Gustavo Cabrera, OF. DOB: 1/26/1996. B-R, T-R. 6'2", 190 lbs.
2013 DSL: .247/.379/.360, 2 HR, 21 SB, 13.1 BB%, 23.6 K%.
2014 DNP(injury)
If I knew for sure that Gustavo Cabrera's hand was completely healed and 100% functional, I might have ranked him #1 overall. I believe his ceiling is that high. As it is, I really had no idea where to rank him. There seemed to be a natural break in the list here at #15 so I stuck him in there. Cabrera is the most recent $1 M+ international bonus baby to sign with the Giants back in 2012. He made his pro debut with the DSL Giants in 2013 and got off to a slow start, but really came on in the month of August with a .340/.379/.566 line for his monthly split.
Hopes were obviously high for a stateside debut in 2014, then disaster struck. While home in the DR on a break, he was involved in some kind of accident inside his own home where he put his hand through a glass table nearly severing it at the wrist. He was rushed by the Giants to San Francisco where he underwent reconstructive surgery. 2014 was likely out of the question and his entire career was in jeopardy. The good news is he showed up at instructional league in Arizona this fall where he both batted and played in the field. I was able to find some still photos of him actually transferring a ball to his right hand and throwing with no apparent deformity of the right hand or wrist. He reportedly has full sensation in the hand.
In the photos, he still has that huge upper body and shoulders sitting on top of a sprinters waist and legs. The comp that always pops into my head when I see pictures of Gustavo is a young Justin Upton. I would expect him to make his stateside debut in the Rookie Arizona League for his age 19 season, but for whatever it's worth, he is currently listed on the Augusta roster. His progress will be a story to watch closely in 2015. The sky is the limit!
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Don't get me wrong. I am excited about any Giant who could be a superstar in this league. I guess I just do not know enough about Cabrera to really form an opinion. His numbers on the surface don't really jump out at me. I do love the 4 3B and 21 SB, so I know he has speed. Could he be the next CF after Pagan? 2015 will not necessarily be the test for me because I know he is still recovering from injury. He is young and has time. I am very optimistic about him. Hopefully in the next 2 seasons we will know if he is the next big thing or not. I am also excited for our other OF prospects: Williamson, Carbonell, Slater and Horan. I still have not completely given up on Jarrett Parker and thinks he possibly could be called up for any type of injury. I don't think Parker's ceiling is a starter but I think he could be a bench player because he has power. Either way we have a lot to look for in our system this year.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is realistic to expect Cabrera to be THE replacement for Pagan in 2016. No point in trying to rush a kid who would be just 21 yo by 2017. Cabrera is more about future talent. If he develops into what I think is possible, it won't matter who is playing CF or RF, be it 2018 or 2019 or 2020. There will be a place for him to play.
DeleteBTW, although his stock is clearly down, I would not totally give up on Gary Brown. I could even see him contributing in 2015 if the right or wrong things happen, depending on your point of view.
If he plays in Augusta in 2015 like you posted I don't think it is totally impossible to think he couldn't be on the big league squad in 2017. I understand about taking it slow on some prospects but on others it is good for them. Bumgarner, Trout and Harper to name a few.
DeleteBrown can still contribute but I see him more as a role player and no longer a starter
Winter rosters do not necessarily predict spring assignments, but even if Cabrera plays in Augusta in 2015, it is still a stretch to think he would be MLB ready by 2017.
DeleteI think it is pretty obvious that it will take an injury or 3 for Brown to get a shot, but stranger things have happened.
Cabrera's injury was one of the biggest bummers I've ever seen as a Gint prospect hound. Here's hoping it is a full recovery and he can play a full season.
ReplyDeleteI notice people don't talk much about Brown any more... I remember last year, maybe the year before, at this time, I looked at some Top-20 list and Brown was #1 and had a '2014 MLB arrival' projection.
ReplyDeleteFunny how things change.
"Prospects will break your heart"
DeleteWords to live by in the baseball universe.
-R
2-3 rocky seasons in a row and it is going to ruin any prospect's status. Him and Rafael Rodriguez should hang out.
ReplyDeleteFoppert and Noah Lowry's injuries hurt more than Gustavo to me. I am really excited about Gustavo this year and beyond.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I hear ya! At least Cabrera still has a shot at a very good career if he makes a full recovery and reaches his potential. Foppert's story just broke my heart as a Giants fan... he had so much promise and never really had a chance to get his career started. Lowry's situation was sad too, since he was just entering his prime. Off the top of my head I can recall Trevor Wilson's career being ended by injury as he was starting to establish himself also. A compilation of sad prospect stories might make a good read 'em and weep post someday. Or even a sad Giants player story every now and then (Frank Williams comes to mind) to kind of remind us that while World Series victories are great, we need to cherish them (and not be such downers about our team - like those who frequent the Site That Shall Not Be Named) since the careers and even the lives or the players we pin our hopes on can be so fleeting.
DeleteGood calls, those 2 are definitely the biggest gut punches of the recent past.
DeleteBTW, great job on this website. I appreciate your effort allowing us Giants fans to discuss our favorite team. I live in Dodgers country, so it feels good to be out from under that oppression!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It is a labor of love.
DeleteI live in Angel's country but there are still a lot of Dodger fans down here but it is mostly a cultural thing.
ReplyDeleteThis kid looks really talented.If he's fully recovered.He'll be in the big leagues in about 3-4 years.
ReplyDelete