Erik Cordier, RHP. DOB: 2/25/1986. 6'4", 230 lbs.
2014 AAA: 4-3, 3.59, 52.2 IP, 5.30 BB/9, 11.62 K/9, 3 Saves.
2014 MLB: 0-0, 1.50, 6 IP, 3.00 BB/9, 13.50 K/9.
Erik Cordier was originally drafted by the KC Royals in 2004. He kicked around the minor leagues with the Royals, Braves and Pirates while at various times battling knee and elbow injuries and wildness. Like Hunter Strickland, he actually started his pro career as a soft-tossing command/control pitcher. His velocity picked up into the mid-90's while still with KC and then jumped to high-90's/triple digits when he was finally moved to the bullpen by the Pirates. The Giants signed him as a minor league FA before the 2014 season and he pitched well for AAA Fresno, albeit with some continued wildness. That earned him a September callup and he immediately raised eyebrows by repeatedly hitting triple digits in his MLB debut. It kind of came down to Cordier vs Strickland for the last bullpen spot on the postseason roster. Bochy chose Strickland, probably because of better command.
Prior to the Vogelsong signing, Cordier seemed to be in the mix for the final bullpen slot out of spring training in 2015. Barring injury, he will likely go back to AAA and wait for an opportunity. Pitching with triple digit velocity will get you noticed, though.
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Does Cordier's fastball have any more movement than Strickland's fastball. It seemed that Strickland was very hittable in the playoffs. But that might be because of nerves and also he was facing a much better group of players. Jordan Walton doesn't have much movement with his 100-101MPH fastball and he gets shelled here and there. The only thing that is saving him is his "barely legal" windup. I hope one of our fireballers in Cordier or Strickland will make the bullpen. It would be nice to see some smoke in our games.
ReplyDeleteMost triple digit FB's are straight and nobody cares because...100 MPH!
DeleteTrue. However, guys like Aroldis Chapman have a delivery where it is a little deceptive. Even harder to pick up the location for a hitter.
DeleteI watched some YouTube videos of him. The pop of those 100MPH fastballs hitting the glove is incredible. I'd hate to be his catcher as you'd end up with permanent nerve damage even if you put a sponge in your glove to help cushion the impact... Of course, the sponge trick is probably dating me as it's very much 1970's High School thing that our catchers copied because, if I remember right, that's what Johnny Bench did...
ReplyDeleteIn the 80s, it was placing Sharmin in the glove, wasn't it?
DeleteFrom soft-tossing command/control to wild, fireballing?
ReplyDeleteMaybe we can reach a compromise.
How long does it take to go from soft-tossing to fireballing and is there hope for me? I'll be 75 in April.
ReplyDelete