Francisco Cordero Stats & Scouting Report

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Background: Cordero emerged as a bona fide prospect in 1997 with 35 saves and a 0.99 ERA at West Michigan. He was Double-A Jacksonville's closer until suffering a stress fracture just below his right elbow in June. He missed the remainder of the season. Strengths: Cordero was clocked as high as 98 mph this season and in 1997. He has a good slider and a better-than-average changeup. He throws both pitches for strikes. He has good feel for what he's doing on the mound and doesn't flinch under pressure. Weaknesses: Obviously Cordero's health is a concern at this point. He's supposed to be 100 percent for spring training and beyond. Sometimes when he gets his fastball up in the strike zone, it straightens out. The Future: Although Cordero missed most of his Double-A season because of the injury, there is no ready-made Triple-A closer in Detroit's organization. If he's healthy, Cordero may begin the season at Toledo instead of repeating at Jacksonville.

In a Wells-less world, Cordero would be without peer in the league. As it is, he's sandwiched right between Vernon and Kip. His midseason promotion to the majors only underscores the quality of his performance. "He came to camp really healthy, and once he found out he was OK he threw the ball great," said Jacksonville manager Dave Anderson, recalling Cordero's fractured elbow of a year ago. "He threw three days in a row, he threw three times in four days without a problem. The last six weeks he was in the league, he was really locked in." "Obviously, he's a future closer in the big leagues," Runge said.