Daniel Cabrera
Encyclopedia
Daniel Alberto Cabrera Cruz (born May 28, 1981, in San Pedro de Macorís
, Dominican Republic
) is a Major League Baseball
right-handed starting pitcher
who is currently a free agent
. He is one of the taller pitchers in the league, standing at 6' 9" and 270 lb
.
as an amateur in . He did not become a player in the Orioles minor league system until , at the age of 19.
For his first two seasons as a minor leaguer, Cabrera played in the rookie leagues; first with the Gulf Coast Orioles
, then with Bluefield
. He posted a 5.49 ERA
his first season and a 3.28 ERA his second. When he was 22, Cabrera became a part of the Orioles Single-A ballclub, the Delmarva Shorebirds
. His record was 5-9 with a 4.24 ERA.
By the end of his third season in the minors, Cabrera was racking up the numbers one would expect from a power pitcher. He recorded 105 strikeouts over 101 innings of work with the rookie leagues between and , and added 120 strikeouts over 125.1 innings in Single-A Delmarva the following season. He was promoted to Double-A Bowie
before the season.
.
Cabrera did not disappoint. In his very first start against the Atlanta Braves, he tossed six shutout
innings. In June, he had a 2.83 ERA and held opponents to a mere .204 batting average
. Though utterly dominating for the first few months, Cabrera's control slowly left him; by the end of the season, he was walking
far too many batters to be effective, and finished the season with an even 5.00 ERA. He finished third in AL Rookie of the Year
voting.
During 2005, Cabrera's name surfaced in trade rumors involving A.J. Burnett of the Florida Marlins
. These trade rumors never reached fruition, however, and Burnett and Cabrera both remained with their respective teams for the duration of the season.
analysts Rob Neyer
and Peter Gammons
, predicted a breakout season for Cabrera in . However, on July 14, 2006, Cabrera, after showing inconsistency at the major league level (leading the majors in both walks (75) and wild pitch
es (13)), was optioned to Triple-A Ottawa
. To take his place in the starting rotation, left-hander Adam Loewen
was recalled from Ottawa.
Cabrera was recalled on August 7, 2006, and pitched a complete game
shutout against the Toronto Blue Jays
on August 19, 2006, allowing only five hits
. On September 28, 2006, Cabrera took a no-hitter
into the 9th inning against the New York Yankees
before surrendering a line drive single
to Robinson Canó
. He completed the game, only giving up that one hit.
30–3.
Cabrera was ejected in the fourth inning for throwing a beanball
at the head of the Boston Red Sox
's second baseman
, Dustin Pedroia
on September 7, 2007, after a third base
balk
. MLB commentators have cited this as being another instance of Cabrera being a man of massive potential with poor major league career execution. On September 13, 2007, he was suspended six games by Major League Baseball for the incident.
In 2007, he had the lowest range factor
of all major league pitchers, 0.75.
(18) and had the majors' worst strikeout:walk ratio (1.06), and led the American League
in wild pitches (15), and finished second in the AL with 90 walks.http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-standard-pitching.shtml Overall, he finished the season 8-10 with a 5.25 ERA. On December 12, the Orioles gave up on Cabrera and did not tender him a contract.
. On April 19, 2009, Cabrera reached base safely for the first time in his career with a four pitch walk. He struck out 18 times in a row beforehand.
On May 26, 2009, Cabrera was designated for assignment, and once clearing waivers the Nationals announced that he would be released.
On August 3, 2009, the Arizona Diamondbacks
signed Cabrera to a minor league contract.
On November 4, 2009, Cabrera filed for free agency
with an invitation to spring training.
On June 10, 2010, Cabrera signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
.
, a curveball
, and a changeup
. His fastball is his strongest pitch—he is able to throw it consistently in the upper 90s, with significant sinking and tailing action. He throws two different curveballs. One is a sharp-breaking, hard curve that behaves like a slurve
and tops out in the mid-upper 80s. He also throws a looping, 12-6 curveball that tops out in the high 70s. Cabrera's changeup is improving, though in it was extremely inconsistent. He featured this pitch with more effectiveness while representing the Dominican Republic
in the inaugural World Baseball Classic
.
Cabrera's mix of velocity and pitch movement have enabled him to rack up impressive strikeout numbers, as evidenced by his excellent K rate in 2005 (8.8 K/9). However, he has had difficulties with control, as is often the case with a power pitcher
of his size and level of experience. His career walk rate is an extremely high 5.1 BB/9; his career high for walks in a single game is 9, most recently in a bizarre outing where in addition to his walks, which loaded the bases in three of his five innings, fanned 10 batters and allowed only one run
to cross the plate, on a wild pitch.
