Sleeper Prospect: Franchy Cordero, OF, San Diego Padres

For the unawares, a “combo meal” is a fantasy baseball term describing when a player records both a home run and stolen base. Synonymous with plus-tool performers, San Diego Padres outfield prospect Franchy Cordero is certainly one of those to keep a keen eye on.

The 23-year old made his MLB debut last May (see John’s rookie player profile here) and had a 30 game trial run with the big league club, hitting three home runs while swiping a stolen base in the brief stretch.

Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2011, Cordero burst onto the minor league scene in 2016 when upon his call-up to Double-A San Diego, he started hitting with extreme frequency.

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He reached base in his first 15 Double-A games, including hits in his first 13 with seven multi-hit games scattered about. In game number 12, he recorded three hits. For the 15 game stretch, he totaled 22 hits, three triples, two home runs, eight RBI, five walks and seven stolen bases.

After participating in the Arizona Fall League, he opened 2017 in Triple-A and continued his momentous development. Sandwiching his big league debut, he hit .326 for Triple-A El Paso (tied for 7th in the PCL) with 15 stolen bases but of more note, don’t-call-me-Frenchy hit a career-high 17 home runs.

For his career so far, he’s totaled 101 stolen bases (exactly 100 in the minors) with 46 home runs. As he fills out, he’s running a smidge less but his power is spiking. As both tools even out, you see a prospect turning into a major league performer who can contribute to the box score in multiple ways.

A polished factor in all three outfield spots, his impressive defense combined with his speed tool and quickly developing power tool makes him a realistic option for a big role alongside Manny Margot and Hunter Renfroe in the Padres’ outfield picture this upcoming 2018.