San Diego Padres: Franchy Cordero Continues To Improve

San Diego Padres outfielder Franchy Cordero has settled in nicely and continues to show improvements in the batter’s box.

Don’t look now but San Diego Padres outfielder Franchy Cordero has reached base in nine straight games. The 23-year-old has quickly become the most exciting young Friar to watch on the field in a season of disappointments for Padres’ fans.

On April 24th, Cordero went 0-4 with four strikeouts against the Colorado Rockies. His strikeout rate was quickly climbing to 50% while his on-base rate dipped to under 30%. As exciting as his moonshot home runs were, many fans began to openly express frustrations with the rookie’s ability to show patience at the plate.

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Cordero has reached base in all nine games since that April 24th outing. His batting average has climbed from .234 to .247 while his on-base percentage has jumped from .265 to .333. Despite striking out 11 times during his streak, Cordero has drawn eight walks and recorded eight eights.

He hasn’t recorded a hit during the team’s trip to Mexico, however, in both contests thus far, Cordero has reached base twice via the walk.

On Saturday, he showed exactly why his ability to reach base can change a game. After drawing a free pass, Cordero sprinted off towards second base, ending up at third base on a wild throw by Dodgers’ catcher Yasmani Grandal.

Unfortunately, Jose Pirela was called for interference and Cordero was forced to return to first base. Pirela responded with a single, pushing Cordero back to third base where he would later score on a fly ball out.

Let’s take a second to give a round of applause to Alex Verdugo and his outstanding catch on that play.

Cordero has lowered his strikeout rate to 34% and increased his walk rate to over 11%. Yes, 34% is still very high, however, he’s a power-hitter with a big swing. Strikeout rates are up across baseball as players dive into the launch angle revolution, the strikeouts are a natural side effect that fans are going to have to endure.

As long as Cordero can continue to reach base as he has done the last two weeks, the offense can overcome his inflated strikeout rate (once he’s surrounded by better hitters, of course).

Next: Is Bryan Mitchell Done?

Cordero will look to extend his on-base streak to 10 games this afternoon against Ross Stripling in game three of the Mexico Series.