Nick Gordon

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #15 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: After a setback in 2018 when he struggled in his first exposure to Triple-A, Gordon's 2019 season got off to a delayed start because of a stomach issue that led to lost weight and diminished strength. Gordon was still noticeably lighter at the end of the season, but he regained some of the strength later in the year. His season ended early thanks to a contusion on his left leg, but he was having a solid year for Triple-A Rochester before he went down.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gordon doesn't have a true plus tool, but he should have an MLB career thanks to his ability to play average defense at shortstop and above-average defense at second base. There's hope that he'll regain some pop in his bat as he regains weight, but he projects as a fringe-average hitter with below-average power. His arm got better as the season progressed and by the end of the season he was making plays from the hole that he was bouncing in spring training. He's an average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: With Jonathan Schoop departing, Gordon has a shot of playing in Minnesota in 2020 at second base or as a backup middle infielder.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #15 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Outstanding bloodlines have long been a selling point for the son of former all-star pitcher Tom “Flash” Gordon and the younger half-brother of the Mariners’ Dee Gordon. Drafted fifth overall in 2014 out of an Orlando-area high school, the Florida State signee received a $3.851 million signing bonus from the Twins. Gordon reached the All-Star Futures Game in 2017 after a star turn in Arizona the prior fall. However, he stumbled in his first extended look at Triple-A last season, losing confidence in the field and seeing his gap power disappear after tearing up the Double-A Southern League.
  
  Scouting Report: Never a burner like Dee, Gordon at his best is an instinctive runner who shows advanced barrel awareness, solid plate discipline and a line-drive swing. Too many careless mistakes in the field along with questions about his range and throwing accuracy have knocked down his value. Gordon’s lean, almost-scrawny frame raises doubts about his ability to be more than a utility type.
  
  The Future: Gordon figures to open 2019 back at Rochester, where he should get more chances to play additional positions besides the keystone spots.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #8 prospect in 2018
  Bloodlines bode well for Gordon, son of 21-year big league pitcher Tom “Flash” Gordon and younger half-brother of Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon. Drafted fifth overall in 2014 after a standout prep career in Orlando, the Florida State signee received a $3.851 million signing bonus as the first high school position player drafted. He flashed a low-90s fastball and promising curveball on the summer showcase circuit, but his admiration of Derek Jeter and love of the daily grind led him to the middle of the diamond. Voted the ninth-best prospect and best defensive shortstop in the Southern League, Gordon slashed his way to an appearance at the All-Star Futures Game, where he was the only Twins representative. He managed just 13 extra-base hits after June 18, and he hit .211 over his final 180 at-bats. Lefties have given him trouble at multiple levels, but overall his hit tool tops his list of attributes. Not a burner like his brother but an instinctive runner, Gordon shows advanced barrel awareness to go with sound plate discipline and a line-drive swing that produces gap power. His range is just average and he struggles at times with footwork, hop anticipation and throwing accuracy. His frame remains lean, and he has struggled to add visible muscle. Rival evaluators have their doubts about Gordon's ability to remain at shortstop, where he has averaged 20 errors in his three full seasons thanks in part to struggles with his throwing accuracy. With Royce Lewis and Wander Javier coming up fast behind him in the system and Jorge Polanco handling himself well at shortstop in the majors, Gordon figures to see more time on both sides of the bag (and possibly left field) as he makes the climb to Triple-A.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #1 prospect in 2017
