With high-profile signings like Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado and a superlative farm system that has produced standout rookies like Chris Paddack and Fernando Tatis Jr., the Padres have begun to return to relevancy after a stretch of seasons spent in baseball’s doldrums. More eyes are trained on the team now than maybe any point in the last decade, and onlookers have begun to expect results.
As such, the majority of the attention goes to the likes of Machado and Tatis—rightfully so—leaving other players in their shadow. One forgotten Padre could be key in their 2020 campaign: after elbow and quad injuries have limited him to just 49 games over the last two seasons, it’s easy to discount Franchy Cordero among the Padres’ core of young players. We’ve seen glimpses of his potential since he debuted in 2017, but we’ve yet to get a real extended look at him in the Majors, leaving us uncertain about the player he will be at his peak.
In parts of three seasons at the MLB level, Cordero has appeared in just 79 games and made 273 scattered plate appearances. That’s still a decent amount of exposure for a 25-year-old, but when it comes in bits and pieces rather than extended stretches, it makes it especially difficult to draw conclusions about who Cordero really is and will be as a player.
That said, there’s no doubt that he boasts a rare combination of power and speed that makes him a tantalizing player. Per Statcast measurements, his sprint speed has ranked in the top 11% of MLBers in each of the last three years. That alone is pretty impressive for a player of Cordero’s stature (6’3″, 175 lbs.), but it’s even cooler when you consider that in 2018, Cordero’s average exit velocity was 92.6 mph, which equals the numbers put up by Matt Chapman and Jorge Soler last year (granted, Cordero did so with very few batted balls, so the usual sample size concerns apply).
Those tools are fun—that much is undeniable. The numbers above point to something special, and they’re indicative of the superlative talent that could make Cordero a premier player in his prime years. But there’s a big difference between being a premier player and merely possessing awesome talent; plenty of athletic outliers have failed to grow into productive Major Leaguers. If Cordero is to solidify himself as a reliable regular in the Majors, he’ll need to develop a more well-rounded game. For one thing, his approach at the plate still leaves something to be desired: his strikeout rate (38.8% for his career) remains too high, especially given his unspectacular walk rate (8.8% career).
That’s a ubiquitous challenge for young players, and it’s something that is often tempered with sustained exposure to MLB pitching. Plenty of players succeed with high strikeout rates—especially those with prodigious power like Cordero—so it won’t take a complete transformation of Cordero’s skillset to unlock his next level. I’d argue that it comes down mostly to opportunity, and a regular role could do wonders for his development.
The Padres’ outfield mix will be a little crowded as it is, with the additions of Tommy Pham and Trent Grisham likely representing two Opening Day starters. Cordero can certainly compete for the third spot, but he’ll have to overtake Wil Myers for the job. He probably fits best in right field, but has played plenty of center field in his career. Regardless, Cordero is firmly among the four best outfielders on the roster and should therefore have a path to more at-bats, assuming he’s healthy. Anyway, if the NL plays the 2020 season with a designated hitter, there should be ample opportunity to get Cordero’s bat in the lineup one way or another.
Whereas in previous years Cordero has been an intriguing, if still mysterious, piece on some fun Padres teams, he now has a chance to be a real contributor on a team that hopes to be taken more seriously. Without a doubt, he’s a player that deserves attention; we’ll eagerly watch this year to see whether a consistent role will allow Cordero to make adjustments that bring him a step closer to stardom. Don’t be surprised if Cordero’s name becomes more familiar to baseball fans.
Wasn’t he a starting pitcher with Pittsburgh?
Fransisco cordero
He’s part a big part of one of the jays best and yet somehow worst trades in the franchise
Francisco Cordova actually
Cordova actually Francisco, esq
prime example of tools not directly equalling success
Not really.
If anything it’s how injuries can ruin a career.
Despite sporadic play he’s managed a .240/.306/.431 batting line.
Injuries have certainly kept him off the field last 2 years.
This. And a perfect example of the kind of guy who’s really getting hurt by this lost season.
He’s had two seasons lost to injury, which means he’s now 25 and closer to “make or break” territory instead of “hot prospect.” And now the COVID.
