Lewis, Gordon among Top 10 SS Prospects

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins have some of the best shortstop depth in the Minor Leagues, and it's evident in MLB Pipeline's rankings of shortstop prospects -- with Royce Lewis named No. 5 overall and Nick Gordon at No. 10.
Lewis, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 Draft, and Gordon give the Twins two players in the Top 10, which is only matched by the A's. The list doesn't include fellow highly regarded shortstop prospect Wander Javier, who was also considered for the Top 10.
Lewis, 18, reached Class A Cedar Rapids in his first professional season after being drafted in June, and he more than held his own. Lewis excelled in the Gulf Coast League, batting .271/.390/.414 with 15 stolen bases in 36 games before a late promotion that saw him hit .296/.363/.394 in 18 games at Cedar Rapids despite being three years younger than his average competition.
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Lewis, who has earned praise from the Twins for his maturity off the field, is expected to open the year at Cedar Rapids, and he could move quickly through the system if he continues to post high on-base percentages and improves his defense at shortstop. There's a chance he could move to center field, but his goal is to stick at short.
"I'd love to be like Derek Jeter one day except for I just want to be Royce Lewis," Lewis said at TwinsFest last week. "I'm trying to change the game and set the standard someday."
Gordon, 22, is considered close to the Majors after a strong season at Double-A Chattanooga, hitting .270/.341/.408 with nine homers and 13 stolen bases in 122 games. Gordon, who hits from the left side, is expected to open the year at Triple-A Rochester, but he could make his debut as early as this season.

Gordon has the tools to remain at shortstop, but there's a chance he could move to second base in the Majors. Much of it depends on the club's plans for second baseman Brian Dozier, who is in the last year of his contract. Shortstop Jorge Polanco was also solid at short in '17, but some believe he profiles better at second.

The Twins would like to see Gordon continue to add strength to his 6-foot, 160-pound frame, but he has good pedigree as the son of former reliever Tom Gordon and brother of Mariners center fielder Dee Gordon, who is moving from second base.