Ricardo Cabrera

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #12 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Cabrera was viewed as one of the most well-rounded hitters in the 2022 international class. So far, he’s lived up to that billing. After a modest debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2022, Cabrera was one of the best hitters in the Arizona Complex League in 2023, impressing scouts with his ability to string together quality at-bats. He finished in the top five in the league in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and stolen bases.
  
  Scouting Report: Cabrera is an infielder whose success will be dependent on his bat because his body is already thickening. While he played shortstop more than third base in 2023, he’s seen as a third baseman in the long-term. If he stays on top of his conditioning, he should be average defensively at the hot corner. His hands work well and he has a plus arm, but he doesn’t have much range. Cabrera has a relatively level swing thanks in part to short arms that help him control the barrel. Eventually he should get to more of his above-average power, though it might mostly manifest as doubles from gap to gap.
  
  The Future: Cabrera isn’t going to wow anyone defensively, but he should hit enough that it won’t matter. If his bat is as good as advertised, he could be a solid regular. After a brief taste of Low-A Daytona to end 2023, he should return there as one of the Tortugas’ stars in 2024.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #13 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Back before the pandemic virtually shut down international scouting for a time, Cabrera was already gaining notice as a youngster who didn't look out of place in games and workouts against players one and two years older than him. That made Cabrera's initial pro struggles so surprising. In his first month in the Dominican Summer League, Cabrera didn't hit at all (.120/.274/.200) and he committed 13 errors in 16 games. But in the final two months he hit .320/.410/.420 with 10 errors in 28 games.
  
  Scouting Report: Cabrera didn't show as much selectivity and contact skills as he had demonstrated on the amateur circuit. He was one of the younger players in the league and his short, direct swing should serve him well as he matures. He projects to have five average or better tools with a chance to stay at shortstop, depending on how he grows and fills out as he heads into his 20s. Cabrera's power is well below average right now, but projects to get to average. He should be an above-average hitter with an all-fields approach. He has plus speed, a plus arm and the hands/feet to be an average defender at shortstop.
  
  The Future: Cabrera is the most talented player the Reds have signed out of Venezuela in several years. As he comes to the U.S. he sits at the back of a log jam of shortstop prospects, but that shouldn't affect him in 2023, as the Reds' other shortstop prospects should all be in full season ball.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Field: 50. Run: 60. Arm: 60.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Back before the pandemic virtually shut down international scouting for a time, Cabrera was already gaining notice as a youngster who didn't look out of place in games and workouts against players one and two years older than him. That made Cabrera's initial pro struggles so surprising. In his first month in the Dominican Summer League, Cabrera didn't hit at all (.120/.274/.200) and he committed 13 errors in 16 games. But in the final two months he hit .320/.410/.420 with 10 errors in 28 games.
  
  Scouting Report: Cabrera didn't show as much selectivity and contact skills as he had demonstrated on the amateur circuit. He was one of the younger players in the league and his short, direct swing should serve him well as he matures. He projects to have five average or better tools with a chance to stay at shortstop, depending on how he grows and fills out as he heads into his 20s. Cabrera's power is well below average right now, but projects to get to average. He should be an above-average hitter with an all-fields approach. He has plus speed, a plus arm and the hands/feet to be an average defender at shortstop.
  
  The Future: Cabrera is the most talented player the Reds have signed out of Venezuela in several years. As he comes to the U.S. he sits at the back of a log jam of shortstop prospects, but that shouldn't affect him in 2023, as the Reds' other shortstop prospects should all be in full season ball.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Field: 50. Run: 60. Arm: 60.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Back before the pandemic virtually shut down international scouting for a time, Cabrera was already gaining notice as a youngster who didn't look out of place in games and workouts against players one and two years older than him. That made Cabrera's initial pro struggles so surprising. In his first month in the Dominican Summer League, Cabrera didn't hit at all (.120/.274/.200) and he committed 13 errors in 16 games. But in the final two months he hit .320/.410/.420 with 10 errors in 28 games.
  
  Scouting Report: Cabrera didn't show as much selectivity and contact skills as he had demonstrated on the amateur circuit. He was one of the younger players in the league and his short, direct swing should serve him well as he matures. He projects to have five average or better tools with a chance to stay at shortstop, depending on how he grows and fills out as he heads into his 20s. Cabrera's power is well below average right now, but projects to get to average. He should be an above-average hitter with an all-fields approach. He has plus speed, a plus arm and the hands/feet to be an average defender at shortstop.
  
  The Future: Cabrera is the most talented player the Reds have signed out of Venezuela in several years. As he comes to the U.S. he sits at the back of a log jam of shortstop prospects, but that shouldn't affect him in 2023, as the Reds' other shortstop prospects should all be in full season ball.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Field: 50. Run: 60. Arm: 60.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Cabrera stood out early on in the international scouting process, when as a 2021 prospect he was performing at a high level against 2020 and 2019 players. He developed into one of the elite players in Latin America for his class, joining the Reds when the signing period opened on Jan. 15, 2022.
  
  Scouting Report: For some scouts, Cabrera was the best Venezuelan prospect in his class. He&#39 s a well-rounded, relatively complete player for his age with a chance for five average or better tools. He&#39 s an advanced hitter with an all-fields approach and an innate knack for barreling the ball in games from a swing that&#39 s short, quick and direct to the ball. As he&#39 s gotten stronger, his power has started to emerge as well, with Cabrera getting to it naturally rather than having to get pull-happy and sell out for power. It&#39 s still mostly gap shots now, but with a chance to develop average or better power at maturity. Cabrera is athletic and a plus runner now, though that tool might back up as he fills out. He has a chance to stick at shortstop, but he has the plus arm and offensive profile to handle third base as well if necessary.
  
  The Future: Cabrera is the best player the Reds have signed out of Venezuela in several years, with similarities at the same age as Gleyber Torres. He will likely start his career in the Dominican Summer League.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 50.Fielding: 50. Arm: 60. Run: 50.