He desperately needs someone to give him a couple months of regular playing time … which the Padres may not be able to offer.
Hasn’t his limited ABs been related to injuries?
Im mixed on him. I would try to trade him.
Giants fan here. I’ve seen him play live in the PCL, he’s an excellent player. Injuries have killed last two years, but I wish Farhan would trade for this guy.
My grandpa can rake in the PCL, and he’s dead.
Will Gramps play for a 50/50 revenue split?
Did you even bother to read the article, or did you just read the title and then rush to post your blather?
I’m pretty sure that’s what 3/4 of the commenters here do
He’s a monster when he’s healthy and hopefully he has a good showing this season, otherwise his time in SD will come to an end.
A monster at what level? Minor league numbers are meaningless. You can’t call a minor league player a “monster”.
I wouldn’t say minor league numbers are exactly meaningless but nonetheless, Cordero’s minor league stats haven’t been all that great. Cool name, though.
Padre fan counts minor league #’s same as major
We have won so many Championships. In the minor leagues. So many no hitters.
He’s most certainly a monster (physically and tool wise)—staying healthy and on the field, now that’s another thing.
It’s about time for SD to slowly return to respectability
Who?
Franchy Cordero. There is a good article and description of him in the article you just commented on.
His was apparently a facetious comment on the title of the article, “Let’s not forget about…”
Lol. Greatest response ever Metsfan
I got the joke. Very funny.
The question should be, why should we remember?
He will be remembered every time anyone looks up the longest HR ever hit at Petco Park. It was 489ft., by Franchy Cordero. No Padres player and no visiting player has ever hit one farther.
Wasn’t it Chase field tho? Still crazy power
You are correct sir. I was mistaken.
No problem man
Great article! Franchy can be the real deal, he just needs to stay on the field! Health will equal success.
If he’s healthy, it seems like he should be in CF with his speed. I’m not sure who would grade better in center, as both Grisham and Cordero have only small sample sizes to compare up to this point.
When Trammel is promoted, I imagine SD hopes that Myers may have brought his value back enough to be moved. This iffy scenario seems to be ideal for the Friars and their future outfield alignment.
Cordero has much better speed at 29.8 ft/sec. However, Grisham is a better fielder at this time. Cordero has the athletic ability to be a Gold Glover but he is maybe average right now. He needs to get better. He does have a strong arm that fits well in RF. I think the Padres are looking at Cordero in RF, Grisham in CF and Trammell in LF if everything works out, which it almost certainly will not. If only 1 of those 3 fulfills their promise I will be happy. If 2 do I will be ecstatic! The Padres will need at least 1 right-hander in the OF anyway.
Nice take, Javia. I agree with the future outfield allotment. Trammell just doesn’t have the arm for CF. I appreciate reading your input here at TR even if I don’t always have the time to chime in. Hope to catch everyone at Petco someday soon!
Cordero is fast. But that’s about the only thing he has going for him defense-wise. His routes and glove are completely atrocious.
On Myers their options are basically to either convince him to retire gracefully or pay him the next 3 years.
He had borderline 80 grade speed in 2018. Now he is a solid 70. So yes, he has great speed. He also has a plus arm. His routes were terrible in 2017-18. He started out as a SS originally. So the OF was still new to him in 17-18, even in 19 considering how little he played. So he still has a chance to show improvement. I seriously doubt he will ever become the gold Glover that he has the physical ability to be, but if he can become above average or even average he can play. His health and his bat are the big questions for him. He needs to cut down his strikeouts at the mlb level.
Myers has good numbers against LH pitchers and as a DH who platoons with one of the other LH bats should hit close to .280 this year. The same goes for Hosmer another platoon player who should only be in there with RH pitchers. I’d platoon Hosmer with one of our RH hitters. If were in this to win at least a wild card these guys need to eat some humble pie. BTW if we don’t get in the playoffs AJ is GONE.
Cordero has the legs and the glove to play CF….its his routes that are the problem.
Who?
Found the owl.
The west is getting better each year. It’s starting to become a 3 team fight each year. Just like the Central and the East in the NL. It’s nice to see competitive baseball in the West Coast again.
