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    TD Top Prospects: #4 Nick Gordon

    Seth Stohs

    By Seth Stohs

    I guess if we need to try to find a positive in those 90-loss seasons, it could be that the Twins had a top five pick three years in a row. With each of those three picks, the Minnesota Twins chose a high school player in the June draft. In 2014, the Twins selected Orlando prep shortstop Nick Gordon with the fifth pick. Blessed with terrific tools, Gordon has had a solid - though unspectacular - start to his professional career. Reports on his potential remain high.

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    Last week, we posted a Q&A with pitching prospect Dereck Rodriguez. In it, he talked about growing up and spending a lot of time in a big league clubhouse. The same is true for Nick Gordon. His father, Tom (Flash) Gordon, spent 22 seasons in the big leagues. His brother, Dee Gordon, is an all-star with the Miami Marlins.

    Of course, having big league bloodlines is nice, but it certainly doesn’t guarantee any future big league success. That will be up to Nick himself and his development. There are a lot of reasons for optimism.

    Age: 20 (DOB: 10/24/95)

    2015 Stats (Low-A): .277/.336/.360 (.696) with 23 doubles, seven triples, one homer

    ETA: 2018

    2015 Ranking: 6

    National Top 100 Rankings:

    BA: 53 | MLB: 91 | BP: 62

    What's To Like

    Let’s get the bloodlines out of the way. While it’s clear that simply being the son and/or brother of a big leaguer guarantees absolutely nothing, it can’t and shouldn’t be ignored in the scouting world. Genetics play a part. However, arguably the most important benefit of having a big league dad and/or brother is that the player has someone to talk to who has likely experienced everything. In Gordon’s case, he has a calm, a poise and a confidence about him. He likely won’t be overwhelmed by the stage or various situations.

    With a 20-year-old, it’s much more about the tools than the numbers. At 6-0 and 175 pounds, Gordon continues to gain strength. While he won’t be a 25-30 home run hitter, he could hit 12-15 a season in time. Gordon has a good approach at the plate, willing to take a lot of pitches. He also has one of those left-handed swings that reminds us that left-handers have some sweet swings. He uses the whole field. He isn’t as fast as his brother, but he has very good speed and runs the bases well.

    His overall numbers were solid considering his age in the Midwest League. He began the season by hitting .417/.481/.583 (1.065) in the first six games. He proceeded to go through a five week slump. In those 30 games, he hit just .185/.233/.203 (.434). However, of the final 84 games of the Kernels season, he hit .299/.361/.399 (.760). What does that show? He had the wherewithal to overcome his struggles. He made some adjustments to the league and put together some very solid numbers over the final three-and-a-half months of the season.

    Most believe that Gordon has the defensive abilities to stay at shortstop. He has had .964 and .966 fielding percentages in his first two professional seasons. In other words he makes the routine plays. However, he has very good range and a very strong arm. He can make the plays deep in the hole or right up the middle and has the arm to make all of the throws.

    People also talked about the leadership that he is able to provide the defense, not only the infielders but the outfielders as well. Despite being significantly younger than the competition and his teammates, he was touted for his leadership and for being a really good teammate.

    What's Left To Work On

    As a 20-year-old in Class A, I could use the blanket statement that he still needs to work on everything. That is equal parts cliche and accurate. Gordon is not a finished project. He needs time and he needs plate appearances. Pending health, he is going to get those opportunities. He will bat in the top two or three spots in his lineup all the time, playing almost every day.

    First and foremost, Gordon needs to get bigger and stronger. He had 23 doubles and seven triples, but he has had just one home run in each of his two seasons. The belief is that as he matures and gains weight and strength, he will add more power, including some home run power.

    His walk rate increased from just 4.3% at Elizabethon in 2014 to 7.3% in Cedar Rapids in 2015. That is a number that would ideally continue to increase and get close to the 10% range.

    Against right-handers Gordon hit .280/.339/.380 (.719) with 28 of his 31 extra base hits. Against left-handers, he hit just .264/.325/.291 (.616). While his batting average and on-base percentage were fairly similar, he just didn’t make as much solid contact against southpaws.