  The son of righthander Tom Gordon--who pitched parts of 21 seasons in the big leagues--and the younger half-brother of Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon, Nick benefits from significant major league bloodlines. The Twins drafted him fifth overall in 2014 and signed him for $3.581 million, making Gordon the first high school position player selected that year. The top prep shortstop in his class, Gordon could've also followed in his father's footsteps. He showed a low-90s fastball and flashes of a curveball--Tom's signature pitch--in the summer showcase circuit. Instead, the Twins have groomed Gordon as a shortstop, and he continues to learn the nuances of the position. Gordon built on a solid 2015 season at low Class A Cedar Rapids, during which he batted .277/.336/.360, with a near identical offensive stat line at high Class A Fort Myers in 2016. However, Gordon recorded just a .530 OPS against lefthanders and made 24 errors at shortstop--two areas he'll look to improve as he moves up the ladder in the Twins organization. Gordon finished 2016 on a strong note with Surprise of the Arizona Fall League, where he made the circuit's all-star team. Unlike his half-brother Dee, Nick doesn't boast off-the-charts speed or athleticism; he's average in both categories. As such, some scouts outside of the organization view him as more of a second baseman. The Twins believe he has the aptitude, instincts and short-area quickness to stick at short, but he'll need to continue to put in the time to learn hitters, properly position himself and refine his footwork. His success at shortstop will depend on his preparation. By most accounts, he has a strong work ethic. Gordon's plus arm strength is his greatest asset, though he did have throwing issues at times in 2016, contributing to his error total, which ranked fourth among Florida State League shortstops. Offensively, Gordon shows strength and bat speed in his lefthanded, line-drive swing as well as an ability to hit to all fields. His power is geared for the gaps at present, but he should put more balls over the fence as he develops physically. With good hand-eye coordination and barrel awareness, Gordon is generally a disciplined hitter, but he also gives away at-bats on occasion, and the Twins want him to take care of his plate appearances with a little more focus and concentration. His issues against lefthanded pitchers in 2016 are worth watching, though he's shown better splits in the past and he could improve against lefties with repetition. Gordon's game is predicated more on fundamentals than flash, and he'll need to continue to refine those fundamentals for him to stick at shortstop. Gordon's instincts and feel for the game are ahead of many players his age--thanks in part to his big league genetics--and that aptitude helps him play above his raw tools. The Twins have had 10 different starters on Opening Day at shortstop since 2005, and they will start Gordon at Double-A Chattanooga in 2017 with the hopes he'll end their revolving door at shortstop soon.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #4 prospect in 2016
  The son of former pitcher Tom Gordon and younger half-brother of Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon, Nick was drafted fifth overall after a standout prep career in Orlando. The Florida State signee received a $3.851 million signing bonus as the first high school position player drafted. He flashed a low-90s fastball and promising curveball on the summer showcase circuit. Midwest League managers voted him the best defensive shortstop in the circuit, where he spent his first full pro season. Gordon's range is merely average but he's sure-handed and makes all the routine plays while flashing an above-average arm. Gordon compensates with anticipation and smart positioning and should stay at shortstop. An average runner out of the box, Gordon is an instinctive basestealer who runs better underway. Along with excellent hand-eye coordination, he shows good plate discipline and barrel awareness, and his offense took off after the all-star break (.763 OPS) once he reined in his aggressiveness. His line-drive swing projects to add power but for now it remains confined to the gaps. He handles lefties well enough but produced just three extra-base hits against them. Gordon should open the year back home in the high Class A Florida State League, where his offense will be challenged by the bigger ballparks. He won't turn 21 until after the season, so it's possible he will spend another full year the same level as the Twins slowly groom their future big league shortstop.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #6 prospect in 2015
  Son of 21-year big league veteran Tom Gordon and younger half-brother of Dodgers second baseman Dee Gordon, Nick might be the most talented Gordon of all. Taken fifth overall in 2014 after a standout prep career at Olympia High, he signed for $3.851 million. A broken index finger on his left hand ended Gordon's season at Rookie-level Elizabethton in the first round of Appalachian League playoffs. The injury, which happened when he was jammed on a pitch, continued to slow him at his first instructional league. Some rival evaluators question whether Gordon has the quick-twitch athleticism to stay at shortstop long term, but scouting director Deron Johnson and his staff had no such doubts. He shows outstanding instincts, work ethic and makeup and quickly named Derek Jeter on draft night as his ultimate role model. With soft, sure hands and a plus arm, Gordon made just eight errors and posted the highest fielding percentage (.964) of any Appy League shortstop. At the plate, he has the ability to hit for average and power with an advanced knack for driving the ball to the opposite field. He has plenty of present bat speed, but the Twins foresee more power as he gets stronger and learns to pull the ball. His raw speed is above average but it plays down a notch out of the box due to his big swing. Gordon should open his first full pro season at low Class A Cedar Rapids, where he will get his first taste of cold weather.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #6 prospect in 2014 draft
