Nick Gordon is Carving Out a Role in the Big Leagues

It's good to see Nick doing well.  I was hoping he'd get a chance this year.  He sounds like a great young kid.

I like the kid. He has a certain relaxed athleticism that I think will allow his abilities to play at the MBL level. I think that homerun to straight away CF off the low fastball shocked everybody. He has been really good in the lineup and sure didn't seem lost in CF either. He just looks so freakin' skinny.

49 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Yep, it’s about his ability to play shortstop or else pushing past not one but two players at second base. 
I like that Nick has some speed, which the team lacks, outside of Buxton. 

I don't think he needs to be a starter or push anyone.  If Gordon can play even little short, second, and outfield, he could pair nicely with Astudillo.  Between the 2 of them they'd have the whole diamond covered position wise.  Not gold glovers but they could be 2 of the better utility players.  It could free up 2 roster spots for who knows what....maybe 15 pitchers instead of 13!

Hope Gordon is put in CF every day until Buxton comes back. Would really help us if he could be a multi-positional player. Gives us some speed that we desperately need and it looks like he can hit some. 

I am curious about the decision to put Gordon in CF over Gilberto Celestino.  Not that I am unhappy about it and hope that Gordon can learn how to play the OF like Jarrod Dyson. But with Gordon having no OF experience it seems the safe choice would have Larnach with a strong arm in RF, Gordon in LF and keeping Celestino in CF. 

2 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Hope Gordon is put in CF every day until Buxton comes back. Would really help us if he could be a multi-positional player. Gives us some speed that we desperately need and it looks like he can hit some. 

I hope they just recall Buxton because we are running out of bodies.  They should have given Gordon some reps in CF while he was in the minors.  They were asleep at the switch on that one.  I would guess he is going to spend a fair amount of time at AAA this year if the injury parade lets up.  Hopefully they put him in the OF and get a good idea how he adapts.  He would be a much better asset if he can also play the OF.  Gordon and Refsneider could be a great great bench tandem for the next few years.

With the Twins most like sellers at the tradeline this year, I see an opportunity for Gordon opening up.  Polanco, simmons, or Arraez could be dealt, opening the door for Gordon.  

If he continues to hit like he is they will find a place for him to play no worries there.  My main issue with Nick is it seemed like he could never stay healthy for a full season.  He always seemed to either start late or get injured late in the season.  The lack of power was always a concern as well but I guess he and Arraez can battle it out as they both are good contact hitters but Arraez has the better eye at the plate and Nick the better speed of the two.  

Right now I am just happy he is a valuable player and not a complete bust.  Hopefully he can keep this up but I see a lot breaking ball pitches in his future so we will see if he can handle that or not.  Odds are pitchers won't be afraid to pitch to him since he can't hurt them with a home run so walks might be hard to come by but I guess we will have to wait and see how things work out for him at the plate.

If he can play a good center field that would really help this team as it seems center fielders are always getting hurt so having a guy that can play center or second or third or short in a pinch sure would be a nice luxury to have.  Hopefully after all the bad luck he has had maybe he can some good luck for a change.

I’m really happy for him and I like him a lot. His speed could add a new dimension to the team. At least he looks to be a 2nd legitimate stolen base option next to Buxton. I would like to see him get a lot of time at 2nd base and Polanco at SS. Despite the errors, I thought Polanco had nice range at SS when healthy. Arraez can still play the Marcin role but probably better.

If Gordon can play outfield, the Twins need a left Fielder.  Larnach can play right and streaky Kepler goes on the block. Kiriloff plays first and he can rotate to the outfield for some days off.  Larnach doesn’t have enough range to play right—this is a lefty league now so stronger fielder is needed in right.  These young guys need to stay up, keep Arraez and thinK multi position players. This team is always hurt

Hmmmm, yeah, maybe his future is as a backup LF/CF/RF/2B with a higher batting average, with low power. He's definitely playing better than expected in a small sample size, and I'll keep rooting for him.

I do wonder what the plan for Arraez will be. I am certainly not giving up on him, but perhaps they just need to stick him at 2B. Gordon seems like a much better option in the OF than Arraez.

16 minutes ago, ashbury said:

He is hitting .450 when he puts the ball in play.  I don't expect that is sustainable.

Yeah and last night I believe it caught up to him some.  Still if he is making contact and keeping his K rate below or around 20% he is going to be just fine even if the BABIP drops.  He needs to turn some of those singles into doubles to keep his OPS up and I assume he will manage the occasional Home run as well.  If he could find a way to walk more that could help offset the K rate as well but like Kirilloff and Arraez guys that make good contact generally just don't walk that much because they put the ball in play.  They don't miss the ball as much so don't get in as many situations to work the count.

We will see if it holds up and if he can stay healthy something he hasn't been able to do, but I could see him batting 270 or 280 with around 400 slugging kind of like he did in 2019 at AAA.  His BABIP was high at 360 that year as well but he makes quality contact so I think he can maintain a better than average BABIP I guess we will find out once they start pitching him a bit more carefully here.  He will likely drop off and have to adjust but this is a good year for him to learn as well.