Getting to Know Cubs Draft Pick: Christian Gordon |
Not only did the Cubs go arm-heavy during the final day of the 2024 MLB draft, but they also targeted plenty of relief-only options, with several of them being lefties. That is an interesting strategy, to say the least, but with the Cubs not having many, if any, go-to left-handers within their organization, you could say this was a position of need for this team.
They continued to go that route with the 16th-round selection as they added LHP Christian Gordon from VCU with the 482nd overall selection. Unlike some of their previous pitcher selections, where their size alone makes them intimidating, Gordon comes in at 6-0 and only 180 pounds. He is far from an imposing figure and is someone who will have to get bigger and stronger to have a shot at a lengthy professional career. Although he may not have the best stuff in this class, he does have strong peripherals, which is another thing the Cubs and their pitching lab look for when targeting arms. Another pitcher who doesn't have a ton of work under his belt, Gordon is a starter first who has started 24 games across his college career while pitching in 29 total games. During those games, he pitched just under 115 innings, with 79 of those innings coming this past season. Despite posting an 8-2 record this season and 10-4 for his career, his 4.32 ERA is a bit concerning, as he wasn't as dominant as other pitchers in this year's class. He walked 32 and struck out 102, and his command was mostly good, but he did pitch himself into trouble at times. Despite being a starter, Gordon is more of a long-term project as the Cubs may look to convert him to being a reliever in an effort to maximize his abilities on the mound. As things sit right now, Gordon sits consistently in the 92 MPH range with his fastball while also creating a ton of carry on that fastball. That means even though it isn't an overpowering heater, his ability to generate carry on that pitch makes it hard to square up, leading to some soft contact more often than not. The carry alone on that pitch gives hitters a unique deception, as the pitch gives them the illusion that it is rising when it really isn't. Along with that fastball comes one of the best, if not the best, sliders in this year's class, as that pitch tends to sit around 84 MPH. While most sliders act like a slurve or a sharp-breaking slider, Gordon features one of the most unique sliders, as he calls it a gyro slider. Not only does it have the soft-breaking action like a slurve would, but it also has that lake-breaking movement that most hard sliders have, allowing him to change the break at any point in the count. It is not much of a baseball program, but VCU has been much better over the past five seasons, and Gordon has done a great job of being part of that success. He pitched arguably the best game of his career against a loaded Wake Forest squad, striking out 12 in seven solid innings to help put his name on the draft map. Had he been able to do that every time out, Gordon would have been ranked much higher than he was, but the overall inconsistency was an issue that the player rankings took into account. Although he may not have the overpowering stuff you look for from a pitcher, there is hope that he can add a few MPH to that fastball. His ability to stay balanced on the mound and generate a low deceptive release point could aid to a stronger frame over time. Given his ability to use both of his pitches equally well on both sides of the plate, mixed with his cross-fire release, Gordon instantly becomes uncomfortable at bat. That is especially true when talking about lefties, as it often looks like the ball is going to hit them out of their hand only to break for a strike late. Credit the Cubs for taking flyers on a lot of these late-round picks, as there are plenty of talented players who get overlooked but will be given a chance to prove themselves in the Cubs system. The Cubs take Christian Gordon out of VCU. A rare non-gigantic pitcher, Gordon stands 6’0” and features a low 90s FB with big carry (>20” IVB) and low VAA giving illusion of rising on a hitter. Also heavily featured a gyro slider. pic.twitter.com/EBuZTbmxeb Christian Gordon. Certified DAWG 🔥🔥🔥
12 Ks thru 7 shutout. VCU leads Wake Forest 1-0 👀 pic.twitter.com/eAIQLRaax7
