DODGERS SINGLE-A GREAT LAKES LOONS SHORTSTOP DEE GORDON NAMED MIDWEST LEAGUE “PROSPECT OF THE YEAR” - by Jon Chapper, Dodgers PR Department
Gordon also named Co-Most Valuable Player with teammate Kyle Russell.
LOS ANGELES – Dodgers Single-A Great Lake Loons shortstop Dee Gordon was selected Midwest League’s “Prospect of the Year” and shares the
Raffy's Replacement in 2011
league’s Most Valuable Player honor with teammate Kyle Russell. The announcement was made today by Midwest League President George Spelius.
Gordon currently leads the league with 153 hits, 69 stolen bases, and 11 triples and is tied for the league lead with teammate Jaime Pedroza with 88 runs scored. The 21-year-old from Avon Park, FL is tied for first amongst all full-season minor league players in stolen bases, tied for sixth in hits, and tied for 13th in runs. The fourth-round selection in the 2008 draft is batting .306 with three home runs and 32 RBI in 123 games.
Gordon entered the season ranked as the Dodgers’ No. 7 prospect according to Baseball America. The publication also ranked him as the fastest baserunner, best athlete, and best defensive infielder in the Dodgers’ minor league system. Gordon is the son of former major league pitcher Tom “Flash” Gordon.
Gordon becomes the second Loons player to be named Prospect of the Year, joining current Dodgers left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw who took the honor in 2007.
Co-MVP outfielder Kyle Russell is the current league leader with 25 home runs, 241 total bases, 65 extra base hits, and a .551 slugging percentage, and is tied for the top spot with 89 RBI. The 23-year-old is tied for fifth in all of Minor League Baseball in extra base hits and is batting .273 with 34 doubles in 121 games. Russell was selected in the third round of the 2008 draft out of the University of Texas, where he was the all-time home run leader.
Loons catcher Tony Delmonico joined Gordon (shortstop) and Russell (outfield) on the league’s 13-player, post-season all-star team. Delmonico, currently on the disabled list with an injured hand, is batting .285 with nine home runs in 43 RBIs. The 22-year-old is in his first season as a catcher and was selected as an infielder in the sixth round of the 2008 draft.
All selections were made as a result of voting by the league’s managers, who were not permitted to select players from their own teams.
Think Gordon can make the jump in 2 seasons? I think that’s pushing it since he’s still down in A. By 2012 or 2013 (assuming the world is still here) would seem more realistic. We’ll probably need a stop-gap geezing over the hill veteran for a ywar or two once Furcal calls it quits.
Furcal is signed through 2011, so 2012 could be Dee’s Grand Opening, although it’s hard to keep guys with this kind of skill down.
dont worry guys… he will be traded for a veteran by then
He needs at least one year at AA. If he succeeds there, then he could make the leap.
You are pretty cynical Matt.
When was the last time we traded a prospect who became a great player?
when was the last time we had a position prospect who become a great player????? besides kemp he is unique