Nick Gordon
The Potential Tools: 60 glove, 60 arm, 55 run, 50 hit Strengths: Athletic frame and actions; room to add muscle and good strength; plus athleticism; above-average reads and reactions; plus instincts; smooth, soft hands; fields out front and smooth, quick transfer from glove to hand; range is above average due to quick first step; glove projects plus; arm is plus; quick hands; above-average bat speed; feel for contact; advanced approach and plan at the plate; strength throughout core and ability to drive the ball to gaps; short swing with linear swing path; swing allows him to get out of box clean; run is present plus — projects above average; potential average raw power; high floor. Weaknesses: Will expand the zone; power will play below average; plenty of swing and miss within the zone; front side can open early and barrel drags through hitting zone; advanced approach but lacks true feel for barrel and contact skills; run will tick down with added weight; brings defensive value but limited offensive skillset; present and future role is far apart; limited ceiling. Role Ceiling: 50; major league regular shortstop. Risk: High; limited offensive skillset; no upper-minors experience. Summary: The son of Tom Gordon, Nick Gordon brings a more complete profile than his brother Dee. He has above-average bat speed, and works counts well with a linear swing path, and some feel for contact. There is tremendous defensive value in his profile, though, and he projects to be a plus glove at shortstop. He has a natural feel for the position and his instincts and quick first step allow him to get to balls to his left and right with no issue. There isn’t a high offensive ceiling there but he has potential for an average hit tool and his solid-average future run should allow him to steal bases at an above-average rate. With the defensive value Gordon brings, he should make the major leagues and see time, but hitting at an average level with slightly below-average power will make him a regular. |