Colton Gordon’s Slider is a Big League Weapon
Among the few Astros depth arms yet to get the call, Gordon has kept plugging away, quietly chewing up innings.
olton Gordon doesn’t come with much hype, but he keeps getting outs. The 26-year-old lefty posted a 3.90 ERA with 114 strikeouts over 108.1 Triple-A innings last year. He changes speeds, fills the zone, and leans on a slider that already plays in the bigs.
Colton Gordon doesn’t come with much hype, but he keeps getting outs. The 26-year-old lefty posted a 3.90 ERA with 114 strikeouts over 108.1 Triple-A innings last year. He changes speeds, fills the zone, and leans on a slider that already plays in the bigs.
The pitch wasn’t just his best weapon. It was the plan. He threw it in every count. Landed it for strikes early. Expanded late. When he needed a chase, it was there. When he wanted to freeze a hitter, it clipped the zone.
His Hand of God slider was straight-up unfair. It moved like it had a mind of its own at 80.5 mph with 2,417 RPM, and hitters had no shot. A 40% whiff rate and elite shape across every use. That’s what you want.
His Hand of God slider was straight-up unfair. It moved like it had a mind of its own at 80.5 mph with 2,417 RPM, and hitters had no shot. A 40% whiff rate and elite shape across every use. That’s what you want.
Gordon led with the slider.
First pitch (0-0): He landed it early, forcing hitters to respect it.
Even counts (1-1, 2-2): He kept throwing it, adjusting location as hitters started to anticipate.
Put-away counts (0-2, 1-2, 3-2): He went right back to it, burying it below the zone or working it off the edge. He didn’t overcomplicate things. The plan was clear, and he executed it.
The sinker was mostly there to change eye levels. 90 mph, limited use, no whiffs. Same with the curve it was just a show-me pitch.
Gordon doesn’t have overwhelming stuff, but he doesn’t need it. He’s left-handed, in command, and knows exactly what his best pitch does. The slider is a big league pitch right now. If the changeup comes with it and the command holds, he’s not just a depth option.
He’ll start in Sugar Land, but he’s on the 40-man and near the top of the list. If he keeps pitching like this, he won’t be there long.
He threw the changeup just under 10% of the time, but when he did, it was effective. It came in at 82.8 mph with late fade and kept righties off balance. It’s too good to throw just 10% of the time.
He threw the changeup just under 10% of the time, but when he did, it was effective. It came in at 82.8 mph with late fade and kept righties off balance. It’s too good to throw just 10% of the time.
The sinker came in at 90 mph and showed up about 12% of the time. It didn’t do much beyond changing pace. The curveball, thrown under 6% of the time at 74 mph, was mostly a ‘show me’ look.
This was a pitcher in rhythm. He stuck with what worked and didn’t flinch.
He’ll open in 2025 in Sugar Land after being sent to minor league camp. No surprise there. He’s already on the 40-man, protected in the Rule 5, and in position to be next up.
What’s the path forward? Keep trusting the slider. Start using the changeup more. Show he can hold command across five or six innings. He doesn’t need more velocity. He needs polish.
If that slider continues playing and the changeup takes a step forward, Gordon will force the Astros to take a hard look.
Colton is a young pitcher figuring it out in real time.