Former Twins First Round Pick Returns to AL Central

Not all prospects work out for the team that drafted them. Of course, when it’s a first round pick expectations are different. Sometimes, failed prospects find new fits elsewhere. Other times, they never stick at all.

The Minnesota Twins grabbed Nick Gordon with the 5th overall pick during the 2014 MLB Draft. He played just 243 games in a Twins uniform, compiling a career fWAR of just 1.4 during his time with the organization. Last year, Derek Falvey shipped Gordon off to Miami, and he surfaced with the Baltimore Orioles this spring.

Nick Gordon joins Minnesota Twins rival Kansas City Royals

Gordon didn’t make the Opening Day roster for Baltimore (he went just 3-for-28 in Grapefruit League play) and was sent to Triple-A Norfolk. Kansas City came calling and decided to make a move that brings the former Minnesota Twins utility man back to the AL Central.

Trade: The Kansas City Royals are acquiring Nick Gordon from the Baltimore Orioles, sources say. Gordon, who was in Triple-A with the Orioles, has hit .244/.283/.386 with 23 home runs and 112 RBI in four major-league seasons.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) April 5, 2025

Last season Gordon played in 95 major league games for the Marlins. His .227/.258/.369 slash line was well below league average and was good for just a 68 OPS+. He never turned out to be a capable shortstop, which was the position he was drafted as, and has morphed into more of an Austin Martin-type utility man.

Just like big league Opening Day, the Triple-A season only just begun. In four games for Norfolk Gordon went 4-for-13 with a double and 4/1 K/BB. He also successfully stole a base on two attempts.

It remains to be seen how Gordon will be used by the Royals. Miami had him predominantly in left field last season. Unfortunately he was worth -6 DRS (defensive runs saved) and -2 OAA (outs above average) in that exposure. His arm is not a strength, and while outfield is where he has transitioned to, routes and ball tracking aren’t exactly ideal either.

Funny enough, Nick Gordon has an OPS of .831 against the #Royals in his career (35 games).

He also drove in 17 runs in those 35 games. It’s the most RBI against any team he’s faced. pic.twitter.com/8akDFd3vNh

— Jack Johnson (@JohnyJ_15) April 5, 2025

Kansas City didn’t need to put Gordon on their 40-man roster. Nick Loftin is the only infielder on the roster in the minors. Outfielder Dairon Blanco was placed on the injured list with an achilles ailment. Kyle Isbel, M.J. Melendez, and Hunter Renfroe are the only outfielders still on the active 26-man roster.

Not the first former Twins first round pick for Kansas City

Just before Opening Day in 2022, the Minnesota Twins traded Brent Rooker as part of a deal to acquire Chris Paddack and Emilio Pagan from the San Diego Padres. Rooker was a former first round pick (35th overall in 2017) by Minnesota.

He played just two games for the Padres before they sent him to Kansas City for Cam Gallagher. Things didn’t work out much better with the Royals. He played just 14 games and went 4-for-25 before being cast off.

Related: Twins Working on Another Top Pitching Prospect

That’s when Rooker landed with the Athletics, where he has since thrived, even becoming a first-time all-star in 2023. Last season, he batted .293/.365/.562 with 39 home runs en route to his first Silver Slugger award. This offseason, the Athletics gave Rooker a five-year, $60 million extension.

Gordon is a year younger than Rooker, but the likelihood he works out better for Kansas City is extremely low. Still, it would be nice to see Gordon generate reason for run back at the big league level. If not, he may be closing in on a full-time role as rapper Flash G (formerly G Cinco).