10. Franchy Cordero, OF
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/2/1994 (23)
2017 teams/levels played for: AAA El Paso Chihuahuas, MLB San Diego Padres
2017 Stats: Minors: .326/.369/.603, 419 PA, 17 HR, 15 SB, 23/118 BB/K; Majors: .228/.276/.424, 99 PA, 3 HR, 1 SB, 6/44 BB/K
Info: Originally signed by the San Diego Padres as a shortstop, Cordero couldn’t handle the position and was moved to center field. He jumped up the system in 2016 and spent multiple trips up to the majors in 2017.
Arguably the most toolsy player in the system at his base skills, (Cordero) still has plenty of raw-ness to his tools
Arguably the most toolsy player in the system at his base skills, he still has plenty of raw-ness to his tools. He is a plus-plus runner after his first couple of steps, though he’s not got great first-step quickness. He uses that speed well in getting across bases and to snag plenty of flies in the outfield.
Cordero has plus raw power and pounds the gaps, as evidenced by his total of 24 doubles, 21 triples, and 20 home runs between the minors and majors.
While Cordero does have solid pitch recognition, he does not have good zone recognition, attacking pitches that are even close to the zone. Until he can control the strike zone, he’ll be a second-tier outfielder or even a fourth outfielder, but if he could learn that, he could be an absolute monster with his raw skills.
The San Diego Padres are giving Cordero every chance to spend all of 2018 at the major league level.
9. Joey Lucchesi, LHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/6/1993 (24)
2017 teams/levels played for: high-A Lake Elsinore Storm, AA San Antonio Missions
2017 Stats: 24 G, 23 GS, 139 IP, 2.20 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 6% BB, 27% K
Info: A senior draftee out of less-heralded Southeast Missouri State in the 4th round in 2016, Lucchesi has flown up the San Diego Padres system in his short time in it, showing himself to be near major-league ready less than two years after being drafted.
Lucchesi has an odd delivery that can mess with hitters’ timing with a high leg kick and various speed changes within the delivery, but he repeats it very well. The deception within his delivery allows his stuff to play up, and his ability to repeat allows him to locate very well.
His fastball sits low-90s and gets excellent plane with his over-the-top delivery and 6’5″ height, getting weak swings and plenty of miss on the pitch. He throws an upper-70s curve that’s his best secondary offering, with a loop ahead of the plate, but it breaks late, giving it extra life.
Lucchesi’s change deceives in an odd way in that it looks like a slider or cutter out of hand, but then stays straight, leading to plenty of awkward swings and very rare barrels on the pitch. He’s shown an ability to manipulate his fastball to get extra movement to really work as fourth pitch.
His raw stuff would project Lucchesi as a back end starter, but his deception and ability to command all of it could allow him to work as a mid-rotation guy. The San Diego Padres will start Lucchesi in AAA in 2018, and he could see some big league time by the end of the season.
Next: #7 and #8