Edwar Cabrera Stats & Scouting Report

IP	5
ERA	12.6
WHIP	3.2
BB/9	12.6
SO/9	9

Full name Edwar Alfonso Cabrera
Born 10/20/1987 in Bani, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: L / Throws: L
Debut 06/27/2012

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Rockies needed a starter on June 27 and promoted Cabrera from Tulsa, where he had pitched well, to face the Nationals at Coors Field. He was knocked out in the third inning and was quickly optioned to Triple-A. He got another chance on July 24 at Arizona and didn't make it through the fourth. He went back down to Colorado Springs, where his season ended Aug. 3 due to an oblique strain, compounded by elbow soreness. As his big league time showed, Cabrera badly needs to develop a third pitch. His best attributes are an outstanding changeup and a fearless mindset. His 87-91 mph fastball is nothing special--though that didn't prevent him from leading the minors with 217 strikeouts in 2011--and he must command it better. His curveball has improved marginally but remains below average. He either needs to develop that pitch or a cutter and learn to work both sides of the plate. He's very good pitching to his arm side but needs to get better to his glove side, which will make his already formidable changeup that much better. With improved fastball command and an average third pitch, Cabrera profiles as a No. 4 or 5 starter. He'll get an opportunity to make the big league staff in spring training but more likely will get more time in Triple-A.
After leading the short-season Northwest League with 87 strikeouts in 73 innings in 2010, his first full year in the United States, Cabrera was even more impressive in his first taste of full-season ball. Splitting 2011 between Asheville and Modesto, he led the minors with 217 whiffs while walking just 41 in 167 innings, earning a spot on Colorado's 40-man roster. Scouts still question how dominant he'll be against more advanced hitters because his out pitch is a superb changeup. He sells his changeup with quality arm speed and has the confidence to throw the pitch in any count. Cabrera's fastball runs from 87-91 mph, and he tends to work the outer half of the plate with it. He'll need to come inside more with his fastball against better hitters so he can set them up for his changeup away. His curveball is below average, though to his credit he focused on trying to improve it in instructional league. Cabrera profiles as a No. 4 or 5 starter in the big leagues. He'll begin 2012 in Double-A and will be pushed because of his age. There are whispers that he spent time in the Twins system before the Rockies signed him in March 2008 and that he's older than 24.
An older Latin American signee--he was a few months shy of 21 when the Rockies signed him in 2008-- Cabrera pitched his way to the United States in his first professional season. After back-to-back seasons spent in Rookie ball, Cabrera made the move to Tri-City in 2010 and led the short-season Northwest League in strikeouts (87) and strikeouts per nine innings (10.7). He has a solid fastball that sits at 91-92 mph, and his out pitch is a changeup he can throw in any count. He understands how to set up the changeup, and has been able to replicate his fastball delivery when throwing the pitch. Cabrera is still working to refine and focus on a breaking pitch he is going to need to be a starter at higher levels, but he has flashed some ability to spin the ball. Cabrera is projected to move to low Class A in 2011.

Minor League Top Prospects

It took Cabrera three years to get to full-season ball after the Rockies signed him, but he has moved quickly since then. He led the minors with 217 strikeouts in 2011, then jumped from Double-A to the big leagues at the end of June. He got pounded in two starts in Colorado and spent most of the rest of the season in Triple-A, where he had a 3.41 ERA in six starts. Cabrera's best pitch is a changeup that's one of the best in the minors, a legitimate swing-and-miss offering with great deception. His fastball usually ranges from 88-92 mph with sink, and his curveball has good bite. He has strong command of all of his pitches and goes right after hitters. Because he's a command-oriented pitcher whose only true out pitch is his changeup, scouts still wonder if Cabrera will be able to get consistent outs in the majors. If he doesn't keep the ball down, it tends to leave the ballpark. Still, he could be an innings-eater at the back of a rotation.