  Gordon is talented enough that he could have followed in his father Tom's footsteps as a pitcher or his brother Dee's footsteps as a shortstop. The quality of this year's draft class is held back by the dearth of up-the-middle position players, so Gordon, who is the consensus best middle-of-the-diamond player, looks like he will go in the top 10 picks. Gordon has potential to be a rare lefthanded-hitting domestic shortstop who contributes offensively and defensively. He added more than 10 pounds to his wiry 6-foot, 180-pound build over the offseason and this additional strength helped in many facets of his game. Gordon has a chance to be an above-average hitter with a loose, quick stroke that works inside the ball. He has strong bat-to-ball skills, and while he has more doubles power presently, scouts believe he could also have at least average power down the road once he learns to pull the ball, and maybe even above-average. Opinions on his defense differ, ranging from average to well above-average. He has soft hands, easy actions and natural instincts for the position. Gordon has the best arm in the high school class and it is at least plus. Despite being a plus runner in the 60, Gordon's speed plays closer to average out of the box. Scouts have conviction about Gordon's makeup, which is among the best in the draft, and say he has top-of-charts instincts. Gordon also has a solid backup option as a pitcher who can run his fastball up to 94 with an above-average curveball.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #9 prospect in 2017
  The first high school position player drafted in 2014, Gordon continued his steady climb up the ladder by batting leadoff for Chattanooga all season. He led the SL in triples (eight) and ranked third in hits (140) and runs (80).
• 
  Ranked Florida State League #4 prospect in 2016
  The fifth overall pick in the 2014 draft, Gordon was the first prep position player drafted that year and had a steady FSL season, ranking fifth in batting (.291) and fourth in hits (134) despite wearing down a bit late in the season While having a big league half-brother (Dee) and father (Tom) makes Gordon famous, he's more fundamental than flashy, with a plus arm his best tool. His range and actions don't stand out, and it's hard to find evaluators totally convinced of his ability to stick at shortstop. However, he has strength in his swing, stays inside the ball and has gap power, together with the ability to have quality at-bats against good pitchers or in key spots. Gordon recorded a .530 OPS against lefthanders, and managers believe he'll improve with more reps against same-siders. "I think he just needs repetition to learn what pitches to look for, when to be patient, when to be aggressive," Fort Myers manager Jeff Smith said.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Fall League #9 prospect in 2016
  Still only 20 at the start of the AFL season and coming out of high Class A, Gordon was not at all intimidated by AFL pitching, as he ranked fourth in the league in batting aveage with a slash line of .348/.418/.444. The son of former big league pitcher Tom "Flash" Gordon and half-brother of Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon, he made consistent hard contact throughout the AFL campaign. Gordon draws mixed opinions as to his future home on the field, but with his skills, savvy and plus arm, he just needs to become more consistent and improve his fielding techniques to stay at shortstop.
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #4 prospect in 2015
  As the MWL chewed up and spit out several prominent 2014 high school draft picks--including the Mariners' Alex Jackson and the Brewers' duo of Monte Harrison and Jake Gatewood--Gordon never looked to be over his head and kept getting better as the season progressed. For example, he hit .302/.347/.416 after the all-star break. Gordon became less mechanical and smoother in the field as the season progressed, and he showed defensive reliability by leading MWL shortstops with a .966 fielding average. Gordon has good hands and an above-average arm. Though he's only an average runner out of the box, Gordon is a solid basestealer who runs well once underway. Gordon showed similar development on offense. Blessed with excellent hand-eye coordination, he was too aggressive early in the season, especially if he got ahead in the count. He began to figure out how to wait out early-count breaking balls and stop going after pitches out of the zone. Unlike many young lefthanded batters, he puts together solid at-bats against southpaws.
