A quick check of the facts shows that Gordon had fewer plate appearances than most need before getting a shot to establish themselves as big leaguers. Here are college players taken in the first ten rounds of the draft this decade who have become established, and their minor league PA tally:
2008 Gordon Beckham 259
2005 Ryan Zimmerman 296
2001 Mark Teixeria 383
2005 Alex Gordon 576
2005 Troy Tulowitzki 590
2007 Matt Wieters 693
2007 Matt LaPorta 815*
2005 Ryan Braun 864
2006 Evan Longoria 881
2003 Rickie Weeks 909