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Marlins notes: Cabrera learns in left

Despite mistakes, rookie picking up new position

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

Marlins rookie left fielder Miguel Cabrera on Saturday didn't yield to center fielder Juan Pierre in the eighth inning on a fly ball in the left-center field gap.

 

Pierre was under the drive by Houston's Lance Berkman, but Cabrera crossed into the path of the center fielder and dropped the ball for a two-base error.

 

Reliever Ugueth Urbina, however, prevented further damage by striking out Richard Hidalgo to end the inning, and helping preserve a 5-2 Marlins' win.

 

A converted infielder, the 20-year-old Cabrera is new to left field. Since being called up June 20, he has made steady progress in a new position.

 

After the misplay, Marlins teammates gave Cabrera some uplifting talks in the dugout.

 

"Forget it, they told me," Cabrera said.

 

"He knows," Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. "What can you say? He's aggressive. He's having a good time. What he forgets is the guy who is out there gets there faster than he thinks."

 

The speedy Pierre covers a great deal of ground in the outfield, and he works regularly with Cabrera, discussing positioning with each batter.

 

Hitting coach Bill Robinson, who works with the outfielders, had a talk with Cabrera to remind him of "knowing your position."

 

After every pitch, Robinson wants Cabrera to look to his left to see where Pierre is stationed.

 

"He needs to know that Juan is one of the best center fielders in the game," Robinson said. "Miguel needs to look for his spot. Now there is the cardinal sin of both players stopping and letting the ball drop."

 

Working together and communicating is critical for outfielders as they navigate in the outfield.

 

The Rockies on Saturday had a nasty encounter when center fielder Preston Wilson and Gold Glove right fielder Admin Walker violently collided in right-center.

 

That play was different than Cabrera crossing in front of Pierre because the ball was carrying in the gap. Wilson and Walker both were in full stride, and miraculously Wilson caught the ball and held on despite absorbing a hard hit from his teammate.

 

On the Marlins near-miss, Pierre was standing under the ball as Cabrera whistled by.

 

"I'm not concerned at all about this guy," Robinson said of Cabrera. "He's gone above-and-beyond the call of duty."

 

Mlb.com

Did the Marlins do the right thing sticking with Cabrera in left? Absolutely.

 

According to astute reader Howard Garson, with help from Lee Sinins' Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia, just nine players age 20 or younger have ever slugged for a higher percentage with at least 134 plate appearances (see chart).

 

Six of those players made the Hall of Fame, and Alex Rodriguez, the only active player in the group, is headed for Cooperstown. Bob Horner (1978) made a detour to Japan, and Tony Conigliaro (1964) had his career interrupted by a severe beaning.

 

Just 11 players in this age group have posted higher on-base plus slugging percentages (OPS) than Cabrera through 134 plate appearances. Besides A-Rod, only Whitey Lockman (1945), Conigliaro and Vada Pinson (1959) failed to make the Hall of Fame on that list.

 

Dealing for a supposed "upgrade" after a start like that wouldn't make much sense.

 

Hes in good company.

Nice :D

Did the Marlins do the right thing sticking with Cabrera in left? Absolutely.

 

According to astute reader Howard Garson, with help from Lee Sinins' Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia, just nine players age 20 or younger have ever slugged for a higher percentage with at least 134 plate appearances (see chart).

 

Six of those players made the Hall of Fame, and Alex Rodriguez, the only active player in the group, is headed for Cooperstown. Bob Horner (1978) made a detour to Japan, and Tony Conigliaro (1964) had his career interrupted by a severe beaning.

 

Just 11 players in this age group have posted higher on-base plus slugging percentages (OPS) than Cabrera through 134 plate appearances. Besides A-Rod, only Whitey Lockman (1945), Conigliaro and Vada Pinson (1959) failed to make the Hall of Fame on that list.

 

Dealing for a supposed "upgrade" after a start like that wouldn't make much sense.

 

Hes in good company. this topic is about his defense not his offense.

ops% and slg% is defense?

 

join the list

ops% and slg% is defense?

 

join the list

what is this list i've been reading about ramp?? what did i miss while i was gone?

The idiot list???????

What happened to the list? It's dissapparead

names wont be named, but we all know, who is on the list

names wont be named, but we all know, who is on the list

:thumbdown :thumbdown

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