DETROIT — Jimmy Cordero has upper 90s velocity and an excellent changeup. He also has command issues, which explains his bouncing around from organization to organization. When the White Sox claimed him off waivers from the Mariners on June 7, it marked his third move of the season.
“It didn’t feel good. I was disappointed because I know the kind of talent I have and the kind of pitcher I can be,” Cordero said.
“But I’m grateful for the opportunity I’m getting with the Sox and I’m taking advantage of it.”
The opportunity includes increased high leverage situations, and Cordero, 27, has responded with five straight scoreless appearances, including four in a row without a hit. The scoreboard gun at Comerica Park showed 100 mph on one of his pitches in the Sox’ 7-4 win over the Tigers on Monday.
“He has two plus pitches, so he’s working on throwing a few more strikes and commanding better,” bullpen coach Curt Hasler said. “Great life on the fastball. Sink. And an outstanding changeup that’s a really good weapon for him. It’s not hard to like 97, 98, 99. If you throw that to the glove I like your odds.”
Cordero’s ERA is 3.24 in eight appearances. He has nine strikeouts and three walks over 8 1⁄3 innings. He pitched to a 5.22 ERA in 18 appearances with the Nationals in 2018 and appeared in only one game with the Blue Jays this season.
“Sometimes guys stuff comes a little later and you have to be patient,” Hasler said.
Prospect rankings drop
MLB Pipeline’s latest rankings dropped the Sox farm system to No. 9 after a No. 4 preseason ranking. “Most top-heavy system in the game with five of the top 43 prospects but not a lot of clear standouts beyond them,” the report said. The Sox’ top five: Center fielder Luis Robert (5), right-hander Michael Kopech (18), first baseman Andrew Vaughn (23), right-hander Dylan Cease (25), second baseman Nick Madrigal (43).
