Dodgers 2013 End-Of-Season Evaluations: Dee Gordon

The Los Angeles Dodgers might not have many major league ready players , but Dee Gordon is arguably one of the few. Gordon was the best prospect in the organization back in 2011 and was the opening day starting shortstop in 2012. Unfortunately, Gordon’s bat seemed to stay in the minors and a thumb injury sealed his fate as the Dodgers traded for Hanley Ramirez, giving him no chance to play in the big leagues.

Regular Season Grade: C-

Gordon spent most of the season in Triple-A Albuquerque where he  found his swing as he hit .297 with 17 doubles and stole 49 bags. After playing in few games with the team before September, the Dodgers recalled him as again apart of their September call-up list.

After a miserable start to his big league campaign in May, where he hit .175 with no doubles and five steals in 19 games, Gordon came back stronger in September as he proved to be a good fill-in for Ramirez. He hit .353 with four stolen bases in 13 games down the stretch. However, as has been the case throughout his big league career, errors were an issue as he committed seven in just 23 starts.

He finished the season with a .234 batting average and 10 stolen bases, but his speed and the injury to Andre Ethier earned him a spot on the Dodgers postseason roster.

Playoff Grade: F

One of the main reasons, well probably the main reason, Gordon was added to the postseason roster for the Dodgers was for his speed. Manager Don Mattingly envisioned Gordon stealing a critical base ala Dave Roberts for the Boston Red Sox in 2004. However, things didn’t go exactly to plan as Gordon didn’t steal a base during the postseason.

Gordon appeared in only two games for the Dodgers and attempted one stolen base, but was caught stealing second base against the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 the Division Series.

He was involved in one of the more controversial moves by Mattingly when he pinch-ran for Adrian Gonzalez in the eighth inning of Game 1 of the NLCS against the Cardinals. With the game tied at two, Gonzalez hit a lead-off single and Mattingly wanted speed on the base paths but without Gordon stealing a base on catcher Yadier Molina, the moved back fired. Yasiel Puig went on to hit into a fielder’s choice, eliminating Gordon’s speed and Gonzalez’s bat which the Dodgers badly needed as they fell 3-2 in 13 innings.

That was all for Gordon as his speed never became a factor and wasn’t used for anything else, which makes his postseason appearance a failure.

Overall Grade: D

Gordon saw his fair share of ups and downs this season as he started off the year lost at the plate. He went down to Triple-A and found his swing and had a solid season down there before coming back up to the Dodgers and providing solid support down the stretch. Unfortunately, he was never able to become a factor when it truly mattered and his speed was wasted in the playoffs.

To try and find a place for him, the Dodgers have him working out at second base or the outfield as he looks to make the club out of spring training in 2014.

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In case you missed it, here’s the Dodgers pool celebration, PLUS Yasiel Puig’s celebration dance off!

http://youtu.be/LknQOqL7uME