Alex Gordon

2013

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2012

Gordon finally had the season that most had been hoping for since he broke into the majors in 2007. He hit .303/.376/.502 with 23 home runs and 17 stolen bases, all of which were career highs. A .358 BABIP definitely helped, but he also helped himself as he made more contact and hit for more power than ever before. It must be noted that Gordon also stayed healthy, which is something that has been difficult for him in seasons past. With a batting average on balls in play that is likely to regress to his career mean, it's unfair for owners to expect Gordon to take the next step and build on what he accomplished in 2011. Instead, they should look for him to maintain the skills that he has developed.

2011

No longer the Royals' third baseman of the future, Gordon will try his hand in the outfield for a second year. He grew into the role last season after receiving a demotion in May and returned to find his struggles still waiting for him at the plate after a strong minor league cameo. At 27 this season, Gordon still has time to develop into a contributor for Kansas City, but few still believe the hype that surrounded him in 2005 when the Royals took him with the second overall pick in the draft.

2010

Gordon, the Royals' 2005 first-round pick, regressed in 2009 after having some success the previous two seasons to start his career. Battling a hip injury through spring training, Gordon underwent surgery in April only to spend the following three months rehabbing. After being activated in July, Gordon struggled to find his way and was demoted to Triple-A Omaha. Gordon was recalled in September and hit safely in 15 of his final 20 games. He has the tools to be an All-Star caliber player and the potential to give the Royals one of the best young corner-infield tandems in the majors (Billy Butler), but the clock is ticking and he may never fully deliver on the hype that surrounded him after his illustrious collegiate career at Nebraska.

2009

The 2008 season was supposed to be the year Gordon took a big step forward. No one was expecting All-Star numbers, but maybe a step or two in that direction. If anything, Gordon took a baby step in 2008, hitting just one more home run than the year before, improving his average by 13 points and boosting his OBP by 47 points, but he hit three fewer triples and stole five fewer bases. Gordon picked up 35 doubles on the year, and some of those should turn into home runs as he continues to mature. In the overall evaluation, keep in mind that 2008 was just Gordon's third professional season - he spent only one year in the minors.

2008

Gordon jumped from Double-A to the majors in 2007, and entered the season in the AL Rookie of the Year mix. However, he did not even get a vote after a campaign in which he hit .247 with a .725 OPS. He did show his combination of power and speed, finishing with 15 home runs and 12 stolen bases. Nine of those home runs came in the second half, to go with a .264 average, suggesting he got more comfortable to the major league environment as the season went on. There's no reason to believe he won't progress in 2008 and he'll have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs hitting at the tail end of the heart of the order.

2007

The second overall pick in the 2005 draft put up monster numbers in his first pro season, including a 1.015 OPS in Double-A Wichita, and looks to be the real deal. Even an average spring will place him on the major league roster, but the Royals will look for any opportunity to start him in Triple-A. Once he arrives, the sky may be the limit. He has shown power, speed, a high average and a great eye at the plate. His defense is solid enough that the Royals plan to move Mark Teahen to the outfield, a player the team has lauded in the past for his defensive work ethic.

2006

The second overall pick in the 2005 draft, Gordon signed after a lengthy contract negotiation, and his first action came in the Arizona Fall League playing first base. He performed decently and will likely land in Double-A to begin 2006. Which position he will play is yet to be determined. The Royals were adamant that he be moved back to third in the spring, but a move to first or to the outfield wouldn't be a surprise with Mark Teahen beginning what looks like a long career as the Royals' third baseman.