Niko Goodrum

[MarcusE]

Cartier Niko Goodrum

http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=25599073&width=400&height=22 4&property=mlb

 

Born: February 28, 1992 - Fayetteville, Georgia

 

Bats: Both

Throws: Right

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 170

 

Drafted as a SS out of Fayette County HS by the Twins - 2nd round (#71 Overall) of 2010 June MLB Amateur Draft.

 

Pro Stats:

2010: Twins GULF - 36G | 128 PA | .161/.219/.195 | 4SB/2CS | 9E/18DP

2011: Etown APPY - 59G | 230 PA | .275/.352/.382 | 8SB/1CS | 25E/32DP

2012: Etown APPY - 58G | 269 PA | .242/.349/.419 | 6SB/3CS | 18E/31DP

2013: Starting SS for Cedar Rapids MIDW

 

Prospect Review: Athletic shortstop Niko Goodrum recently began his first year of full-season baseball in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 2012 found Niko repeating rookie ball in Elizabethton, where he exhibited improvements in fielding, power and plate discipline. However, his batting average remained in the mid-.200's and his overall game didn't take the leap some Twins fans were predicting.

 

As someone just a month over the legal drinking age, the book is far from written on young Mr. Goodrum. 2013, though, will go a long ways towards predicting whether he'll be a mainstay middle-infielder for the next wave of winning Twins teams. My feeling, after following him closely for a year, is that he'll either break out this year and become a top-tier prospect or he'll begin the process of converting into a super-utility player. He's certainly the kind of athlete who could handle all 7 defensive positions and get on base just enough to make an MLB roster in his mid-twenties. I'm really hoping Niko can become a long-term SS option, since he's a nice kid who would look great at the bottom of a lineup that included misters Buxton, Rosario, Mauer, and Sano.

 

Twitter Feed: nikogoodrumtc

[MarcusE]

Weekly Roundup

Catching up on the action so far...

 

9G | 33 PA | .258/.303/.355 | 1SB/0CS | 4E/2DP

 

Notes: Let's hope the early season errors are merely cold-weather induced.

[MinnFan4Life]

Niko seems to be a great kid. Certainly rooting for him. Posting on Saturday, April 20th - He helped Cedar Rapids avoid a sweep with a couple of singles and a couple of RBIs in an 11 - 2 victory of Peoria. Has good range. We will hope that the batting average and overall approach at the plate continues to improve this season so that he can advance and let us see if he can get to Target Field at Short Stop. Certainly seems like the path is open at that position.

[Seth Stohs]

Here is the video of Niko's walk-off single in Game 2 this season in Cedar Rapids. Scored Travis Harrison from second base.

 

[video=youtube;Xpg3z4-kbzg]

[MinnFan4Life]

Sunday, April 21

 

Goodrum delivered a 2 run single today that proved to be the game winner in the Cedar Rapids Kernels 3-2. This was at least the second game winning hit (not my favorite stat) of the season. Niko's never going to be a power bat at short. That's not his game. However, I like the fact that there seems to be a little clutch in his stick. Should help his confidence level as well.

 

I think it is obvious that at the major league level, Minnesota is anything but settled in the middle of the infield. In fact, with some highly touted pitching prospects added recently- it may now be the Twins' biggest area of need. I still see no super-prospects in the system other than (I hope) Eddie Rossario. Perhaps if Niko continues to develop and improve, he could move himself into that conversation.

[MarcusE]

Weekly Roundup (4/16-4/21)

A nice week for Niko, including another game-winning RBI last night.

 

On the week, good plate discipline & solid defense:

 

5G | 22 PA | 6-1B/1-2B/0-3B/0-HR/4-RBI | 5-BB/6-SO | 1SB/0CS | 0E/2DP

 

On the season:

 

14G | 55 PA | .298/.400/.383 | 5RBI/7R | 2SB/0CS | 4E/4DP

[Seth Stohs]

Niko connected for his first home run of the season tonight in Cedar Rapids 16-7 win.

[MarcusE]

Weekly Roundup (4/22-4/28)

Another solid week for young Mr. Goodrum including his first home run of the season. Niko's slowly molding himself into a top-of-order type of hitter with high OBPs, good speed and run-scoring ability. Also notable, he hasn't committed an error at SS in 11 straight games:

 

5G | 27 PA | 4-1B/1-2B/0-3B/1-HR/2-RBI/7R | 6-BB/6-SO | 0SB/2CS | 0E/4DP

 

On the season:

 

19G | 82 PA | .294/.415/.412 | 7RBI/14R | 2SB/2CS | 4E/8DP

[MarcusE]

Weekly Roundup (4/29-5/5)

Another nice week for Niko. Hitting primarily in the #2 spot for the red-hot Kernels, Niko is quietly molding himself into an on-base machine. To wit, he's currently in the midst of a 17-game on-base streak during which he has taken at least one walk in 14 games and multiple walks in 6 games. Predictably, this high on-base proclivity has lead to an impressive 19 runs scored during the streak.

