Cabrera at Nationals Camp

[Orioles Examiner]

Hello all,

I found some good stuff from the Nationals ST camp yesterday, where Nats pitching coach Randy St. Claire is trying yet again to "fix" Daniel Cabrera.

Check out what Nats fans and coaches are thinking, if you are interested:

http://www.examiner.com/x-436-Baltimore-Orioles-Examiner~y2009m2d25-Same-old-song-and-dance-Nats-see-Cabreras-potential

Looks like D Cab's velocity is back up, if reports are to be believed. Do you think he can really turn it around this year?

[NewMarketSean]

If anyone can fix Cabrera, it's [insert pitching coach name here].

A. Ray Miller

B. Leo Mazzone

C. Rick Kranitz

D. Randy St. Claire

LOL. Cabrera is going to be the pitcher he's always been. But, maybe a little consistency in the guy coaching him might be a start in the right direction. DCab has had 4 PC's in 6 seasons.

[beaner]

Cabrera's awkwardness has always been an issue with him because of his size. St Claire, being a tall pitcher himself may be able to help in ways that others couldn't. A stretch? Maybe, but I've been a believer in Daniel since day 1, and I'd really like to see him succeed.

[Boy Howdy]

I remain confident that Cabrera will put up a big season or three before he leaves MLB, and think a fresh start will be good for him though I'm sorry to see him go.

Two things working against him this spring, though:

1) He's part of the Dominican Republic's final WBC roster, so he'll get even less time to work St. Claire prior to opening day.

2) I had a hunch all along that Nats Special Asst to the GM Jose Rijo would be a good influence on Cabrera. To reiterate why, Rijo was a flamethrowing Dominican who got rushed to the majors, struggled mightily, then found himself and led the Reds to the 1990 World Series title & enjoyed a nice run as one of the NL's top hurlers before injuries got him. Unfourtunately, Rijo left camp on a leave of absence due to some combination of his mother's health issues and the Nats signing bonus scandals in the DR.

Nevertheless, playing for Manny Acta, who's from the same town as Daniel, and being able to leave a lot of negative baggage in the American League bodes well for him.

[Orioles Examiner]

I remain confident that Cabrera will put up a big season or three before he leaves MLB, and think a fresh start will be good for him though I'm sorry to see him go.

Two things working against him this spring, though:

1) He's part of the Dominican Republic's final WBC roster, so he'll get even less time to work St. Claire prior to opening day.

2) I had a hunch all along that Nats Special Asst to the GM Jose Rijo would be a good influence on Cabrera. To reiterate why, Rijo was a flamethrowing Dominican who got rushed to the majors, struggled mightily, then found himself and led the Reds to the 1990 World Series title & enjoyed a nice run as one of the NL's top hurlers before injuries got him. Unfourtunately, Rijo left camp on a leave of absence due to some combination of his mother's health issues and the Nats signing bonus scandals in the DR.

Nevertheless, playing for Manny Acta, who's from the same town as Daniel, and being able to leave a lot of negative baggage in the American League bodes well for him.

Thanks for the insights, BBD. I had no idea that DCab has so many fellow Domicans to work with as a Nat.

I hope he turns it around. I've had the image of him dominating on Opening Day 2007 in my head all morning.

[Moose Milligan]

hahahahahahaha, no.

[cindyluvsbrady]

I wish the best for Daniel:):clap3::wedge:

I will really miss him!:002_scry:

[DrungoHazewood]

Who knows, but just the switch to the NL should knock a half a run a game off his ERA. If he really got his fastball back he might put up a 4.50 in the NL, although the Nats' defense is pretty bad. Facing a pitcher twice a game can't hurt.

I'd really like to know why he was down to the low 80s last year.

It'll be funny to see him go 0-for-58 with 54 strikeouts at the plate. He may make a run at Bob Buhl's record. You know the one, most at bats without a hit in a single season, at 70. Guarantee he'll strike out more than 36 times if he gets 70 plate appearances.

[Big Mac]

I wish D-Cab nothing but the best.

However, regardless of how he pitches this season, I still will believe it was time for the O's and Cabrera to part ways.

[Moose Milligan]

Who knows, but just the switch to the NL should knock a half a run a game off his ERA. If he really got his fastball back he might put up a 4.50 in the NL, although the Nats' defense is pretty bad. Facing a pitcher twice a game can't hurt.

I'd really like to know why he was down to the low 80s last year.

It'll be funny to see him go 0-for-58 with 54 strikeouts at the plate. He may make a run at Bob Buhl's record. You know the one, most at bats without a hit in a single season, at 70. Guarantee he'll strike out more than 36 times if he gets 70 plate appearances.

Hey Drungo, whats the highest strikeout/PA ratio in a season? For a pitcher and a position player, too.

I gotta think D-Cabb has a great shot at the record for a pitcher.

[Boy Howdy]

Hey Drungo, whats the highest strikeout/PA ratio in a season? For a pitcher and a position player, too.

I gotta think D-Cabb has a great shot at the record for a pitcher.

I'm not Drungo, but I think the worst single-season performance for a non-pitcher that appeared in at least 100 games was by the Tigers Melvin Nieves in 1997 - 157 K's in 359 official at bats. Hey, he did hit 20 home runs!

For pitchers, I don't have the numbers handy, but Cabrera's neighbor Joaquin Andujar whiffed 315 times in 607 career trips. Of course, he also homered from both sides of the plate -including a grand slam- and hit an inside-the-park homer off Bill "Spaceman" Lee.

[Moose Milligan]

I'm not Drungo, but I think the worst single-season performance for a non-pitcher that appeared in at least 100 games was by the Tigers Melvin Nieves in 1997 - 157 K's in 359 official at bats. Hey, he did hit 20 home runs!

For pitchers, I don't have the numbers handy, but Cabrera's neighbor Joaquin Andujar whiffed 315 times in 607 career trips. Of course, he also homered from both sides of the plate -including a grand slam- and hit an inside-the-park homer off Bill "Spaceman" Lee.

Melvin Nieves is a blast from the past. Good call!

[Frobby]

For pitchers, I don't have the numbers handy, but Cabrera's neighbor Joaquin Andujar whiffed 315 times in 607 career trips.

I'd be very surprised if DCab does not strike out more than 2/3 of the time. The guy is the most clueless player I've ever seen with a bat in his hand. Literally.

[Moose Milligan]

I'd be very surprised if DCab does not strike out more than 2/3 of the time. The guy is the most clueless player I've ever seen with a bat in his hand. Literally.

We need to make a betting thread.

[Boy Howdy]

We need to make a betting thread.

You all know I love Cabrera, but I'd be shocked if FRobby is anything but right on.

I'd suggest a pool for when Cabrera gets his first major league hit.

I'll take May 24, 2009, against the Orioles, as an early birthday gift to himself. It'll be a bloop single over Brian Roberts head when the diminutive 2B pulls up laughing at the absurdity of it all, because Cindy would tell us Brian's a compassionate human being.