Though displaying tremendous potential for success, Cabrera is sometimes chastised for his perceived lack of mental toughness and overall inconsistency.
San Pedro de Macorís
San Pedro de Macorís is a municipality and the capital of the San Pedro de Macorís province in the Dominican Republic.-Demographics:...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right-handed starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He is one of the taller pitchers in the league, standing at 6' 9" and 270 lb
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
.
Professional career
Cabrera was signed by the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
as an amateur in . He did not become a player in the Orioles minor league system until , at the age of 19.
For his first two seasons as a minor leaguer, Cabrera played in the rookie leagues; first with the Gulf Coast Orioles
Gulf Coast Orioles
The Gulf Coast League Orioles are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Gulf Coast League. The Orioles were originally a team from 1991-2003, but were reactivated in 2007...
, then with Bluefield
Bluefield Orioles
The Bluefield Blue Jays are a minor league baseball team of the Rookie Appalachian League representing the twin cities of Bluefield, West Virginia, and Bluefield, Virginia. Beginning in 2011, Bluefield will be affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays. The team plays their home games at Bowen Field, a...
. He posted a 5.49 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
his first season and a 3.28 ERA his second. When he was 22, Cabrera became a part of the Orioles Single-A ballclub, the Delmarva Shorebirds
Delmarva Shorebirds
The Delmarva Shorebirds are a minor league baseball team based in Salisbury, Maryland. They are one of three Single-A affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles and a member of the South Atlantic League. The Shorebirds play at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.The "Shorebirds" name refers to the marine waterfowl...
. His record was 5-9 with a 4.24 ERA.
By the end of his third season in the minors, Cabrera was racking up the numbers one would expect from a power pitcher. He recorded 105 strikeouts over 101 innings of work with the rookie leagues between and , and added 120 strikeouts over 125.1 innings in Single-A Delmarva the following season. He was promoted to Double-A Bowie
Bowie Baysox
The Bowie Baysox are a minor league baseball team located in Bowie, Maryland. They are the class-AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and play in the Eastern League...
before the season.
2004
While at Bowie, Cabrera began dominating; through five starts, he posted a 2.39 ERA and averaged over 11 strikeouts per nine innings. On May 11, , he was called up to make his major league debut against the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
.
Cabrera did not disappoint. In his very first start against the Atlanta Braves, he tossed six shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
innings. In June, he had a 2.83 ERA and held opponents to a mere .204 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
. Though utterly dominating for the first few months, Cabrera's control slowly left him; by the end of the season, he was walking
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
far too many batters to be effective, and finished the season with an even 5.00 ERA. He finished third in AL Rookie of the Year
MLB Rookie of the Year Award
In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
voting.
2005
At the start of the 2005 season, Cabrera was listed as the Orioles #2 starter, thanks to a dominating Grapefruit League performance. His performance was extremely up-and-down, however. Though he had many utterly dominating performances, he had an equal number of disastrous outings. His 2005 ERA of 4.52 belies the inconsistency he experienced from start to start.During 2005, Cabrera's name surfaced in trade rumors involving A.J. Burnett of the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. These trade rumors never reached fruition, however, and Burnett and Cabrera both remained with their respective teams for the duration of the season.
2006
Cabrera once again demonstrated his potential with some dominating performances against major-league caliber rosters while pitching in the WBC. Many baseball experts, including ESPNESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
analysts Rob Neyer
Rob Neyer
Rob Neyer is a baseball author and writer for SB Nation. He started his career working for Bill James and STATS, and then joined ESPN.com as a columnist from 1996 to January 2011 before becoming SB Nation's National Baseball Editor...
and Peter Gammons
Peter Gammons
Peter Gammons is an American sportswriter, media personality, and a recipient of the J. G. Taylor Spink Award for outstanding baseball writing, given by the BBWAA.-Education:...
, predicted a breakout season for Cabrera in . However, on July 14, 2006, Cabrera, after showing inconsistency at the major league level (leading the majors in both walks (75) and wild pitch
Wild pitch
In baseball, a wild pitch is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, perhaps even the batter-runner on strike three or ball four, to advance.A wild pitch usually...
es (13)), was optioned to Triple-A Ottawa
Ottawa Lynx
The Ottawa Lynx were a minor league baseball team that formerly competed in the Triple-A International League from 1993 to 2007. The team's home field was Lynx Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario. Over the team's 15 seasons, it was the Triple-A Minor League affiliate of the Montreal Expos , Baltimore...
. To take his place in the starting rotation, left-hander Adam Loewen
Adam Loewen
Adam Alexander Loewen is a Canadian professional baseball outfielder and infielder for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws left-handed...
was recalled from Ottawa.