 

Defensively, playing mainly at SS with one game at 3B, Niko has also been solid. In fact, yesterday he ended a 16 game error-free streak.

 

On the week:

 

6G | 29 PA | 4-1B/1-2B/0-3B/0-HR/2-RBI/8R | 8-BB/5-SO | 1SB/0CS | 1E/2DP

 

On the season:

 

25G | 111 PA | .281/.423/.382 | 9RBI/22R | 3SB/2CS | 5E/10DP

[MarcusE]

Weekly Roundup (5/6-5/12)

For some reason, Niko started the week with a couple games at DH and proceeded to go 0-9 with 4 strikeouts. However, after being re-inserted in the defensive lineup, Niko got back to his hot hitting ways and ended the week with a superb 3-4 with 1BB and 1SF performance in the Kernels Sunday 23-run drubbing of the Snappers.

 

Manager Mauer also continues to sparingly use Niko at 3B. I take this as merely evidence of the surplus of middle infielders at Cedar Rapids, but who knows?

 

On the week:

 

5G | 24 PA | 4-1B/1-2B/1-3B/0-HR/4-RBI/4R | 2-BB/7-SO | 1SB/0CS | 2E/0DP

 

On the season:

 

30G | 135 PA | .282/.407/.391 | 13RBI/26R | 3SB/2CS | 7E/10DP

[Oldgoat_MN]

Of the position players for the Kernels, only Buxton, Polanco and Harrison are younger than he is.

That has me be really pleased with his .407 OBP.

 

A long way off, but he is another young man it is fun to be optimistic about.

[Seth Stohs]

Niko is pretty impressive! There's some question about if he'll stay at SS or eventually move to 3B (obviously, in part, depends on Sano and Harrison). Offensively, he's got a nice approach and a smooth swing. Defensively, I thought he looked pretty good at SS.

[MarcusE]

John Sickels posted a quite complimentary write-up on Niko (and Jorge Polanco) today: Prospect Notes: Niko Goodrum, Jorge Polanco - Minor League Ball

 

"Goodrum is a switch-hitter listed at 6-4, 190. He's gained at least an inch and 20 pounds since high school and may not be done growing. His athleticism really stands out on the field; I felt he was second only to Byron Buxton in terms of quickness and agility in the pre-game workouts. He also has a very strong throwing arm, easily the best I saw during infield drills."

[MarcusE]

Weekly Roundup (5/13-5/19)

Busy week, bad week, numbers dropping...

 

On the week:

 

8G | 34 PA | 2-1B/4-2B/1-3B/0-HR/4-RBI/1R | 1-BB/9-SO | 0SB/0CS | 1E/4DP

 

On the season:

 

38G | 169 PA | .270/.385/.397 | 17RBI/27R | 3SB/2CS | 8E/10DP

[MarcusE]

Weekly Roundup (5/20-5/27)

Very quiet week for Niko, numbers still dropping...Alarmingly, he's hit into double plays in 4 straight games after doing so just twice in the first 38 games. Hitting behind on-base machine Buxton, this is not a good trend. Let's hope Niko gets the ship righted asap and this 2-week stretch of bad baseball will fade away quickly.

 

On the week:

 

4G | 18 PA | 2-1B/0-2B/1-3B/0-HR/5-RBI/1R | 2-BB/1-SO | 1SB/0CS | 1E/5DP

 

On the season:

 

42G | 187 PA | .261/.374/.389 | 22RBI/28R | 4SB/2CS | 9E/15DP

[MarcusE]

Weekly Roundup (5/28-6/2)

A good week for Niko with a terrible ending. Last night Niko was carted off the field after a home plate collision and taken to the hospital. He was later diagnosed with a concussion and eased fans minds a bit by tweeting last night, “Hey guys everything has checked out. I’m going to be just fine. Thanks for the well wishes!”

Let's pray that everything is okay and Niko is back relatively quickly. Twins fans, unfortunately, know all too well how damaging concussions can be to a player's career.