• 
  Ranked American League #2 prospect in 2014
  Gordon has baseball bloodlines as the son of Tom Gordon and the half-brother of Dodgers second baseman Dee. He improved significantly heading into the spring season and, at No. 5 overall, was the first high school position player drafted. Gordon offers plus instincts and some of the best makeup in the 2014 draft. His best-case scenario is a two-way shortstop with the ability to hit for average and power, but he faces questions about whether he will stay at shortstop in pro ball. He has soft, sure hands and an arm that is at least plus, making him a dependable fielder who had the highest fielding percentage of any shortstop in the league (.964). But he does not have traditional quick-twitch athleticism expected of the position, which could force a move to second or third base. Gordon projects to be an above-average hitter with plus bat speed who works inside the ball. His power projects to be at least average with a chance for better once he starts pulling the ball more regularly, as he shows an advanced ability to drive the ball to the opposite field. A plus straight-line runner, his speed plays as average to above-average out of the box because of his swing. He will need to learn to use his speed better on the bases after being successful on 61 percent of his stolen base attempts.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #93 prospect in 2018
• Ranked Baseball America's #60 prospect in 2017
• Ranked Baseball America's #53 prospect in 2016
• Ranked Baseball America's #61 prospect in 2015

• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  The fifth overall pick in 2014 finally appears to have found a home in the big leagues. Gordon battled Covid last year and had dealt with gastritis for years that affected his ability to keep weight on. With his digestive issues behind him, Gordon flashed enough defensive versatility, offensive competitiveness and speed to project him to a future big league role, potentially as a utility player.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: After a setback in 2018 when he struggled in his first exposure to Triple-A, Gordon’s 2019 season got off to a delayed start because of a stomach issue that led to lost weight and diminished strength. Gordon was still noticeably lighter at the end of the season, but he regained some of the strength later in the year. His season ended early thanks to a contusion on his left leg, but he was having a solid year for Triple-A Rochester before he went down.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gordon doesn’t have a true plus tool, but he should have an MLB career thanks to his ability to play average defense at shortstop and above-average defense at second base. There’s hope that he’ll regain some pop in his bat as he regains weight, but he projects as a fringe-average hitter with below-average power. His arm got better as the season progressed and by the end of the season he was making plays from the hole that he was bouncing in spring training. He’s an average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: With Jonathan Schoop departing, Gordon has a shot of playing in Minnesota in 2020 at second base or as a backup middle infielder.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: After a setback in 2018 when he struggled in his first exposure to Triple-A, Gordon's 2019 season got off to a delayed start because of a stomach issue that led to lost weight and diminished strength. Gordon was still noticeably lighter at the end of the season, but he regained some of the strength later in the year. His season ended early thanks to a contusion on his left leg, but he was having a solid year for Triple-A Rochester before he went down.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gordon doesn't have a true plus tool, but he should have an MLB career thanks to his ability to play average defense at shortstop and above-average defense at second base. There's hope that he'll regain some pop in his bat as he regains weight, but he projects as a fringe-average hitter with below-average power. His arm got better as the season progressed and by the end of the season he was making plays from the hole that he was bouncing in spring training. He's an average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: With Jonathan Schoop departing, Gordon has a shot of playing in Minnesota in 2020 at second base or as a backup middle infielder.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  After spending all of 2017 at Double-A Chattanooga, the Twins sent Gordon back there to start this season. He handled the assignment by dominating the Southern League, hitting .331/.381/.525 and earning a promotion to Triple-A. Gordon flips back and forth between second base and shortstop. Most scouts say he’ll eventually end up at second base, but he could also be a fringy shortstop depending on what level of defense a team is willing to take for solid offensive production. Gordon has struggled in his first taste of Triple-A as his plate discipline has suffered, but he should be ready for the big leagues as a 23-year-old next year.