Switch from outfield works out well for Gordon
RedHawk's career coming together since he's been able to pursue his first love: pitching
Switch from outfield works out well for RedHawk's Gordon

By Matt Patterson

Published: July 14, 2008

Brian Gordon's career in baseball has been part frustration, part odyssey. But for the 29-year-old RedHawks pitcher, everything is coming together in the way he had hoped when he was a high school.

Gordon was drafted in the fifth round of the 1997 draft by Arizona as an outfielder. Gordon stayed in that role for nearly 10 seasons. But life in the outfield wasn't something he enjoyed. It never felt right to him.

"When I was drafted, they saw pitching as something I could fall back on,” Gordon said. "Not one pro scout came into my house wanting me to pitch. They all said they saw something in my swing that would get me there faster. It was a little surprising and confusing that they saw me from the beginning as a hitter.”

As the seasons piled up, Gordon grew less and less satisfied as a hitter. He was a fourth or fifth outfielder and saw his at bats dwindle. He never could maintain success at the plate and as he continued to struggle, he knew he had to make a decision that would either doom or make his career.

"I got to a point in my career as an outfielder where it turned into a grind,” he said. "I got to thinking if I didn't do something quick, I didn't know how long I could continue to do this. If I didn't give pitching a shot I would kick myself in the butt.”

He made the switch for good before the 2007 season. He spent three months in Double-A with Houston and another month in Triple-A. He thought things were on track, but Houston released him before the start of the season.

"It was something I've never experienced,” he said. "You can't pinpoint just one emotion. I was devastated, but when I heard Texas was interested it was so uplifting.”

Gordon was promoted from Double-A Frisco to Oklahoma in June. He has spent time in the bullpen and as a spot starter. So far he has a 4.22 ERA over 21 1/3 innings. At his age, he's not considered a prospect but he does find hope in other players who have made position switches and found success. Rick Ankiel was a pitcher for St. Louis before going the other way as an outfielder.

"I played with Rick (Ankiel) in the USA Junior trials in high school,” Gordon said. "He swung a mean bat. His passion is hitting but the scouts saw him as a strong left handed thrower. What he did is a lot more difficult. But the main thing for me is the passion is back and when you have that, all you need to do is stay healthy and great things will happen for you.”

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