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by rusty2
The Indians' Cabreras connection
April, 16, 2011
Buster Olney
Orlando Cabrera started his lobbying early in spring training, Cleveland Indians Manager Manny Acta recalled, after Cabrera watched teammate Asdrubal Cabrera take batting practice for the first time. "Orlando was impressed with his power, and he started talking with him about the mental aspects of hitting," Acta said.
Orlando Cabrera encouraged Asdrubal to look for more opportunities to drive the ball, to look for a pitch in a particular part of the strike zone. Orlando encouraged Asdrubal that he could do more at the plate. "He told him that he could take a bigger swing, look for extra bases," Acta recalled. "Because he's a guy who could hit for more power," Acta said. "And he's been in the middle of everything."
Yes. Cabrera drove in four runs on Friday, which gives him 14 in the Indians' 13 games, and he's got seven extra-base hits in his first 53 at-bats, including four homers. He's never hit more than six in any season, but Asdrubal Cabrera, looks like a different hitter, now that he's 25 -- bigger, stronger. Just as Carlos Guillen matured physically from his first days with the Seattle Mariners and developed into a power hitter, Cabrera seems to be making a transformation.
And he is healthy again, after breaking his forearm last year. "I don't think he was 100 percent healthy last season, and now he's back," Acta said. "This guy is one of the best shortstops in the American League."
The Indians are 9-4, in the aftermath of Justin Masterson's latest masterpiece; he has continued to grow and develop. It's time to climb onto the Indians' bandwagon, writes Bill Livingston.
A rival GM noted this week how many tough outs the Indians have amassed in their lineup, from Michael Brantley to Cabrera to Carlos Santana. "That is not an easy lineup to face," he said.
Last edited by
rusty2 on Sat Apr 16, 2011 12:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
