slightly better prospect. He's still interesting as an athlete but I have my doubts whether he'll ever do anything interesting in full season ball.