Background: Signed as a 16-year-old shortstop out of Venezuela, Cabrera turned 22 on Monday. Moved to third base in 2002 while at Single-A Jupiter, then bounced between third, left field and right field after he was called up to push the Marlins to the World Series title in 2003.
What’s up: Cabrera and the intriguing Marlins make their season’s only appearance at Coors Field for a three-game series beginning Tuesday.
Stat line: In six previous games at Coors, Cabrera has hit .360-three HRs-nine RBIs.
What’s next: Superstardom. Cabrera won’t reach his second full season of big-league service time until June 20. He already has 48 homers and 189 RBIs.
Klis’ take: Now this is how to start a youth movement. Cabrera is the best young player in the game. A 20-year-old rookie during the 2003 postseason, Cabrera homered off Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, Carlos Zambrano and Roger Clemens. That’s all. The blast off Clemens in Game 4 of the World Series spoiled what was supposed to be final game of Clemens’ career. Equally as impressive was Cabrera’s 2004 season when he avoided the sophomore jinx by hitting .294-33 HRs-112 RBIs. It doesn’t get much better for the Marlins, who play in one of the majors’ best pitcher’s parks. Cabrera’s first full season was the third-best in Marlins history, behind only Gary Sheffield’s 1996 (42 HRs, 120 RBIs) and ‘s 2000 (31 HRs, 121 RBIs, 36 steals). And Cabrera is starting well in 2005 (.300-three HR-15 RBIs in first 17 games). He does have flaws. He strikes out too much (148 times last year) and he has his defensive lapses. But considering most players who just turned 22 are doing well if they’re playing Double-A, the Marlins aren’t complaining. The biggest question confronting Cabrera: How great can he become?
