LHP Cabrera already impressing Cardinals at camp

Among the promising prospects at spring training with the St. Louis Cardinals, left-handed pitcher Genesis Cabrera is already getting high marks as a player to watch in 2019. Before reporting to his first big-league camp at Jupiter, Fla., Cabrera showed what he can do as a reliever in the Dominican Winter League. In 14 1/3 innings, he posted a 1.26 ERA with 21 strikeouts and only two walks. Cabrera impressed scouts and Cardinals manager Mike Shildt.

"Caught my attention," Shildt said. "Caught our attention. Some people in the industry who I respect quite a bit, covering winter ball, texted me saying, 'This guy is pretty good.' " Shildt was already raving about Cabrera shortly after camp opened.

"He's going to be a guy we evaluate as we go and then we'll table him for later. But he's a guy we're definitely excited about watching," Shildt said Thursday during his daily media interview briefing. The 22-year-old Dominican pitcher came to the Cardinals in a trade package from the Tampa Bay Rays last year for Tommy Pham.

At the Winter Warmup in January, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak was heaping praise on the Cardinals' hot prospect. "If I had to guess, I might put it all on Cabrera," Mozeliak said when asked to predict who might be the Cardinals' next breakout star. "Power left-hand arm. Could be very exciting, and someone who makes a real contribution this year."

Whether he becomes a starter or reliever remains to be seen, but Cabrera -- with an arm capable of throwing 97-98 mph -- seems particularly suited for one job. "I feel very comfortable throwing out of the bullpen," Cabrera said through a translator for an article on MLB.com. "I feel like I can throw the ball harder and more efficient in that role. I was impressed with the velocity and how high it went."

--Field Level Media