Oswaldo Alberto Cabrera (born March 1, 1999) is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop in the New York Yankees organization.
Cabrera is from Guarenas in Venezuela. He signed with the Yankees as a free agent when he was 16 years old. Cabrera was named Double-A Northeast’s most valuable player after the 2021 season.
The Yankees added him to their 40-man roster, protecting him from being eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 draft. The Yankees optioned Cabrera to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders for the start of the 2022 season.
Cabrera has never divulged any information about his parents, he is a very private person who likes to keep his personal life away from media attention.
Scouting Report
Age: 22 yr
Height: 5-10
Weight: 145 lbs
Hits/Throws: S/R
Acquired: 2016 IFA
RuleV: Eligible
Physical Description: Cabrera has a very slender frame. While there may have been hoping that he could add on some muscle mass as he was brought up through the system, not much has been put on.
He has solid fast twitch muscles, which allow him to react well both in the field and at the plate (contributing to his solid hands and plus defensive upside).
Hit: Cabrera has a very simple, quick-to-the-ball approach to the plate. A switch hitter, he showcases plus potential from both sides, with consistent quality barrel control, and good hands. Grade: 55
Power: Cabrera’s swing and body are both aren’t geared for power. The quick swing from both sides of the plate is designed to produce in the hit category, sacrificing potential power generation in his load in order to get to the ball and make consistent quality contact.
He does run into the ball occasionally, but for the most part, he does not look like a candidate to hit more than ten home runs at any point. Grade: 30
Field: Cabrera’s ranginess and plus quick twitch ability make him a solid overall defender. He is very smooth with his gloves and does a very good job of setting his body going into throws Grade: 50
Arm: Cabrera possesses a plus arm at third base. He is capable of making difficult throws, though his arm may garner a better overall grade if he moved to the other side of the infield. Grade: 50
Run: While Cabrera has very good fast twitch muscles (which could aid in acceleration), he lacks any sort of elite speed — he is rather average to slightly plus in that department. While this limits his range in the field, the offensive drawback is probably greater.
A hit for an average first guy will always benefit from having the speed to bolster his game. The average profile may limit his overall package in the long run Grade: 50
Overall: With a plus hit tool from both sides of the plate, and a solid defensive profile, Cabrera has a pretty good overall package as a player. The issues that are holding him back, however, are the position he plays and the lack of elite speed and power.
While his lack of musculature is by no means a turn-off (plenty of players have excelled without muscle mass or power), the fact that he doesn’t add another dimension on the bases holds him back from being a higher ceiling prospect.
A shift to second base could help him defensively while giving him more of a consistent spot in a lineup league-wide. Progressive clubs that don’t stick to the cookie cutter “guys of x build/skillset play here” may find a role for him at third. He has .285-.295 potential if he maximizes his skills at the plate.
OFP: 40
Role: 40 – Below Average Player: Utility
Risk: High