Chad Cordero’s Vitals

Right-handed relief pitcher, 23, 6-0, 195. Career 8-3, ERA 2.79, 15 Saves in
two seasons.

Quick Take

He grabbed on to the team’s closer role last June and everyone is hoping
that he doesn’t let go of it for the next several years.

Cordero Rundown

This guy could be something special.

Cordero has excellent command of his fastball and he’s able to use it
effectively to set up his out pitch, the slider. Right handers batted .205
against him last year, able to do little against his fastball other than
foul it off. He was incredible in September, posting an ERA of 0.60 in 11
appearances, fanning 16 batters and allowing just 12 hits in 15 innings.

He’s a promising piece of work, but he’s still a work in progress. Last
year he gave up eight home runs, far more than you like to see from your
closer. Many of them came when he lost his fastball up in the zone trying
to set up the slider. That finesse and touch should come with experience.

Even after Cordero became the closer, Frank Robinson wasn’t afraid to use
him on roles other than that of the traditional closer. He pitched two or
more innings on 15 occasions, including a three-inning stint where he emerged
with the win in a 14-inning game against the Phillies. Cordero also made
numerous appearances when the Expos were behind. Given the paucity of save
opportunities for the Expos last year, Cordero would have collected a lot of
rust in between those appearances, so it made sense for Robinson to give him
the work.

Should he repeat, let alone improve, on his 2004 performance, the team—
which should have a real owner in place in the fall—should look seriously
at locking him up for the rest of the decade.

2005 Down and Up

Downside: 3-6, 25 SV, 3.75 ERA
Upside: 6-4, 38 SV, 2.35 ERA