Niko Goodrum

Cartier Niko Goodrum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4UFN0iMqAM

Born: February 28, 1992 - Fayetteville, Georgia

Bats: Both
Throws: Right
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 170

Drafted as a SS out of Fayette County HS by the Twins - 2nd round (#71 Overall) of 2010 June MLB Amateur Draft.

Pro Stats:
2010: Twins GULF - 36G | 128 PA | .161/.219/.195 | 4SB/2CS
2011: E-town APPY - 59G | 230 PA | .275/.352/.382 | 8SB/1CS
2012: Currently in EST - strong chance he is moved to Beloit before short season play begins.

Prospect review from AG.com:

"Niko Goodrum had one of the worst debuts you'll ever see from a second-round pick, batting .161 with 34 strikeouts in 36 games at rookie-ball after the Twins selected him 71st overall out of a Georgia high school in 2010. Those struggles weren't overly alarming because Goodrum was considered very raw at the time of the draft and last season the switch-hitting shortstop's impressive physical tools were on full display.
He moved up one level of rookie-ball and hit .275/.352/.382 with 15 extra-base hits and eight steals in 59 games for a star-studded Elizabethton lineup that also included Miguel Sano and Eddie Rosario. Goodrum still had trouble making consistent contact, whiffing 56 times in 230 plate appearances, but he also drew 21 walks and finished the Appalachian League season on a very strong note by hitting .341/.438/.489 in 26 games during the final month.
Like most teenage shortstops he made a ton of miscues, committing 24 errors in 54 starts, but Goodrum's arm is shortstop-caliber and depending on how his 6-foot-3 frame fills out there's a shot he could play the position long term. Goodrum also saw some action at second base and seemingly has the skills to be a center fielder if moving away from the infield proves necessary. He's a long way from the majors, but ranks among the Twins' most intriguing prospects."

Twitter Feed: nikogoodrumtc
Facebook: Niko Goodrum

Niko's still in EST, so nothing really to update.

While we wait for his 2012 debut, give the kid a follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/nikogoodrumtc - He's pretty active.

Anyone think that some of the recent middle-infield shakeups could also result in Niko ending up with the Beloit squad soon? Seems like he'd fit nicely into the 2-spot in that powerful Snapper lineup.

According to our own Seth Stohs, Niko has been sent to Elizabethton where he will likely be the everyday SS. The season kicks off tomorrow at the Danville Braves. I'm looking forward to a big season out of young Mr. Goodrum with the outside chance of a late season promotion to Beloit if all goes well. Check back often for updates!

FYI: Here's a Niko's MILB Elizabethton player page.

Starting at SS and batting in the 2 hole, Niko Goodrum began the Rookie Ball season on a less than perfect note by going 0-4/1 BB with a fielding error. However, he and double play partner 2B Jorge Polanco collected their first two of what hopes to be many twin killings this season.

Moving forward, we'll stick to weekly updates, just too excited about finally having my prospect in a game!

My brother Sam did the same thing in about 1969 when he was eleven years old. He had a huge lead at third. Pitcher threw behind him, Sam took off for home, third baseman fired a strike to the catcher Bill Conroy, who crouched with the ball, ready to make the tag. Sam dived over the catcher, rolling over home plate like the player in the video. Umpire Rich Klingman called him safe, after which the opposing coach came out and argued the call, saying Sam was out of the base path. Not so, said Klingman, because the base path is limited left and right, but not...up.

^^^what?^^^

still surprising they would send a 2nd round pick to short season for a 3rd yr after he had success last yr.
Hope he can rip thru ELIZ & get to Beloit this yr & get on track for advancement.

I'm with you, goblin, he's off to a solid start (besides 2 errors in 3 games) and hopefully it continues.

Week 1 for Niko at E-Town:

5G - 26PA - 2SO - 5BB - 4 Triples - 1HR - 6RBI - .286/.423/.810

Great start, but 4 Errors at SS may be a sign as to why he's not in Beloit with many of his 2011 teammates. Obviously can't keep up this power rate, but the bat is looking pretty advanced for this level.

Errors are a terrible way to judge a player defensively. I have heard nothing in any reports that indicate he is over-matched defensively at the position thus far. He isn't in Beloit because he is still very young and because he didn't exactly tear up the league last season. If he somehow continues to keep hot he will be up there sooner then later. They won't promote a player after 5 games.

Just sayin......Tyler Ladendorf tore up ELIZ a few yrs back & was never even close to replicating that.
Part of reason I dont like the league is you cannot trust any numbers a player puts up there.
Cannot fully judge a player till he gets to A ball & its frustrating cause Niko is condisered a solid prospect.

Who are the Twins kidding.....promote the kid to a league where he can be judged
4-5 SAT hitting for the cycle w/4rbi
14/42 for season .333/.440/.810 2doubles 6triples 2hr 14rbi 12 runs 8k 8bb 5e's in 10gms
quit wasting his time

Quote:

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Originally Posted by greengoblinrulz

Just sayin......Tyler Ladendorf tore up ELIZ a few yrs back & was never even close to replicating that.
Part of reason I dont like the league is you cannot trust any numbers a player puts up there.
Cannot fully judge a player till he gets to A ball & its frustrating cause Niko is condisered a solid prospect.

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Didnt Ladendorf get us Cabrera from the A's

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TKGuy

Didnt Ladendorf get us Cabrera from the A's

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That was him....he's currently still in AA for OAK (was a 2nd round pick, so thats disappointing for a 24yr old) but playing ok hitting .289/.375/.428 5 hr 29rbi in 49gms....34k 25bb 4/7sb 7errors

Let's keep in mind that Goodrum is very young. As a six-month old baby, he's got at least 22 years before we can conclude he was a wasted pick.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jimbo92107

Let's keep in mind that Goodrum is very young. As a six-month old baby, he's got at least 22 years before we can conclude he was a wasted pick.

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So you must think like the Twins
age 20---APP Lg
21--Beloit...still young
22--Ft Myers---still young
23--New Brit---still young
24--ROC---about right
25--Majors/ROC for next 2 yrs--too old
26--our of options---waived

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jimbo92107

Let's keep in mind that Goodrum is very young. As a six-month old baby, he's got at least 22 years before we can conclude he was a wasted pick.

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Whoops...fixed.

This week's Niko Update:

Another great week, highlighted by the near cycle (HR short) on Thursday and the actual cycle on Saturday. Niko went 8-24 with 5 walks, 8 RBI and 1 SB

Niko's full stats this season:

11G | 55PA | 8SO | 10BB | 4-1B | 2-2B |6-3B |2HR | 14RBI | .311/.460/.829 | 1SB - 1CS

Many things to love Goodrums about, but with 2bb's tonight....he has 14bb 11K. If he can do anything CLOSE to that moving up.....very nice. He hasnt shown that type of discipline his first 2 yrs...90k 30bb in 95gms
.304/.443/.684 in 57ABs, 14gms w/15rbi

Niko update: Apparently he left the game Saturday after being hit by a pitch and didn't play Sunday, either. Anyone heard an injury update?

Otherwise, the stats are still looking ridiculously good:

17G | 75PA | 12SO | 16BB | 5-1B | 4-2B |6-3B |2HR | 16RBI | .288/.442/.661 | 2SB - 1CS