PCL notes: Cordell comfortable in new system

Ryan Cordell didn't get to make his debut with the Milwaukee Brewers organization the same year they acquired him from the Texas Rangers.
Cordell was the player to be named later in the trade that sent Jonathan Lucroy to Arlington, but he was rehabbing a high ankle sprain that had cut short his 2016 season at just 107 games with Double-A Frisco.

It's taken little time for Cordell to show just why the Brewers were willing to take a chance on an injured player. The outfielder is off to a hot start with Colorado Springs, batting .297/.366/.515 with six home runs and 28 RBIs through Sunday.
"It's been great -- they've treated me great since I got over here," Cordell said. "A lot of great coaches, great teammates so far."
The Brewers' No. 16 prospect, Cordell shares a talented Sky Sox outfield with Lewis Brinson (No. 1) and Brett Phillips (No. 10).
"It's great to be a part of a team with guys who can really swing it," Cordell said. "They say hitting is contagious and I think that's true. We've shared that so far this year."
Overall, Cordell has noticed all the ways the Brewers handle things differently than the Rangers.
"It's a little bit different here, a little bit younger," Cordell said. "It's a little more laid-back. They just want you to go out and get the most out of your potential, take the handcuffs off and just kind of go out and play your game. I've enjoyed that since I came over here."
Brinson also came over in the Lucroy trade from the Rangers.
"It's good, obviously, to have someone you know, somebody you're close with," Cordell said. "We've played together the last three years."

Cordell has alternated between left and right field while also still seeing the occasional start at third base, a position he played in the past in Texas.
"I've always felt comfortable in the outfield -- that's what I did in college [at Liberty Universty] and then my first couple years in pro ball," Cordell said. "I've played some third base recently. I'm trying every day to go out and get better.
"I don't think I'll be playing over there [at third] every day, but the more comfortable I can get, the more versatile I can get, the better."
Getting to Milwaukee will not be easy as the Brewers already have Ryan Braun, Hernán Pérez, Keon Broxton and Domingo Santana in the outfield, while Travis Shaw mans third base. Still, things can change quickly in baseball, something Cordell already knows.
"I feel healthy -- that's the most important thing," he said. "The baseball side will come with more reps, seeing more pitches. There's definitely some things I'm still working on and waiting to show up in games."
For now, Cordell will focus on helping the Sky Sox maintain their strong start to the season. They were 28-18 through Sunday, leading the PCL American Northern Division by three games over Oklahoma City.
"Obviously you want to be on a team that wins -- it's a lot more fun," Cordell said. "That's something that from the beginning of Spring Training, [Milwaukee manager Craig] Counsell preached come in and be a good teammate and try to win every day. Do whatever you can to help the team win. We took that method into the season and it's worked out so far."

In brief

Ruff start: Second baseman Carlos Asuaje was part of a veteran-for-prospects trade after the 2015 season between the Red Sox and Padres involving Craig Kimbrel. After excelling last season with El Paso when he had 52 extra-base hits, San Diego's No. 9 prospect has hit just .224/.337/.321 with 10 extra-base hits in a second go-around with the Chihuahuas.
Walker wallops: Outfielder/first baseman Christian Walker was not part of a trade but a series of waiver claims during the 2016-17 offseason, moving from the Orioles to the Braves to the Reds and finally to the D-backs. Walker has looked to be quite a good investment, batting .289/.356/.594 with 14 home runs and a Minor League-best 52 RBIs with Reno.
Riding out rough waters: Five years after he was drafted, the Miami Marlins finally got to see right-hander Drew Steckenrider make his MLB debut. The reliever and No. 8 prospect only pitched in one game before being sent back down, but he has dominated for New Orleans, posting a 1.16 ERA and striking out 29 batters in 23 1/3 innings.