Nick Gordon making the most of new opportunity

On the first FOF Live show that aired after the start of spring training, I was asked about some of the Miami Marlins players I would be looking out for on the major league side of things and what storylines I would be following throughout late February and all of March. I touched on Tim Anderson and the shortstop dilemma, but focused on how eager I was to see how the Marlins outfield would look heading into Opening Day, and the player I said “I was most excited to see” not just regarding the outfield, but overall. was the newly acquired Nick Gordon. I believed that a fresh start and being around manager Skip Schumaker’s culture would be extremely beneficial for the 28-year-old former top prospect.

So far, Gordon is taking his new opportunity with Miami in stride and has been a standout offensively, defensively, and on the basepaths in his short time as a Marlin. 

Gordon, the half-brother of former star Marlin Dee Strange-Gordon, was drafted by the Twins with the fifth overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft. He was the No. 3 prep player in his class, according to Perfect Game. The Twins added Gordon to their 40-man roster during the 2018-19 offseason. However, he dealt with a multitude of injuries throughout the 2019 campaign and was sidelined for the majority of the 2020 season due to a struggle with COVID-19.

In 2021, Gordon finally made his debut for Minnesota. In his three years as a Twin, Gordon slashed .250/.293/.392 with 16 stolen bases, and defensively, he made impressive athletic plays at nearly every position on the field (minus-3 defensive runs saved overall).

On May 17, 2023, Gordon suffered a fractured tibia, sidelining him for the remainder of that season. The Twins were willing to sell low on him, flipping him to Miami for LHP Steven Okert on February 11, just four days before pitchers and catchers reported for spring training.

The move created lots of excitement from Marlins fans and inside the clubhouse alike. "Nick Gordon is my best friend," Jazz Chisholm Jr. told The Pivot podcast. Former Twins teammate Luis Arraez described Gordon as his “brother.”

“I thank God for every opportunity he’s put in front of me and I will never take these times for granted. Lets get it!” Gordon said in his Instagram post the day after being traded.

Over a month since the trade, the man nicknamed “Flash” has made a strong impression. Entering Wednesday, Gordon has played in 14 Grapefruit League games and taken 35 at-bats. The super utility man is slashing .314/.351/.343 with 1 double, 5 RBIs, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. Gordon has continued the trend from last season of trimming his strikeout numbers and focusing more on putting the ball in play and it is paying off.

Defensively, Gordon has played primarily in the outfield, using his speed to track down fly balls and make phenomenal catches, most notably against the Astros on March 5 when he started in center and robbed Kyle Tucker of extra bases. Originally drafted as a shortstop, Gordon has additionally gotten looks in the infield and has made a few impressive plays up the middle as well.

Finally, on the basepaths, Gordon is leading the Marlins with 5 stolen bases and has yet to be picked off. If Gordon can continue getting on base at the clip he is this spring, his speed can add a brand new element to the Marlins offense that will play perfectly into hitting coach John Mabry’s philosophy of contact first and moving runners over.

Combine Gordon's improved hitting this spring with his established athletic ability and versatility defensively and running the bases, Gordon could have a real impact on the 2024 Marlins. For this to happen, Gordon would need to stay healthy, which has been an issue thus far in his career, as I mentioned earlier. Gordon would also need to stay consistent, which has also been an issue in his short time as a big leaguer. Gordon enjoyed a solid 2022—however, he posted a 80 wRC+ in April and May, yet followed with a stellar 127 wRC+ in June, 128 wRC+ in July, and an astounding 151 wRC+ in August. If Gordon can at least hover around the league average of 100 wRC+ and remain on the field, Skip Schumaker has an incredibly dynamic player at his disposal who can settle in a starting corner outfield spot, or play all over the field.

With other corner outfielders Jesús Sánchez, Bryan De La Cruz and Avisaíl García not showing as much as Gordon has this spring, it begs the question of whether or not Gordon should be patrolling left or right field on Opening Day a week from Thursday. While what he has shown this spring might still not be enough to earn him a starting spot, I believe Gordon should receive serious consideration for the job. However, even if Gordon is not in the Opening Day lineup, due to his athleticism and speed, he will find himself on the field whether that is pinch-running or subbing in for almost nearly every position on the field. Either way, the first month of Nick Gordon in Miami has been a massive success for POBO Peter Bendix and Co.

Has Nick Gordon impressed you thus far and what role do you see him playing for the 2024 Marlins? Let us know!