PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Padres selected Allen Cordoba in December's Rule 5 Draft for his talent and his potential. At 21, Cordoba already has the body of a big leaguer, and he's coming off back-to-back batting titles in the Gulf Coast League and the Appalachian League, respectively.
Ultimately, however, it's Cordoba's versatility that could be his biggest asset -- at least in terms of his long-term chances to stick with the club.
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Cordoba, who spent his first four professional seasons in the Cardinals' system, has seen time at second, third, short and in the outfield this spring.
"What drew us to him in the first place was just his overall athleticism," Padres manager Andy Green said. "That gives him a fighting chance to make the roster. He can run, so he's a pinch-runner. He's looking at that 25th spot on the roster, and he's fighting hard."
Added Cordoba (through an interpreter): "It gives the team depth. One day I could be in the infield, one day I could be in the outfield. Whatever it is, on any team, someone like me is able to help for that reason, because it gives you flexibility."
Cordoba is well aware of how that flexibility might affect his Major League chances. To his credit, he's embraced the role.
"It's something I'd do back in Panama," Cordoba said. "I'd play center, left, short; I'd even pitch sometimes. I like being able to do all that and get experience, and obviously be able to do whatever the team needs."
In 41 spring at-bats, Cordoba is hitting just .163. He's still never played a regular-season game above rookie ball. Among the three Rule 5 selections on the Padres' roster, he probably faces the biggest uphill climb.
Per the Rule 5 stipulations, if Cordoba doesn't remain with the big league club for the duration of the season, San Diego must offer him back to his original club.
When it happened, the Cordoba selection came as a bit of a surprise. He was in the midst of a team workout and was removed and informed he had been acquired by another team. At the time, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak seemed to think there was a good chance Cordoba would return.
"It's very challenging to keep someone who has been on a short-season club on a Major League roster," Mozeliak said immediately following December's Draft. "A team that had the space and might not be trying to contend this year can roll the dice. But I still think there's a pretty good chance we get him back."
With 10 days remaining until the start of the season, the Padres remain bullish on Cordoba, who is 4-for-14 since March 19.
"He's played better in the last week," Green said. "Early in camp, it was a struggle for him trying to acclimate to the pace of the game from the rookie-ball game. That's a huge jump. But he's shown up every day, and he's worked incredibly hard. He's getting more and more comfortable."