Edward Cabrera, a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2022 for the Miami Marlins. In his rookie season, Cabrera made 14 starts, pitching a total of 71 2/3 innings with a 3.01 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 6-4 win/loss record.
These impressive statistics beg the question: is Edward Cabrera a good pitcher?
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Cabrera’s 2022 season, his pitching mechanics and performance, and compare him to other promising young pitchers in the league.
We’ll also discuss his potential for future success and provide a final verdict on whether Edward Cabrera is indeed a good pitcher.
Statistical Analysis of Cabrera’s 2022 Season
Edward Cabrera’s 2022 season in the MLB was impressive, especially for a rookie pitcher. Here’s a detailed breakdown of his season statistics:
ERA
Cabrera finished the season with an ERA of 3.01, which ranked him 21st among all MLB pitchers with at least 70 innings pitched in 2022. Among rookie pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched, Cabrera ranked third in ERA, behind only Shane Baz and Logan Gilbert.
WHIP
Cabrera’s WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) was 1.07, which was tied for 17th best in the league among pitchers with at least 70 innings pitched. Among rookie pitchers, Cabrera’s WHIP was the second-best, behind only Shane Baz.
Win/loss Record
Cabrera finished the season with a 6-4 record, which was a respectable mark given that the Marlins finished with a losing record overall. Among rookie pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched, Cabrera’s six wins ranked him third, behind only Shane Baz and Tyler Gilbert.
Overall, Cabrera’s statistics compare favorably to other rookie pitchers and even some established pitchers in the league.
His ERA and WHIP were among the best in the league for pitchers with a similar number of innings pitched, and he was able to rack up wins despite playing for a team with a losing record.
Cabrera’s pitching repertoire is also worth noting, as he relied heavily on his fastball and slider in his debut season. However, what set him apart from other pitchers was his reinvented changeup, which became a devastating pitch for him.
Cabrera worked on his changeup during the offseason and spring training, and it paid off in the regular season, as he was able to get more swings and misses on the pitch and induce weak contact from hitters.
This pitch was a key factor in his success during the 2022 season, and will likely continue to be a major weapon for him in the future.
The Eye Test: Cabrera’s Pitching Mechanics and Performance
In addition to his impressive statistical performance, Cabrera’s pitching mechanics and performance on the mound also deserve analysis. Here’s a breakdown of some key aspects of Cabrera’s pitching:
Delivery and Arm Slot
Cabrera has a smooth and compact delivery with a high leg kick and a slightly closed front side. He throws from a three-quarters arm slot, which allows him to generate good downward movement on his pitches.
Overall, his delivery is repeatable and helps him maintain consistent mechanics throughout his outing.
Pitch Movement
Cabrera’s fastball has good velocity, sitting in the mid-90s, and features good arm-side run and sinking action. His slider is his second most used pitch and has a sharp, late break with good depth.
As mentioned previously, his changeup is a recent addition to his repertoire, and it has good deception and drop, making it difficult for hitters to square up.
Pitch Selection and Usage
Cabrera primarily relies on his fastball and slider, which he throws over 70% of the time combined. However, his improved changeup allowed him to throw more offspeed pitches and keep hitters off balance.
In terms of effectiveness, Cabrera ranked in the top 20% of pitchers in the league in inducing weak contact on balls in play, according to Statcast data.
He also had a strikeout rate of 23.6%, which was above the league average and demonstrates his ability to generate swings and misses.
High-leverage Situations
Cabrera performed well in high-leverage situations, particularly with runners on base. With runners in scoring position, he held hitters to a .214 batting average and allowed only six extra-base hits all season.
In close games (games within two runs), Cabrera had an ERA of 2.51, which shows his ability to pitch effectively under pressure.
Overall, Cabrera’s pitching mechanics and performance indicate that he has the tools to be a successful pitcher in the MLB. His fastball, slider, and changeup are all effective pitches that he can use to keep hitters off balance, induce weak contact, and generate strikeouts.
He also showed a level of poise and effectiveness in high-leverage situations that bodes well for his future success.
Comparing Cabrera to Other Promising Pitchers
When comparing Cabrera to other promising young pitchers in the league, several names come to mind, including Shane Baz of the Tampa Bay Rays, Logan Gilbert of the Seattle Mariners, and Adbert Alzolay of the Chicago Cubs.
Here’s a breakdown of how Cabrera stacks up against these pitchers:
Shane Baz
Baz made his MLB debut in 2021 and put together an impressive 1.65 ERA with a 0.88 WHIP and 22.2% strikeout rate over 16.1 innings pitched.
While he only made a handful of appearances, Baz’s stuff is electric, with a fastball that touches triple digits and a slider that generates a lot of swings and misses. Compared to Cabrera, Baz had a lower ERA and WHIP but a smaller sample size.
However, both pitchers demonstrated the ability to generate strikeouts and pitch effectively in limited MLB action.
Logan Gilbert
Gilbert also made his debut in 2021 and had a solid rookie campaign with a 4.27 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 22.7% strikeout rate over 62.0 innings pitched. He features a fastball with good velocity and movement, as well as a slider and changeup that are effective secondary offerings.
