José Cordero

José Angel Cordero Valdés

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 230 lb.
• Born August 7, 1983 in La Habana, Cuba

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Relief pitcher José Cordero was with the Metropolitanos of the Cuban National Series for three seasons. He was 6-6 with 8 saves in 67 games (four starts). He allowed a .285 average and 77 walks in 113 1/3 innings while striking out 51; his ERA was 5.16.

Cordero defected to the U.S. in October 2004 with Yunel Escobar, Yamel Guevara, Johan Limonta, Rafael Galbizo, and Joel Perez. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 44th round of the 2005 Amateur Draft, one pick before Chase d'Arnaud. Cordero spent two seasons in their farm system, peaking at A Beloit. He then spent the next three years in various independent leagues.

Cordero split 2005 between the GCL Twins (0-2, Sv, 2.25 in 12 G) and Beloit (0-1, Sv, 4.70 in 7 G). In 2006, the right-hander was 3-2 with a save, 4.24 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 51 innings. Cordero was with the Laredo Broncos (6-6, 5.74) and Sioux City Explorers (0-2, 5.87) in 2007. He was third in the United League in walks (67), third in strikeouts (121), first in hit batsmen (20), tied for the most earned runs allowed (68) and was sixth in runs allowed.

In 2008, José pitched for both Laredo (0-1, 7 R in 2 1/3 IP) and the Grand Prairie AirHogs (4-4, 3.49). He was with Grand Prairie again in 2009, at 4-5, 4.92. Through that stint, his minor league record was 17-23, 3 Sv, 4.78, slightly better than his track record from Cuba.