San Diego Padres: Franchy Cordero Can’t Sit In Triple-A Any Longer

Franchy Cordero made the most of his time with the San Diego Padres last season. Cordero is simply too talented for the Padres to let him sit in El Paso all season waiting for his time to come. His time is now, even as a bench player.

San Diego Padres outfield prospect Franchy Cordero made quite an impression during the first six weeks after making his MLB debut. Before too long, MLB pitching caught up with him. After a prolonged slump, Cordero was sent down. Once Franchy Cordero got back to Triple-A El Paso, he found his stroke, his confidence, and finished out the MiLB season very strong.

The Padres likely will not have room for Cordero in their projected outfield this season. The Padres could keep Cordero on the 25-man roster as a bench player and to give Hunter Renfroe, Manuel Margot, and Jose Pirela the occasional day off. This could have extremely positive effects on Cordero’s development.

Franchy Cordero will naturally either sink-or-swim if the Padres choose to let him start the season in San Diego as opposed to Triple-A El Paso. As evidenced by Cordero’s red-hot August in the minors after being sent back down last season, there’s not much more he can do to show he’s ready for The Show.

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Franchy Cordero’s roller-coaster 2017 for the San Diego Padres

Franchy Cordero made his MLB debut on May 27 last season in Washington, going 0-1 as a pinch-hitter.

Cordero made his first start for the San Diego Padres the following day and quickly showed why he was able to fly through the Padres farm system in only a few seasons.

Cordero went 2-5 against the Nationals, collecting his first extra-base hit and scoring his first MLB run.

Franchy Cordero proceeded to reach base safely in 10 of his next 11 games, going 12-34 over that span (.343 AVG, .378 OBP). Cordero then continued to rake for the San Diego Padres while filling in for the injured Manuel Margot. Cordero’s batting average was a hefty .339 on June 14 before he began a month-long slump that ended up with him getting demoted back to Triple-A El Paso.

Once he was sent back down to the Chihuahuas in late-July, Franchy Cordero quickly regained his confidence and was back to smacking the cover off of the ball. In the 54 games Cordero played in the PCL after being sent back down, he slashed .351/.382/.667 with 10 HR, 16 doubles 12 triples and seven stolen bases.

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There’s little doubt Franchy Cordero is ready for the major leagues. The only problem facing the San Diego Padres is where exactly to use him. By keeping Franchy Cordero on the 25-man roster, the Friars would be affording him a valuable learning experience.

By letting him find his way and force him to make the necessary adjustments to MLB pitching, it would benefit Cordero greatly in the long-run.