As an endgame play in deeper leagues, Cordero has a chance to pay dividends in 2018. He struck out 44.4 percent of the time in 30 games in the majors last season, but that doesn't mean he is doomed (Aaron Judge did the same thing in 2016). Cordero, who won't turn 24 until September, has plus raw power and enough speed to steal double-digit bases over a full season. He also rates as a quality defender at all three outfield spots. Cordero rarely makes soft contact (12.2 percent last season), and while his swing-and-miss issues will likely prevent him from ever hitting for a high average, the raw tools are here for him to be a four-category producer. Manuel Margot is assured of a spot in the outfield long term, but the other two spots are not nailed down. Hunter Renfroe and Jose Pirela may be the only two players standing between Cordero and everyday work in an outfield corner. He impressed in the Dominican Winter League this offseason, and will look to be more successful against MLB pitching when his name is called.

Cordero performed well at High-A Lake Elsinore and then Double-A San Antonio in 2016, which led the Padres to add him to their 40-man roster following the season for Rule 5 protection. In his 322 plate appearances in High-A, Cordero slashed .286/.339/.444. His numbers only improved upon arrival to San Antonio and his overall performance earned Cordero a brief callup to Triple-A El Paso at the end of the season. Cordero is a solid runner, as evidenced by his 23 total stolen bases in 2016, but his disappointing walk rates have kept him from being more of a threat on the bases. While Cordero has displayed some impressive tools, his slow development now at age 22 likely limits his ceiling to that of a fourth outfielder.