Cons are not infantry they are fodder 
They are as much of a fooder as grenadiers of rifleman.
Penals are decent what you on about? They have sick damage and the flamers rape, not to mention satchels!
Decent against what? Volks? Because that is pretty much all they are able to beat on their own without inciredible positional advantage.
Ofc they are squishy but their damage is decent, combined with a M3 they rape until late game.
No, not really, not even close.
And it won't change until LMG infantry meta lasts.
Short ranged infantry with no armor have currently absolutely no place in game, even osttruppen are in better spot for that when we talk cost effectiveness.