    What's Next

    A solid 19-year-old season in the Midwest League, especially with such a strong finish to his season, indicates that Gordon will start the 2016 season in the Florida State League with the Miracle. It will be most important to see how his walk rate and strikeout rate look after the 2016 season. The FSL is a tough league for hitters, especially for home runs. So, don’t expect his home run power to show up in 2016. Do expect him to spend the entire season with the Miracle.

    Defensively, with calling the Hammond Stadium infield home, he should put up some very good numbers.

    Be sure to check back tomorrow when we unveil our choice for Twins Prospect #3.

    TD Top Prospect #10: Nick Burdi

    TD Top Prospect #9: Kohl Stewart

    TD Top Prospect #8: Alex Meyer

    TD Top Prospect #7: Jorge Polanco

    TD Top Prospect #6: Stephen Gonsalves

    TD Top Prospect #5: Tyler Jay

    TD Top Prospect #4: Nick Gordon

    TD Top Prospects #3-#1: Check Back!

    Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!

    View Twins Top Prospects
    Seth Stohs has been blogging about the Minnesota Twins since May 2003. A founder and owner of Twins Daily (including Brewer Fanatic, North Side Baseball), Seth has been a Twins fan for 40 years and has a passion for covering the minor leagues and prospects. #GirlDad
    Follow Seth Stohs on Twitter: sethtweets

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    cgreuling

    cgreuling 26

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    I like the Span comparison but comparing him to guys that were able to sign when they were 16 and got 3 years of instruction in the GCL and DSL before their 19 year old season at Cedar Rapids is a little unfair. Polanco struggled mightily with the bat in his first couple go-arounds in the GCL before exploding at Elizabethton. He had arguably twice the plate appearances before going to Cedar Rapids as Gordon did in his lone season in E-ton.

    tobi0040

    tobi0040 4,125

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    I like the Span comparison but comparing him to guys that were able to sign when they were 16 and got 3 years of instruction in the GCL and DSL before their 19 year old season at Cedar Rapids is a little unfair. Polanco struggled mightily with the bat in his first couple go-arounds in the GCL before exploding at Elizabethton. He had arguably twice the plate appearances before going to Cedar Rapids as Gordon did in his lone season in E-ton.

     

    Wouldn't bloodlines and being around the big league atmosphere be most helpful during the transition from high school to the pro's?  Wouldn't we expect him to have a leg up during the first 1-2 transition years?

    cgreuling

    cgreuling 26

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Wouldn't bloodlines and being around the big league atmosphere be most helpful during the transition from high school to the pro's?  Wouldn't we expect him to have a leg up during the first 1-2 transition years?

     

    If we're talking about the transition of knowing what to expect being a professional baseball player, sure. It doesn't change the fact that high school players do not hit against guys throwing 85+ on a daily basis as they do in the minors, half their HS plate appearance are against guys that might be lucky to hit 80 on a good day. Bloodlines doesn't help you catch up to that, it takes time. Plate appearances.

     

    Otto von Ballpark

    Otto von Ballpark 20,382

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

    I like the Span comparison but comparing him to guys that were able to sign when they were 16 and got 3 years of instruction in the GCL and DSL before their 19 year old season at Cedar Rapids is a little unfair. Polanco struggled mightily with the bat in his first couple go-arounds in the GCL before exploding at Elizabethton. He had arguably twice the plate appearances before going to Cedar Rapids as Gordon did in his lone season in E-ton.

    In the comparison I made of their stats, I was throwing out Gordon's first 2 months at Cedar Rapids.  Is that not enough of an adjustment period?  At that point Gordon had almost as many career pro plate appearances as Polanco did in rookie league ball.  (And it wasn't as if Gordon was just a random high school player before then, he was going to elite national tournaments and showcases since his sophomore year.)

     

    And like I showed, going forward from that point, Gordon still under-performed Polanco at the plate, particularly in power and plate approach.

