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KC Royals Buy Contract Of Alex Gordon’s Little Brother

By John Viril

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The KC Royals bought pitcher Derek Gordon’s contract from the Kansas City T-Bones. The 6-6, 220lb. Gordon is Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon‘s “little” brother.

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Gordon went undrafted after graduating from Park University this spring, where he went 24-8 with a 3.35 ERA and is the school’s career strikeout leader with 172 in 212 innings pitched. Derek Gordon signed with the independent league Kansas City T-Bones on July 1, 2014.

Apparently Alex Gordon, who leads all of major league baseball in outfield assists since 2011, is not the only member of the family with a cannon arm.

Derek Gordon struggled in the independent league, posting a 1-1 record in 26.1 innings pitched with a 6.49 ERA as both a starter and reliever. While that performance hardly seems impressive, the T-Bones are rated a AA league, which is a pretty steep jump for a pitcher from a small program like Park—even though Gordon was a senior.

T-Bones manager John Massarelli indicated in his press release that he sees Gordon as a player with potential:

"“Derek has the intangibles and work ethic to succeed at the next level,” T-Bones manager John Massarelli said in a press release. “I’m very excited for his opportunity with the Royals.”"

T-Bones vice president and general manager Chris Browne told the team’s website:

"“We’re really happy for Derek to get this great opportunity. I’d love to see Derek and Alex in uniform at the same time with the Royals. We’ll definitely be rooting for Derek this summer.”"

Derek Gordon is the youngest of the Gordon clan, behind older brothers Eric, Alex, and Brett (who also played at Park University). Baseball clearly runs in the family. In fact, the younger Gordon told the Park University Stylus this fall:

"“I guess you could say baseball is like a family business,” Gordon said. “My cousin plays in the minor leagues, my brother played independent baseball, my other brother played at Park University before me and that’s how I got to Park, and my other brother plays for the Royals, so you could kind of say it runs in the family. It’s almost like you don’t have a choice but you do.”"

Derek Gordon, however, isn’t exactly intimidated by playing in his brother’s All-Star shadow. Gordon told the Park Stylus:

"“I wouldn’t say there’s a shadow,” he said. “More like, I don’t put a shadow on myself and he doesn’t put a shadow on me. Everybody else tries to create the shadow. I have to try to avoid it as much as I can, and I usually do. He’s a supportive guy, and he’s always supportive of me.”"

The Kansas City Royals have not yet told Derek Gordon where he will be assigned. Fox Sports Kansas City reported that the KC Royals intend to tell Gordon where he will pitch after spring training.

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