Prospect Review: Grady Sizemore and Fernando Cabrera

Wrapping my overview of Buffalo’s prospects with two highly-regarded players:

RHRP Fernando Cabrera

Age: 22 (Born 11-16-1981)

Roster Status: On 40-man Roster

2004 Stats (AAA): 50.0 IP, 4.68 ERA, 57 SO, 35 BB

Ranked #5 in Cleveland’s organization by Baseball America

The above numbers can be deceiving, as Fernando has been lights out in the last month or so, as he was adjusting to the bullpen. In the past two years, the Indians, seeing Cabrera’s good fastball/split combo, have eased Cabrera into a relief role. Cabrera can throw in the mid 90s, but he still has to throw them for strikes in order to succeed in Cleveland. However, with the Indians bullpen in flux, Cabrera should get a September callup at the very least. He projects as a major-league closer, or at least an effective setup man.

OF Grady Sizemore

Age: 21 (Born 8-2-1982)

Roster Status: On 40-man Roster

2004 Stats (AAA): 374 AB, .302/.368/.457, 21 2B, 7 HR

Ranked #1 in Cleveland’s organization by Baseball America (#7 overall in their midseason rankings)

The crown jewel of the system, Grady has just about everything you want in a major-league hitter; good plate discipline, the ability to hit for average, power potential, a quick bat, and the ability to hit to all fields. If he can stick in center field, he has All-Star potential. With Franklin Gutierrez a year behind him and only Coco Crisp in front of him, the time is now for Grady to get a long extended shot in center. Sizemore’s arm is his only real weakness, and the reason he might move over to left when Matt Lawton departs. This time next year, it’s very possible to see Victor Martinez, Brandon Phillips, Jhonny Peralta, and Grady Sizemore playing up the middle in Cleveland, with all four 25 or younger.