'I’ll just keep working here' - WooSox' Franchy Cordero stays upbeat while trying to play way back to Boston

WORCESTER — Most Red Sox fans, at least those on social media, wonder why the organization has an infatuation with Franchy Cordero. 

He’s described as a 4-A player, someone who can dominate at the Triple-A level, but struggles in the big leagues. That’s not necessarily the case with Cordero. Sure, his numbers with the Red Sox this season don’t jump off the page, but he did contribute during his stint in Boston.

He was optioned to Worcester after the Red Sox acquired Eric Hosmer at the trade deadline. In 72 games, Cordero hit .219 with 22 extra-base hits and 24 RBIs. He played 45 games at first base, 25 in right field, 9 in left field and 3 as the designated hitter.

Despite the transaction and his return to Polar Park, Cordero arrived here with a professional attitude and has been racking at the plate for the WooSox.

“It’s the only thing you can do,” Cordero said of his mindset. “We can’t come in here with a bad attitude and be upset that they sent me down. I’ll come here and continue to work and be ready for any situation. It’s baseball, and these things happen. I’ll just keep working here, and whenever they need me, I’ll be ready for it.”

At the time he was optioned, Cordero said he started to feel better at the plate and felt he was getting his rhythm back.

The left-handed hitter went 3 for 5 in his first game back, and then launched a massive 467-foot home run that cleared the batter’s eye in center field during Friday’s game. The best part is he has been leading off for the WooSox since the team doesn’t have a true leadoff man at the moment.

“My goodness. Unbelievable. It’s one of the longer ones (I’ve seen at Polar Park)," WooSox manager Chad Tracy said. "That thing was annihilated. That’s a pretty good leadoff hitter.” 

The WooSox finished with a 9-1 win over the Bulls Saturday, but Cordero went 0 for 4 with a walk. 

Cordero possesses several intangibles, including his love of the game, his personality and his willingness to do anything for his teammates. It’s common to see him hugging just about anyone he comes across on a daily basis. It’s no surprise the WooSox have been winning since he’s been back.

“That’s what everybody loves about him,” Tracy said. “Franchy went up there and helped them a lot the first couple of months he was there. He struggled a little bit recently, but everybody loves his outlook. He never stops working. He never stops being a good teammate.”

When Cordero walked into the clubhouse Thursday morning, he visited with Tracy and gave his manager a big hug. Cordero then made sure to check in with every WooSox teammate.

“That’s what endears him to people is the way he is and the way he is in the locker room with his teammates, and how coachable he is, and how much he works,” Tracy said. “There are no issues, or concerns with him whatsoever.”

Understandably, Cordero would rather be in Boston playing for the Red Sox. He also understands that if he has to play at the Triple-A level, then there’s no better place than Worcester.

“Playing here is awesome,” Cordero said. “The fans support us here, and your teammates have your back. It’s good to play here.”

—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey.