Damian
Cordero

Damian Cordero, Highland Aquinas (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/2B Left side of INF profile defender with SS potential, strong offensive toolset/performance, interesting ceiling
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds. Athletic build with emerging strength in frame
Hit: RHH. Slightly closed stance with knee bend and hip hinge, balanced base, high back elbow, hands set between ear height and shoulder height, flat bat angle Double toe tap load with coil in front hip, front foot loads back as he sits into hip, controlled forward move to launch, small hand push back to separate from body, taller posture in turn, hips rotate quickly, rear shoulder drives through contact, hands are direct with barrel working uphill through the zone 69.9 mph bat speed with 16 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 92.1 mph. 375' max distance. Strong top end EV with consistent hard contact, shows loft in contactg profile with HR potential to pull gap-line, doubles to opposite field
Arm: RH. INF-87 mph. Arm shows potential to stick at SS with length at times, but accuracy/carry both play on left side
Defense: Easy mover with feet showing rhythm, plays with low hips, hands are soft and smooth, plays in rhythm, clean quick transfers
ATH: 7.16 runner in the 60. 1.69 and 3.95 in the 10 and 30 yard splits. Explosive off the line with ability to build speed quickly, short strider 22.30 max vertical.
Vizual Edge: 64.82 Edge Score

Cordero entered the event as the highest ranked player attending across the three different grad classes at AVC. The Inland Empire product lived up to his present billing of ability if not even exceeded it a bit with his overall performance. Showing solid present athletic ability with a 7.1 range 60 yard dash time (running into a stiff wind of over 20+ MPH) he has the athletic ability to stick up the middle as an INF defender. His actions, smooth hands, bouncy footwork and present 87 MPH INF arm velocity with accuracy to the bag was on display during the workout and sim game where he looks the part of a potential long term SS who can capably handle the other two INF spots, if necessary. During the batting practice portion of the day his 98 MPH max exit velocity was amongst the top three of players in attendance while his 92.1 MPH average EV was good for second best. The swing itself for Cordero possesses several interesting traits that produce now as a high school player, but bode well for his future including 22.7 MPH hand speed, 74.4 MPH bat speed, and the ability to generate torque in his turn with 18.7 Gs of rotational acceleration. While the workout was impressive for Cordero it wasn't the sole reason he appears as one of the top players at the event because he backed it up with his sim game performance. Damian tapped into his offensive impact by launching a ball to LCF for a triple (which if the wind had not been blowing out towards RF likely would have had a strong chance of leaving the yard. A transfer into the powerhouse Aquinas High School program after two strong years at Yucaipa High School in the Inland Empire Cordero is a must name to know for the 2027 recruiting class.

Damian Cordero, Yucaipa (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Athletic frame with some present strength.
Hit: RHH. Even stance with hands by his shoulder. Big leg kick, leans weight on back leg. Consistently pulls the ball in the air.
Power: Turns on the ball quickly.
Arm: RH. INF-81 mph. High three quarters release.
Defense: Fluid, natural footwork through the play.
ATH: Short small strides.

Damian Cordero, Yucaipa (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Small athletic frame
Hit: RHH. Even stance with wider stance and weight slightly heavier on backside with a small knee bend. Hands are set just above the rear shoulder with a low back elbow. Bat angle is flat behind head with waggle. Small leg lift with a hang in the back hip while loading his hands back and barrel tips towards the pitcher. Smooth foot strike with balance at launch with consistent feel for timing. Rotates well in the turn with tilt in the finish that allows him to show leverage/lift in the bat path. Flashes a natural feel for the barrel with a middle to pull approach. 68.1 mph bat speed with 15 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 82.8 mph. 341' max distance. Shows present HR power from LCF-LF line with an easy swing. Natural feel to get the ball in the air with carry. Will continue to add as he matures.
Arm: RH. INF-82 mph. Arm path is short and quick with plenty of strength to the ball out of the hand. Needs to polish feel for release point but throws are online.
Defense: Smooth fluid defender who plays low with clean actions and a natural feel for INF play. Can play laterally and downhill while showing comfort playing with 1 and 2 hands.
ATH: 7.57 runner in the 60. Good burst off the line with quickness.

Physical: 5-6, 120 pounds; Smaller, lean build. Has filled out a bit since last viewing. 7.86 runner in the 60.

Offensively: RHH. Open and narrow set feet in stance. Present rhythm with hands/feet. Minimal negative move. Smaller leg lift trigger. Trouble finding barrel in BP.  Deeper contact points. Slots barrel early. Steep-flat path. More GBs than FBs/LDs in his two BP rounds. Balanced finish. Average bat speed. Had a LD single to left in game action. 

Defensively: INF - 72 MPH. Smooth/athletic actions. Uses a prep hop. Moves well taking good angles while working in a good fielding position. Soft hands. Light feet. Quick glove-to-hand. Present heel-to-toe footwork. Clean DP feeds. Shorter AA. Easy effort. Ability to change angles and throw on the run. Showing early ability to stay up the middle. 

Physical: 5-6, 120 pounds; Smaller, lean build. 7.77 runner in the 60.

Offensively: RHH. Slightly open setup, with feet shoulder width apart; flat bat to start. Short take back with the hands with a toe-tap for timing. Stays behind the ball while showing an average effort from the legs. Showed a direct swing path with a two handed finish.  More ground balls than line drives and fly balls with a peak exit velocity of 85 MPH via Trackman. Loads slow and early. Present rhythm with hands in load. Consistently on time. Present scissor with back leg. Inside out ability. Average bat speed for level.

Defensively: INF - 77 MPH. Advanced actions for a '27. Uses a prep hop. Soft hands. Quick out the glove. Clean funnel. Present quickness with feet that play through the ball. Average arm strength but gets off throws quickly. Shorter arm action. Good DP feeds. Present accuracy.