Former Lakewood Ranch baseball pitcher a star in Houston Astros' system

When Colton Gordon was drafted by the Houston Astros in the eighth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of Central Florida, he was excited, but also felt like he had a lot to prove. 

Gordon, a former Lakewood Ranch High baseball player, had two months earlier undergone Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.

Recovery from Tommy John surgery can take up to one year. While most other draftees could make an immediate on-field impact, Gordon was stuck in the training room. It would be eight months before he could toss a baseball again, and another five months of rehab to regain strength, before Gordon was ready for games. 

Gordon made his professional debut for the rookie-level Florida Complex League Astros on June 13, 2022, throwing one scoreless inning. In the 13 months since that moment, Gordon has proven the organization right for drafting him despite his Tommy John recovery.

Gordon, 24, holds 2.99 career ERA in the minors and has shown deft command of his pitches, according to MLB.com, which has landed him at No. 8 on the organization's list of top prospects — and the No. 1 pitcher. 

"When I had the surgery before the draft, I thought, 'This might be it for me,'" Gordon said. "I thought I might not get a chance. But I took a couple days and created a plan and I was fortunate to be drafted. After that, I just controlled what I could control, and now I'm here." 

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Gordon said the Astros' rehab group — both the trainers and the other players going through recoveries — was a big factor in keeping his mentality positive during his year off the field. Everyone in the room pushed each other to get a touch better every day, Gordon said.

Eventually, those touches added up and he returned to full strength. Gordon said he's felt great since he returned, and his play backs up his feelings. Even going up to the AA level from the A level in 2023 — considered by many in baseball to be the most significant jump a prospect makes before reaching the major leagues — has not slowed Gordon much. As of July 11, Gordon holds a 3.45 ERA this season through 75.2 innings pitched, with a 95 strikeouts to just 26 walks. 

Gordon said his most significant adjustment has been an increased awareness of the strike zone and of opposing batters' tendencies. He said he is respecting the game more, and is no longer content with giving hitters "freebies" no matter the count or who's standing in the batter's box. But in terms of a plan, Gordon is the same pitcher he's always been, dating back to his days as a Mustang. 

"I attack the strike zone," Gordon said. "My style is to throw strikes and compete and give our team a chance to win every time I'm out there. My control comes from getting a lot of reps and developing awareness. I feel out what am I working on. Does the curveball need more depth? Does the fastball need more cut or run? And how do you do that consistently? I'm practicing that and becoming consistent at it."

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Gordon's skills, as well as his family heritage, allowed him to take part in something special this spring. He represented Team Israel at the 2023 World Baseball Classic and started the team's March 14 game against Puerto Rico. It didn't go well as he gave up four runs and exited in the second inning. The team would go on to lose 10-0, with Puerto Rico's pitching staff combining for a perfect game. 

Even with disappointing results, Gordon said, he was glad he got the chance to play. 

"I learned a lot about Israel and its history, and I got better as a pitcher," Gordon said. "I was able to face some of the best hitters in the world. Understanding that level of play and the noise and the energy that people can bring to a big game, it's going to help." 

MLB.com estimates Gordon will arrive in the majors in 2024 if he stays on his current trajectory. Despite his success, he has not forgotten his roots. Gordon said he still is in a group text chat with some of his Lakewood Ranch High baseball teammates, and they are not afraid to let him know when he makes mistakes on the mound, giving him a good-natured ribbing. 

Gordon said he wouldn't want it any other way.

"A lot of people in Lakewood Ranch helped me along the way, whether it was on the field hitting ground balls to me or across the street at the YMCA while getting in a work-out," Gordon said. "It was a good time and a good place to grow up, as a player and as a person."