2013 National Baseball Congress Graduate of the Year Alex Gordon

There was a time when baseball people referred to Alex Gordon as the next George Brett.

With the kind of season that Gordon had in 2012, those same baseball people will start referring to the next big Kansas City outfield prospect as the next Alex Gordon.

Gordon had a career year in 2012, a season in which he won a Rawlings Gold Glove representing the American League outfield.

Now he can add to his list of awards the title of 2013 National Baseball Congress Graduate of the Year.

Voters for the award chose Gordon over a list of high-profile players that posted outstanding numbers during the 2012 Major League Baseball season. Gordon’s numbers were impressive on their own, but even more impressive when you look at the Royals’ record last season. Gordon led Major League Baseball with 51 doubles on a team that finished with 90 losses.

Gordon also finished 2012 with career highs in games played (161), hits (189), triples (5), and walks (73). The Gold Glove was Gordon’s second in as many years. He is the first Kansas City Royal to accomplish that feat since second baseman Frank White won consecutive awards in 1987 and 1988. Gordon was recognized for his defensive play which included 17 outfield assists and just two errors committed.

Gordon has put together solid back-to-back offensive seasons for the Royals and has parlayed that success into a productive first-half in 2013. Gordon had a breakout 2011, a season in which he set career highs with 101 runs, 23 home runs, 87 RBls and 17 stolen bases. In 2011 he led the majors in outfield assists with 20 which set a new Royals’ franchise record.

The former third baseman capped off his transition to the outfield by being named to the 2013 American League All-Star roster. Gordon went into the All-Star break hitting .283 with 27 extra base hits and 49 RBIs.

Gordon got one at bat in the All-Star game hosted by the New York Mets at Citi Field. Gordon flew deep to center field against Pittsburgh Pirates’ closer Jason Grilli, in what Royals fans hope will be the first of many All-Star at bats for the 29-year-old. Gordon led a Kansas City All-Star contingent that included catcher Salvador Perez and closer Greg Holland.

Before Gordon was drafted by the Kansas City Royals second overall in the 2005 Major League Baseball draft, he played collegiately at the University of Nebraska. Between springs in Lincoln, Gordon played for the Beatrice (NE) Bruins, National Baseball Congress affiliate.

Gordon was drafted after an All-American junior season at Nebraska. Gordon swept the collegiate player of the year awards, winning the Golden Spikes Award, the Dick Howser Award, the Brooks Wallace Award, and the ABCA Rawlings Player of the Year. In his final season with the Cornhuskers, he led the team to the College World Series and finished the season with 19 home runs and 66 RBIs.

The summer between his senior year of high school and freshman year in college, Gordon played in the 2002 NBC World Series with the Bruins. The Bruins went 5-2 in that 2002 tournament and Gordon played in all seven games. He finished with a .385 batting average (8 for 26). Two of his eight hits were doubles and he drove in five runs.

Before making his debut with Kansas City in 2007, Gordon called Lawrence-Dumont Stadium home, when he played for the 2006 Wichita Wranglers. Gordon had an incredible season playing in Wichita. He had 39 doubles, 29 home runs, and drove in 101 for the then-Texas League affiliate. After 2006, he was awarded the J.G. Spink and Baseball America minor league player of the year awards. He was also named the Texas League Player of the Year and the Royals’ Minor League Player of the Year.

Gordon is currently under contract with the Kansas City through 2015 with a player option for the 2016 season. He lives in Lincoln with his wife Jamie and young son Max. He was the Royals 2012 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. He and his wife have co-chaired the annual Royals Coat Drive, volunteered at the Johnson County Christmas Bureau, and worked with Alex’s Lemonade Stand charity.

The NBC is proud to recognize Alex Gordon for his on-field and off-field accomplishments. He is quickly becoming the face of the Kansas City Royals’ organization, and is considered one of the best defensive outfielders in all of baseball.

Gordon’s name will be added to a long and prominent list of NBC Graduates of the Year that includes Michael Young, Heath Bell, Trevor Hoffman, Joe Carter, Mark Teixeria, and Mark McGwire.