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Bloodlines bode well for Gordon, son of big league pitcher Tom Gordon and younger half-brother of second baseman Dee Gordon. Drafted fifth overall in 2014 after a standout prep career in Orlando, the Florida State signee received a $3.851 million signing bonus as the first high school position player drafted. Scouting Report: At Double-A Chattanooga in 2017, Gordon slashed his way to an appearance at the Futures Game. He managed just 13 extra-base hits after June 18, however, and hit .211 over his final 180 at-bats. Lefties have given him trouble at multiple levels, but overall his hit tool tops his list of attributes. Not a burner like his brother but an instinctive runner, Gordon shows advanced barrel awareness to go with sound plate discipline and a line-drive swing that produces gap power. His range is just average and he struggles at times with footwork, hop anticipation and throwing accuracy. The Future: Rival evaluators have their doubts about Gordon's ability to remain at shortstop, where he has been error-prone. Gordon figures to see more time on both sides of the bag (and possibly left field) as he makes the climb to Triple-A Rochester in 2018.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: The son of righthander Tom Gordon--who pitched parts of 21 seasons in the big leagues--and the younger half-brother of Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon, Nick benefits from significant major league bloodlines. The Twins drafted him fifth overall in 2014 and signed him for $3.581 million, making Gordon the first high school position player selected that year. The top prep shortstop in his class, Gordon could've also followed in his father's footsteps. He showed a low-90s fastball and flashes of a curveball--Tom's signature pitch--in the summer showcase circuit. Instead, the Twins have groomed Gordon as a shortstop, and he continues to learn the nuances of the position. Gordon built on a solid 2015 season at low Class A Cedar Rapids, during which he batted .277/.336/.360, with a near identical offensive stat line at high Class A Fort Myers in 2016. However, Gordon recorded a .530 OPS against lefthanders and made 24 errors at shortstop--two areas he'll look to improve as he moves up the ladder in the Twins organization. Gordon finished 2016 on a strong note with Surprise of the Arizona Fall League, where he made the circuit's all-star team. Scouting Report: Unlike his half-brother Dee, Nick doesn't boast off-the-charts speed or athleticism; he's average in both categories. As such, some scouts outside of the organization view him as more of a second baseman. The Twins believe he has the aptitude, instincts and short-area quickness to stick at short, but he'll need to continue to put in the time to learn hitters, properly position himself and refine his footwork. His success at shortstop will depend on his preparation. By most accounts, he has a strong work ethic. Gordon's plus arm strength is his greatest asset, though he did have throwing issues at times in 2016, contributing to his error total, which ranked fourth among Florida State League shortstops. Offensively, Gordon shows strength and bat speed in his lefthanded, line-drive swing as well as an ability to hit to all fields. His power is geared for the gaps at present, but he should put more balls over the fence as he develops physically. With good hand-eye coordination and barrel awareness, Gordon is generally a disciplined hitter, but he also gives away at-bats on occasion, and the Twins want him to take care of his plate appearances with a little more focus and concentration. His issues against lefthanded pitchers in 2016 are worth watching, though he's shown better splits in the past and he could improve against lefties with repetition. The Future: Gordon's game is predicated more on fundamentals than flash, and he'll need to continue to refine those fundamentals for him to stick at shortstop. Gordon's instincts and feel for the game are ahead of many players his age--thanks in part to his big league genetics--and that aptitude helps him play above his raw tools. The Twins have had 10 different starters on Opening Day at shortstop since 2005, and they will start Gordon at Double-A Chattanooga in 2017 with the hopes he'll end their revolving door at shortstop soon.
• August, 2016 Scouting Report
  Still only 20 at the start of the AFL season and coming out of high Class A, Gordon was not at all intimidated by AFL pitching, as he ranked fourth in the league in batting aveage with a slash line of .348/.418/.444. The son of former big league pitcher Tom "Flash" Gordon and half-brother of Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon, he made consistent hard contact throughout the AFL campaign. Gordon draws mixed opinions as to his future home on the field, but with his skills, savvy and plus arm, he just needs to become more consistent and improve his fielding techniques to stay at shortstop.