Lying on a couch, talking to my shrink, “I put on a Franchy Cordero jersey, squeeze a combination of ketchup and mayo all over myself and walk around screaming, ‘I’m Franch’s dressing!'”
Shrink, “And, do you enjoy that?”
“It’s okay, but without relish.”
“Because you’re thinking of Thousand Island.”
And…scene!
Outside of major superstars, like the best of the best, the top of the echelon, the cream after it rises, there’s not too many players with 70 grade power and speed. Franchy Cordero has it though. He has that muscle and speed. Just look at last year, he hit two homers and stole one bag in 38 at-bats with a -1.1 Launch Angle. El oh–*coughing fit* WUT. A negative Launch Angle? Did he swing backwards, hit two balls so hard off the catcher’s mask that they ricochetted out of the park? His Hard Hit% was 47.1%, which would’ve been third best in the majors if it qualified, and at 38 at-bats, it didn’t, but not far off in that stupid year. Speaking of stupid years, throw out last year for Franchy. He had an injury — had his hamate bone removed in early August — and didn’t do anything worth talking any more about. As I always say, forget the Yandyesque Launch Angle, but remember the Yandyesque muscles. So, what can we expect from Franchy Cordero for 2021 fantasy baseball and what makes him a sleeper?
Since last year was a fluke, let’s go further back. Good thing we have a Wayback Machine, because Franchy Cordero has been playing minor league baseball since 1908, approximately. More specifically, he started with the Padres in Rookie Ball in 2012. It took him until 2016 to get to Double-A. It’s not as bad as it sounds (it’s also not great), because he was so young when he was drafted, he was only 22 when he reached Double-A. Still, it’s not ideal. How’sever, he only needed one year in Double-A before he was in Triple-A and the majors, getting his first taste in 2017. And what a taste that was! Sorry, that exclamation is less excitement and more meh, but I’m trying to build excitement. In 2019, across the majors and Triple-A, he had three homers, one steal and a 36% strikeout rate. That’s one stinky cheese, Franchy! Don’t worry, I’m still a Francophile — wait your turn, Ty France and Maikel Franco! Okay, time for a positive note or three. In 2019, Franchy was hobbled by an elbow and quad injury and was never healthy. The year before, he went 7/5 in only 40 games or 139 ABs. In 2018, he averaged 439 feet on his homers (that’s very far — though small sample, obviously). In only 100 batted ball events (which is again small), Franchy’s exit velocity was 14th best in the majors. The top 15 only has two complete flukes — most of the names were guys like Aaron Judge and J.D. Martinez.
Franchy struggles with contact, but could easily have a .330 BABIP and hit .250, due to his speed. His Sprint Speed is in the 90th percentile, and is about as fast as Victor Robles and Jon Berti. Think 20+ SBs with a full-time job over a full season. Franchy Cordero doesn’t come without some issues, beyond his contact. One teeny-tiny issue being his splits are so awful he doesn’t even have at-bats vs. lefties in some years. Franchy’s splits are like, “Hey, did Franchy play that year because it’s showing zero at-bats vs. lefties? Ooh…I see. He played, just not against those that use the weird scissors.” But all of those things aside (except the good things), Franchy Cordero is currently being drafted around 450th overall. That late? You’re not finding anyone near his talent level with as good a chance as he has at getting at-bats. Will he incur some lefties when you have to bench him? Sure. Will he hit for power and steal some bags making him way more valuable than a 450th overall pick? You bet your Bip Roberts! For 2021, I’ll give Franchy Cordero projections of 54/19/66/.249/12 in 421 ABs with a chance for more.