     

    I'm not saying that Gordon is destined to be a worse hitter than Polanco or anything, but right now, there is very little evidence to suggest he will clearly overtake Polanco in all 3 of those offensive categories (average, power, and plate approach) as Seth predicted.  I don't think most qualitative scouting reports are even predicting that at this point.  (Not that he has to overtake Polanco to be more valuable, with his presumed defensive advantage, but that was not the point being discussed.)

    tobi0040

    tobi0040 4,125

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    If we're talking about the transition of knowing what to expect being a professional baseball player, sure. It doesn't change the fact that high school players do not hit against guys throwing 85+ on a daily basis as they do in the minors, half their HS plate appearance are against guys that might be lucky to hit 80 on a good day. Bloodlines doesn't help you catch up to that, it takes time. Plate appearances.

     

    Right, but his high school to pro transition is no different than any other high school player.   So if we are putting stock in bloodlines, than shouldn't we have expected him to transition more smoothly than players whose Dad and brother who his are? 

     

    On the one hand we bring up bloodlines as a positive and on the other we glance past sub league average hitting out of a top 5 pick.  I just can't square this circle

    Seth Stohs

    Seth Stohs 27,908

  • Site Manager

    • Posted

     

    Right, but his high school to pro transition is no different than any other high school player.   So if we are putting stock in bloodlines, than shouldn't we have expected him to transition more smoothly than players whose Dad and brother who his are? 

     

    On the one hand we bring up bloodlines as a positive and on the other we glance past sub league average hitting out of a top 5 pick.  I just can't square this circle

     

    I'm sorry, people, but it's impossible to write up a profile about Nick Gordon without mentioning his family. It doesn't mean that he isn't a prospect in his own right. The Twins wouldn't have taken him with the 5th overall pick just because of his bloodlines. But it is the reality. How much does it help Nick? On the field, probably none. Off the field, probably a little bit. 

     

    Just because he's got bloodlines doesn't mean that he isn't going to goo through everything that most high school draftees go though. He's just pushed a level (or two) higher than most his age. 

    tobi0040

    tobi0040 4,125

  • Verified Member

    • Posted (edited)

     

    I'm sorry, people, but it's impossible to write up a profile about Nick Gordon without mentioning his family. It doesn't mean that he isn't a prospect in his own right. The Twins wouldn't have taken him with the 5th overall pick just because of his bloodlines. But it is the reality. How much does it help Nick? On the field, probably none. Off the field, probably a little bit. 

     

    Just because he's got bloodlines doesn't mean that he isn't going to goo through everything that most high school draftees go though. He's just pushed a level (or two) higher than most his age. 

     

    There is a big difference between mentioning he is the son of big league player and citing "big league bloodlines" as a positive attribute.  The Twins have repeatedly done that (your article does not). Here is a quote from Deron Johnson.  Frankly, in all the sports I have followed and the many sons that have been drafted, the Twins term "bloodlines" is something I have not seen anywhere else.

     

    “(We liked) his ability to play shortstop. We think he’s offensive. He’s got a really good swing. I think he’s going to have power down the road. He’s going to stay at shortstop, in my mind. He’s got great work ethic. Great kid. Big league bloodlines with his brother and his dad. We expect big things from him.”

    Edited by tobi0040
    Seth Stohs

    Seth Stohs 27,908

  • Site Manager

    • Posted

     

    There is a big difference between mentioning he is the son of big league player and citing "big league bloodlines" as a positive attribute.  The Twins have repeatedly done that (your article does not). Here is a quote from Deron Johnson.  Frankly, in all the sports I have followed and the many sons that have been drafted, the Twins term "bloodlines" is something I have not seen anywhere else.

     

    “(We liked) his ability to play shortstop. We think he’s offensive. He’s got a really good swing. I think he’s going to have power down the road. He’s going to stay at shortstop, in my mind. He’s got great work ethic. Great kid. Big league bloodlines with his brother and his dad. We expect big things from him.”

     

    OK, it's the 8th thing mentioned, and again, when asked about Gordon, it's impossible not to at least mention.

     

    It's not a negative and it would be naive to think there are no advantaged to having a dad and a brother who have been there. But, I would pay much more attention to the "ability to play SS," "He's offensive," "really good swing" "stay at shortstop" "great work ethic" "great kid" first... 

     

     



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