Rob Gordon - 2015 Minor League Baseball Analyst

This is my sixth year with the Minor League Baseball Analyst and the hard work and dedication devoted to this project remains. I am forever grateful to the fine folks at BaseballHQ.com who provided me with such an opportunity, especially as a young aspiring writer who had little industry experience. What began as a hobby evolved into something greater and this experience wouldnt be possible without the support of several individuals. Thank you to Deric McKamey, Ron Shandler, Brent Hershey, Ray Murphy, and Rob Gordon for their leadership, expertise, and encouragement. My wife Amy continues to be my main source of support and inspiration. I believe luck is evident in everyday life and I certainly am fortunate that our paths crossed at the University of Dayton way back in the early- to mid-1990s.

Sure, weve aged (somewhat) and my hair continues to thin, but her love and support is a constant. Im not one to resort to clichs, but she is the best person ever. My terrific kids, Owen, Ethan, and Madeline, who may be partially responsible for my thinning hair, also are equally accountable for the joy I encounter on a daily basis. They are all unique, yet seem to share a love and zest of life. My advice to them: be passionate, laugh, and play/work hard. have known me the longest, yet continue to allow me to keep the Deloney name. have known me the longest, yet continue to allow me to keep the Deloney name.

I use it proudly. Lastly, I want to thank the readers of the MLBA and BaseballHQ.com. I will always appreciate your support and feedback, whether positive or negative. Perhaps Ill see you again next year. Rob Gordon: In 2003 Ron Shandler gave me the opportunity to do something Id wanted to do all of my lifewrite about baseball. Ron is one of the smartest baseball people Ive had the pleasure of meeting, and I owe him a huge thank you.

Deric McKamey took me under his wing and spent countless hours explaining what scouts look for. Derics total recall of the most obscure minor league players still amazes me. Deric has moved on to bigger and better things in professional baseball, but his imprint on the structure and content of this book lives. Jeremy Deloney and I are now in our sixth edition of the Minor League Baseball Analyst and each year Im more and more impressed with his comprehensive and astute knowledge of the minor leagues. Jeremy sees tons of games in the Midwest League and elsewhere and is able to quickly and concisely analyze a players potential. Over the past couple of years Jeremy and I have gotten invaluable help from the rest of the HQ minor league team: Colby Garrapy, Brent Hershey, and Chris Mallonee.

I would especially like to thank Brent Hershey. Brent served as our editor at BaseballHQ.com throughout the year and throughout the production of this book. Brent and partner Ray Murphy have always been the glue that has held this project together. Thank you Brent and Ray! Many other baseball people provided invaluable support and encouragement over the years. They include Jeff Barton, Jim Callis, John Sickels, Rick Wilton, Patrick Davitt, Todd Zola, Jason Grey, Joe Sheehan, Jeff Erickson, Lawr Michaels, Mark Murray, Brian Walton, Jason Collette, Kimball Crossley, Steve Moyer, Phil Hertz, Jock Thompson, and Doug Dennis. Some day, someone will write a story about Baseball Unlimited.

Until then, Ill just have to thank the boysMichael Hartman, Steve Hartman, Keegan Hartman, Michael Cooney, Bob Hathaway, Doug Hathaway, Raj Patel, Derald Cook, Todd Hooper, Dave Dannemiller, Ted Maizes, Nick Gleckman, Greg Murrey, Randy Jones, and John Mundelius. You guys rock and may BU live forever! My oldest son Bobby started high school this year and is going into his 4th year of travel baseball. His head coach Rob Stockman and the rest of the coaching staff, John Schneider and Steve Farkas, took the boys travel team to another level in 2014. All of the boys improved and learned good sportsmanship along the way. Also a big shout-out to rest of the Dearborn baseball gang, Greg McKae, Matt McKae, Danny McKae, Kevin Barkoff, Rob Fay, and Craig Cotter. I would especially like to thank my family.

My two boysBobby and Jimmymake the sky bluer, the sun brighter, and the crack of the bat all the more sweet. My mother Sandra Gordon took me on an annual birthday trip to see the Cubs play and drove me to countless baseball practices, and my father Robert W. Gordon III took me to Chicago to see the great Roberto Clemente play in his last season and has shared my passion for the game. My sister Susan Arntson helped raise me and tried to keep me out of trouble. Thank you! Her husband Jeff and kids Rachael, Josh, Marrisa, and Jake seem like more than just family. Finallya huge thank you to my amazing and beautiful wife Paula Gordon.

This may sound like a clich, but I really would not have been able to do this without her in my life.