Ryan Cordell

Position: OF
Born: 3/31/1992
Ht: 6’4″ Wt: 195 lb B-T: R-R
Acquired: Received from Milwaukee Brewers in Anthony Swarzak trade, July 2017
Career Stats

FutureSox Prospect Rankings

  • #23 – 2017 Midseason
  • #20 – 2018 Preseason

FutureSox Media

Accolades

  • Northwest League All-Star, 2013 Midseason
  • California League All-Star, 2015 Midseason
  • Texas League All-Star, 2016 Midseason
  • Texas League All-Star, 2016 Postseason

Scouting Report

Cordell was drafted in the 11th round of the 2013 draft by the Texas Rangers. His first two full seasons of pro ball were successes. He earned midseason promotions and reached Double-A in 2015 at 23 years old.

In Sept. of 2016 the Rangers shipped him to Milwaukee in the Jonathan Lucroy trade as a player to be named later. He started 2017 at the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate in Colorado Springs before the White Sox acquired him in July. He was sporting a gaudy line of .284/.349/.506 in 68 games. However, the Pacific Coast League is a notorious hitters’ league. He had 10 homers to go with a .wOBA of .366 and a 116 wRC+ in 68 games played. Colorado Springs is very hitter-friendly, and Cordell had an OPS of 1.059 at Security Service Field and just a .673 OPS on the road.

He was actually injured and on the disabled list with the Sox acquired him (back issue), and did not play in the White Sox organization in 2017. Ryan opened 2018 at Triple-A Charlotte after a strong showing in spring training, but then broke his collar bone on a collision with the outfield wall in April. He returned to games in late July and hit well enough to earn his first MLB call-up, but his showing with the White Sox was less than stellar. He hit .108 with 15 K in 40 PA.

Cordell stood out for his athleticism and tools and has the bat speed and strength to hit for power from the right side. He struggles to control the strike zone at times and has swing and miss tendencies. He has plus speed and seems to be an efficient base stealing threat. Cordell played six positions while in the Texas organization, but the Brewers played him exclusively in the outfield. MLB Pipeline believes that he is rangy enough to stick in CF but he profiles as an “ideal 4th OF.” After arriving in Milwaukee, the outfielder lowered where he loads his hands and slowed down his stride. This helped him tap into his bat speed and allowed for pull power in games.