Edward Cabrera's Arrival: A Fresh Start for the Cubs and a Pitcher's Potential Unleashed!
Imagine stepping into a new job, but instead of a detailed orientation, you're essentially starting from scratch. That's been the experience for Edward Cabrera, a talented right-handed pitcher who was recently acquired by the Chicago Cubs via trade. Unlike pitchers who sign as free agents and receive extensive breakdowns of the team's expectations and development plans, Cabrera's transition has been a bit more organic. He knew he was part of trade discussions with the Marlins, but his ultimate destination was out of his hands. This means the early days of spring training have been all about building that crucial foundation, a head start that wasn't possible before his arrival.
Cabrera himself acknowledges the shift, noting, "It’s different, even the weather." Yet, he emphasizes his commitment to alignment: "But I always try to be on the same page. And I feel really good. I feel really good with the staff here." This positive outlook is a great sign as he navigates this new chapter.
His initial outing in the Cactus League was a promising display, tossing two perfect innings and striking out a remarkable half of the batters he faced. This performance hints at the potential the Cubs see in him. Juggling this new environment, a new organization for the first time in a decade, the Cubs have thoughtfully tailored his ramp-up schedule to ensure familiarity and comfort.
"It’s really just that onboarding process," explains pitching coach Tommy Hottovy. "Getting to know him, getting to know his routines, what he does in the weight room, the training room, throwing routines, bullpen routines, all those things – and then slow-dosing him information." This measured approach is key to integrating a new player effectively.
But here's where it gets interesting... Hottovy prefers not to immediately bombard players with his observations. Instead, he waits to see what the player gravitates towards first. "He definitely loves attacking the strike zone," Hottovy observes. "He tailors a lot of his identity, I think, in the bullpen work and lives to strikes. And we know if his stuff is in the strike zone, he’s really freaking good." This highlights Cabrera's natural inclination and a key strength the Cubs want to leverage.
And this is the part most people miss... While attacking the strike zone is a strength, Hottovy also wants Cabrera to embrace imperfection: "I also want him to give himself some credit that he’s not going to be perfect all the time and that competitive misses are positive for him." This is a crucial adjustment, especially considering Cabrera's improved walk rate last season, dropping from a 12% in the previous year to 8.3%. The next logical step is finding that sweet spot between command and aggression.
This philosophy can also lead to a strategic shift in his pitch usage. "A lot of his usage was tied to the strike zone," Hottovy notes. "Which is great; he knows what he can throw in the strike zone. Now, I think there’s little things we can tweak." For a long time, Cabrera has relied heavily on his 94-mph changeup. Last year, his curveball was his second most-used pitch, with his sinker actually surpassing his four-seamer as his most frequent fastball. This was largely because he felt more comfortable throwing the sinker for strikes.
However, in his recent two-inning start, the Statcast data revealed a shift: his four-seamer was his most-used pitch (32%), followed by his changeup (26%). Cabrera himself is enthusiastic about this change, stating, "That’s one thing that I want to do, I want to throw it more. And then it can contribute to my other pitches as well." This willingness to adapt and incorporate his fastball more is a significant development.
Beyond the pitching mechanics, the Cubs are also prioritizing Cabrera's physical well-being, especially given his history of injuries. "We’re doing a much better job as an organization when we acquire guys understanding what they’ve dealt with," Hottovy explains. "Diving into the biomechanics as to why we think that might be coming up and if there’s anything that we can help fix or help clean up throughout the process. So definitely making sure that strength numbers are in a good place, range of motion, getting just a full diagnostic of who this player is extremely important." This comprehensive approach to player health is vital.
It's a known fact that high-velocity pitchers like Cabrera can be more susceptible to injuries. However, the baseball world is increasingly recognizing that efficient delivery can not only protect a pitcher's health but also potentially boost their velocity. If the Cubs can keep Cabrera healthy and on the mound, his talent and continued development could significantly elevate the team's pitching rotation.
Manager Craig Counsell sums it up perfectly: "We just think this is a talented pitcher coming into the right part of his career."
What do you think? Is Cabrera's shift towards more four-seamers a sign of things to come, or is it just a temporary adjustment? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
