Kenneth Gordon

Baseball Factory player Kenneth Gordon is leading the way for Babylon High School and doing it against top competition in big-time games in his junior season.

The team is now at the midway point of the season and the 5’9″, 170 pound short stop is shredding. Gordon is currently hitting .385 with 11 runs scored, seven walks, 12 stolen bases and a .485 on-base percentage, including a 3-for-4 day recently against the defending State Champs, Mattituck High.

A staple at Baseball Factory events, we have seen Gordon on nine different occasions and immediately at his first PREP event in Long Island, NY in May of 2014, Kenneth’s father, Doug recognized the appreciation and dedication of the Baseball Factory coaching staff towards the game not only with his son, but each and every player.

“Baseball Factory is the best investment I have ever made as a parent for my son’s future. From top to bottom the support BF has shown Kenneth has been overwhelming. After attending nine events, I can say with confidence every coach is there out of love. From Coach T working on hitting to Coach Hodge knowing an athlete’s body, they are tops.”

Doug also recognizes Coach Nolan Fuller and Coach John Perko as the driving forces behind tapping into the potential of his son, helping him to grow as a player and a person.

“They have helped to take Kenneth to a level we never imagined to be possible. From his first Player Development event in Cape Cod in July of 2014 until his most recent appearance at the Under Armour Pre-Season All-American event, these two men have gone above and beyond. Coach Fuller seems to always be in contact to see how Kenneth is doing. He is constantly reviewing video that Kenneth sends him of his at-bats and BP. He has no obligation to do this but yet he does. He is more than a coach to my son, he has become a mentor and a friend. His words of encouragement and strong but honest reviews have made him grow as a player.”

Coach Fuller echoed the same type of thoughts towards Kenneth, getting to know him over the course of various Player Development events.

“At Player Development events, you work so closely with the guys for a few days at a time, and you really get to know who they are, and what makes them tick,” said Fuller. “You focus on many aspects of the game, physically, mentally, and hope to provide structure and an idea for players to take home with them and continue improving. After seeing Kenneth in Cape Cod, the coaching staff thought that he would be a guy to do just that. . . and he was, and he continues to be. Kenneth controls the controllables, and pays as close attention to detail as anyone I have had the pleasure of working with. It’s not surprising to me that he is having so much success and continues to improve his game; there isn’t magical fairy dust that makes this stuff happen, but when you put passion, hardwork, attention to detail, athleticism, and baseball skill together, you’ve got your equation for success.”

Looking to have schools view Kenneth for what he could bring to the field for a team and providing bigger opportunities because of the excellent grades Kenneth has received in the classroom, the Gordon’s turned to Senior Director of College Recruiting, Dan Mooney to help with the process.

“On top of all the great things BF has done for Kenneth, the best might be the introduction to Coach Mooney. I cannot begin to explain the doors and the opportunities he and his team have opened. There is no sugar coating just honest assessment and help to guide him to the school that best fits his needs in every facet.

Finishing strong in his junior season and doing all of the necessary things leading into his senior season both in the classroom and on the field have not gone unnoticed.

“They have helped him prepare for all challenges that he faces as a player and more importantly a student,” Doug mentions. “When Kenneth first attended the PREP event in May of 2014, he was running a 7.42 60-time and was rated as a B player with a possibility of playing D3 ball. In the two years since that event with the guidance of Baseball Factory, the tools they provided and my sons incredible work ethic, he is now a top-tier player with an opportunity to play at the High D2 to D1 level.”

“Kenneth is a special player, he doesn’t understand half way or accept mediocrity,” Mooney said. “I have known him a few years now and the improvements he has made are spectacular. What’s better than his athleticism and ability is his character, makeup, and determination. Kenneth finds a way and continues to grow on and off the field. This coming summer will be an exciting time for him and I’m excited to see the finished product.”

The beauty in the game of baseball is finding talent, raw and still maturing in the beginning and continuously shaping and molding that player to see the blossoming before our very own eyes.

Gregg Sarra, High School Sports Editor for Newsday in New York has covered Babylon and immediately noticed the talent level with Kenneth.

“Gordon is the consummate player, the total package,” said Sarra. “He gives you everything he has on every pitch. He’s a leader on the field and in the dugout. He’s that rare throwback kid that hustles on every play. He’s an offensive catalyst. Kenneth is aggressive, hits to all fields and finds a way to get on base and contribute to an inning.”

Kenneth is gaining that experience quickly, chipping in with a huge hit in the 7th inning (his third of the game) of a recent ballgame against Mattituck High School and scoring what was then the tying run. Kenneth scored two runs in the 4-3 loss, Babylon’s first all season. Still, Gordon has been recently selected as one of Newsday’s Players to Watch for Suffolk League VIII and picked as a Newsday Top 100 Player to Watch. Kenneth’s Varsity Baseball Coach, Victor Manzella, has seen exactly what he can do both on and off the field, living and breathing the game.

“Kenneth is someone I would classify as a baseball fanatic. The kid lives baseball. Just to give you an example, after we are done with practice everyday he stays for extra BP or defense work. He is a very smart kid in the classroom as well. He currently has a 97 weighted average and a 1200 on his SAT. He is a true Scholar-Athlete and a coach’s dream. He is currently batting .385 with 12 SB and 11R. He has a .485 OBP and constantly getting our team going in the leadoff spot. On and off the field he is a leader that our younger players look up to.”

“I cannot begin to say enough great things about Baseball Factory,” Kenneth says. “The things I have learned, the relationships I have made and the experiences I have had at Baseball Factory events are things that will be with me forever. I feel like Coach Fuller is more than a coach he is like a big brother with a crazy amount of baseball experience who is always there for me.”

Coach Fuller added this on his relationship with Kenneth and the Gordon Family: “I remember an old coach of mine saying, ‘you’ll find others that have a similar passion as you and you develop a tighter bond.’ It was evident to me after working with him for a short time that this guy loved the game, and indeed shared that same passion. I always like to extend the offer to keep up the lines of communication to all families and players at PD events, and the Gordon’s took me up on that offer. It’s always a cool feeling to see familiar faces at our events, and be able to see right before your eyes the improvements guys have made from event to event. So, I consider myself quite lucky that I have been able to witness Kenneth’s growth and development.”