Kansas City, Mo. — The father of first-round draft pick Alex Gordon said he did not attend classes at Nebraska on Monday, which would have caused the Kansas City Royals to lose his rights.
The Royals, who made the slugging third baseman the second player taken overall in the June draft, had said they were confident he would not attend classes even though he had enrolled for what would have been his senior season.
"He did not go to class today," Mike Gordon told the Associated Press. "There were never any plans to, actually."
Royals' scouting director Deric Ladnier said Sunday night that Gordon did not intend to go to class. There had been concern among Kansas City fans when it was learned the two-time Big 12 Conference player of the year had enrolled.
"Negotiations will continue to go on like they have," Ladnier said.
Ladnier said he had "a good conversation" Sunday with Casey Close, the agent for the Gordon.
"We've negotiated in good faith to this point," Ladnier said. "We'll continue to do so."
Gordon, following his junior year, was the second player overall taken in the June draft. Negotiations have stalled, however, and Gordon said last week he had enrolled at Nebraska for the coming fall term.
"He enrolled in school as a contingency plan," Ladnier said.
The Gordon family, who live in Lincoln, Neb., are hoping to come to Kauffman Stadium soon to get a better feel for the Royals and the town and meet some team executives, Ladnier said.
Gordon won the Golden Spikes Award as the top collegiate player this past season. He started all 72 contests for the Huskers, hitting .372 with 19 homers and 66 RBIs.
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