Erik Cordier Stats & Scouting Report

IP	18
ERA	4.5
WHIP	1.444
BB/9	4
SO/9	8

Full name Erik Michael Cordier
Born 02/25/1986 in Green Bay, WI
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Southern Door
Debut 09/03/2014
Drafted in the 2nd round (63rd overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2004 (signed for $575,000).

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Cordier won one game and walked 32 in 21 innings as a high school junior, but he made a name for himself on the showcase circuit. He starred at the Area Code Games and the Perfect Game World Showcase. In his first game as a senior, he showed off three plus pitches (89-95 mph fastball, curveball, changeup) in front of 15 scouts. Cordier's secondary pitches haven't been as impressive since, especially his curve, but he has regularly thrown 90-92 mph and touched 94. His 6-foot-3, 197-pound frame offers room for projection, and his arm works well. The prize of North Carolina State's recruiting class, Cordier solidified his status as a second- or third-rounder at a Perfect Game Predraft Showcase in mid-May. He was the most impressive performer on hand, topping out at 94 and flashing a plus changeup.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

It's not often that a club hands a major league contract to a minor league free agent with no big league service time. But Cordier drew sufficient interest from multiple clubs, and the Giants liked his upside and power stuff enough to carve out space on the 40-man roster. He is on his fourth organization after failing to stay healthy with the Royals, Braves and Pirates. He missed all of 2005 with a knee injury, lost 2007 to Tommy John surgery, then had another elbow operation prior to the 2011 season to remove a bone spur. He transitioned to relief in 2013 for the Pirates' Triple-A club and was inconsistent, but he also struck out 65 in 53 innings with a lively, two-seam fastball that played up at 96-99 mph. His slider has plenty of break from his three-quarters arm slot and rates as a plus pitch. He showed a fringy changeup as a starter, but its development won't be as important in late relief, which is how the Giants intend to use him. Cordier has one minor league option remaining, so he's expected to begin in the bullpen at Triple-A Fresno.
Acquired from the Royals in a trade for shortstop T.J. Pena in the spring of 2007, Cordier has had difficulty staying healthy. He missed the entire 2005 (knee injury) and 2007 (Tommy John surgery) seasons, then had another elbow operation last January to remove a bone spur. He returned by late May but never got untracked. He also got struck by a couple of liners late in the year, resulting in abbreviated starts, yet he said at the end of the season that his arm felt as good as it had since the previous campaign. When he's 100 percent, Cordier is a true power pitcher with a mid-90s fastball that touches 97. At times, his slider gives him a second plus pitch. His changeup lacks consistency but looked better late in the year and in the Arizona Fall League. Because he has fringy command and has yet to prove durable, Cordier is a candidate to move to the bullpen in the near future. The Braves' depth of starting pitching at the upper levels of the organization also could contribute to a change in roles. He figures to return to Triple-A to start 2012.
Acquired from the Royals for shortstop T.J. Pena near the end of spring training in 2007, Cordier finally has proven he can stay healthy and earned a spot on the Braves' 40-man roster this offseason. He missed all of 2005 with a knee injury and all of 2007 following Tommy John surgery, but he has worked 265 innings during the last two years. He made mechanical adjustments in mid-2010, improving his fastball command and pitching as well as at any time in his career during the second half. Cordier's fastball velocity returned in a big way last season. He now sits at 94-97 mph with his heater and has improved the consistency of his slider, which often gives him a second plus pitch. His changeup remains his weakest link, but he has shown a decent feel for it and should be able to develop it into an average offering. Cordier's makeup is off the charts, and his resilience could play a big role in allowing him to reach the big leagues. After a September promotion to Triple-A, for example, he gave up five earned runs in two-thirds of an inning in his first start, then bounced back with 71/3 shutout innings in his second outing. Cordier should be a key member of the Gwinnett rotation in 2011, readying himself for the big leagues should an opportunity arise.
