Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 5’11”/175

Acquired: NDFA ‘07

Born: 1/14/90 (Caracas, VZ)

2010 Rank: NR

Why Ranked Here: Cordero earns this rank as the best defensive catcher in the lower levels of the system.  His hands are soft and he receives well.  His feet work well behind the dish.  He has a solid average arm that plays up with a clean, quick release.

Facing elimination, down 1-0 in the best-of-three playoff series to Greenville, Savannah manager Pedro Lopez, a catcher himself during his playoff career, chose to start Cordero, who had played just one regular season game with Savannah.  How’s that for a ringing endorsement of the youngster?

At the plate, Cordero’s hands once again shine.  He makes lots of contact as evidenced by his just 10% strikeout rate in the Appalachian league.  Cordero showed an ability to use both gaps, and he has the bat speed to catch up to fastballs and the strength to do some damage too.

2010: Cordero threw out 43% of would-be basestealers in the Appalachian League, gunning down 23 for 53, leading all catchers with at least 50 attempts against.  Oh, and he hit eight home runs in the offense-friendly Appalachian League.

Just 20-years old, Cordero walked in just 3.6% of his plate appearances for the K-Mets, so he will need to work deeper into counts to maintain his offensive value.

Dr. Pangloss Says: Cordero has a chance to be an above average Major League catcher if it all comes together.

Debbie Downer Says: If he never learns to walk more than 4% of the time, he’ll have very little offensive value.

Projected 2011 Start: Savannah, splitting time with Blake Forsythe

MLB Arrival: 2015