Former Knight Colton Gordon Set to Make MLB Debut with Houston AstrosFormer Knight Colton Gordon Set to Make MLB Debut with Houston Astros

Former Knight Colton Gordon Set to Make MLB Debut with Houston Astros

by Nick Porcelli

HOUSTON – Many people involved in the game of baseball say that the best thing in the sport is seeing someone’s dream come true when they finally get called up to the big leagues. Well for fans of UCF, that statement is extra true as former Black and Gold pitcher Colton Gordon has been called up by the Houston Astros and will make his MLB debut tonight on the mound against the Kansas City Royals.

Gordon played for the Knights during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. After redshirting at Florida for a year and then playing a year for Hillsborough Community College, he transferred to UCF and would have an immediate impact as a member of the pitching staff. In his first season, he would make four appearances, all of which were starts, and go 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA while only allowing 18 hits, six earned runs and striking out 24 batters.

His play improved the following season. In nine starts, he would go 5-2 with a 2.77 ERA and only allowing 54 hits and 17 earned runs, while also striking out 72 batters. Despite missing half the season due to Tommy John Surgery, he led the Knights’ pitching staff in several categories like ERA and strikeouts. For his performance he was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Conference Second Team.

Gordon would go onto be drafted in the eighth round with the No. 238 pick by the Astros in the 2021 MLB draft. He would then quickly rise through the team’s minor leagues system, going from rookie ball to Triple A in just a year. His play in the minors would have named as one of the Astros’ top prospects. At the time of his call-up, he was listed as the team’s No. 14 prospect. He would also play baseball internationally, playing for Team Israel during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Gordon started the 2025 season in Triple A with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. He had started eight games and posted a 4-0 record with a 2.55 ERA by the time the Astros called him up.

Gordon becomes the 16th Varsity Knight to play in MLB, as well as the third former UCF baseball player who is currently active in the league. He joins fellow pitcher Ben Lively of the Cleveland Guardians and utility player Dylan Moore of the Seattle Mariners.