It was considered a minor transaction at the time, but the trade that sent Tony Pena to the Royals for Cordier could pay off for both teams. Pena became Kansas City's starting shortstop, while the Braves are excited about Cordier's power arm. They have yet to see it in action, however, because he was sidelined for all of 2007 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He also missed 2005 following knee surgery and has pitched just 87 innings since signing as a second-round pick in 2004--making him the highest drafted player out of Wisconsin since the Angels selected Jarrod Washburn 31st overall in 1995. During instructional league this fall, Cordier got back on the mound and showed the potential for three quality pitches. He didn't have all of his velocity back, but he eventually should regain a fastball that sat at 92-95 mph and clocked as high as 98. His heater has nice armside run, allowing him to jam righthanders and get grounders. He also has a plus changeup and has shown signs of an above-average curveball when his release point is in sync. Equally impressive is the way Cordier attacks hitters. He's not afraid to throw inside and has shown an excellent feel for setting up hitters to make his offspeed offerings that much more effective. Cordier could figure prominently in Atlanta's plans provided he stays healthy. The first step back will be an assignment to low Class A.
The highest drafted player out of Wisconsin since the Angels selected Jarrod Washburn 31st overall in 1995, Cordier missed 2005 while recovering from knee surgery. He came back strong in mid-June before elbow problems shut him down again two months later. The Royals hoped he could avoid surgery, but he had Tommy John in the fall. Cordier's fastball, which sits at 92-95 mph and tops out at 98, is the best in the system. It has good arm-side run and he can pound it in on righthanders to get groundballs. He also has advanced feel for a plus changeup. Though he'll flash a plus breaking ball, Cordier's release point varies and often leaves him with a slurve. He's still trying to figure out if he should throw a curveball or a slider. The Royals prefer their pitchers first try to develop a curve, so he likely will go that route. With his latest surgery, his health is an obvious concern and has limited him to 87 innings in 2 1/2 pro seasons. Patience will be required as he comes back from surgery, but his arm strength is rare and the Royals think his upside rivals Hochevar's because of his potential for three plus pitches. He won't pitch again until 2008.
Cordier drew some first-round interest before going in the second round in 2004, becoming the highest-drafted player out of Wisconsin since the Angels selected Jarrod Washburn 31st overall nine years before. Cordier has a ceiling as a No. 2 starter, but he has pitched just 35 innings as a pro and didn't make it to the mound last season. Knee pain forced the Royals to shut down Cordirer in August 2004, but it subsided after rest. When his knee locked up again, he had surgery that September to clean up abnormal bone formation. Ever enthusiastic, he called Royals officials and trainers nearly every week during the 2005 season seeking medical clearance to pitch again, which he finally received in November. In high school, Cordier exhibited poise, smooth mechanics and the potential for three plus pitches. He works at 90-92 mph and touches 93-94 with his fastball. He throws his changeup with good arm speed, and he can snap off a solid curveball. Cordier would have gone to Idaho Falls in 2005, and could wind up there or in low Class A this year.
When the Royals took Cordier in the second round last June, he became the highest-drafted Wisconsin player since the Angels drafted Jarrod Washburn 31st overall in 1995. Cordier, who impressed scouts at multiple showcase events, signed for $575,000. He throws three pitches that have plus potential. His fastball regularly sits in the 90-92 mph range, he demonstrates a good feel for his changeup and gets good rotation on his curveball. Because he's athletic and he's a lanky 6-foot-3 and 197 pounds, he has plenty of projection remaining. Cordier's pro debut was lackluster, as he had trouble adjusting to the intense heat of Arizona as well as the rigors of pro ball. The Royals will bring him along slowly. He's a candidate for Idaho Falls in 2005, but he could emerge as a No. 2 or 3 starter once he masters the nuances of pitching professionally.

Minor League Top Prospects

Like Johnson, Cordier was an early-round (second) Royals draftee who struggled for most of the season. His command was erratic as were his pitches. His fastball ranged from 86-92 mph, and while both his curveball and changeup can grade as plus pitches at times, they were very inconsistent. "He's got a great arm and a feel for three pitches," Guerrero said. "If he learns to get the ball around the plate consistently, he'll be pretty special."