Alex Gordon Stats & Scouting Report

AB	6391
AVG	.257
OBP	.338
SLG	.41
HR	190

Full name Alex Jonathan Gordon
Born 02/10/1984 in Lincoln, NE
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Nebraska
Debut 04/02/2007
Drafted in the 1st round (2nd overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2005 (signed for $4,000,000).

View Draft Report

Though Gordon was Nebraska's top high school prospect in 2002, he went undrafted because he was set on playing for his hometown Cornhuskers. Three years later, he's the best college position player in the draft and has considerably more offensive potential than former Husker Darin Erstad, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1995 draft. Gordon should hit for power and average because he has a sweet lefthanded swing, strength, exceptional strike-zone discipline and the ability to make adjustments. He uses the entire field and can drive the ball where it's pitched after getting pull-conscious as a sophomore. After a slow start with wood bats last summer, he adapted and became Team USA's second-best hitter (behind Virginia's Ryan Zimmerman). Zimmerman's skill at the hot corner forced Gordon to play first base, but he's a solid defender at third. When Gordon first arrived at Nebraska, some thought he might have to move to first base or an outfield corner. But he has worked hard on his defense, where his strong arm, instincts and quickness are assets. A solid-average runner, Gordon is chasing a rare 20-20 season this spring. There's no glaring weakness in his game, and he should advance rapidly as a pro. Gordon probably won't go as high as Erstad and may command a major league contract, but he's not considered a particularly tough sign.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Since the Royals made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 draft, Gordon has done nothing to make the Royals think twice about their club-record $4 million bonus investment. He pulled off an unprecedented feat by winning Baseball America's College Player of the Year Award and Minor League Player of the Year awards in consecutive seasons, capturing the latter honor in his pro debut. Gordon is accustomed to accumulating hardware, as he was a two-time Big 12 Conference player of the year at Nebraska and was the offensive MVP when Team USA won a gold medal at the 2004 World University Championships. After signing late in 2005, he played in the Arizona Fall League, his only pro experience before he led the Double-A Texas League in slugging (.588), finished second in on-base percentage (.427) and ranked fourth in batting (.325). A native of Lincoln, Neb., Gordon grew up as a Royals fan, and his brother Brett was named for Hall of Famer George Brett, the greatest player in franchise history. Gordon may one day make a run at that title. There's little that Gordon can't do offensively. He has a smooth stroke with impressive bat speed and is able to generate power to all fields. In college he was able to wait longer on pitches because of the metal bat, but he quickly learned how to get his load started earlier with wood. That allowed his power to emerge quickly as the season progressed and he hit 19 home runs in the final two months. He finds ways to get hits even when his swing isn't at its best, further evidence of his knack for centering the ball on the barrel of the bat. He has a strong concept of the strike zone and is willing to draw walks. An average runner with terrific instincts, Gordon is an efficient basestealer. He succeeded on 22 of his 25 attempts in 2006. Defensively, he has proven to be more athletic at third base than Kansas City expected. He has above-average arm strength. Gordon has had a habit of tinkering with his swing going back to his days at Nebraska, as well as a tendency to open up that causes a slight uppercut. The Royals are trying to get him to focus on keeping his swing on a slight downward plane to generate more backspin and loft. Gordon has the most room to improve defensively. He was mechanical and a little stiff as third baseman coming out of college, but he has made significant improvement. While he still needs to get lighter on his feet, there's no reason he shouldn't be at least an average defender. With incumbent Royals third baseman Mark Teahen coming off a solid season, either he or Gordon could end up switching positions. Possible destinations for Gordon include the outfield corners or first base, and he provides enough offense to play anywhere. Because his bat is nearly major league-ready, he'll get a look with big club this spring and could make the Royals' Opening Day roster. Teahen's shoulder surgery could enhance Gordon's chances of breaking camp with Kansas City. Even if Gordon opens the year at Triple-A Omaha, he'll surely make his way to the majors to stay at some point in 2007.
Born and raised in Lincoln, Neb., Gordon grew up making family road trips to Kansas City to see a certain third baseman--whom his brother Brett is named for. He starred as a third baseman and defensive back in high school before following his father Mike in playing baseball at Nebraska. Gordon developed into a two-time Big 12 Conference player of the year and won Baseball America's 2005 College Player of the Year award by hitting .372/.518/.715 with 19 homers and 23 steals as the Cornhuskers advanced to the College World Series. Gordon also won the 2005 Golden Spikes Award as the top amateur player in the United States. Before his banner junior season, he captured offensive MVP honors as he helped Team USA to a gold medal at the 2004 World University Championship in Taiwan. When Arizona took Justin Upton with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2005 draft, Gordon was an obvious choice for the Royals at No. 2. It was the earliest draft pick the Royals have ever had--though they'll pick first in 2006--surpassing their fourth overall selections in 1998 (Jeff Austin) and 2000 (Mike Stodolka). Rumors were prevalent that they would focus on budget more than ability, but they took the best player on the board. Gordon held out until late September, when he accepted a $4 million bonus that shattered Austin's club record of $2.7 million. He signed too late to play in the minors but did get 50 at-bats in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .260 with two homers. Gordon treats hitting like an art and constantly works to improve his craft. He even borrowed the coach's keys to Nebraska's practice facility in order to hit during summer and Christmas breaks. That work ethic has produced a hitter with great patience and a finely tuned swing. Gordon has the best bat speed in the organization. He hits for average and power to all fields. One scout compared him to Chipper Jones. While he's known mostly for his bat, Gordon isn't a one-dimensional player. Terrific baserunning instincts allowed the solid-average runner to swipe 23 bags in 26 tries as a junior, surpassing his total from his first two years in college. Gordon shows an above-average arm and solid hands at third base. He played first base in his pro debut in the Arizona Fall League only because he replaced Justin Huber on the roster and the club needed someone to man that spot. He also played first base with Team USA, but that was in deference to Gold Glove-caliber third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Gordon's biggest flaws should be easily correctable. He can improve his pre-pitch preparation. The Royals had him working on fielding balls from the balls of his feet, with a wider base and further in front of his body. The Royals initially slated Gordon to make his pro debut at high Class A High Desert, but his AFL showing has given them the confidence to start him at Double-A Wichita. He should develop into a potent middle-of-the-order bat and a fine lefthanded complement to righthanded-hitting Billy Butler, the system's other blue-chip prospect. Mark Teahen poses little obstacle to Gordon, who will take over at third base in Kansas City as soon as he's ready. That could happen at some point in 2006.

Minor League Top Prospects

If carrying the weight of an entire organization's hopes on your shoulders was a burden, Gordon sure didn't show it. Other players may have offered better individual skills, but no one in the TL had a complete package to compare with Gordon's. He led the league in slugging (.588), finished second in on-base percentage (.427) and ranked fourth in batting (.325). A year after winning BA's College Player of the Year award at Nebraska, Gordon added our Minor League Player of the Year hardware. He also was named league MVP. Scouts and managers praised Gordon's smooth swing and his approach at the plate, noting that he also offers light-tower power potential. He's also a good baserunner who stole 22 bases in 25 attempts. He has reliable hands and an above-average arm, with managers rating him the best defensive third baseman in the league. "This guy is the total package," Corpus Christi manager Dave Clark said. "He was clearly the best player in the league."