San Diego Padres: Franchy Cordero Makes Season Debut

San Diego Padres prospect outfielder Franchy Cordero made his 2018 debut last night for the AAA El Paso Chihuahuas. The short stint in El Paso is just a pitstop on his way to the outfield of Petco Park.

The El Paso Chihuahuas, AAA affiliate of the San Diego Padres, fell last night to the Las Vegas 51s (NY Mets), featuring a rehabbing Franchy Cordero at the top of the lineup.

It didn’t take long for Cordero to show he’s healthy and ready to contribute. After taking a first pitch strike, Cordero sent a fastball over the heart of the plate the opposite way, shooting it past Las Vegas third baseman Phillip Evans. He then stole second base with ease before a Franmil Reyes ground ball ended the first inning.

Cordero’s second at-bat resulted in a swinging strikeout, but not before he fouled off five Zack Wheeler pitches, working a nine-pitch at-bat.

His final two at-bats resulted in a groundout and flyball out to right field, ending his first performance 1-4 at the plate with a stolen base.

San Diego Padres manager Andy Green told reporters yesterday that as soon as Cordero is ready to play, he will be on the field for the Padres.

“He’s toolsier than anybody here,” Green said of Cordero. “There’s more raw twitch, more explosion, more speed. It’s impressive what’s inside him. It is a matter of the consistency” said Green.

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With Wil Myers on the disabled list and Hunter Renfroe struggling to find himself at the plate, the San Diego Padres need Cordero’s bat. A top of the lineup featuring Manuel Margot, Cordero, Eric Hosmer, and Jose Pirela could provide a much needed spark at Petco Park.

If you’re near the El Paso area, I advise getting out to catch a game this weekend to get a first hand glance at Cordero and Luis Urias before the two highly touted prospects earn well deserved big league call-ups.