CEDAR
RAPIDS, Iowa – Nick Gordon is a budding star that is following in
the footsteps of his major league playing brother Dee Gordon –
currently a member of the Miami Marlins organization – and retired
MLB veteran father Tom Gordon. The fifth overall pick by the
Minnesota Twins in the 2014 draft, Gordon, displays outstanding
athletic ability along with strong defensive range and a lighting
quick bat.
Over
the course of his first two seasons in the minors, Gordon says he has
been staying true to himself. Currently a member of the Cedar Rapids
Kernels, the Low A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins in the Midwest
League, Gordon has been taking things day by day while improving his
game any chance he gets. His batting average has climbed to .250 in
recent weeks while providing his usual rock-steady defense at
shortstop, as evidenced by his .964 fielding percentage, as Gordon
has started to look more like a high-profile prospect settling into
his new baseball role.
At
19-years old, Gordon is a five-tool product that has been put into
the spot light at a very young age. Although he has been the face of
the Cedar Rapids Kernels this season, the shortstop has not given the
added attention much thought.
“I’m
working hard to improve my game and support my teammates any way
possible,” Gordon said simply of his time spent with the Kernels so
far this year.
Growing
up in Windermere, Fla., Gordon used Perfect Game baseball to his
advantage. Participating at several events across the country, he
quickly caught the eye of many scouts while showing off his game all
across the country.
“I
got to play against a lot of talented guys,” Gordon said of his
time on Perfect Game's showcase and tournament circuit. “The
competition was great and something I liked to measure myself against
every chance I got. Perfect Game gave me the opportunity to show what
I was all about.”
By
the end of his high school career, Gordon was one of the most highly
touted draft prospects, finishing his high school career ranked third
overall in the high school class rankings of 2014, and was also
member of the 2014 Perfect Game All-American Classic.
With
two other PG All-Americans also on the Kernels roster to open the
2015 season – lefthanded pitcher Stephen Gonsalves and catcher
Brian Navarreto – the trio had the opportunity to play alongside
one another once since since their high school days. Gonsalves has
now moved on to play for the Fort Myers Miracle at the High A level
in the Florida State League with Gordon and Navarreto awaiting their
phone calls to join their former teammate, which could come this
season as the two young talents continue to make strides in the
Midwest League.
While
Gordon continues to grow in every facet of the game, he has also had
the privilege of working with some of the best the game has to offer.
His mentors – Barry Larkin and his former Major League pitching
father Tom – have helped him perfect his game over the years and
now in the offseason.
“They
have both helped me take my game to new heights and work to improve
day by day,” Gordon said. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve
grown with heir help.”
The
long-time Cincinnati shortstop, Barry Larkin is an ideal mentor/coach
that will continue to work with Gordon as he moves through the minor
league ranks. With guidance and coaching of this magnitude, the young
shortstop looks to be a player that will undoubtedly have great
fundamentals.
With
a great supporting cast around him, Gordon has shown flashes of being
a player with depth in his game. As his batting average has started
to climb as the summer has heated up, Gordon believes this is due to
being more comfortable at the plate as the season has progressed.
With tougher pitching being seen on a daily basis, the 19-year-old
has learned to slow the game down.
“You
have to take it one at-bat at a time,” Gordon said of recent
improvements. “If you start to rush, the game will overpower you.”
With
a .325 on-base percentage, Gordon has also proven to be a deadly
weapon on the basepaths. Tied for sixth in the Midwest League in
steals, his 18 swipes are further proof of his five-tool talents,
giving him yet another weapon in his arsenal. Outstanding speed
accompanied by much-improved discipline at the plate make him a
dangerous presence at the top of the lineup, and his 25 walks are yet
another indication that the young Gordon is proving to be a
well-rounded asset in all offensive areas of the game.
That
is something his brother Dee has also been mastering in the majors
over the course of his young Major League career, who is currentyl
hitting .339 after leading the league in stolen bases a year ago with
64 for the Dodgers.
Following
in his brother's footsteps, Nick Gordon is also looking to continue
what is starting to look like a long and impressive string of talent
that has emerged out of the Cedar Rapids Kernels organization in
recent years. With current big league stars including Mike Trout,
Erick Aybar, Howie Kendrick, and most recently, Byron Buxton, all
coming through town in Northeast Iowa, Gordon is in good hands as he
goes through the minor league growing pains.
Buxton,
the latest to move up to the majors, is one reason the Minnesota
Twins are possibly thinking about what could be, as one day Gordon
could be playing alongside Buxton in the Twin Cities. Playing the
first half of the year in Cedar Rapids in 2013, Buxton showed his
outstanding abilities in the field and at the plate before moving up
in the Twin’s ranks fairly quickly.
Gordon,
who won’t turn 20 until October, acknowledges he has a lot of work
to do before he attains that status. Howver, looking into the future
the Minnesota Twins appear as though they have star power on the rise
that could be in place for a very long time.