Lorenzo Cain Stats & Scouting Report

AB	4314
AVG	.283
OBP	.343
SLG	.407
HR	87

Full name Lorenzo Lamar Cain
Born 04/13/1986 in Valdosta, GA
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 214 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Tallahassee CC
Debut 07/16/2010
Drafted in the 17th round (496th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Brewers had hoped that Cain would put himself in position to take over from Mike Cameron in center field in 2010. But Cain seriously sprained his left knee diving for a fly ball in April and missed half the 2009 season. He wasn't the same, at the plate or in the field, when he returned in late June. Cain stands out most with his athleticism and speed. Moved from right field to center in 2008, he uses his quickness and long legs to gobble up ground in the field and on the basepaths. Still filling out and getting stronger, he shows flashes of power but is mostly a gap hitter. He has a strong arm, especially for a center fielder. Cain still has to work on his plate discipline, though it has improved. He didn't play baseball until high school and therefore lacks advanced instincts, but his athletic ability helps cover him. He could be a more prolific and successful basestealer. Cain's lost season left the Brewers in a quandary about what to do in center field for 2010, one they addressed by trading J.J. Hardy to the Twins for Carlos Gomez. Cain has yet to prove himself in Triple-A, and now Gomez could block him for the long term.
After they included Matt LaPorta in the C.C. Sabathia trade in July, the Brewers promoted Cain to replace him in Huntsville. He performed so well that Milwaukee moved him on to Triple-A and the Arizona Fall League. They also committed to playing him in center field after he primarily played in right in the past. Cain is an impressive athlete. He runs well, giving him the range for center field and making him a threat on the basepaths. He has the potential to hit 20 homers per year, though most of his power comes to the gaps now. He owns solid arm strength as well. Cain's power wasn't ideal for a corner outfielder, but it's less of an issue in center field. He's still learning to be patient at the plate, though he's not terribly aggressive. He didn't start playing baseball until high school, so he's not the most instinctive player. Cain might have to go back to Huntsville to open 2009, but the Brewers hope he'll be ready for Triple-A at some point during the season. With Michael Brantley going to Cleveland as part of the Sabathia deal, Cain is easily the most advanced center-field prospect in the system.
A draft-and-follow who won MVP honors in the Rookie-level Arizona League in his 2005 pro debut, Cain continues to show all-around tools. Like many Brewers prospects, his production suffered going from West Virginia to Brevard County, where prevailing winds hold down offense, but Cain adjusted nicely. Cain's power is mostly to the gaps now, but the Brewers expect him to develop above-average home run pop as he develops physically and gets more game experience. He's a plus runner who's a threat on the bases. A solid defender in right field with a decent arm, he can play center in a pinch. Cain needs to continue working on his plate discipline so he can draw more walks and put himself in position to get pitches he can hammer. He's still wiry and needs to add weight and strength. He didn't play baseball until high school and still is honing his baseball instincts. Cain's numbers should rebound at Double-A in 2008. Some Brewers officials liken him to Corey Hart, who had a breakthrough season in 2007, and think he's on the verge of making a similar move in the minors.
After signing as a draft-and-follow in 2005, Cain claimed Arizona League MVP honors in his pro debut. He followed up by leading the low Class A South Atlantic League in hits in 2006. As his wiry frame continues to fill out, Cain shows flashes of five-tool potential. He has a quick bat with projectable power potential, though his pop primarily comes to the gaps right now. He's a plus runner and a solid defensive outfielder with average arm strength. He shifted from center to right field last year. A bit of a free swinger, Cain is prone to strikeouts at times and still is learning the nuances of hitting. He tends to be pull-conscious and has worked with West Virginia hitting coach Mike Lum to use the whole field. Cain didn't play baseball until he was in high school and remains raw in all phases of the game. Once Cain develops physically and gains experience, the Brewers believe he could be something special. He'll move up to high Class A in 2007.
Another one of the Brewers' intriguing outfield prospects, Cain played some center field en route to winning the Arizona League MVP award. However, he profiles more as a corner outfielder and has enough bat to play there. A draft-and-follow, Cain advanced quickly working with AZL hitting coach Joel Youngblood and proved both willing to listen and able to take what he'd learned and apply it quickly. His naturally quick bat is his best tool, and his bat speed and wiry frame have the organization projecting him to hit for future power. He's a plus runner as well and has an average arm. Cain's approach at the plate remains raw, from pitch recognition to his set-up and swing. He had an exaggerated leg kick when he first joined the organization, but toned it down after Milwaukee broke him down on video and showed him just how much of a timing problem the leg kick was causing. He spent much of instructional league working to quiet his approach, with positive results. Cain won't be a fast mover, especially considering the organization's current outfield glut. He has work to do refining such aspects of his game as outfield routes, basestealing and his approach at the plate. He'll have to have a big spring to ensure a spot in full-season ball.

Minor League Top Prospects

The MVP of the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2005, Cain led the SAL in hits (162) and finished third in the batting race (.307). He has a good contact approach that he uses to pepper line drives from gap to gap. In quieting down the load to his swing, he has discovered a solid rhythm and has learned to trust his extremely quick hands. Cain still has trouble with changeups and can be pitched hard and inside. He has plus speed and probably could handle center field, where his bat would profile better, but the presence of speedster Darren Ford in West Virginia kept Cain in right. He could use work on charging ground balls.
Cain was the league's MVP after leading the league in runs, hits, doubles, extra-base hits and slugging percentage while finishing second in the batting race. It was a remarkable season for a player who played little baseball in high school and was an obscure 2004 draft-and-follow of the Brewers. "He came out of nowhere and showed more improvement in all areas than any player in the league," Brewers manager Mike Guerrero said. "He's got a chance to be a five-tool player." Cain got the bat knocked out of his hands in extended spring training and at the start of the AZL season, but developed into a tough out under the tutelage of hitting coach Joel Youngblood. He should hit with power when he fills out his tall, wiry body, learns to hit breaking balls and develops plate discipline. An average defender with an average arm, Cain played mostly right field this season but moved to center when the more refined Michael Brantley was promoted late in the season. Cain has above-average speed, particularly going from first to third.