WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2008
VSL:  264/367/404, 178 AB, 16 2B, 3 HR, 28 BB, 27 K, 5-5 SB

Cabrera had a good debut in VSL, hitting for decent average with doubles power and good plate discipline.  He had one more walk than strikeout and threw out 40% of base stealers.

2009
VSL:  312/400/468, 77 AB, 6 2B, 2 HR, 12 BB, 11 K, 1-3 SB
R:  291/372/417, 127 AB, 11 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 16 BB, 16 K, 2-3 SB

Opened the season back in VSL and hit well in 20 games, but once the GCL season began he moved to the baby Bucs.  He continued to hit for average with doubles power and a very good eye at the plate, with the same number of walks as Ks.  He threw out 35% of base stealers in the VSL and 29% in the GCL.

2010
A:  269/312/342, 342 AB, 14 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 22 BB, 42 K, 3-7 SB

Cabrera spent the year as the primary catcher at West Virginia.  He hit for a respectable average and made very good contact, fanning only once every eight and a half ABs, but the lack of power and walks left him with weak offensive numbers.  He also started having more problems with base stealers, throwing out only 21%.  That was a good deal below the two catchers who backed him up at different points during the year.  Opponents tried to steal on him 158 times in 90 games, which was an above average frequency for the league, although not by a great deal.  He was solid otherwise behind the plate, with a PB total (12) that wasn’t bad.

2011
A+:  343/410/471, 327 AB, 25 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR, 38 BB, 29 K, 5-6 SB

At Bradenton, Cabrera had a big year, winning the FSL batting title, a rarity for a catcher.  He struck out fewer than one time every eleven ABs and walked easily more than he fanned.  He played in only two-thirds of the Marauders’ games, due to several factors:  rehab stints by Chris Snyder and Ryan Doumit; the need for increased playing time for backup catcher Carlos Paulino, who had a big season of his own; and a couple minor injuries.  Cabrera had no platoon split at all.  Defensively, he struggled, throwing out only 13% of base stealers.  It can’t be blamed on the pitchers, as Paulino threw out 29% and teams tried to steal on Cabrera about 50% more often than they did on Paulino.  Cabrera also had 14 passed balls in 78 games, which was a high rate for the league.

Cabrera played the 2011 season at age 21, which is a good age for the FSL.  He makes an interesting pairing with Paulino, who’s better defensively but not quite as good offensively.  The Pirates could have a catching crunch at Altoona in 2012, as both Cabrera and Paulino deserve promotions, but Altoona’s 2011 catcher, Tony Sanchez, does not.