Cabrera was recalled on August 7, 2006, and pitched a complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
shutout against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
on August 19, 2006, allowing only five hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
. On September 28, 2006, Cabrera took a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
into the 9th inning against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
before surrendering a line drive single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
to Robinson Canó
Robinson Canó
Robinson José Canó Mercedes is a Dominican baseball player who currently plays as a second baseman for the New York Yankees.-Family and early life:...
. He completed the game, only giving up that one hit.
2007
Cabrera was the losing pitcher for the Orioles on August 22, . That day, the Orioles suffered the worst beating in baseball since , blowing a 3-run lead and losing to the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
30–3.
Cabrera was ejected in the fourth inning for throwing a beanball
Beanball
"Beanball" is a colloquialism used in baseball, for a ball thrown at an opposing player with the intention of striking him such as to cause harm, often connoting a throw at the player's head...
at the head of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
's second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
, Dustin Pedroia
Dustin Pedroia
Dustin Luis Pedroia is an American professional baseball second baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Pedroia has won several awards in Major League Baseball, including the 2007 American League Rookie of the Year and the 2008 AL MVP award...
on September 7, 2007, after a third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
balk
Balk
In baseball, a pitcher can commit a number of illegal motions or actions that constitute a balk. In games played under the Official Baseball Rules, a balk results in a dead ball or delayed dead ball. In certain other circumstances, a balk may be wholly or partially disregarded...
. MLB commentators have cited this as being another instance of Cabrera being a man of massive potential with poor major league career execution. On September 13, 2007, he was suspended six games by Major League Baseball for the incident.
In 2007, he had the lowest range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
of all major league pitchers, 0.75.
2008
In , Cabrera was 5-1 with a 3.48 ERA through 10 starts, but fell off after that. He finished the year leading the majors in hit battersHit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch , or hit batsman , is a batter or his equipment being hit in some part of his body by a pitch from the pitcher.-Official rule:...
(18) and had the majors' worst strikeout:walk ratio (1.06), and led the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in wild pitches (15), and finished second in the AL with 90 walks.http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-standard-pitching.shtml Overall, he finished the season 8-10 with a 5.25 ERA. On December 12, the Orioles gave up on Cabrera and did not tender him a contract.
2009
On December 29, 2008, Cabrera signed a one-year deal with the Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. On April 19, 2009, Cabrera reached base safely for the first time in his career with a four pitch walk. He struck out 18 times in a row beforehand.
On May 26, 2009, Cabrera was designated for assignment, and once clearing waivers the Nationals announced that he would be released.
On August 3, 2009, the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
signed Cabrera to a minor league contract.
On November 4, 2009, Cabrera filed for free agency
2010
On January 14, 2010, Cabrera signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
with an invitation to spring training.
On June 10, 2010, Cabrera signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
.
Pitching style
Cabrera throws three pitches: a fastballFastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
, a curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
, and a changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
. His fastball is his strongest pitch—he is able to throw it consistently in the upper 90s, with significant sinking and tailing action. He throws two different curveballs. One is a sharp-breaking, hard curve that behaves like a slurve
Slurve
The slurve is a baseball pitch in which the pitcher throws a slider as if he were throwing a curve ball. The term is a portmanteau of the words "slider" and "curve".-History:...
and tops out in the mid-upper 80s. He also throws a looping, 12-6 curveball that tops out in the high 70s. Cabrera's changeup is improving, though in it was extremely inconsistent. He featured this pitch with more effectiveness while representing the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
in the inaugural World Baseball Classic
World Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation and created by Major League Baseball , the Major League Baseball Players Association , and other professional baseball leagues and their players associations around the world...
.
Cabrera's mix of velocity and pitch movement have enabled him to rack up impressive strikeout numbers, as evidenced by his excellent K rate in 2005 (8.8 K/9). However, he has had difficulties with control, as is often the case with a power pitcher
Power pitcher
In baseball, a power pitcher is a pitcher who relies on the velocity of his pitches, sometimes at the expense of accuracy. Power pitchers usually record a high number of strikeouts and statistics such as strikeouts per 9 innings pitched are common measures of power...
of his size and level of experience. His career walk rate is an extremely high 5.1 BB/9; his career high for walks in a single game is 9, most recently in a bizarre outing where in addition to his walks, which loaded the bases in three of his five innings, fanned 10 batters and allowed only one run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
to cross the plate, on a wild pitch.
Though displaying tremendous potential for success, Cabrera is sometimes chastised for his perceived lack of mental toughness and overall inconsistency.