Mike Rabelo
| AB | 278 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .234 |
| OBP | .281 |
| SLG | .331 |
| HR | 4 |
- Full name Michael Gregory Rabelo
- Born 01/17/1980 in New Port Richey, FL
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: S / Throws: R
- School Tampa
- Debut 09/23/2006
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Drafted in the 4th round (117th overall) by the Detroit Tigers in 2001.
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There's no standout catcher in the college ranks this year, and Rabelo has a chance to be the first one drafted. The only Division II player invited to try out for Team USA in 2000, he has learned to switch-hit this spring, boosting his average from .278 as a sophomore to .367. He has yet to show the power expected of a 6-foot-1, 205-pounder, but he does have strength. Rabelo's catch-and-throw skills were considered ahead of his bat entering 2001, and they haven't slipped.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The late-season trade of 2005 third-round pick Chris Robinson to the Cubs left Rabelo as Detroit's only legitimate catching prospect. Rabelo has shown significant improvement over the last two seasons and had a breakthrough year with the bat in 2006. He had a solid season at Double-A, earned a promotion to Triple-A and finished the year with the Tigers as a September callup. He has all the hallmarks of a late-blooming catcher. Rabelo only began switch-hitting during his final season of college baseball, after he struggled to hit sliders from righthanders. Now his ability to hit from either side of the plate is helping his big league marketability. He doesn't have a lot of power but he showed a more respectable amount last year. Much of his value comes from being an athletic catcher who calls a good game, throws well and blocks balls. He threw out 39 percent of basestealers last year. He also has experience catching the Tigers' young power pitchers, many of whom are in the big leagues or will be soon, which should ease his transition to the majors. He projects as a big league backup, but he may not get that chance in Detroit soon. The Tigers signed Vance Wilson to a two-year extension, so it's likely that Rabelo will return to Triple-A in 2007. -
Rabelo was arguably as good as any college catching prospect in the 2001 draft. He blossomed offensively last spring after learning to switch-hit in college. He continued to hit in his pro debut. Rabelo hits the ball hard and uses the entire field, but he doesn't have much power at this stage. He does have good balance in his stance from both sides of the plate. His key will be cutting down on his strikeouts, increasing his walks and developing more strength so the line drives he hits now for singles find their way into the gaps for doubles and triples. A pitcher in high school, Rabelo didn't catch until college and still is smoothing out his defensive game. His arm isn't overly strong and he threw out just 26 percent of basestealers in the New York-Penn League. If he makes it to the big leagues, it will be his bat that gets him there.
