The Rule-5 Draft is an event that takes place annually at the Winter Meeting in December. Its intent is to give minor league talent an opportunity to shine in an organization that has the means to use them more so than their current one. The drawback is the new team has to carry that player on the 25 man roster for the entire next season. The San Diego Padres are gambling in carrying three Rule-5 draftees. Allen Cordoba, the best of the group so far, hasn’t played above Rookie Ball.

Allen Cordoba Leads 2016 Rule-5 Class

A.J. Preller came away as the clear winner of the most recent draft. He took St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Allen Cordoba with their pick at number three. Preller also crafted two trades that brought in picks one and two in Miguel Díaz and Luis Torrens after the fact. As soon as they came over, they were immediately recognized on the San Diego Padres top-30 prospects list. Cordoba is the only one that still remains on the list at 27.

All three survived the spring and were kept on the Opening Day roster. Now that the season is three weeks young, Cordoba is showing he’s a talent worth keeping on the 25-man roster for the duration of 2017.

The 21-year-old has seen action in 12 games to date. He’s garnered 22 plate appearances in that span. He’s 6-for-20 with a home run, and three runs scored. That play is good for a .300/.364/.450 clip. His first MLB hit was earned off Madison Bumgarner.

Not bad for a rookie who’s never played above Rookie Ball. He’s not just the best performing of the three, but of all 2016 Rule-5 draftees so far.

Cordoba has played some innings at shortstop and second base. Cordoba has mostly seen left field so far, and he’s done well enough in the 28.2 innings he’s played there. The San Diego Padres needed an impact outfielder heading into the winter. It’s just that much better that it’s come from a source nobody expected.

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