The Minnesota Twins have drafted Nick Gordon with the fifth pick in the Major League Amateur Draft.
The 18-year-old Gordon comes out of the Olympia High School in Windermere, Florida.
He comes to the Twins from a Major League Baseball family. Gordon is the son of former All-Star closer Tom Gordon, he is also the brother of Dodgers second baseman Dee Gordon.
With the No. 5 selection in the First-Year Player Draft the #MNTwins select Nick Gordon! pic.twitter.com/dmjBZ9tLea
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 5, 2014
MLB.com writer Rhett Bollinger reports that Gordon had been linked to Minnesota leading up to the draft. Minnesota has $3.85 million available for the first pick.
Of the pick, Bollinger says:
Gordon ranked as the No. 5 overall Draft prospect by MLB.com, is the consensus top infielder in the Draft, and is expected to remain at shortstop where he’s regarded as a plus defender.
Gordon’s speed, arm and defense all rate as plus tools, and also boasts above-average bat speed and strong wrists at the plate, giving him surprising power from his 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame.
Twins scouting director Deron Johnson on Nick Gordon: "We expect big things from him." Says he expects power from him down the road.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) June 5, 2014
Prior to the pick, ESPN’s Keith Law said Gordon is likely the best position player available in the draft.
https://twitter.com/BBTN/status/474600342592557056
Gordon is committed to playing baseball at Florida State, but according to FOX Sports Net, he is expected to forgo his college career and turn pro now that the Twins made him the 5th pick in the draft.
Gordon throws right-handed, but bats from the left side of the plate. Bollinger points out that he is also regarded as a top prospect as a pitcher with a fastball in the low-90s and a good curveball, but the Twins are inclined to keep gordon as a position player.
