Nick Gordon is working hard on his fielding that seems to be the main detriment to reaching the Majors.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Playing with the Lookouts, Nick Gordon was one of the youngest players in the Southern League in 2017. He was an All Star and played in the Futures Game. Despite a strong showing in spring training with the Twins, Gordon returned to Chattanooga to start the 2018 season where he was again one of the youngest players in the league. Last month, he was promoted to Triple-A Rochester where he is again one of the youngest in the league.
Nick Gordon went to big league camp this year as a non-roster invite for the second straight year.
When he was sent back to minor league camp, Twins' manager Paul Molitor was asked about his spring.
Molitor said, “I think he was a lot more comfortable. We saw him swinging the bat pretty well for the most part. We saw him on both sides of the base defensively. There's still some work to be done there in terms of consistency. You have to be pleased with the way he's progressed offensively. His at-bats were really competitive when he got the opportunity to play.“
So it was surprising to many when the 2018 season began and he was sent back to Chattanooga. Gordon took the decision in stride.
“They pretty much have a plan for me, and I trust what they have.” Gordon continued, “There was a thing that I have to develop and get better that I know as well. It’s all about learning, becoming a better player, a better teammate, all those things. It all goes into being a great player regardless of AA or AAA. Whenever they felt I was ready for AAA, they made that decision.”
Through 42 games with the 2018 Lookouts, Gordon was hitting .333/.381/.525 (.906) with 10 doubles, three triples, five homers and seven stolen bases. In late May, he finally got that call to move up to Triple-A Rochester. Through his first 34 games with the Red Wings, he has had some ups and downs. He’s hitting .256/.276/.357 (.633) with seven doubles and three homers.
Gordon acknowledges that it has been an adjustment. “Definitely, pitchers mix up pitches pretty well. They command their offspeed pitches. You grow with the level, and guys here are definitely experienced. There are guys who have been in the big leagues and guys who are on the verge of being in the big leagues. So, it’s definitely guys who know how to command the strike zone. They don’t give in too much.”
Gordon got off to a fast start, and then he struggled, and that’s where the adjustments come. In AAA, he does have those veteran types to use as mentors, to ask questions and to watch them work.
“I definitely try to learn as much as I can from my teammates, and guys that you play against here and have been in the big leagues and done great things. You look at the things they do and you take from that and you learn from that. Definitely being young in the game, there is a lot to learn. So I just try to take it all in, sit back and hear what everybody has to say, try new things, see what works for me and works for my game.”
Music is an important part of Gordon’s life for a variety of reasons. This off-season, he put out his first single under his stage name “G Cinco.” 'I'm the Man' became a very popular song and video on YouTube and people started talking about Nick Gordon, the rapper. Over the course of the off-season, he recored 'I Do It All', an online album full of songs that he wrote and recorded.
Unlike playing baseball, Gordon didn’t have goals or expectations for gauging his music’s success. It’s just something that he enjoys, and he feels that it has helped him on the baseball field as well. “
“The game of baseball comes with a lot of pressure, but that’s what we signed up for. Music is... sometimes you just need to clear your mind. To be honest, it helps me keep my focus. There are things in my music that are toward the game of baseball. That music puts me in a place where I feel like I can get a lot done.”
Back to baseball. Gordon puts in early work often throughout the week. He understands that while he is one step from the big leagues, there are still things that he needs to improve upon. There is one thing that he is focusing on most right now.
“Definitely trusting myself instinctually defensively. That’s definitely something for me that I’ve been working on day in and day out here. Being an athlete, it’s a process. I definitely feel like I’m progressing. I know I can swing the bat. I know I can put the bat on the ball. It’s about fine-tuning and becoming a professional hitter. It’s not just about making contact. It’s not just about base hits. It’s about having an approach. Having a plan at the plate. Staying disciplined.”
With the Lookouts, Gordon played 34 games at shortstop and six games at second base. Since joining the Red Wings, he has played 25 games at shortstop with nine games at second. Since Gregorio Petit was outrighted back to the Red Wings, the two have alternated between the two positions. That’s something that Gordon is completely comfortable with.
“I feel good at both . I get a lot of work at both. I’m playing second tonight. I feel comfortable around the base on both sides, so it’s just about going out there and being an athlete.”
At the same time, Gordon also acknowledges that being just one call away from the big leagues is exciting. It’s getting closer.
“Definitely can’t wait for it. Feel like you’re so close and so far away and all you can do is work. Whatever is going to happen is going to take care of itself. But when that day does come, words won’t be able to explain it. It’s the same as when I got drafted, still the same excitement.”
He enjoys music, but he is a baseball player first and foremost.
He’s following the dream that he’s had his entire life. Since he was young, he was often in big league clubhouses with his dad. His brother has won batting titles and stolen base titles, and he’s been an All Star. But Nick Gordon is following his own path, making his own waves. That big league life and storyline will likely begin soon, and he’s going to enjoy it.
“For me, I’m blessed to have a uniform on, so whether it’s AA or AAA or the big leagues, I’m just grateful to be playing the game.”
-- Story adapted from article on the Twins Daly.
The left-handed Gordon has proved that he can hit.
photo by Tim Evearitt