 

On the week:

 

6G | 25 PA | 5-1B/1-2B/0-3B/0-HR/6-RBI/2R | 4-BB/7-SO | 1SB/0CS | 1E/5DP

 

On the season:

 

48G | 212 PA | .270/.382/.388 | 28RBI/30R | 5SB/2CS | 10E/18DP

[MarcusE]

Following up - Niko was place on the DL. Also a illustrative photo of the collision: Goodrum placed on DL, Licon to join Kernels | TheGazette

[MarcusE]

Scary stuff. Niko being carted off on a stretcher and driven away by on-field ambulance:

 

[video=youtube;iZOON3MMhWo]

[Shane Wahl]

Does anyone have an update on his status?

[Seth Stohs]

Does anyone have an update on his status?

 

Just this morning, he said that he does have a little bit of a headache, but it's not too bad. He is really hoping (as you would expect) to join his teammates back on the field as soon as possible. He hopes that it is just a 7 day thing, but with such a talented young man, the Twins are wise to be as patient and conservative as they need.

[MarcusE]

Niko rightfully was named to the MWL All Star Game this morning. Congratulations and let's hope he is healthy enough to play by then...

[MarcusE]

Not much of an update this week, as Niko was recovering from last week's concussion and did not see any action. Let's hope he's back soon!

[Steven Buhr]

As Seth mentioned on another thread, they're hoping Goodrum can return to action this weekend and participate in the MWL AllStar game next week. Obviously, however, they aren't going to release him to play until he's 100% medically cleared.

[MarcusE]

Niko was taken off the DL Saturday night, being cleared to play in Sunday's possible division-clinching game against Peoria. And play he did, going 3-4 with a double, walk, RBI and 3 runs scored. Unfortunately, The Kernel's relief pitching blew a big lead in the 9th and with it ended the team's chances at a first half title.

 

Either way, great to see Niko back in action and wishing him much luck at the MWL All Star Game this Tuesday. Now they'll just have to go out and win the second half!

[MarcusE]

First half stats roundup:

 

49G | 217 PA | .280/.392/.401 | 29RBI/33R | 5SB/2CS | 10E/20DP

[MWLFan]

I was at the game yesterday (June 16) and got my first look at Niko in game action. I was impressed, had a good day at the plate with the hits and looks confident and relaxed at the plate even after the stint on the DL. But he really caught my eye in the field. He looked smooth and steady out there, he ranged into the deep hole a couple a times and let loose his arm with accurate and strong throws to get the outs at first. His foot work looked good going both to his right and left and he covers a lot of ground for a bigger SS. Now when I say big I am not talking Sano big, think strongside linebacker in the NFL for him. I looking at tall, lean, athletic guy when I see Niko. James Beresford was my standard for Twins Minor League SS, tells you how pathetic it has been down here and I like James, but I was quite intrigued about seeing Niko and more so now that I have seen him play. As far as the Kernals bullpen goes...yuck!

[MarcusE]

Niko's Back! After having a nice MWL All Star game going 1-1 with a walk and 2RBI after replacing Carlos Correa at SS for innings 5-9, Niko got a full weekend of game action. Fun stat, Niko's impressive OBP skills continue as he has reached base via hit or walk in 47 of 53 games this season and has done so in 13 consecutive games.

 

On the week:

 

4G | 21 PA | 4-1B/1-2B/0-3B/0-HR/1-RBI/2R | 2-BB/7-SO | 0SB/0CS | 1E/5DP

 

On the season:

 

53G | 238 PA | .279/.387/.393 | 30RBI/35R | 5SB/2CS | 12E/24DP

[Steven Buhr]

If today's game in CR is an indication, it appears Goodrum will be replacing Buxton as the lead off hitter for Jake Mauer's Kernels.

[goulik]

First Cedar Rapids game for me today. Niko made everything at SS look routine and smooth. His approach at the plate was impressive as he fouled off several two strike pitches top of the first and made mostly solid contact. Only one game but I liked what I saw.

[MarcusE]

Another steady week for Niko. Only major change is that with the departure of Buxton, Niko has been the primary lead-off hitter, showing the kind of faith this club has in his on-base skills. Cool stat-line of the week, on 6/27 Niko reached base in all 5 of his plate appearances yet he only had 1 hit. That's right, your classic 4 walk game.

 

Also, the on-base streak is now at 18 games which surpasses Niko's previous season-high of 17 consecutive games reaching base.

 

On the week:

 

5G | 22 PA | 1-1B/3-2B/0-3B/0-HR/1-RBI/7R | 5-BB/5-SO | 0SB/0CS | 0E/3DP

 

On the season:

 

58G | 260 PA | .275/.388/.394 | 31RBI/42R | 5SB/2CS | 12E/27DP