A year later, Cordero has earned Red Sox’s trust
BOSTON — A year ago, a game like Wednesday night’s might have inspired panic in Franchy Cordero.
Going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts against the Reds? Such a line would have come with thought bubbles about a loss of playing time in the big leagues or perhaps even a demotion to Triple-a Worcester.
Now, however, Cordero and the Sox can both approach such a game — or even his recent three-game 0-for-10 skid that includes five strikeouts — with a different perspective.
More than seven months removed from being designated for assignment and passing through waivers unclaimed before being outrighted to Worcester, Cordero is winning the trust of the Red Sox.
Since Cordero was called up April 29 he has played in 28 of 31 games, starting 23. The 27-year-old is arriving at the park anticipating chances to contribute rather than wondering whether his role might vanish.
“It feels great to see that all the hard work has paid off,” Cordero said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez. “I’m glad to see that the manager has confidence in me.
“It feels great to have the opportunity to play every day and try to contribute to the team. For me, I’m just trying to do the little things on the field that can help the team win.”
Cordero has spent years as more myth than player.
His combination of strength and speed has few peers in the game. In multiple years, according to Statcast data, he has registered exit velocities in the top 1% in baseball as well as sprint speeds that landed in the top 6%.
But a succession of injuries limited his playing time. Between the minors and big leaguescordero played in 47 games in 2018, 24 in 2019 and 16 in 2020.
Instead of progressing into an everyday player from ages 23 through 25, Cordero’s development was stunted.