AFL Update: Oct. 29, 2017
The Solar Sox scored seven in the 8th to turn a 6-2 deficit into a 9-7 win to close out the week.
Daniel Johnson was the sole Nationals position player to appear in the game, but he was 0-for-5 with one whiff. Defensively, he made two putouts and had five touches total.
Dakota Bacus was the first reliever out of the Mesa bullpen but was stung for a two-run homer in his sole inning of work. He labored through 21 pitches (12 strikes) to get through the 4th.
Jimmy Cordero (pictured above) gave up a hit but maintained his 0.00 ERA with a scoreless inning while striking out the side. He threw 14 pitches, 11 for strikes.
The Solar Sox return to action tomorrow in Salt River as they play five day games this week before Saturday’s Fall Stars game. Be on the lookout for a case of Hellenic flu to get Victor Robles into the game as a replacement.
Jimmy Cordero ? Does brass know something we don’t ? Or is it just the AFL??
Shall we get used to the name Dave Martinez?
Martinez being handed the rudder to a team where he may or may not skipper with Harper and Murphy in
Last two years. Lerner has to sign Harper to keep length to an open window with corp.
4 million to spend this winter? Bullpen ? Lefty starter as depth piece ? Retain Howie as Robles seasons under Knorr in Cuse?
If someone in AZ has figured out the secret to unlock Cordero, it really would qualify as news. He came to the Nats rumored to touch triple digits, but he struggled all year at Harrisburg and didn’t post a K total anywhere in keeping with his alleged super-heater.
The 2017 version of Henry Rodriguez.
In Cordero’s 6 minor league seasons, he’s had 4 with an ERA above 5.00 and 2 below 5.00. Even at his best, he’s still only posted K/9 of 9.00. His fastball has never been overwhelming, and his command has consistently been atrocious.
At least with HRod, his K numbers were monstrous (10-15 K/9) in the minors, even while his BB/9 consistently above 4.00. Cordero’s got the triple digit fastball and command issues without any deception. I don’t really see what’s to like about him, and I’m still not sure how he made it to the AZFL…
Brass thought : what do we have to lose ??
For one, his spot could have gone to another more deserving player, like Wander Suero, who’s pitching anyway this offseason in the Dominican Republic.
However, what’s done is done, so I hope this does turn out to be Cordero’s chance to turn things around.