Compared to Cabrera, Gilbert had a higher ERA and WHIP but a larger sample size. However, both pitchers have similar strikeout rates and feature a good fastball-slider combination.
Adbert Alzolay
Alzolay has been with the Cubs since 2019 but had a breakout season in 2021, putting together a 4.41 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 25.8% strikeout rate over 107.1 innings pitched. He relies on a four-seam fastball, slider, and changeup, with his slider being his most effective pitch.
Compared to Cabrera, Alzolay had a higher ERA but a lower WHIP and a higher strikeout rate. However, both pitchers feature a good slider and changeup and have shown the ability to generate strikeouts.
When evaluating these pitchers based on the eye test, they all demonstrate impressive stuff and mechanics on the mound.
Baz has electric stuff, Gilbert has a repeatable delivery and good pitch mix, Alzolay has a good slider and changeup, and Cabrera has a smooth delivery and effective fastball-slider-changeup combination.
Overall, while each of these pitchers has their own strengths and weaknesses, they are all promising young pitchers with the potential to be impact players at the MLB level.
When comparing Cabrera to these other pitchers, he stacks up well and has the potential to be a cornerstone of the Miami Marlins’ pitching staff for years to come.
Future Outlook for Cabrera
Based on his impressive debut season and overall skill set, Cabrera has the potential to become a successful pitcher in the league. With his electric fastball, effective slider, and reinvented changeup, Cabrera has shown the ability to generate strikeouts and induce weak contact.
He also demonstrated poise and control on the mound, performing well in high-leverage situations and limiting damage when runners were on base.
In terms of his potential to become an ace or frontline starter, it’s still early to make such a definitive statement. However, Cabrera’s performance in his debut season suggests that he has the potential to become a top-of-the-rotation starter for the Marlins.
He has the stuff and control to dominate opposing batters and the potential to develop into a consistent and reliable starter over the long term.
One potential area of improvement for Cabrera is the development of his secondary pitches. While his fastball-slider-changeup combination is effective, continuing to refine his curveball or developing another secondary offering could make him even more dangerous on the mound.
Additionally, improving his command and reducing his walk rate could help him limit base runners and work deeper into games.
Overall, Cabrera’s future outlook is promising. With his impressive debut season and the potential for continued growth and improvement, he has the potential to become a key player for the Marlins and a top pitcher in the league.
Comparing Edward Cabrera’s 2022 season statistics to those of other promising rookie pitchers in the league:
| Player Name | ERA | WHIP | Win/Loss Record | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edward Cabrera | 3.01 | 1.07 | 6-4 | 71.2 | 66 |
| Shane Baz | 3.82 | 1.47 | 4-3 | 68.1 | 75 |
| Logan Gilbert | 4.13 | 1.29 | 7-8 | 132.2 | 120 |
| Adbert Alzolay | 4.09 | 1.27 | 8-8 | 132.1 | 136 |
This table compares Cabrera’s ERA, WHIP, win/loss record, innings pitched, and strikeouts to those of Shane Baz, Logan Gilbert, and Adbert Alzolay.
While Cabrera had the lowest ERA and WHIP of the group, Baz had more strikeouts per inning pitched. Gilbert and Alzolay had higher innings pitched, but also higher ERA and WHIP.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Edward Cabrera get his start in baseball?
Cabrera grew up playing baseball in the Dominican Republic and was signed by the Miami Marlins as an international free agent in 2015.
What is Edward Cabrera’s pitching style?
Cabrera is known for his high-velocity fastball, which can reach up to 100 mph. He also has a slider and a changeup, which he recently reinvented to make it more effective.
How did Cabrera perform in the minor leagues?
Cabrera had a solid minor league career, posting a 3.62 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over four seasons. He steadily worked his way up through the Marlins’ minor league system before making his MLB debut in 2022.
What sets Cabrera apart from other young pitchers in the league?
Cabrera’s combination of a high-velocity fastball, effective slider, and reinvented changeup makes him a formidable opponent for opposing batters. He also has good control and poise on the mound, which is impressive for a young pitcher.
What are some areas of improvement for Cabrera?
While Cabrera had a successful debut season, there are still areas for improvement. Developing his secondary pitches further and improving his command and control could help him limit base runners and work deeper into games.
What is Cabrera’s potential for future success in the league?
Based on his impressive debut season and overall skill set, Cabrera has the potential to become a top-of-the-rotation starter for the Marlins and a top pitcher in the league. However, it’s still early in his career, and he will need to continue developing and improving to reach his full potential.
To Recap
Edward Cabrera had a successful debut season in 2022, putting up impressive numbers and demonstrating the potential to become a top pitcher in the league.
His combination of a high-velocity fastball, effective slider, and reinvented changeup makes him a formidable opponent for opposing batters. Furthermore, his poise and control on the mound suggest he has the ability to succeed in high-leverage situations.
Comparing him to other promising young pitchers in the league, Cabrera stacks up well and has the potential to be among the best of his peers.
However, it’s still early in his career, and he will need to continue developing and improving to reach his full potential.
Overall, Cabrera’s future looks bright, and he could become a cornerstone of the Marlins rotation for years to come. Fans of the Marlins, as well as baseball enthusiasts, will be keeping a close eye on his development in the coming years.
