Edward Cabrera

Position: RHSP
Level: Class A
Affiliate: Greensboro Grasshoppers
League: South Atlantic League
Born: 04/13/1998 (Age: 25)
Height: 6'4''
Weight: 175
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: Signed as international free agent, 7/2/2015 (MIA)

Prospect Spotlight

Cabrera signed with the Marlins in 2015 for $100K from the Dominican. Now 20-years-old, the righty stands 6’4’’ and 175 pounds with lots of room to add strength. He pitches from a semi-windup, using a simple one-step motion into a waist-high leg-lift, turning away from the hitter before uncoiling down the mound. His whippy ¾ slot comes through with plus arm-speed and generates big velocity.

Cabrera reached 97 with the heater early in my early June viewing, settling in at 93-to-95 mph later in the start. It’s a lively pitch that gets on hitters quickly with run, though he’ll flatten out when working at the highest end of his velocity range. His present issues repeating the delivery show up in his fastball command, as Cabrera often sails it high and to the armside without much ability to locate to spots within the zone. A sweepy slurve at 77-to-81 mph is the primary off-speed pitch; it shows flashes of depth at times, but he will need to add power and consistency to the pitch to make it a true slider that can play average against advanced hitters. Like many teenage power arms, Cabrera’s changeup is in the nascent stages. He threw less than five in the game I saw him and didn’t show much present feel for the pitch, slowing down his arm at release and tipping the change.

Given his age and projectable frame, Cabrera’s easy plus velocity and flashes of spin make him a prospect. Miami will give him every chance to start long-term—and the ceiling is that of a #4 rotation piece—but with this much rawness and limited command and secondary pitches, Cabrera’s toolset often takes to a bullpen role. He’s still numerous years away from the big leagues, and there’s plenty of risk despite tantalizing ingredients.