MIGUEL'S MENTOR

 

The young Marlins' slugger will benefit from having Carlos Delgado hitting behind him.

By Joe Capozzi

 

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Sunday, February 27, 2005

 

JUPITER ? Ever since he arrived for spring training last weekend, Miguel Cabrera has been wearing necklaces of colored beads. He got them in his native Venezuela because his countrymen believe they offer protection.

 

Cabrera found more protection when he walked into the Marlins' clubhouse and saw that the locker next to his belonged to Carlos Delgado.

 

With 336 home runs, Delgado is the biggest power hitter the Marlins have ever signed. But the biggest beneficiary this year might end up being Cabrera.

 

Delgado is starting his 13th big-league season; Cabrera is entering his second full season.

 

"If I was a young player,'' manager Jack McKeon said, "I'd pick the brain of a veteran guy all the time.''

 

And that's what Cabrera said he plans to do. He is aware that Dodgers slugger Shawn Green has said he learned to be a better hitter under Delgado's tutelage while they played in Toronto.

 

"He's going to help me a lot, like when Pudge (Rodriguez) helped me in my first year (2003),'' Cabrera said. "I want to know how he prepares for games, everything. I want to ask him because I can learn from him every day.''

 

Delgado jokes that he wonders what he can pass on to Cabrera, who is still 21. Last year he became the eighth player in history with at least 30 home runs (33), 100 RBI (112) and 100 runs scored (101) in a season before the age of 22.

 

"The kid's going to be a superstar,'' Delgado said. "He's obviously got a lot of potential. I'm just looking forward to spending some time with him. I'll be watching him, hitting from behind, so if I see something that might help, I'll pass it on.''

 

In 12 winter-league games, Cabrera drew 14 walks (three intentional) in 57 plate appearances.

 

"He's the Barry Bonds of Venezuela,'' said Marlins bullpen coach Luis Dorante, who watched Cabrera play in their native Venezuela.

 

With Delgado hitting fourth, Cabrera anticipates seeing more pitches to hit than he got last year.

 

"I think (Cabrera) is going to benefit a lot," Marlins third baseman Mike Lowell said. "If you are a pitcher, between the three, who is the one you don't want to face? I don't want to face Delgado. I think the situation determines who you want to face, the guy in front or the guy behind him? I think the fact that Cabrera is young, and he's only done it for one full year, they are going to go after him. And after Miguel punishes them a couple of times, then they might go after Delgado."

 

Cabrera might have a defensive challenge this year if the Marlins put him in right field. He prefers left field, where he likely will start this year. But the Marlins might reconsider if Juan Encarnacion and Jeff Conine haven't recovered by opening day from their off-season shoulder surgeries.

 

Cabrera says he is more comfortable in left field because the angles and flight of the ball in right field are more difficult.

 

"That is up to McKeon, what he wants to do,'' he said. "I don't want to say nothing, because that is up to him. Where they put me in the lineup, I'll play. It's a harder position for me. It's not my best spot, right field. But I'll play it."

 

Cabrera can't wait for the season to start.

 

"Right now, I feel my best,'' he said. "We can do a lot. We don't like to talk too much. We want to go out and play, play our best. That's it. We're going to see in spring training. We're going to see at the start of the season, how they are going to pitch me. I don't think they want to face Delgado. They'll want to face me."

 

And that's the way the Barry Bonds of Venezuela likes it.

 

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i like the fact that Cabs is going to learn alot from Delgado. it couldnt have worked out a better way. he is going to be a superstar,and probably the Bonds of Venezuela, but he has alot to learn still. last year he learned from Gonzo, but this year hes going to be learning from Delgado. I like the confidence Miggy has. Its great

Good article

Great article. Cabs is going to learn from a guy with years of MLB experience and he's really going to improve overall. If he's this good now, imagine what he'll be like at the end of the Delgado era here? :mischief2

If he's this good now, imagine what he'll be like at the end of the Delgado era here? :mischief2

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:w00t :

 

 

That was a great article! It's nice to hear about the veteran guys on our team helping out the youngsters! :thumbup