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Dodgers Take Strange-Gordon In MLB Draft

AVON PARK ALUMNUS picked IN 4TH ROUND

Highlands Today file photo

Devaris Strange-Gordon, shown here making a play against Frostproof during his senior season at Avon Park, will soon wear Dodger blue after being drafted by Los Angeles with the 127th overall pick in the MLB First-Year Player Draft.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: June 6, 2008

ORLANDO — Devaris Strange-Gordon may soon join his famous father in the big leagues.

The younger Gordon, the son of Philadelphia Phillies reliever and Avon Park legend Tom Gordon, was selected in the fourth round (No. 127) by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday during the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft at the Walt Disney World Sports Complex.

Devaris' uncle Donald Gordon was reached by phone and was happy for his nephew when he heard the news of his selection.

"We're all very excited for Devaris," Donald Gordon said. "This validates all the hard work he's put in, and I know he's ready to go to the next level."

The 19-year old former Red Devil standout finished his senior year at AP with a .373 batting average and six doubles, two triples, 14 RBI and a team-high 10 stolen bases.

After graduation, Strange-Gordon became the starting shortstop/second baseman for the NCCAA Baseball II champion Southeastern University Fire baseball team in 2007. He went 7 for 15 with six runs scored, four RBI and six stolen bases during the NCCAA playoffs and was named tournament MVP.

With numerous major league scouts taking a hard look at the Avon Park native, Strange-Gordon transferred to Seminole Community College in Orlando to become draft eligible this year, but was academically ineligible to play baseball this season.

That didn't matter much to big league teams, as Strange-Gordon received private workouts from several teams, including his father's Phillies, where assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle gave this appraisal of Strange-Gordon's ability to MLB.com:

"I liked the ability," Arbuckle said. "[Devaris] is a good athlete with surprising skills, considering he hasn't played much baseball. He's interesting, and he's a kid we'll continue to keep tabs on over the course of the spring. He's pretty fluid as a baseball player. I expected to see somebody who was a good athlete who was cruder in his actions, but he's not. He looks like a kid that's played."

All the hard work paid off when Strange-Gordon's name was called by the Dodgers.

"We're all proud of Devaris," said Donald Gordon. "I've spoken with Tom and he is 100 percent behind his son's decision and is happy that he'll finally get to realize his goals of playing in the big leagues."
Strange-Gordon could not be reached for comment.

DRAFT ROUND-UP: Eric Hosmer of American Heritage High School was selected with the third overall selection in Thursday's Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft at the Walt Disney World Sports Complex.

Hosmer was the highest participant selected from the many stars at the recent Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) All-Star Baseball Classic at Firemen's Field.

During the live broadcast by ESPN, Hosmer was reached at his home in South Florida, but the commentators and the entire nation could only hear the cheers and tears of celebration from his family.

Thursday also saw Sarasota shortstop/pitcher Casey Kelly selected by the Boston Red Sox with the 30th pick in the draft and Niceville pitcher Bret DeVall, who was taken in the first compensation round with the 40th overall pick.

DeVall got his start on the Dixie baseball fields in the Highlands County, when he lived in Sebring until he was 10 years old.

"I grew up playing baseball with Adam [Simmons] and Tony [Vazquez] on these same fields," said DeVall during the FACA All-Star Baseball Classic. "I remember winning a Dixie championship with them and I have a lot of fond memories of my time in Sebring."

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