Minnesota Sports Forum

Keith Law has us taking Nick Gordon

The son of former all-star pitcher Tom Gordon, Nick Gordon is one of the few true two-way prospects in the draft, though the industry seems to prefer him in the field

Gordon swings from the left side, and generates surprising power given his small frame; largely thanks to very strong wrists and above-average bat speed. He has a somewhat high leg kick and at times his hands can trail the rest of his body leading to some timing issues, and struggled with the better breaking stuff he saw this summer.

While Gordon has shown some offensive upside, his calling card his is his defense, and with good reason. He has very good range and can make plays to his left and right, with soft hands and plus arm strength, though his ball will often tail from his three-quarter arm slot.

As it was stated above, Gordon also pitches, and features a low 90s fastball and a hammer of a breaking ball like his father. Because of his size and the lack of a quality third offering, Gordon is much more likely to be drafted as a shortstop, where his plus defense and potential for above-average offensive production could see him go very early come June.

Player Grades
Pres Future
Hitting 40 50
Power 45 55
Plate Discipline -- --
Running Speed 60 60
Fielding Range 50 60
Arm Strength 70 70

I wouldn't necessarily be opposed because we don't have any sure thing future shortstops in the system, but I think we can do better. I'm not a big fan of using a top 5 pick on a SS, because I think there are so many Latin American options out there who can be serviceable...at least defensively. And Gordon hasn't been mentioned as a top 5 guy until this week. I think my preference would be Alex Jackson, a catcher/OF who seems to be the best bat in the draft, or any one of these pitchers who ends up falling to five: Kolek, Beede, or Freeland. I'm assuming that the two big lefties in the draft, Rodon and Aiken, will be gone by our pick.

I'm a big Jackson guy but he had him going 7th? I'm pretty sure if he's there at 4 the cubs will take him. Then there looking at a core of Bryant and Jackson with Baez for a lot of years. I like Stewart but I was bummed that Bryant didn't fall to us at 4 because think of a Buxton Sano and Bryant middle of the line up if they all reach there potentials. That's three guys who can hit 30 bombs a year.

This is an exciting draft for me. I can't wait to see what talented prospects we add to the potential already in our minor system. We have many starting pitchers already on the come up, but you can never have enough pitching talent. These are my 4 hopefuls for our first pick, in the order of which I'd pick them.

1) Kolek - if he falls it would be a huge steal. 100mph HS pitchers just don't come around.
2) Gordon - superb defensively, extremely fast. The bat is a work in progress but he could potentially be our lead off hitter. Someone for Buxton and Sano to drive in. Plus, you know he's seen plenty of dirt from his father pitching to him.
3) Jackson - another high quality bat, and a catcher that could wait in Suzuki's wings for a couple years.
4) Touki Toussaint - the wildcard at #5. Many would see it as a big reach, but I would be accepting of it. His upside his through the roof. Fastball hits the high 90's and has a gnarly curve... I think "knee buckling" was the term I heard used. Another HS player, he would take a good few years to develop, but if he pans out it would be a great addition to our pitching.

Who are you guys hoping for at #5? Only about another hour until we find out!

It's the draft that gets the least hype of all the major sports, master, but I'm with you...I really enjoy this draft. And the Twins seem to have become very good in the past 3-4 years, leading to now having arguably the best minors system in baseball. I think I have come around to liking Gordon at 5, which is good because he should be the guy.

It's interesting that you mention Kolek though, because after being top 3 for weeks, I have read reports that he is dropping. I don't know why...maybe he had a recent shaky outing or something. Anyway, if he's there at 5, I think they have to take him over Gordon.

I want Gordon. I think that's who we'll take too. Been reading about how we've scouted him as much if not more than anybody.

The Cubs cant think that this catcher is a top 5 pick...they must be saving their pool $ for later picks.

So now, we have a choice of the two best position players in the draft...Jackson and Gordon. I go with the best hitter in the draft...Jackson.

longstrangetrip wrote:The Cubs cant think that this catcher is a top 5 pick...they must be saving their pool $ for later picks.

So now, we have a choice of the two best position players in the draft...Jackson and Gordon. I go with the best hitter in the draft...Jackson.

I mentioned a couple weeks back that the cubs were could maybe go the Astros route and avoid a big signing bonus like when the Astros passed on Buxton. Welcome to the team MR. Gordon I hope your just as productive as your father.

I hope he's as badass on the basepaths as Dee is. Projected 60 stolen baggers this year lol