Alex Gordon finally playing like a No. 2 pick
Calling Alex Gordon a bust is tempting, but ultimately false. The second-overall pick by the Royals in the 2005 MLB Draft, Gordon’s professional career has been littered with lofty expectations and unfortunate injuries. The third baseman was compared to George Brett upon his arrival in Kansas City, which probably wasn’t the best way to introduce a prospect to a fan-base that hadn’t seen postseason play since Brett led the team to the World Series in 1985. As a Major Leaguer, Gordon showed glimpses of his potential in his rookie season, but the next couple of years were filled with trips to the disabled list sandwiched around ineffective stints in the lineup.
2010 was supposed to be the year for Gordon, but a broken thumb in spring training landed him on the DL. His poor play when he returned forced him back to Triple-A, where he was forced to switch positions in order to gain more playing time. Instead of becoming the Royals’ next big superstar, fans were starting to speak Gordon’s name in the same breath as other failed draft picks like Colt Griffin and Christopher Lubanski.
But the modicum of failure had an asterisk, and Gordon supporters were quick to point that out. If he could stay healthy, he could be effective; there was just too much talent for it to not be the case. This year, Gordon has been healthy, and he is finally experiencing that breakout season. Those who have followed him since the beginning are unanimous in their evaluation that health equals success.
Speaking to The Good Point, Kansas City Star reporter Bob Dutton said Gordon’s health is giving him something he’s never had before: time to improve.
“He’s healthy for the first time in years,” he said. “He’s had the opportunity to translate his work with hitting coach Kevin Seitzer into games. In the past, Alex would get to the point where he was ready to implement changes, then get hurt and have to start over nearly from scratch.”
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Dubbing Gordon’s 2011 campaign as a breakout season is almost an understatement. After managing a .244 average and an unspectacular .328 on-base percentage in his first four seasons with the Royals, his slash line of .297/.369/.487 this season represents are all career-highs.
His 39 doubles and 67 RBIs so far are both career-highs. His 16 home runs tie his career-high that he set in 2008. He’s striking out less, getting on base more and even showing value on the base paths; his 13 stolen bases are near yet another career-high.
“He’s been able to maintain consistency, pretty much, for five months,” added Dutton. “He’s often shown flashes in the past, but it’s his ability to avoid severe slumps that distinguishes this as a breakthrough season.”
Adding to Gordon’s successful year has been his strong showing defensively in left field. He was drafted as a third baseman and received great reviews for his glove work there, but when he was sent back to the minors in 2010, the Royals didn’t want their old third baseman of the future to take playing time away from their new third baseman of the future, Mike Moustakas.
It was then when Gordon moved to the outfield, where he has committed only one error in 120 games and fared well on the positive side of advanced defensive metrics. Dick Kaegel, who covers the Royals for MLB.com, is surprised Gordon took to his position so quickly.
“His outfield play has been astounding for a guy who was playing third base when 2010 began.” Kaegel told The Good Point. “His throwing is strong and accurate and with [Melky] Cabrera in center and [Jeff] Francoeur in right, the Royals have the most outfield assists in the Majors (43)… [Gordon] has the knack of getting off throws very quickly.”
As much as physical health gets the majority of credit for Gordon’s year, his mental approach to the game has also changed for the better.
“He’s always been an intense guy, but he seems far more relaxed this year.” says Dutton. “That’s circular. I think it’s helped his success, which has made him more relaxed, and led to greater success.”
However, what ultimately may define Gordon’s contribution to the Royals could be an off the field attribute. At 27 years old, Gordon is a veteran on a young Royals team that currently employs a number of hyped prospects that carry the mantle that used to belong to Gordon.
Moustakas, along with first baseman Eric Hosmer and catching prospect Wil Myers, represent the future of the Royals organization. Moustakas and Hosmer have already cracked the big league roster, and both have enjoyed the success and struggles that go hand-in-hand with a young MLB career. It can be nothing but beneficial for the young players on the roster to see Gordon — someone on their team who carried the burden of future star and struggled with it, be able to power through that.
As 2011 winds down, Gordon is closing in on a successful and healthy season. A long Major League career seems like a strong possibility, a belief that wasn’t so much so during his first few injury-plagued seasons. He may never live up to the hype that comes with being the number two pick in a draft, but will that ultimately force his career to be considered a bust?
“[It] depends on how you define bust,” says Dutton. “If you’re judging him as a No. 2 overall pick, he’s still got a ways to go.”
“I’m still not convinced he’ll reach it, although I’m more convinced now than I was a year ago.”
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