May he Rest In Peace
I wonder if a player like him benefits from no baseball for awhile since he’ll have longer to heal.
Nobody will be shocked if the Pads go 74-88 next season.
If by next season you mean 2020, that would indeed be shocking. But their talent on both sides, I’d be surprised if they weren’t at least close to .500.
I would be very shocked considering there’s almost no way 162 games will be played.
Should have traded him instead of Urias
And received nothing. You can’t trade a player that can’t stay on the field and expect something in return.
shouldve traded both. Urias is AAAA.
Lolz Eric Hosmer.
Above all else, Franchy needs to stay healthy. Provided he can do that and get consistent ABs in the Padre OF/DH mix, he needs to cut back on the SOs. If so, his minor league stats suggest he may hit a fair number of doubles and triples in addition to 20+ HRs.
There are probably a dozen or more MLB teams hoping the Padres sell short on Cordero. True, his MLB stats aren’t impressive, but he’s never played in, say, 50 games in a row. In Philly, we have the aging and now injury prone Andrew McCutchen in LF. We have as yet an unproven Haseley slated for CF. I would love to see our GM Matt Klentak trade for Cordero. One way or another, he’d get 350 at bats in Philly. Plus, he’s still pretty young and could easily be a fixture for the next 8-10 years.
Finally, unless the Padres eat about 80% of Myers’ contract, he’s less moveable than Mount Rushmore.
Myers used as a DH and platoons with a LH hitter Myers will hit close to .280 and that’s fine with me. Look at his numbers LH vs RH pitchers.`
Myers is mental midget can’t handle DH
He’ll learn quickly or he’ll be riding the bench. No room for slackers on a shortened season.
Not paying 20 mil a year stiff to ride the pine
Cordero can do this can do that but show me this guy can hit at least .275 and cut down on his K’s, learns how to play the OF and or at least remains on the 30 man squad as a DH. Trammel is waiting in the wings. I see Trammel on the 20 man reserve squad.
This for Cordero is his last year as a Padre unless he shows up then good for him and the Friars, if he goes back to the IL or hits lower than .240 he’s gone. That’s my take and I’m sticking to it.
One trade we should have not made is the Reyes trade. I know if this season starts and the DH is in place Reyes would be a good DH hitting sixth in the lineup.
Guy did nothing for Indians why Padre fan keeps bringing him up back and beyond they clearly don’t know the special talent and mind set it takes to DH
When it comes to being a DH or being cut or sent to the minors I’d imagine they’ll learn quickly from some of the best DH hitters in baseball. I see most NL teams hiring special assistants who were great DH hitters. Kurt Bevaquca, and our pre and post game analyst for the Friars was another great one. Both live in SD.
Oh it’s the hitting coach theory now Padres change those like underwear
Possible starting line up, Pham LF, Tatis SS, Grisham CF, Manny 3B, Myers/Cordero DH, Hosmer 1B, Profar/Ty France 2B, Hedges/Mejia C. SP is our weak link, Middle and RP, Closer are the strength. Offensively the last four guys in this line up need to step it up big time. I see the Friars making the Wild Card since the playoff teams have been added to another four teams this year.
2nd base is a question mark. I’m not convinced Profar will have a very long look.
Our pitching is solid, our relief is top 5.
Padres surprise and take the division from LA.
One major issue everyone has overlooked. Most all of these owners have major companies that make millions, hundreds of millions. Since the shut down how has their companies doing financially? There probably just hanging on. Many major companies are going into BK. I see 2021, 2022 FA market spending way down until the owners companies can come back. It may even be two to three years before they come back to breakeven. Being smart business owners they’ll start cutting expenses and that includes Players Salaries, etc. I have friends who are being laid off permanently. Unemployment will remain high for several years that means less spending on professional sports by thoursands of fans, thus sports owners will suffer financially from the fan side as well.
✎ Edit –
On this Memorial Day a special memory and thanks goes out to Mr. Jerry Coleman, you can hang a star on that one.. Semper Fi Jerry, We know your up there looking down, still rooting for your team. God bless you and your family
Availability is the #1 ability. Myers should sit until DH comes about. Down with Brown. My boycott of Petco is working. :)