The New Dee Gordon?

I know we are only nine games into the 2014 MLB season, but I think that what we are seeing out of a certain Dodger speedster will be a trend going forward. Remember when we were all wondering who would be involved in the second base platoon? Justin Turner and Chone Figgins? Miguel Rojas and Alex Guerrero? Those were the four names as Dee Gordon quietly turned heads during the spring as he got accustomed to his new position. So far this season, Gordon has easily been the most impressive player on this team, providing a team-leading average and showing that he can actually play defense.

Apr 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila (13) looks on as Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Dee Gordon (9) crosses the plate after a solo home run in the first inning of the game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t know what its been so far this season, but Gordon has looked very comfortable at second base and at the plate. Including last night’s win, Dee is second on the team with 10 hits and has a team-leading .357 batting average. He has done a great job of keeping the ball in play as if you include all of the starters, Gordon has the fewest strikeouts with only four. Perhaps his best at-bat of the season so far was on April 1^{st against} the San Diego Padres. He had an eight pitch at-bat against Ian Kennedy that ended with a single to center that would end up being the game winning run. He has mainly been hitting the ball to center and right but also has had a couple of infield hits thanks to his electrifying speed. Gordon said that he gained a lot of muscle during the offseason and when I saw him from far away during Spring Training, I didn’t recognize him. Gordon’s solo home run in the bottom of the 1^st last night off of last year’s AL Cy Young Award Winner, Max Scherzer was very impressive as Dee now has three home runs in his young career.

Defense has always been Gordon’s kryptonite. When he played shortstop, I would often look the other way everytime the ball was hit to him because I was afraid of what was going to happen. But so far this year, Dee has played well at second, only committing one-error and forcing four double plays.

Yes, the season just begun but I really like what I have seen out of Gordon so far and I see him as being the starting second baseman for much of the season.